Doug Mackenzie has over 25 years in the addiction field from residential management, group facilitating, public speaking, and private practice. Doug is well known for his ability to connect with his clients and their families on a one to one basis or in group setting. Doug’s personal journey in recovery for the last 26 years allows him to understand what you are going through and to motivate you to get where you want to be in your life. Doug’s commitment to living in the solution is attractive personal and fun.

Susie Golemba, CCAC, CIDAI, Program Manager

As the Lead Counsellor with Options Susie provides a wealth of knowledge and compassion relating to substance abuse and addiction. Susie worked as a supervisor for a major detox center in the Lower Mainland and developed relationships with addicts at the very start of their journey. Susie is a Certified Addictions Counsellor & Interventionist and has experience working with both the addict and their family. Susie believes in the power of choice and change, both are instrumental to recovery. She shares these skills and tools with the addict during group and one-on-one sessions. Susie practices her own program of recovery. As a mother of 3 grown children, and Susie understands the importance of bringing families back together through honest and open education, surrounding the disease of addiction.

Matthew Funk, BSW, Professional Counsellor

Matt works with people who have experienced addiction, helping them to gain perspective and a positive outlook on life in recovery. Matt is guided by his belief that no matter where you’ve been, how many times you’ve tried, or how hopeless things may seem, everyone can recover.

After attending multiple treatment centers, Matt found his recovery in the intimate family-like setting of Options Kelowna. Since completing the program at Options he has used his passion for recovery and practical first-hand knowledge to complete his degree in social work with the intention of helping people who struggle with substance abuse and their families find hope. While Matt takes addiction very seriously, he occasionally uses his wit and dry sense of humour to help break through the client barriers and gain trust.

Matt grew up in Saskatoon SK and lived many years on Vancouver Island. Matt recently relocated with his wife and two sons to Kelowna. Matt enjoys running, hiking, camping, and fishing. Matt can probably be found casting lines with his sons into one of the many local lakes!

Shirlee Paling, Support Worker

Since Shirlee found recovery over 13 years ago, her passion for helping others especially women, has been one of her strongest fulfillments. Shirlee lives by the 12 Steps and is always in the solution. Her experience, strength and hope shines through when she speaks. She brings a high level of experience from working for years at the Department of corrections, the troubled youth Phoenix Centre and within the Mental Health and Addictions industry.

Her education includes: Reality therapy, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and nonviolent interventional courses. Shirlee’s compassion comes with a beautiful smile, warm heart, positive spirit and infectious sense of humour. From the very first day she walked into Options treatment center to start her new job she knew she was home and right where she was supposed to be. Her hope is that every client feels warm and safe and part of the family. In her spare time you’ll find her getting spiritually grounded hiking in the woods or paddle boarding on Okanagan Lake listening to rock ‘n’ roll with the love of her husband and daughter.

Terry Lynne Rolfe, Red Seal Chef

Terry-Lynne became a certified Red-Seal Chef in 1991 and has a panache for baking. Terry-Lynne’s gentle manner and soft-spoken voice lend to her ability to relate with clients in recovery. In 2011, Terry-Lynne found the program of recovery and believes that this way of life is possible for anyone, if they do the work. Terry-Lynne joined the Options team in late 2015 and loves working here.

Cindy Lou Parker, Client Support Administrator

Cindy has been working with Options since March of 2016. She has over eleven years of personal recovery and has extensive knowledge of the 12 Step support work. In recovery, Cindy went to school to take her Business Administrator Diploma. Cindy also has experience working the frontline with the homeless, giving her the ability to love people struggling with addictions from all walks of life. Cindy has a passion and love for recovery and brings it to all those she works with.

Steve Durant, Support Worker

Steve is an avid gold miner and has been working in the recovery field for over 20 years. Steve enjoys hearing stories of clients and believes that recovery comes from working through our past and not living in guilt and shame.

Adam Preston, Support Worker

Adam Preston is an Options alumni and is grateful to be helping others during his recovery. His new way of living has brought on happiness in ways he never dreamed of. He believes that the 12 Steps are the key to recovery, and are essential for peaceful living.

Rachel Francois, Director of Wellness and Mindfulness/Support Worker

Rachel Francois is a connector and creator, whose work is centered in holding space for others to learn how to love themselves and be comfortable in their own skin through accessible mindfulness and yoga. Rachel is a former professional and collegiate 800-meter runner, and currently facilitates fitness classes and meditation in the city of Kelowna. She believes in the power of mindfulness and spirituality to support the recovery journey from addiction. Rachel’s vibrant and energetic approach empowers others to be their authentic selves and grow spiritually.

Rachad Alini, Support Worker

Rachad Alini has a passion for supporting and elevating people in their recovery journey. Her compassionate and straight forward approach creates a safe space for clients to feel empowered in taking the first steps towards recovery from addiction. From experience working in fundraising, health care support, customer service and addictions recovery, she brings her diverse experience in working with others to Options Okanagan. Rachad is fluent in French, English and Arabic, has travelled extensively and decided to move to Kelowna in early 2019 to pursue her passion in supporting those seeking recovery.

Our Staff and Counsellor Team in Salmon Arm Treatment Center, B.C.

Jackie Paul, CCAC, Program Manager & Lead Facilitator

Jackie Paul is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor, and a true example of how attractive and fun recovery is. Jackie has 30 years of personal recovery experience and has been working with Options since the beginning. Jackie brings a lot of energy and truth to her sessions, along with her sincere touch. Jackie has developed a program that helps people with addiction issues to rebuild relationships. She has witnessed amazing changes with people that she would never have thought possible. Since that time, she has helped other therapists establish their own therapy programs. We are truly grateful to have Jackie on our team here at Options.

Evan Haukedal, Professional Counsellor

Evan is an alumni from Options. He graduated from the Options Okanagan program in 2014 and from there went on to complete a diploma in professional counselling from Rhodes Wellness College in Vancouver. Evan is dedicated to guiding people to a new way of life with not only his knowledge but experience in addiction. Evan believes that through connection and rediscovery of self, people are given the chance to be introduced to a new way of life they have never known. With Evan's training in coaching and counselling combined with his zest for life and solution based attitude, people find him personable and a great addition to the Options team.

Scott Tremblett, Professional Counsellor

Scott is an alumni of Options Okanagan and now works as an integral part of the team as Team Lead and a Counsellor for the Salmon Arm Center. He went through much turmoil and was walking a dark path until reaching options in 2017. He now believes that his journey, although dark, led him to his true purpose in life of helping others.

Scott’s education on addiction comes from his own first-hand experience and his recovery established through the 12 steps. Since graduating from Options, he has earned his diploma as a certified drug and alcohol treatment specialist. These ingredients have given him a practical knowledge in which he is able to relate to the clients all while showing them there is a way out.

His welcoming demeanour encourages people to feel accepted. Scott believes in having fun in recovery, you can often hear his laughter from the parking lot. He knows the importance of not fitting recovery into his life but rather fitting his life into his recovery. Scott’s compassion for those afflicted by their own inner demons is seen by his dedication to stand alongside them on their journey to recovery.

He owes his life to his higher power, the program and the fellowship. He believes that his purpose in life is to carry the message to those still suffering from the perils of addiction and is confident that there is no better place on earth to do so, than at Options!

Megan Kitagawa, Office Administrator

When people experience trauma or severe life stressors it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. Megan believes that even the most broken of individuals deserve recovery and can reconstruct their lives with the right foundation and support. Megan is a shining testament to that, with personal experience of her own. She is alumni of Options Okanagan and is now a certified Drug & Alcohol Treatment Specialist. Megan’s greatest gift is truly her understanding & compassionate approach. She passionately advocates that with a healthy recovery absolutely anything is achievable.

Ryan Christian, Support Worker

Ryan Christian takes his recovery very seriously as he understands that we are dealing with a deadly disease. Ryan (aka serious Ryan) uses the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as a tool to not only save his own life, but also in working with others. He is very passionate showing others the exact directions of the program of action which helps them connect to their higher power, a step that is vital for their own permanent recovery. Ryan's plans are to continue in his career in recovery from addiction using the knowledge of the book and his personal experience. Ryan is furthering his education by obtaining a Diploma for a Drug Treatment Specialist to solidify his foundation in the drug and alcohol treatment field.

Debbie Gallagher, Support Worker

Debbie moved to Sorrento to her retirement home on the shores of the Shuswap 4 1/2 years ago to live out her dream of her love of boating, swimming and being surrounded by the beauty of what nature brings to this fabulous area. Being offered to join the Options Okanagan Salmon Arm team is truly an honor. Debbie has been in recovery for over 26 years. One of her strengths is sharing about her relationship with her partner of over 46 years. Being able to spend time with her 3 grown children and their partners and 7 grandchildren is one of her most treasured gifts in recovery, as her recovery journey didn’t start until they were in their teens. Giving back has been her dedication. She mentored moms with their own personal struggle with addictions at the Family Tree Family Centre for over 10 years. She also worked in the field with the AIDS Society of Kamloops, working with the homeless that have mental health and addiction issues. She assisted them to find housing and learn life skills. She has devoted her time within the 12 Step community at the BC Regional level for over a decade.

Aftercare Team For Kelowna and Salmon Arm Treatment Centers

Doug Mackenzie, Executive Director

Doug Mackenzie has over 25 years in the addiction field from residential management, group facilitating, public speaking, and private practice. Doug is well known for his ability to connect with his clients and their families on a one to one basis or group setting. Doug’s personal journey in recovery for the last 26 years allows him to understand what you are going through and to motivate you to get where you want to be in your life. Doug’s commitment to living in the solution is attractive personal, and fun.

Jackie Paul, CCAC, Program Manager & Lead Facilitator

Jackie Paul is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor, and a true example of how attractive and fun recovery is. Jackie has 25 years of personal recovery experience and has been working with Options since the beginning. Jackie brings a lot of energy and truth to her sessions, along with her sincere touch. Jackie in addiction recovery developed a program that helped people with addiction issues to rebuild relationships, and witnessed amazing changes with people, that she would never have thought possible. Since that time, she has helped other therapists establish their own therapy programs. We are truly grateful to have Jackie on our team here at Options.

Susie Golemba, CCAC, CIDAI, Program Manager

As the Lead Counsellor with Options Susie provides a wealth of knowledge and compassion relating to substance abuse and addiction. Susie worked as a supervisor for a major detox center in the Lower Mainland and developed relationships with addicts at their very start of their journey. Susie is a Certified Addictions Counsellor & Interventionist and has experience working with both the addict and their family. Susie believes in the power of choice and changes; as being instrumental to recovery. She shares these skills and tools with the addict during group and one-on-one sessions. Susie practices her own program of recovery and is a mother of 3 grown children, and Susie understands the importance of bringing families back together through honest and open education, surrounding the disease of addiction.