Staff Profiles

Liz Nelson, M.Ed.

Executive Director 

Liz Overton, BSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Mia Golden, BJus, DipCYC

Child, Youth and Family Counsellor/ Coordinator Crime Reduction & Education (CRED) Program

Mia has been with PCFSA for 21 years. She is currently the coordinator of our crime reduction and exploitation diversion (cred) program. A counsellor and parent educator, Mia’s passion is working with and supporting youth and their families. When Mia is not at work, she is busy with her film career which includes acting, writing, producing and directing.

Julia Leggett

Youth & Family Counsellor

Julia Leggett has a MA in Counselling Psychology. She's worked with youth in helping capacity since 2012. She's currently a part of the Crime Reduction Exploitation Diversion team.

Stephanie Patterson, BA

Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor

Jonathan Percy-Brother, BSW

Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor

Jonathan offers counselling and support to children, adolescents and their families. In working with clients, Jonathan offers practical strategies and ideas to expand their coping skills and make positive changes in their lives. Jonathan’s areas of interest and experience are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, communication issues, parental separation, grief and loss. Jonathan provides in- office sessions, group support, school consultations as well as sessions in natural settings whenever possible. Jonathan is passionate about nature-based approaches to healing and has experience in both adventure-based therapy and wilderness therapy with youth. Jonathan received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria and is currently completing his Master of Counselling Programme with Athabasca University. In his free time Jonathan enjoys surfing, hiking, training at the gym, yoga, and playing his guitar.

Lianne Kirby, MA, RCC

Clinical Counsellor, Child Therapist

Lianne has worked at PCFSA since 2015.  She has worked in a variety of roles, including Intake, Stopping the Violence Program, and her current role is Child and Youth Therapist with the Sexual Abuse and Intervention Program.  She graduated in 2015 from Athabasca University, Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, and she is now a Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC). Her approach is Trauma Informed and Person Centered, while also incorporating other modalities depending on the needs of the client, which may include play and art therapy, and narrative approaches.  Lianne also has a private practice where she sees children, youth, families, and adults, and in her spare time she spends her time with her own children and family.

Owen Russell, MA

Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor

Owen has worked for the past 27 years as a Child, Youth, and Family specialist in a variety of different roles. After beginning his career as a community-based Youth Worker he joined the BC Public Service where he worked as a Youth Corrections Officer, Intensive Support & Supervision Officer, and Probation Officer. He has earned many certifications and received specialized training to help support and educate traumatized and marginalized youth, culminating in receiving his Facilitator/Practitioner Certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention from Cornell University. Owen had a desire to do more for children and families and decided to transition to counselling, joining the Sooke School District 62 in 2014 as Youth & Family Counsellor where he worked for three years. Owen proudly joined PCFSA in 2017 and works currently as a Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor with a specialization in crisis intervention and parent-teen mediation. Owen believes that change happens when people are given the guidance, they need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live happy, fulfilling lives. Owen’s hobbies and interests include playing sports, hiking, biking, the great outdoors, and his amazing family and friends.

Mady Harber

Child, Youth & Family Counsellor

Caroline Buttery BFA, DVATI

Adult Program Counsellor /Art Therapist

Caroline Buttery is an Art Therapist working in the Stopping the Violence Program. Caroline is an advocate of the therapeutic benefit of expressive arts in the support of growth and healing. Having grown up on a small gulf island, Caroline appreciates the value of a relationship with the natural world and understands the importance of nurturing connection within community. Caroline is a visual artist with an undergraduate degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design and a post-graduate diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. Caroline has been with Pacific Centre since 2014.

Caroline Creighton, MA, RCC, Cert. Con. Res.

Addictions Counsellor / Clinical Counsellor

I have been with PCFSA for over twenty years.  With a background based in Adlerian Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural, and Solution Focused Therapies I believe in using the opportunities that our difficulties create to learn and move forward through life in a positive and productive manner.  I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families in the following areas:  Substance Misuse, Anxiety/Depression, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Family Conflict (including Parent/Teen mediation), life transitions, Relationship Issues, and Separation/Divorce.

Natasha Carville, MA, CCC

Clinical Counsellor / Addictions Counsellor

Natasha has worked at Pacific Centre Family Services since November 2017. She has worked in both the Intake and Community Counselling programs and is currently working in the Substance Use Program in addition to external private practice work. Natasha graduated with a Masters in Counselling Psychology from UVIC and is a Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her practice she uses a biopsychosocial, strength-based approach incorporating elements of EMDR, CBT, and solution focused therapy to support clients through their counselling journey. Natasha is also a student of yoga and meditation and brings many mindfulness concepts and practices of those disciplines into her counselling work. She was fortunate to have been born and raised on the Island so when she is not in the office she is spending as much time out in nature as she can!

Kristen Bulger

Substance Use Counsellor

Jennine Downie, BA, BSW

Counsellor

Patricia Nasmyth, MA, RCC

Clinical Counsellor

Dori Bodman

Better at Home Program Coordinator Clinical Counsellor

Dori has worked at a wide variety jobs that ranged from prep cook at a lodge and private school settings; insurance office clerk; artist/instructor of mosaics, silversmithing/jewellery making; and animal nutrition. Dori then studied Human Nutrition and received a diploma in Holistic Nutrition and other courses related to the care and support of children and adults. Since June 2014 Dori has worked with PCFSA coordinating the Better at Home West Shore program for Older Adults. When she is not working Dori enjoys time spent with family, photography and rock hounding at the local beaches.