Jeff holds a master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, two international certifications in addiction counselling, and is a certified clinical supervisor in Canada and the USA. Since 1993, he has been trained and mentored by leading thinkers and therapists throughout North America. Jeff continues to expand his scope of practice by co-creating ideas and receiving mentorship from Dr. Michael and Dr. Ann Wilson, founders of the Phoenix Society in British Columbia.

Jeff has worked in the area of counselling for over twenty-eight years and has closely watched and engaged a constantly changing landscape of how we work with the challenges of substance misuse in our communities. His passion and areas of interest focus on the creative aspects of wellness and self-actualization. As an innovative and authentic thinker, he values the wisdom of the people he works with and provides the background for them to access a wider choice of range and action.

Jeff has personally experienced and found resolution to the many issues and barriers that prevent one from finding freedom and moving forward. He brings forward a genuine understanding & empathy that gives him the ability to connect with both the youth and adults he works with.

Over the years, he has worked in almost every aspect of the continuum of care in British Columbia. This includes working in residential supportive recovery, outpatient treatment, detox and operating an addiction recovery residential youth program. Over these past ten years, his work has expanded beyond working in the scope of addictions, and now also assists people with anxiety issues, depression and providing supports for the partners or families of individuals affected by substance misuse.

Along with his private practice and teaching, Jeff is also the executive director and primary counselor at place of refuge transitional housing program in Vancouver. He provides a long-term residential program that assists the residents with all aspects of second stage recovery needs. This includes, counselling, life skills, education and employment planning.

Jeff also sits on the advisory board of directors at Seattle City University in Vancouver, BC for their graduate counselling program.

Over the last twenty five years, Jeff has been professionally involved with or employed by the following agencies –

• Phoenix Drug and Alcohol & Education Society
• Western Steps to Recovery (Turning Point Vancouver)
• Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
• The Ministry of Children and Families
• Community Living BC
• Chris Kinman & Associates
• Vancouver Detox
• Jackson Murray Consultants
• Laird and Associates
• WJS Group
• Seattle City University
• Place of Refuge Society

Jeff has also presented workshops or engaged in public speaking with –

Mexico:

• Instituto Kanankil
• CELA Centro De Estudios De Las Americas, A.C.
• UTM Universisad Tecnologica Metropolitina
• Cadepsi, Centro De Apoyo y Desarrollo Psicologico
• Instituto Tecnologico Superior Del Sur Del Estado De Yucatan
• Consul Group – Cancun

Canada:

• Seattle City University – Vancouver, BC
• Langara College
• Judicial Training Seminar – Honourable Thomas J. Gove