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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 treatment and care. Our team is comprised of therapists, counsellors, and specialists in the addiction and behavioral health fields. The staff at A Home Away will work with you to understand your needs so that you receive your own personalized treatment program, rich with individual attention, and 1:1 and small group therapy sessions.

The 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 care 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.

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Dr. Casey Gryba - Advisor Consultant and Relief 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 addictive 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.

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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, 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.

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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.

With a desire to experientially integrate the masculine and feminine expressions of Spirit, Jane traveled on spiritual pilgrimages to Crete and Portugal exploring ancient traditions of worship. Mentored in spirit by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, 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.

Motivated to share her passion and to be of service to others, she has worked for eight years as a counsellor with street involved, and at-risk youth in Kamloops B.C. Inspired by the alignment of her personal journey and calling with the mission of A Home Away, she was motivated to shift her focus to serving as spiritual counsellor for our guests. 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.

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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 a:

She has a:

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!

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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.

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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.

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Martin Laprise - Head Chef and Kitchen Manager
Chef Martin has spent the last 24 years refining his culinary craft. He owned his own restaurant at the tender age of 20, and then went on as a Chef in kitchens across Canada, including the famous Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta. Now cooking as part the A Home Away team, he brings a bright spirit into the kitchen and ensures that every guest enjoys delicious, healthy, varied, fresh meals everyday. Martin prepares world-class meals, second to none.

Martin's Mission
I am an artist, and food is my medium. I desire to design and create exciting, healthy meals that are thrilling to look at, and a delight to eat. I am happy to be at A Home Away, and find it fulfilling to help nourish people who sometimes arrive feeling pretty empty.

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Sabrina Collie - Chef
Sabrina developed a passion for cooking and an appreciation for good food from a young age. She has developed her culinary skills over many years of cooking for family and friends, which evolved into a career with credentials from the Okanagan College of Culinary Arts Program. Prior to joining the A Home Away team, she worked in a leading restaurant and resort, and volunteered for a non-profit society for five years. You will enjoy getting to know Sabrina when you come into the kitchen for coffee or snacks throughout the day.

Sabrina's Mission
Cooking is my passion and it is my honour to be cooking for the guests of A Home Away during their journey of healing. I believe that maintaining a healthy spiritual atmosphere in the kitchen is as vital for the healing and wellbeing of those I cook for, as are the ingredients of the recipes. It is important to me to take care in food preparation, and to provide delicious, nutritious meals with healthy choices. I feel a sense of purpose in this work, and appreciate the opportunity to show care and compassion for those I prepare meals for at A Home Away.

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Devaki Thomas - Music Therapy 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.

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Dena Unger - Life Coach
Dena graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria and is currently a Registered Social Worker with the Board of Registration for Social Workers in British Columbia. She is a second generation Canadian. Dena's education and extensive traveling abroad have deepened her sensitivity to diversity and sparked an understanding of the multi-faceted dimensions of life. She has strong cross-cultural communication and counselling skills.

Dena's Mission:
I have a curiosity and desire to explore different cultures and levels of meaning, opinions and points of view. I strive to appreciate the experiential uniqueness of each individual. I am motivated to creatively helping guests at A Home Away to dream of the life they want and deserve, and to coaching them to develop confidence and a realistic plan to get there.

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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.

Non-Institutional Rehab that Works. Turns Addictions into Assets.

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