Our Team at Sunshine Coast Health Centre

Dr. Carissa Muth is a registered psychologist in Alberta and British Columbia and the Clinical Director at the Sunshine Coast Health Centre and Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic.  She holds a Doctorate of Psychology, Master of Arts in Counselling, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees and has run a private practice in Alberta for the last ten years.

With over fifteen years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Muth has provided psychological assessments, therapeutic treatments and conducted research in the field of substance addictions and co-morbid psychological disorders. With both a passion for learning and teaching, Dr. Muth has presented her research and expertise across the country at a variety of mental health conferences.

Sara joined our clinical team in 2016 when she returned to her hometown. She brings a background of working on the downtown eastside in Vancouver for more than 10 years, which has given her much experience working with addiction and mental health issues, particularly trauma issues. Sara has also worked in both residential and outpatient settings as a concurrent disorders counsellor. Her strong belief in the worth of each individual, optimism in the face of adversity, as well as respect for autonomy and dignity, has served her well in this work.

Sara completed her BA in psychology at Simon Fraser University in 2005 and her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Adler University in 2008. In 2009, Sara started a post-graduate program in Existential Analysis and in 2013 became a founding board member of the Existential Analysis Society of Canada.

For 10 years, Cameron’s career has focused on helping humans nurture and challenge themselves to build meaningful lives that align with their core values. He has had the privilege to meet people walking through a variety of journeys, working as a clinician, coach, mindfulness teacher, and personal trainer.

Cameron approaches each person whom he has the opportunity to work with from a functional contextual lens. This means that rather than judging certain behaviours and choices as good or bad, Cameron’s work focuses on exploring how certain behaviours and beliefs have come to develop and what function they serve now. With increased self-awareness, clients can begin implementing new behaviours and cultivating new core beliefs that may better serve their own unique circumstances.

Lisa has been working as a psychotherapist for almost 30 years, specializing in childhood and adult trauma, complex trauma, loss and grief, addictions, life transitions, and crises of meaning. She taught psychology courses for many years at City University and at the Justice Institute of BC, where she helped develop the original  SAIP program and bring it to remote communities across the province.

For Lisa, therapy is a journey to rediscover oneself with greater authenticity and compassion while bringing these qualities to all relationships. She believes therapy allows us to transform loss and trauma into hope and create a new vision for ourselves as we find more joy, meaning, and presence in each new day.

Nature-lover, banjo maker, cellist, and amateur cartoonist, Pearce is passionate about helping others rediscover and reclaim their most authentic lives. With a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, he brings extensive experience in both clinical and community health settings. This includes over a decade as an educator, coach, and outcomes research analyst in primary care and health technology, as well as work in harm reduction and children’s gaming.

Known for his perceptive and kind approach, Pearce works from a relationally focused, client-centred, trauma-informed position to help clients navigate challenges such as substance use, identity issues, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and trauma. Pearce’s down-to-earth counselling style honours clients as experts of their own lives, offering a safe space to question and consider the stories we tell ourselves, disentangle our lives from the influence of problems, and grow in meaningful ways.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Human Ecology degree and a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is a registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers. With over 20 years of experience supporting people in various social service organizations, Catherine is passionate about continued learning and supporting people to reach their potential. She works from a strengths-based, person-centred, trauma-informed and inclusive approach. Catherine moved to qathet in 2020 (won over by its natural beauty and people) and her most recent employment has been as a mental health worker, family services social worker (MCFD) and a pregnancy harm reduction outreach worker.

Heidi moved from Ontario to Powell River over a decade ago, where she enjoys various outdoor activities with her dog. She joined our Nursing team as a student nurse and transitioned into her current role as a Case Manager after becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in 2023. Heidi is a strong advocate for all humans experiencing various difficulties and implements a holistic approach, inclusive of trauma-informed, person-centred care.

Theo provided mental health support in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for over 10 years before earning a degree in cognitive neuroscience and then becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. In his role as Case Manager, Theo provides small-group therapy and delivers workshops for clients in both the GSWC and SCHC programs.

Kye has been an employee at Sunshine Coast Health Center since 2008. Kye enjoys the challenge of working with a diverse spectrum of clients and has enjoyed working in a program that values physical fitness as part of an overall focus on wellness. Kye is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University in the field of Exercise Science and has worked in both Washington State and British Columbia in a variety of outpatient clinical settings.

Bianca has a professional background in the medical field and is a certified BCRPA Group Fitness, Aqua, Weight and Personal Trainer. Her focus is to coach and motivate people to achieve their individual fitness goals. Her fitness motto is: “Not the beginning will be rewarded, but the will to follow-through”.

Megan has lived in Powell River most of her life and has always had a passion for helping individuals.  She’s been an active volunteer with the Air Cadet progam since 2004, prior to which she was a cadet herself. Megan obtained her LPN license in 2010 and joined our team in 2014 as part of the nursing department. In 2021, she transitioned into the role of Client Services Supervisor. Watching clients transform from the first day they arrive to when they’re getting ready to leave fuels her drive and passion for her work. 

Craig has been with Sunshine Coast Health Centre for over 15 years. He has taken on a variety of different roles around SCHC, including working in the kitchen, frontline, and now as a client services team member. Craig has a love for plants and animals, having graduated as a Veterinary Assistant from Sheridan college. As a trained SMART facilitator, he has a passion for helping people through their recovery journey and is committed to helping people find their true selves.

Nitin was born and raised in Powell River and moved to Vancouver after graduating from high school. He returned to Powell River in 2017 to raise his nephew and has worked in healthcare since 2018, where he has worked with individuals requiring a diverse range of needs.

Nitin joined our Client Services team at the beginning of 2025 and believes in a client-centred approach to recovery. His personal mission statement is to “Show love and compassion to all, including myself.” Nitin is passionate about music and helping people through difficult times.

Emmett has been with Sunshine Coast Health Centre since 2023. He helps clients navigate life’s challenges and reconnect with a deep sense of purpose by exploring their Ikigai—the intersection of meaning, joy, and contribution.

His approach is holistic and client-centred, grounded in the belief that deep, lasting change begins with understanding one’s own inner world. He draws on a diverse range of tools and incorporates values of growth, playfulness, and community to create a space where clients feel safe to explore, question, and grow. With a justice-oriented lens, he aims to minimize power imbalances and honour each client’s lived experience, recognizing their own immense power to create lasting change.

In addition to coaching, Emmett hosts weekly alumni meetings for Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic.

Mace grew up on the Sunshine Coast and brings a grounded, compassionate approach to mental health and personal growth. He has a strong focus on helping people find clarity, self-trust, and direction—especially those navigating addiction and mental health struggles.

With a passion for community, Mace believes lasting change happens through honest connection and collaboration. He finds a sense of meaning and purpose in helping others find their way. His approach combines evidence-based practices with creative visualization tools to make mental health support more accessible and engaging.

Mace completed a 2-year counselling program, enhancing his ability to connect, communicate, and understand how mental health coaching can create lasting and positive change.

Paul joined the SCHC Team in 2024 after completing his practicum with us. He has received both a Coaching Certificate and a Professional Counselling Diploma from Rhodes Wellness College.

He currently works on the SCHC Alumni Support team as a Mental Health Coach. Paul uses a motivational and client-centred approach to support individuals in their recovery journey. You can see the care he has for each client through the work and support he offers, making him a valuable member of the team.

Paul had previously worked a successful career as a Videographer and Video Producer in Vancouver, BC. Outside of alumni support, Paul finds inspiration amongst his family, friends, science, nature, and music production.