Wellness Centre Staff
The center is staffed by a team of trained professionals who specialize in a range of disciplines, including clinical counselling, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, herbalism, and nutritional counselling. Compassion Roots Wellness Centre is dedicated to helping clients achieve optimal health and wellness through personalized care and attention. They believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, and work closely with each client to develop a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals.
Maryann Abbs, BSc
Herbal Therapist
Maryann is a settler of Ukrainian and English descent living on the territories of the Lekwungen speaking people (aka Victoria, B.C.). Her education includes a BSc. (Biology/UBC), Cytogenetics Technologist (BCIT), Clinical Herbal Therapy Diploma (Dominion Herbal College), and Advanced Wilderness First Aid Training. She is grateful to her teachers Rob MacDonald, Netta Zebroff, Michael Moore, Jasmyn Clift, her grandma, herbal clients, and students. She teaches and supervises the clinic at Dominion Herbal College and at the Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies. She spends her time in the clinic, teaching, and as a climate justice activist. She also harvests and makes medicine on her parent's certified organic farm, on unceded Secwepemc territory (aka Lone Butte, B.C.). Maryann is grateful to have spent 14 years working at the best herbal job ever – the BC Compassion Club Wellness Centre.
Barbara Jackson, RCC
Clinical Counsellor
Barbara went into the Adler School Master’s in Clinical Psychology program after many years of experience in community development and innovative projects. She became a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors in 2008. In addition, she has training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and integrative, trauma-informed approaches to healing. She is also a community musician and activist. She learned about the Buddhist ideal of universal compassion in her teens and became passionately committed to it. This commitment continues to inform her practice.
Vera Lagasse, MHA., CIEHP., CAIEHP., SRFR
Volunteer/Board Liaison
Vera has a Master in Health Administration- a 30-year career in health policy and promotion. Vera has Langara College certificates in Integrative Energy Healing (2006), Apprenticeship Study of Advanced Healing (2008), Advanced Integrative Energy Healing (2015), and Strategic Resilience for First Responders (2017). She was an instructor at Langara College and a clinical supervisor at public health clinics for 11 years. Vera was formerly an Integrative Energy Healing Practitioner at the Compassion Club Wellness Centre since 2008.
Kirsten Janzen, CNP
Holistic Nutritionist
Holistic Health Coach - certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. International Organization of Nutritional Consultants (IONC) and the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners (CANNP). Kirsten is registered with Orthomolecular Health Practitioners (ROHP) as a Clinical Nutrition Practitioner. Kirsten was in a deep health crisis that led her to discover how food truly is medicine. Kirsten has a firm belief that every person is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all for your personal health journey. She will meet you where you are to create attainable goals that you can achieve. She has a firm belief that every person is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all for your personal health journey.
Laura Hosein, RCN
Clinical Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist
Practicing for five years as a Medical/Clinical Herbalist and registered Holistic Nutritionist. Laura uses a holistic approach and is trained in Western Herbal Medicine and nutrition. She also actively learns and applies Unani Tibb & Ayurvedic medicine. Laura has always loved medicine and the powerful healing ability of plant medicine which always fascinated her. It made sense to put the two together.
Noli Catapang, R.Ac
Acupuncturist
Noli obtained his Honours B.Sc., in Biological Science, from the University of Guelph, Ontario. Chronic back pain prompted him to study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He completed an extensive 5 year Doctor of Traditional Medicine (DTCM) program and is now a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) in BC. Noli is committed to providing his patients with health care that is not only safe but also effective.
Jasmyn Clift
Clinical Herbalism
Jasmyn is a Clinical Herbalist and started studying herbal medicine when she was 16. She was diagnosed with a very bad parasite which allopathic doctors had nothing for, and herbs worked to treat it. She likes growing and handling plant medicines. She extracts, grows, and wildcraft many wonderful plants. Jasmyn has trained in herbal schools in UK/ California. She has been offering client-centered care and harm reduction to many diverse clients since 1997. She meets the clients where they are at, and develops their personalized herbal regime based on that. Jasmyn loves offering high quality safe and effective herbal medicines from CRWC's awesome herbal apothecary to those in need.
Karim Musani, CST
Massage & Cranial Sacral Therapist
Karim is trained in massage and bodywork with a specialty in the Brain and Cranial Nerves. He has a background in Photography, Financial Accounting, and working in the communications industry. Karim furthered his skills by training in Craniosacral Therapy. Relaxing sessions where one can reset their Central Nervous System and get in touch with their own "Inner Physician" for the best plan of healing.
Linden Choi, MACP, ACEAT
Counsellor
Linden is a Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQ2S+ positive counsellor with a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology and an Associate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy. She has additional training in Internal Family Systems Therapy and is experienced in working with survivors of intimate partner abuse and with at-risk youth.
Linden believes in a holistic approach to healing the body, mind, and spirit and views therapy as a protected space to reflect on and connect with your own deeper knowing to gain access to your own clarity and strength. She meets you where you are and walks alongside you towards your goals.
Linden is honoured to hold space for you in your journey uncovering all that you need in this moment of your life.
Mara Hagglund, CAIEHP
Energy Healing Practitioner, Fundraising and Marketing
Mara is a trauma-informed energy healing practitioner accredited and certified in Advanced Integrative Energy Healing™️ and Transformative Wholistic Reintegration (TWR aka WHEE) and has a specialty in Somatic and trauma-based Integrative Energy Healing.
Mara is a transformational learning adult educator in Healing Sciences and Integral Self-care in the former Integrative Energy Healing™️ Program, Integrative Healthcare Department, Langara College.
Mara offers over 13 years of experience as a professional holistic practitioner. She is trained in somatic techniques and is experienced in working with eating disorders recovery support and addiction recovery support. She was also an energy healer research intern for 8 months-vicarious trauma and work-related stress at Surrey Memorial Hospital.