Roland Pankewich is an optimal health practitioner formally trained in holistic nutrition and functional medicine. His unique approach assesses each aspect of lifestyle as it relates to health, with a focus on intervention at the bio-chemical level. Roland’s background in sports and exercise has given him a unique approach to performance and physical optimization with diet and supplementation. By emphasising critical thinking and action-based outcomes, Roland teaches his clients to understand and implement changes as they work towards better health. His specialities include clinical practice, education and presentation.

David Kittner, a.k.a. the Youth Fitness Guy, lives and works in Peterborough. As a Certified Functional Strength Coach and Youth Fitness Specialist, he conducts training programs, workshops and clinics for athletes, sports teams, teachers and coaches. David also presents internationally at fitness, coaching and physical education conferences including The New York Rangers, USA Hockey, the Ontario Physical Literacy Summit and the Youth Fitness Summit.

In addition to being the 2014 IYCA Coach of the Year, David is a contributing author of the international bestselling book The Definitive Guide to Youth Athletic Strength, Conditioning and Performance.

Jude graduated with honours from Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough. Since graduation he has been associated with the John Howard Society, working with at-risk youth and people dealing with addiction. Growing up surrounded by family and friends struggling with addiction, and losing family to addiction, Jude found himself walking the line of addiction. Life experience created a heightened awareness of the impact addiction has on one’s life and the lives of others, and this spurred him to make positive change. Jude has an empathetic if not a kindred connection to people facing addiction, PTSD and mental health challenges. Jude believes in the integration of holistic and evidence-based methods when it comes to healing and addiction. He is a warm, personable counsellor who takes a non-judgmental approach and values the importance of exploring the underlying contributors to addiction, not just the addiction itself. Jude is a strong advocate for healthy changes in life habits as the first step to implementing change. Consistency, mindfulness, visualization and positivity are Jude’s mantras.

Corrina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and her graduate certificate in Addictions and Mental Health through Durham College. She has a passion for working with others and a desire to help make a positive impact in people’s lives. Corrina’s personal experience with a family member living with addiction, as well as personal/family mental health struggles led her to take a specialized program in Addictions and Mental Health. Corrina completed an internship at Bellwood Health Services in Toronto and began putting her academic skills into clinical practice and developing her counselling style. Corrina believes in a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to care and the importance of treating the individual holistically. Clients respond to her warm, empathetic, non-judgmental client-centred approach. Corrina believes that recovery involves living a life that is meaningful and works toward helping her clients discover the core values that have been lost through addiction.

Wanting to help others has always come naturally to Judy and having a loved-one struggling with addiction peaked her interest in the addictions field. Judy attended the Drug and Alcohol Counselling program at Fleming College in Peterborough to acquire the practical skills and knowledge to assist those struggling with mental health and addiction. After completing her placement at CHRC, Judy was invited to join the team. She is passionate about helping others, believes in the holistic approach to recovery, and works with her clients toward healing the mind, body and spirit.

George joined the CHRC team after a 25-year career in business. He graduated from York University in 1990 and steadily moved up in his field. It was his own 10-year battle with opioid addictions that made him realize a change was needed. Like many people who suffer addictions, George continually asked the question, “Why me?” It wasn’t until he attended an open house for Fleming College’s Addictions and Mental Health program that he found a way to make sense of those 10 years, as well as a way to help others dealing with similar situations. George graduated from Fleming and received the award for outstanding achievement in academics and placement. Outside of work, George is most importantly a husband and a father to three daughters. He is humbled to be President and Chair of the Board for McLeod House Cheshire Homes Charities where he has worked with the directors to provide funding for organizations that support improving the lives of those in need.

Jay has been helping people overcome a broad spectrum of interpersonal difficulties for over twenty years. He honed his counselling skills as a pastoral leader which has given him unique insight into the human experience. His congregational leadership is contrasted with the opportunity to manage a residential facility that specialized in helping men overcome their struggles with addiction, education and employment issues, and make the difficult transition from prison back into the community. A committed life-long learner, Jay is enroute to finish his Master’s of Theological Studies (MTS) in 2019. Jay is a certified coach in The Birkman Method of assessing behaviour and personality and has recently completed 60 hours of ICF approved ASCTH Executive Coach Training. Jay sees his higher purpose as helping people who struggle with addiction and mental health concerns with a goal to unleash their potential.

Melissa is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Therapeutic Chef. She graduated from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN) in Toronto. Following a successful 10-year career working her way through some of the best restaurants in Canada, Melissa wanted to expand her knowledge of nutrition and returned to IHN, obtaining her diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition. After graduating, she launched her practice “Eat. Live. Thrive.” and joined the Canadian Health Recovery Centre, where she specializes in food-based nutrition for alcohol and drug recovery, mental health, and blood sugar management.

Brittany began her educational journey by pursuing her passion for people. She completed her undergraduate degree with Honours in Sociology and Political Science at Trent University in Peterborough. After graduating, Brittany continued her education to specialize her knowledge and develop skills for helping others by completing her Social Service Work diploma at Loyalist College. She also obtained a certificate in Career Development while at Loyalist. Brittany participated in placements at Canadian Mental Health Association and FOURcast. During this time, she witnessed the pain and emotional turmoil addiction has on those suffering and their loved ones in both her professional and personal life, which solidified her goal of helping those affected by addiction. Brittany went on to work with children with special needs and behavioral issues and gained experience with anger management, coping strategies, self-care and distraction techniques for those suffering from difficult mental health symptoms. Brittany is currently adding to her skills by working toward an Addictions Care Worker diploma through McMaster University She continues to provide relief support to youth in a mental health group home setting. In her role at CHRC, Brittany provides support to clients and the team with a positive and encouraging approach.

Patrick’s personal experience helping friends and family dealing with addictions cemented his desire to help others and evolved into a professional interest in the field of addictions and mental health. Patrick holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Trent University in Peterborough, where his studies included a focus on Cognitive Psychology, Health Psychology and Learning Psychology. He has lived in many parts of the world and has experience teaching adults and children, allowing him a unique perspective many people enjoy and relate to. Patrick focuses on building a rapport to develop a meaningful relationship with each client.

Nicholas has experience in a range of disciplines, from working with a team of health care professionals in rehabilitative work to sport performance at the provincial level. As a personal trainer and health promoter, he assesses and improves movement mechanics through designing a personalized plan of action while considering his clients’ objectives. Nicholas works to instill the principals needed to visualize and plan for healthy lifestyle and provide his clients with the specific tools required to improve their health.

Darryl brings ten years of personal and professional experience with mental health and addiction treatment and life skills coaching to his counselling position at the Canadian Health Recovery Centre.

Early life experiences led Darryl to work in his chosen field of addiction and mental health counselling. He was raised in Toronto by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, His father was a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, a drug addict and recognized as the neighbourhood homeless man. As a young teenager, Darryl would have to search the dangerous downtown homeless shelters when he wanted to see his father. With these early adversities, Darryl found himself immersed in street life at a young age. Drugs, gangs and trouble with the law became his lifestyle.

After completing a treatment program nearly 15 years ago, Darryl turned his life in the right direction. He began visiting young people at local prisons, where he shared his personal stories in the hope of opening their eyes to the dangers of gang violence, and helped teach them how to become better versions of themselves. Darryl received honours in Counselling Skills and Addiction Studies from Centennial College and obtained certification as a Life Skills Coach through George Brown College. Most recently he received a diploma in Psychology from Alison University, and is certified in “The Addicted Brain” by Emory University. Darryl is also trained in HIV and Hepatitis awareness. His continuing education includes completing a Concurrent Disorders certificate at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) via the University of Toronto.

Darryl believes in leading by example. He lives his life with confidence and honesty, and takes personal responsibility in hopes of making a difference. His early experiences allow him to approach professional situations with an open mind and a non-judgmental perspective.

Aaron’s counselling style is based in an experiential and awareness-focused process of collaboration and exploration with his clients. His counselling approach promotes mindfulness, openness and personal well-being by working with clients to better understand themselves, their relationships and their connection to the world around them. Aaron believes strongly in creating a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment to promote health and well-being.

As a counsellor, Nick’s warm and natural approach is engaging and authentic as he works with individuals to promote improved health and wellness. Nick believes in the importance of reconnecting the body and the mind and is skilled in utilizing tools to help manage thoughts and emotions. Experience has convinced him that lasting recovery requires treating the mind, the body and the soul. Nick is a compassionate counsellor who embraces the importance of empathy and understanding, and recognizes each person – and each person’s set of experiences – is unique. He looks forward to sharing his passion and knowledge with clients at CHRC to help them be the best version of themselves.

Jodi’s life has been impacted by addictions and mental health, which provoked her interest in treatment and recovery. Jodi earned a Diploma from Fleming College in Drug and Alcohol Counselling after consolidating her learning with a four-month placement working at Durham Mental Health Crisis Services as a Crisis Worker, and at Melinda Hynes and Associates as an Addictions Counsellor. Wanting to learn more about the human mind and behaviour, Jodi studied Psychology at Trent University and earned an Honours Bachelor of Science. She focused her learning on the neuroscience of cognition, learning, memory and behaviour change. Jodi also studied addictions, concurrent disorders and mental health through the Addictions and Mental Health Counselling post-graduate program at Durham College. This learning was consolidated through Jodi’s four-month practicum at Pinewood Centre of Lakeridge Health, where she worked with clients and family members impacted by substance use and problem gambling.

Jodi has always believed in the holistic approach to recovery, which is why she is excited to be part of the team at CHRC. She hopes to help reduce societal stigma surrounding addiction, and promote healthy recovery for all people impacted by addiction.

Nicolle’s interests were sparked by her personal experience with those suffering from the pervasive effects of addiction, and they extended into her love of research and clinical work. Her Master’s thesis explored different interventions for those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. She has continued to work with this population as well as with clients struggling with co-occurring issues. She has worked in a recovery home supporting men in their sobriety post-detox and/or treatment, and as a crisis intervention and residential counsellor. Although she specializes in substance abuse, she also has experience working a wide range of mental health issues in her own clinical practice. Nicolle continues to use a holistic and mindful approach as a primary counsellor at the Canadian Health Recovery Centre.

Nicolle is a member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP), and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

At Canadian Health Recovery Centre, Sheena provides individual and group counselling, using a variety of treatment modalities. She views addiction as a bio-psycho-socio-neuro-spiritual phenomenon and aims to help heal the mind, body, and spirit. Her counselling style is client-centred, empathetic, and educational. Sheena’s enthusiasm for life is contagious and as the Clinical Director she is committed to making people’s lives better by sharing truth, delivering hope and transforming the mind-set of those suffering with addiction.

Peter Li Preti is an experienced therapist and rehabilitation counsellor with substance abuse and drug addiction. He was clinical director of several medical clinics in which patients were successfully weaned off medications such as OxyContin, dependency on street drugs and alcohol. He has contributed to related educational brochures and several rehabilitation assessment/outcome measures; he continues to be actively involved in research and educational/assessment product development with York University.

Serving a multilingual population, Dr. Li Preti has experience in the administration and evaluation of English, French, Italian and Spanish psychological instruments/tests and has developed a Neuropsychological Questionnaire for foreign language/culture patients. He is a member in good standing of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, a member of the Ontario Psychological Association, a registered member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (2584G), a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada and a Registered Rehabilitation Professional (4132). In addition, he is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, registration number 1283. He is a member in good standing with the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators and other professional associations in North America and Europe.

Dr. Li Preti is also a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional – Specialist (461) with a combined 20-years’ experience in conducting psycho-vocational assessments and vocational counselling therapy. He has contributed to the development of employment counselling techniques, transferable skills analysis, labour market research, return-to-work programs and work hardening, as well as developing expertise in these areas. In addition to being a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (CVRP ), he is a Registered Vocational Professional (RVP), a member in good standing of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada, and has served as Chair of the Ethics Committee.

Peter Li Preti is recognized as an expert and a forensic court advisor in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Dr. Vitelli is a disaster management volunteer with the Red Cross, an active blogger and a published author. The Everything Guide to Overcoming PTSD provides hope for recovery and includes in-depth information on traditional treatments including psychotherapy, drug therapy and cognitive behavioral theory, as well as new methods of support like mindfulness therapy and animal therapy.

While PTSD is typically associated with war and veteran soldiers, recent studies have found this debilitating condition can be caused by a variety of traumatic events, from a neglectful childhood, medical emergency and natural disasters to car accidents or physical assaults. Dr. Vitelli provides supportive advice and treatment techniques to help you find the resilience you need to recover from traumatic events and start living a happier, healthier life.

After many years specializing in the field of addictions, LeeAnn is convinced that CHRC will challenge traditional addiction treatment methods, and she can attest to the Centre’s whole-hearted practice of the biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to a degree she has never seen or heard of in any other treatment program.