A Home Away has assembled a multidisciplinary team of professionals from across Canada with complementary expertise who work together to provide you the best possible recovery retreat experience. Our team is comprised of holistic practitioners, counsellors, and specialists in the addiction field . The staff at A Home Away will work with you to understand your needs so that you receive your own personalized retreat program, rich with individual attention and small group therapy sessions.
The A Home Away professional team includes:
John Derry - Director
John is a specialist who understands addiction. After twenty successful years as a pharmacist and manager in hospital and corporate settings, he shifted his career focus to alleviating suffering from the disease of addiction. He founded A Home Away as an innovative model offering compassionate, professional help in a home setting.
Guests express gratitude for the compassionate, focused, and highly effective skill that John is gifted with helping guests find recovery and change their lives. You too can be mentored by John at A Home Away.
He has an impressive track record of success and is known for his outstanding interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. He offers a unique depth of expertise based upon his complementary proficiency in both pharmacy and addiction. His credentials and professional experience distinguish him as an expert in his field.
John is a licensed pharmacist and holds a Master of Arts degree in Addiction Counselling from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. The Hazelden Foundation is the world leader in the treatment of chemical dependency and the training of addiction professionals.
Click here to view John's complete curriculum vitae.
John's Mission:
I live by the principles of honesty, openness and courage, with integrity, and have faith in spiritual direction. I strive to achieve my highest potential in life and am dedicated to alleviating suffering and inspiring hope. My mission is to help individuals living with addiction and unhappiness, and those they love. I believe that every individual has an inherent capacity to change and transform. My goal is to help individuals, families and communities find hope and health and to promote peace.
Dr. Casey Gryba - Addiction Counsellor
Casey has been involved in the addictions field, at many levels, for over thirty years. He is a skilled counsellor and interventionist. After a long and successful management career in the railroad industry, Casey retired early to enter the ministry with United Centers for Spiritual Living, serving churches in southern California and as director of United Church Assistance Program (a program that serves the addiction field) and as the Ecclesiastical Representative Coordinator for the United Center's organization. Casey is an ordained minister and holds Masters Degrees in Metaphysical Philosophy and Industrial Psychology. He also holds a Doctorate of Divinity degree in Theology. He has completed in-depth training and holds certification in Counseling and Human Behavior through the Pastoral Institute of British Columbia.
Casey's Mission:
I have long believed that in order that I function from the highest and deepest within me that my evolution demands my full discovery of that Higher Power that exists in me, through me and as me.
My mission is and has been for years, to be a beneficial presence willing and able to serve individuals through their recovery process from addiction or discord of any nature, through the recognition of the innate potential in all human life. I believe that perfection exists in all beings, despite any appearance of the opposite.
My goal is simple: to establish a safe, caring and loving environment for all with whom I have the privilege to interact.
Geri Eakins - Group Counsellor
Geri brings a diverse background, life experience, skill set, sensitive personality and (com)passion that compliments the A Home Away team. She has a background involving careers with several major corporations and has worked as a Counsellor, Trainer, Facilitator and Life Coach for over 20 years. Geri has also conducted aftercare recovery groups as part of her private practice. She is a Registered Professional Counsellor and holds a designation of Master Practitioner in Counselling Psychology.
Geri is known as someone who listens, motivates, illuminates, catalyzes, and empowers. She has a contagious sense of humor, and is naturally enthusiastic with an open heart, bringing bright energy and optimistic hope. Geri skilfully facilitates two weekly group sessions at A Home Away, and leads the 'Loving Living' fun and interactive time of play, exploration and discovery on Wednesday afternoons.
Geri's Mission:
I support and empower individuals in living a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life while being connected to their heart and spirit. I bring this expertise to my role with A Home Away in facilitating small group sessions that provide a safe, comfortable context for guests to rediscover themselves, while learning how they interact with others.
My goal is to support guests improve the effectiveness of their interpersonal communication and to create opportunity for growth and development through intrapersonal exploration of thoughts and feelings.Through the process, I hope that guests discover a new sense of love for themselves and their life!
Jane Derry - General Manager and Spiritual Counsellor
Jane's personal, educational, and vocational backgrounds have well prepared her for her role as Spiritual Counsellor at A Home Away. Following careers in the technologies of animal health and pharmacy, her personal spiritual journey awoke a calling to explore her understanding of humankind's conception of and relation to Spirit. A pursuit to study world scriptures and spiritual traditions led her to Augustana University College, in Camrose, Alberta, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Religious Studies.
Jane strives to explore eternal spiritual truths through the use of story and other creative expressions of spiritual axioms based on many of the world's spiritual traditions.
Jane also provides strong leadership for A Home Away in her role as General Manager.
Guests express gratitude for Jane's special gifts of recovery she lovingly shares; you will be delighted to share meals with Jane and learn from her deep insight and wisdom in her sessions.
Jane and John are not only colleagues sharing leadership for A Home Away, but are also life partners with their home being on the same grounds. This means you will experience their role modelling of healthy relationships and be a part of their family dynamic at A Home Away. You are truly invited to be a part of their Home, Away from home.
Jane's Mission:
Through my commitment to live by spiritual principles, it is my intention to model and inspire hope and encouragement to people, especially to those suffering from the disease of addiction. I strive to cultivate a nurturing, safe, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for guests to explore their own spiritual beliefs. In this atmosphere of sincerity, acceptance, compassion and faith, my mission is to provide leadership that fosters individual healing through spiritual exploration and development.
Art Gillan - Addiction Counsellor
Art brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill as a highly qualified Addiction Counsellor. His educational training includes a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria, training at the Alfred Adler Institute in Chicago, and courses in psychodrama, couples counselling, survivors of childhood trauma, and individual psychology.
Following an earlier career as an educator, Art shifted his career focus to counselling in 1977. His addiction counselling career has spanned both outpatient and residential treatment settings.
Art's Mission:
I feel compassion for those suffering from addiction and unhappiness. I recognize addiction as a primary disease and am dedicated to help bring health and peace of mind. I utilize an eclectic mix of various therapeutic approaches, tempered with a background of educational and life experience to share of myself in a way that I hope adds value. I embrace the Twelve Step philosophy as a beacon of hope in the sea of addiction turmoil. One day at a time, I hope to help those willing to be helped. I value my time with the courageous guests who chose to join us at A Home Away.
Rene Hostettler - Head Chef
Rene Hostettler has trained and worked in kitchens all over the world. His experience started in his home country of Switzerland where he trained in the some of the most famous ski resorts in the Swiss Alps, including Adelboden, Gsstad, and St. Moritz. His culinary passions brought him to Banff Alberta, Canada, where he worked as Head chef for the Four Diamond Award winning restaurant Le Beaujolais, one of the top Fine Dining French Restaurants in the region. He then moved on to gain Caribbean experience in Grand Cayman Island where he worked as a Private Chef and kitchen manager for Mise en Place Catering. We are pleased to have Rene as our Head Chef at A Home Away where he brings a world of experience to our plate by creating healthy enjoyable meals, with flare, in a family style setting. Rene hand selects the freshest ingredients to create his seasonally based menus that promote local Okanagan farmers and their products.
Rene's Mission:
I believe that food should be an experience that touches all five senses. My mission at A Home Away is to create nutritious meals that tantalize your taste buds, mind, body and soul. I take pride in creating seasonal menus for our guests at A Home Away this gives me the opportunity to offer them the freshest and most nutritious products the Okanagan has to offer.
David LaChapelle - Chef
David C. LaChapelle is a professional Chef with extensive training, including in Paris, France. He has worked in some of the finest establishments across Canada. His coast to coast experiences have included the Eden Restaurant where he learned molecular cuisine ('the science of deliciousness') in Banff, Alberta, the Château Bromont in the Estrie region of Québec, and the Windjammer restaurant in Moncton New Brunswick under the notable Chef Muller. We are now pleased to have David as Chef at A Home Away along with Chef Rene Hostettler. Together, they make an awesome team bringing cuilinary creations that will delight you.
David's Mission:
David's mission at A Home Away Retreat is to offer a healthy gastronomic experience in simplicity and distinction. He has an eclectic approach incorporating a twist of fusion and traditional French cuisines. David is committed to presenting a variety of home-style meals, prepared from the freshest of seasonal ingredients. David has an eye for detail, and a creative flair, with varied culinary presentations that are as visually appealing as they are delicious and wholesome.
Sabrina Schon - Primary Massage Practitioner
Sabrina is a 2001 graduate of the Foothills College of Massage Therapy in Calgary. Her professional background includes work at a chiropractic clinic and operating a holistic healing private practice. Sabrina is a welcomed addition to the A Home Away team where she has become known for her bright spirit, friendly personality, and deeply relaxing and pleasurable massages.
If you are like our other guests, you will look forward to your weekly massage with Sabrina.
Sabrina's Mission:
Massage is a holistic treatment that brings a multitude of benefits. My goal is to help you relax and be relieved of stress and tension. I ensure that you experience a pleasant, calm and peaceful environment and work with you to your level of comfort. My approach is individualized and highly varied. I look forward to helping you with your process of healing.
Tia Cherneski - Massage Practitioner
Tia has a background in both counselling and massage. She has a degree in Social Work and was in the counselling field for approximately twelve years. During this period, she also pursued her growing interest in the holistic healing area. This led to certification and training in various massage and bodywork modalities. Tia's massage training includes: Swedish massage, deep tissue, cranial sacral therapy, reflexology, acupressure, aromatherapy, Reiki, and hot stone massage. Tia has related training in progressive relaxation techniques and visualization, and guided imagery.
Tia's Mission
I believe massage is a holistic therapy that can be healing to the mind, body, and spirit. My mission is to contribute to people's well-being through massage and bodywork. I strive to offer a calm environment that is conducive to receiving the full benefits of massage. I am committed to practicing in a professional, respectful and mindful manner.
Sharon Lamont - Yoga Instructor and Creative Expression Leader
Sharon is a gentle, nurturing, intuitive teacher, bringing a skill set, talent, personality and passion for life that aligns with the mission of A Home Away, and adds to the recovery experience of our guests.
Sharon is a certified yoga instructor with training through the South Okanagan Yoga Association. She has a talent for sharing her love of yoga with others in a gentle, respectful, non-threatening way. Regardless of previous experience or attitude toward yoga, guests invariably develop an appreciation of yoga as a fun form of relaxation, health promotion, and connecting within. She has lived in the natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley for over 10 years.
Sharon's Mission:
I am passionate about sharing my love of yoga with A Home Away guests. By creating an environment of love and acceptance I show how we can move toward our natural state of wellbeing through physical postures, breath work, energy work, relaxation, visualization and meditation. I teach the guests how to strengthen their bodies, as well as give them techniques to quiet their minds so they can get in touch with their 'inner knowing'.
I live my life with yoga on a daily basis and hope to inspire others to discover and honor their true nature.
Devaki Thomas - Music Leader
Devaki Thomas is a singer, dancer, drummer, performing artist and music promoter. She is locally known for her performance in the reggae funk band Samsara, and for her work in live music promotions, shows and festivals around the Okanagan. In addition to the Komasket Music Festival, she has also founded an East Indian classical dance troupe, and a "moving arts" group. Devaki's sessions are fun, engaging and meaningful for all, regardless of musical talent or previous experience.
Devaki's Mission:
My life is immersed in song and rhythm. I recognize that there is healing and solace in the universal language of music and feel called to share it with others. Many people suffering from the disease of addiction seem to have lost their sense of harmony. My desire is to awaken and nurture that deep, musical soul in everyone, and provide an outlet for emotions and feelings through various musical expressions including drumming, singing, dance and connecting with each other.
Jim Copeman - Drumming & Music Facilitator
Having worked in the mental health field for 30 years and being a percussionist most of his life, drum circle facilitating was a natural progression. Learning from the originator of the facilitated drum circle, Arthur Hull of California, Jim's brings a holistic approach and enjoys sharing his passion for drumming with the guests of A Home Away.
In addition to his contribution to the music program at A Home Away, he also brings the enjoyment and benefits of drumming to various communities in the Okanagan Valley. Jim is a drum circle facilitator for Feel The Rhythm Drum Circles and a 'world fusion percussionist' for the group Small Change.
Jim's Mission:
I create a fun, interactive environment where people can feel free to express themselves through drumming and music. Not only are healthy forms of recreation learned, but also constructive ways to relieve stress and express emotions. The music session itself demonstrates a healthy community, reflecting such values as working together, and accepting others and ourselves for who we are.
Henry Huijbregts - Property Manager
Henry is a skilled and dedicated craftsman with a diverse background. He has worked as a European trained and certified carpenter, first in The Netherlands, and then in Canada. In addition, Henry has a strong business sense as a long term, successful owner of several businesses in Calgary, Alberta. In all aspects of his career, Henry is noted for his personal integrity, ethics, and strong sense of responsibility. Now calling Kelowna in the beautiful Okanagan Valley home, A Home Away is fortunate to have Henry take responsibility for maintenance and ongoing upgrades to keep A Home Away in tip top shape inside and out. You will enjoy meeting Henry and appreciate his helpful, friendly disposition.
Henry's Mission:
I take pride in my work and strive to keep A Home Away safe, comfortable, and beautiful. It is my belief that a well maintained home creates a safe, happy and serene atmosphere for staff and guests.
This outstanding team of accomplished individuals is here, eager to embrace you, wherever you are on your life journey, and compassionately walk along side you.
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