Meet the Team

Our team is made up of qualified, compassionate people who meet professional and ethical standards and are committed to ongoing learning.

Together, we bring a wide range of experience, training, and therapeutic approaches to support individuals, couples, families, children, and youth across the Central Okanagan.

Counsellors

Roxie Van Aller, MACP, SEP, RCC-ACS

Roxie Van Aller, MACP, SEP, RCC-ACS

Roxie brings over 25 years of experience to the team and takes an eclectic, deeply relational approach to therapeutic work. She works with couples, adults, youth, and children, supporting those...

Jeanette Whitten

Jeanette Whitten

Jeanette brings a warm, collaborative, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to her counselling work. She is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where her clients feel understood, respected, and...

Jodie McDonald, BA., SEP

Jodie McDonald, BA., SEP

Jodie McDonald holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and is a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP™) and professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She...

Renae Clarkson, MACP, RCC

Renae Clarkson, MACP, RCC

Master of Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor Renae is a person-centred counsellor whose genuine empathy and unconditional positive regard for each and every client are the cornerstones of her practice....

Matthew Reimer, MSW, RSW

Matthew Reimer, MSW, RSW

Master of Social Work, Registered Social Worker Matthew is a registered social worker in Kelowna, British Columbia, with over a decade of experience working as a mental health professional. He...

Kim Wardman, MACP, RCC, SEP

Kim Wardman, MACP, RCC, SEP

Master of Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner Kim began working in the mental health field in 2009 and specializes in supporting individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, anger, depression,...

Bonnie Pontalti, MSW, RSW, RPA, SEP

Bonnie Pontalti, MSW, RSW, RPA, SEP

Master of Social Work, Registered Social Worker, Bachelor of Recreation and Physical Education, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner Bonnie is one of those people who truly loves what she does. She brings...

Joyce Eng, MACP, CCC, RCC, SEP

Joyce Eng, MACP, CCC, RCC, SEP

Master of Arts in Counselling, Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner Joyce has been working with women who have been traumatized by intimate partner violence, childhood sexual...

Michelle De Vies, MACP, RCC

Michelle De Vies, MACP, RCC

Master of Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor and Practicum Supervisor Michelle has accumulated over 20 years of training and experience grounded in Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behaviour, and Play therapies. She...

Suzanne Harrington, M.Ed, RCC

Suzanne Harrington, M.Ed, RCC

Master of Counselling Psychology, Registered Clinical Counsellor Suzanne has worked for over two decades with children, families, couples and individuals. She specializes in marriage and family therapy and is also...

Administrators

Jenny Vickers, Executive Director

Jenny Vickers, Executive Director

Jenny’s journey in the nonprofit sector began over two decades ago with a simple belief: when you invest in people, small teams can do extraordinary things.

Maya Houssian, Office Manager

Maya Houssian, Office Manager

Maya is often one of the first warm smiles you’ll see when you walk through our doors. With over seven years of experience in hospitality and team leadership, she brings...

Lynda Fillion, Finance Manager

Lynda Fillion, Finance Manager

When you do what you love and you’re good at it, you tend to be very good at what you do, and that describes Connect Counselling’s Lynda Fillion. Lynda brings...

Grace Cornelisse, Finance Assistant

Grace Cornelisse, Finance Assistant

Grace brings over five years of experience in office administration to her role at Connect. As our Finance Assistant, she supports the office's financial processes with care and accuracy, while...

Lisa Johns, Receptionist

Lisa Johns, Receptionist

As a key member of our reception team, Lisa is one of the first friendly faces you’ll see when you arrive at Connect. With over 20 years of experience in...

MEET the board

Our Board of Directors is a small group of dedicated and qualified community members who meet regularly to oversee the operations of Connect Counselling & Therapy Central Okanagan. Board members represent the community and provide an invaluable service by ensuring the Centre delivers effective and accountable services across the Central Okanagan.

The volunteer Board applies its collective skills to provide direction on policy, fundraising, and strategic planning. In addition, the Board reviews and approves the Executive Director’s reports and the Centre’s financial statements.


Board Members:

• Terry Smith, Board Chair
• Cinda Carlston, Board Treasurer
• Mark Smed, Board Secretary
• Ann Haymond Hill
• Jordan Cleland


Interested in Becoming a Board Member?

Do you want to make a meaningful difference in your community? Connect Counselling & Therapy is seeking passionate, committed, community-minded leaders to serve on our Board of Directors.


About Us

We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible, skilled counselling services that support lasting mental health and wellness for individuals, families, and communities.


What Board Members Do

As a Board Member, you will:

• Guide the strategic direction of the organization
• Oversee finances and ensure strong governance
• Work in partnership with our Executive Director, whose performance is collectively monitored by the Board
• Act as an ambassador for our mission in the community
• Bring your skills, experience, and networks to strengthen our impact


Who We’re Looking For

We welcome individuals who:

• Believe in our mission and want to make a difference
• Have skills in leadership, finance, law, marketing, business development, governance, or community development
• Are collaborative, thoughtful, and willing to learn
• Can commit 2 to 3 hours per month to Board meetings, committee work, and community engagement


What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to create lasting impact in the lives of men, women, and children in the Central Okanagan
• Experience in governance and leadership
• Meaningful connections with community leaders and professionals
• The satisfaction of advancing positive change


Suggested Term

Board Members typically serve a 3-year term, with the possibility of two renewal terms.


How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, please contact the Executive Director.

Together, we can make a difference.