Meet the Team

Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Manager.

Amy is a Jane of all trades, always seeking new ways to learn, engage, and be in relationship with one another. Throughout her career, she has navigated a variety of fields, from small non-profits to multi-million-dollar startups, gaining diverse experiences that shape her unique perspective. She strives to create spaces where every voice is heard and valued and her dedication to justice fuels her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

As a values-driven individual, Amy is passionate about co-creating experiences through an equity-centered approach and thrives on collaborating with others who are equally committed to making impactful change. She is particularly excited to support initiatives that serve IBPOC/Queer youth, understanding the critical importance of providing resources and opportunities to these communities.

In her spare time, Amy is a dedicated foodie and nap enthusiast. Whether she's scouting the best cinnamon bun, fine-tuning her sleep skills, or spending time with the love of her life and her and doggo, she embraces life's simple pleasures with the same zeal she brings to her work!

Research & Marketing Coordinator

Tori Stranges (she/they) is a PhD Candidate and Sessional Instructor in the faculty of Health and Social Development at the University of British Columbia. Tori’s research interests include health research funding trends, health care access, brain injury, and intimate partner violence in the 2S/LGBTQ+ community. Tori has a particular interest in how IPV survivors access health and community care.

Prior to relocating to the unceded, traditional territory of the Silyx Okanagan Nation, they worked in as an Allied Health care Provider as well as provided marketing and social media management to various health organizations. 

In Tori’s free time you can find her enjoying the Okanagan, spending time with friends, or watching sport documentaries on Netflix.

Counsellor.

Patricia is a registered Social Worker holding a Master of Social Work degree from UBC. She is a bilingual Latinx therapist based in Kelowna. With over 10 years of experience in mental health and social services, Patricia is dedicated to working with all individuals, with a special focus on supporting transitional aged youth (age 12-24), newcomers, and fellow first-generation individuals. Her therapeutic approach is trauma-informed and centered on liberation and decolonization. Patricia acknowledges and confronts oppressive systems, recognizing their role in perpetuating historical and intergenerational trauma. Drawing from her Mexican-Indigenous heritage, Patricia integrates ancestral wisdom alongside Eastern wellness teachings and evidence-based psychotherapy techniques to provide holistic healing. Patricia holds women’s circles and workshops, fostering community and empowerment. In her spare time, Patricia enjoys yoga, making art, listening to music, and attending live music and art events. Additionally, Patricia is undergoing yoga teacher training centered on honoring yoga’s roots as a tool to promote social justice, inclusivity, and liberation.

Languages spoken: English and Spanish.

Patricia es una Terapeuta Clínica con Maestría en Trabajo Social de la Universidad de Columbia Británica. Es una terapeuta bilingüe radicada en Kelowna. Con más de 10 años de experiencia en los ámbitos de salud mental y servicios sociales, Patricia está dedicada a trabajar con toda persona, con un enfoque especial en apoyar a jóvenes (de 12 a 24 años), estudiantes internacionales y emigrantes de primera generación. Su enfoque terapéutico está informado sobre el trauma y centrado en la liberación y la descolonización. Patricia reconoce y enfrenta a los sistemas opresivos, reconociendo su papel en la perpetuación del trauma histórico e intergeneracional. Basándose en sus raíces Mexicanas, Patricia integra la sabiduría ancestral junto con enseñanzas de bienestar orientales y técnicas de psicoterapia basadas en evidencia para ofrecer sanación holística. Patricia realiza círculos y talleres para mujeres, fomentando la comunidad y el empoderamiento. En su tiempo libre, Patricia disfruta del yoga, pintar con acuarela y asistir a eventos de música y arte en vivo. Además, Patricia está realizando entrenamiento de profesora de yoga centrado en honrar las raíces del yoga como herramienta para promover la justicia social, la inclusión y la liberación.

Idiomas: Inglés y Español.

Counsellor.

Karen is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work. Karen is Punjabi and her family immigrated from India.

Over the years of working with young people, Karen has developed a strong interest in social justice and advocacy. As a counsellor, she focuses on creating a safe space for everyone that is trauma and culturally informed. She welcomes cultural beliefs and spirituality into sessions if wanted. Some areas of focus include race related trauma, life transitions, identity, anxiety, depression, adolescent pregnancy, substance use, and sexual violence. Karen has previous work experience working with youth in/from government care and foster families as well.

Karen is passionate about offering accessible counselling services and she recognizes a culturally specific need for mental health supports for international students.

In her spare time, she enjoys attending live music events, attempting to make fancy lattes, and listening to records.

Languages spoken: English and Punjabi

Counsellor.

Naaz is a social worker and did her MSW placement with This Space. Proudly Punjabi Sikh, Naaz brings a rich cultural background shaped by her family’s immigration journey from India. She currently resides on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan, colonially known as Vernon.

With over 5 years of experience in mental health, Naaz focuses her practice on supporting young people ages 12 - 24, with a special focus on fellow first-generation individuals and South Asian youth. She strives to create inclusive spaces that honor and celebrate diverse cultural and racial identities. Passionate about decolonizing Western counselling approaches, Naaz advocates for more inclusive and culturally sensitive therapeutic practices.

As a counsellor, Naaz takes a holistic approach that focuses on culture and acknowledges the complexities of our various identities. She welcomes and respects cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs and practices in sessions. Naaz also believes in the healing power of humour, recognizing the power it can play within the healing journey. Some of her key areas of focus include race-related trauma, identity exploration, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, confronting oppressive systems, and integrating non-Western wellness practices and teachings. For Naaz, it is all about meeting you where you’re at and supporting you along the way in a safe space.

In her down time, you can find Naaz listening to music, spending time with her cats (and yes, she will show you pictures of them if you like), exploring all the restaurants and eateries Vernon has to offer, camping, and *attempting* to learn to cook. She will also never turn down a good cup of coffee.

Languages Spoken: English and Punjabi

Group Facilitator.

Phoebe identifies as neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary. They completed the Sexual Health Educator Certification (SHEC) program through Options for Sexual Health in 2021.

Since then, she has facilitated youth groups, been a support worker to autistic teens, and has gone back to school to finish her degree. They are a student at UBCO where they are majoring in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, and minoring in Psychology. In the future, she hopes to be a high school teacher and counsellor.

Phoebe is passionate about Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and other disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ identities, mental health, sexual health, and relationships and communication. In their spare time, Phoebe can be found reading, playing board games, or exploring nature (i.e., looking for slugs, mushrooms, and cool plants and bugs).

Counsellor.

Kate is a Registered Social Worker with a Masters of Social Work. Kate is a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and she believes in equitable care for all. Kate has a strong passion for social justice, activism and making meaningful change. Kate values making connections, building community, and exploring experiences to find meaning and purpose. Kate is honoured to have worked with children, youth, families and adults seeking support for 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, mental health and sexual violence.

In Kate’s spare time, you’ll find her in at least one item of rainbow clothing, chasing after her fluffy husky, yelling at the Celtics to sink a 3, and exploring the Okanagan valley.

Kate is currently on a maternity leave.

Counsellor & Group Facilitator.

Bree walks through the world identifying as a queer woman, passionate about building community and encouraging vulnerability among the people she comes in contact with. Bree’s years of experience working in social services combined with her background in energy healing and mindfulness has equipped her with a unique perspective on the human experience.

Bree believes in self-awareness when facilitating personal freedom with people. Bree looks forward to supporting folks in unlocking that.

Bree enjoys spending her time connecting with people. She spends as much time as she can outside — mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and simply existing in nature. She will also never turn down baked goods and a good cup of coffee.

Counsellor.

Dan has his Master of Counselling Psychology and has spent many years working with young folks in crisis response, counselling, and community building. Dan is a member of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community and works to support young folks who struggle to feel accepted in their various spaces.

Dan works to support people to feel at their best and to resonate within their bodies, minds, and being. He uses trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to empower people on their journey towards wellness.

When he has downtime, he spends it with his two pups, being in nature, and being a nerd with his friends. Ask him about his favourite hiking and camping spots in the valley.

Group Facilitator.

MSW Student.

Florence is a culturally fluid first-generation immigrant from Hong Kong and Macau, an eldest daughter, and an unapologetic member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Florence has spent over 7 years as an English and social studies teacher, and after years of observing the gaps within our education system, she is now pursuing her masters in social work. She hopes to bring her passion for decolonization, anti-racism, and anti-cisheterosexist ways of healing into her advocacy and therapeutic practice. Florence is always excited to learn about different ways of delivering trauma-informed care, individual and cultural empowerment, and reconnecting with ancestral knowledge, and she hopes to someday be able to facilitate the creation of spaces where all individuals can freely step into their power.

In the wild, you might find Florence at a local board game store, at the theatre, or near a body of water where she can talk a friend’s ear off about her latest interest. She is currently obsessed with envisioning an alternate reality where all urban and transportation design revolve around the 1965 Peel Trident.

Languages spoken: English and Cantonese

Peer Support

Bio to come.

As part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Sam is prepared to use his lived experience to assist others with compassion and understanding. He is committed to helping others on their journey to be their most authentic selves.

Sam believes everyone has the right to creative self-expression and hopes to empower and support others through every interaction.

In his spare time, Sam enjoys drawing, baking, thrifting and spending time in nature. He is also a proud pug owner and loves spending time with his furry companion Lola.