Doug Mackenzie

Executive Director

Doug Mackenzie has over 30 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 33 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

Program Director and Lead Counselor

Susie is the Program Director and Lead Counselor at Options. She is a person in long-term recovery and is a mother and grandmother. Susie believes in the power of choice and the power of change. Susie has developed the Options program with the belief that recovery is possible for everyone who truly wants it. She has a strong belief that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with Twelve Step programs is the most effective treatment modality for long term recovery. Her motto is "change your thinking, change your life". Susie also believes that love, compassion, understanding, and respect are the key to sobriety and recovery and brings those things to each and every client who comes to Options.

Through her own recovery journey, Susie has gained a solid understanding that addiction is a family disease. She is passionate about working with families, educating them, and supporting them while their loved one is in treatment.

"I am proud of our center; I am proud of our program, and I am proud of everyone who has the courage to take a leap of faith into recovery from addiction".

Shirlee Paling

CCAC

Shirlee found recovery in 2005 and with it, her passion for helping addicts. She lives each day by the 12 Steps and is always trying to find the positive in everything. Her experience, strength, and hope shines through when she speaks. She brings a high level of experience from working for years with troubled youth and also in the mental health and addictions industry.

Shirlee’s compassion comes with a beautiful smile, a warm heart, positive spirit, and infectious sense of humor. From the very first day Shirlee walked into Options Treatment Center 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 Options family. In Shirlee’s spare time you will find her getting grounded hiking in the woods, paddle boarding on Okanagan Lake, or listening to rock ‘n’ roll with the loves of her life, her husband, and daughter.

Ashley McLeod

Client Support Administrator

Ashley is a wife, the mother of three children and is in long-term recovery. Ashley began her journey of recovery as a client at Options and says she "felt defeated and lost but when she came to Options, she gained hope and faith and felt accepted for the first time in her life". As our Client Support Administrator, Ashley is often the first voice you will hear when you reach out for help. Her soft, understanding demeanor makes people comfortable from the very beginning of their journey. Her understanding of our program and of the Twelve Steps makes her an integral part of our center. She is Certified Administrative Assistant and is also a Certified Health Care Assistant. Ashley is a huge part of our team, and we are very proud to have her working with us.

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.

Johnny Madigan

Support Worker

Johnny came to treatment at Options in 2018 at the age of nineteen. He has been clean and sober since then. Johnny joined the Options team in 2020 and brings his own brand of no-nonsense recovery combined with his remarkable sense of humor to our center. Johnny is a shining example that no one is ever too young (or too old) to find their purpose and passions through recovery from addiction.

Amie Hutzkal

Support Worker

Amie found recovery at Options in 2019. She is a wife and a mother of three children and is passionate about her own recovery and helping others to find freedom from addiction by living life one day at a time. Amie practices the Twelve Step principles on a daily basis and attributes this to helping her and her family find their best lives. Her soft, kind approach makes our clients immediately feel safe and protected.

Kerrie Iny

Support Worker

Kerrie Iny, with a diploma in community service work and addiction, brings her compassion, empathy, and loving energy into her role as a support worker at Options. She completed her practicum at the treatment center and fell in love with the family atmosphere. Kerrie’s passion for supporting others in their recovery journey shines through to every individual that she meets.

Erika Dempster

Client Support Administrator and Support Worker

Erika is an Options Alumni, and we are proud to have her on our team. Through her recovery, Erika has learned how to live her life to the fullest. She has a passion for helping others and understands that recovery must come first in her life. Her long-term goal is to become an addictions counselor and continue to help others as she was helped. Her soft demeanor and attention to detail makes Options a warm, comfortable place for our clients.

Carolyn McLeod

Client Support Administrator

Carolyn is often one of the first people you will meet when you come to Options. Carolyn has twenty-plus years of experience in Office Administration and brings her warm, caring, and welcoming presence to our center. Carolyn is a mother and grandmother and has experienced the family disease of addiction first-hand. She offers a unique perspective to our clients, as she has gone through her own journey with family members. She understands how addiction tears families apart and how recovery can bring them back together.

Shannon MacKenzie

Support Worker

Shannon found recovery in 2014 after struggling with addiction for many years. Through her journey of recovery, she has found a strong sense of spirituality, and her purpose in helping others as she was helped. Shannon has a passion for education and learning. Her gentle yet firm nature puts our clients at ease, making them feel safe and cared for.

Cassidy Paul

Support Worker

Cassidy came into Recovery in early 2021 and hasn’t looked back since. Alcoholism and mental health run deep in her family, so she knows the chaos and pain that these afflictions can create for not only the addict/alcoholic but for everyone around them. The 12 steps have built a critical foundation for her and thanks to a life in recovery she gets to be an amazing sister, daughter, partner, and friend. Cassidy is working towards her dreams of weaving, psychology, spirituality, and creativity together and ultimately wanting to inspire others to find their own magic within themselves. One of Cassidy’s favourite parts about working at Options is “how inclusive it is and the fact that it is ’12 step’ based. There is a certain magic in the air and a loving family atmosphere!”

Gabriel Williams

Support Worker

Gabriel is an Options Alumni who knows the heartache and struggles of addiction, and also the joy of recovery. He strongly believes that everyone has the capacity to change their lives if they are ready to do the work. Gabriel brings his experience, strength, and hope to each and every client that comes to our center. He is articulate, kind, and caring, but is also no-nonsense. We are very proud to have Gabriel on staff at Options, as he is living proof that recovery is possible for anyone who truly wants it.

Jennifer Tipper

Support Staff

Jenn has had a long road into recovery and well knows the struggles of addiction. She is dedicated to every client and strives to make all our clients feel at ease on their journey. She comes to work to "help with the meaningful work our team does together at Options". Jenn is a great role model for our clients, providing everyone with the help and attention they need and deserve.

Patrick Pearson

Support Worker

Patrick is often the first person you will meet when you come to Options. He spends his time greeting new clients at the airport and seeing them off again when it’s time to go home. He takes our clients to outside meetings, doctor’s appointments, and anywhere else they might need to go. In 2020 Patrick found recovery after decades of addiction. He has devoted his life to helping others, is warm and kind and has his own brand of gentle humor. He is a husband, father, and grandfather, and says that “he is having the best time in his life”, owing it all to his recovery. Patrick is a huge part of the Options Family and is a shining example of how recovery works and that it’s never too late to change!

Rhett Spencer

Overnight Support Worker

Rhett knows all too well how it is to grow up in an alcoholic home. He understands the impact the addict or alcoholic has on the family dynamic. This has given him great compassion and understanding when it comes to our clients. His subtle sense of humor and gentle nature help make our clients feel at ease and secure.

Freya Murdock

Chef

Freya is the head of our nutritional team and has over 15 years in the industry. Her experience ranges from French cafes, Mexican restaurants, pastry kitchens, produce markets, and dinner theatres. She grew up in England, travelling frequently, and ended up settling in Kelowna as an adult. She comes from a family of farmers and has a strong belief in organic and local produce. She feels every community deserves good healthy food for both their bodies and hearts.

Katria Damke

Housekeeper

Katria is a dedicated housekeeper at Options who is passionate about creating a clean, comfortable environment for our clients. A mother of three with a kind and compassionate heart to serve others, she understands the importance of living a life of recovery since her journey began in 2022. With a diploma in Human Services, she finds her true inspiration is in the resilience of our program participants and feels privileged to encourage them on their journey to recovery.

Miga

Support Dog

Support Dog Miga is an important part of our Options Family. She is there to give a cuddle if you need it. Miga had a rough start in life as a street dog in Mexico and knows pain and heartache. She also knows that life can get better with a little love and understanding.

Doug Mackenzie

Executive Director

Doug Mackenzie has over 30 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 33 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

Program Director and Lead Counselor

Susie is the Program Director and Lead Counselor at Options. She is a person in long-term recovery and is a mother and grandmother. Susie believes in the power of choice and the power of change. Susie has developed the Options program with the belief that recovery is possible for everyone who truly wants it. She has a strong belief that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with Twelve Step programs is the most effective treatment modality for long term recovery. Her motto is "change your thinking, change your life". Susie also believes that love, compassion, understanding, and respect are the key to sobriety and recovery and brings those things to each and every client who comes to Options.

Through her own recovery journey, Susie has gained a solid understanding that addiction is a family disease. She is passionate about working with families, educating them, and supporting them while their loved one is in treatment.

"I am proud of our center; I am proud of our program, and I am proud of everyone who has the courage to take a leap of faith into recovery from addiction".