About | Peak House

Our mission is to support youth and families in British Columbia to find freedom from problematic substance use.

Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in, treatment program for youth experiencing problems with drugs, including alcohol. We operate within the harm reduction spectrum with a trauma informed, client centred, and social justice framework.

Established in 1988 by Pacific Youth and Family Services Society, the program serves youth from across British Columbia who, due to the serious nature of their substance misuse, require a more intensive level of service than can be provided in their home community.

Peak House has been internationally recognized for utilizing a unique, collaborative, youth-driven, community-based model of care. The roots of this approach are grounded in promoting change that lasts over time and social justice-informed approaches to therapy and counselling. The community at Peak House honours the wisdom and expertise that young persons and families possess and through this wisdom, the Peak House program has continued to grow and evolve.

Peak House has been accredited (CARF) and is licensed. We are proud member of The Federation of Community Social Services of BC.

Peak House was also the recipient of the Addiction Specialists & Allied Professionals of British Columbia (ASAP) Award of Excellence and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors Professional Care Award for exhibiting special creativity in providing counseling and mental health care.

Collaboration & Community

We are committed to continuing our learning together, taking time to reflect on and acknowledge successes, as well as individually and collectively questioning our practices to address struggles.

Centring Youth Success

We maintain the success of all young people in our program by keeping their success at the centre of our planning and work, and ensuring that youth are uniquely supported in their individual therapeutic work.

Inclusion & Diversity

We welcome clients from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders and gender expressions. We are accountable toward clients and one another in regards to practices regarding gender, race, age, sexuality, social class, and disabilities. Read more...

Peak House Location

Peak House is located in a residential neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. We have 7 bedrooms and 8 beds, a full kitchen, livingroom, two group rooms, and a beautiful backyard. Youth have told us that the house feels comfortable, warm, safe and welcoming.

Watch this video for a virtual tour of Peak House

Staff

Peak House staff support clients throughout their stay and help them to reach their goals. We are committed to providing a safe, friendly, caring, non-judgmental and supportive environment. Our staff team includes six Youth Counsellors, two awake Overnight Staff, an on-call Youth Counsellor team, Nurse Practitioner, Administrative Assistant, Cook, Acupuncturist, Yoga Instructor, Cultural Elder, and Summer Life-skills Programmer.

James Kelly

Executive Director

James has been working in youth and family services in Vancouver for over 20 years — both in a front-line and management capacity. James began his role as Executive Director at Peak House in 2009. James identifies as trans, is passionate about social justice, and committed to providing anti-oppressive and inclusive services in his community. In addition to his work at Peak House, James has served on numerous community board of directors, and works alongside organizations and individuals providing consultation, workshops, mentorship and leadership training.

Andrea Krakan

Acting Program Manager

Andrea Krakan, Supervisor (pronouns: she/her) has worked in various capacities in the non-profit field for over a decade. Her passion for youth work is rooted in the firm belief that youth are our future and investing in their wellness builds strong communities. When Andrea is not at work, she is busy raising an incredible little boy with her husband.

Dani Bodner

Intake Counsellor

Amie Anderson

Clinical Supervisor

For the past 15 years, Amie (she/her) has been supporting youth and families struggling with mental health and substance use challenges in her home city of Vancouver, BC (the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musquem and Tsleil-Waututh Nations). Throughout her career she has worked with a wide range of folks from street youth to university students to health care professionals. Amie has a passion for providing direct therapy as well as clinical supervision from a trauma-informed lens, using a range of evidence-based practices such as dialectical behaviour therapy, emotion focused family therapy and other attachment and strength-based modalities. Included in her approach, is a strong commitment to involving families and caregivers in the treatment process whenever possible. Amie holds a Masters Degree from UBC, is a Registered Social Worker and Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC. When she’s not working, Amie can often be found running in the North Shore mountains.

Murphy Ryan

Youth Counsellor Team

Murphy first learned about Peak House when he was a teenager himself, in the late 1990s, through participation in activism alongside Vikki Reynolds, who served as the program’s Clinical Supervisor for many years.

After completing his undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Gender Studies at SFU, Murphy joined the Peak House team as a Youth Counsellor in 2006. He left Peak House to prioritize parenting in 2010, and went on to earn a Master’s degree from the Society, Culture & Politics in Education program at UBC. Read more…

Kelsey Wanek

Youth Counsellor Team

Alex Glaser

Youth Counsellor Team

Emma Murphy

Youth Counsellor Team

As a youth counsellor, I have found passion in helping young people overcome substance abuse and addiction. With a degree in psychology, I bring a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation to my work, as well as a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to working with clients. I believe that one of my strengths is my ability to connect with young people on a personal level and to build trust and rapport with them even amid challenging circumstances. Outside of work, I love gardening, yoga, and biking – which help me stay balanced and energized as I continue to pursue my passion for helping youth in our community.

Brooke Nielson

Youth Counsellor Team

Dovette Federspiel

Indigenous Cultural Consultant

Megan Ireland

Nurse Practitioner

Laila Biergans

Overnight Staff

Ernest Dushime

Overnight Staff

Jean Leonardo

Cook

Board of Directors

Pacific Youth and Family Services Society Board of Directors

Caitlin Grisack

Chair

Caitlin Grisack (she/her) has been leading innovative programs in the public and not-for-profit sectors for over 15 years. Specializing in essential services, trauma, and conflict transformation, she is a change champion and social justice advocate committed to building healthier workplaces and communities. Caitlin holds a master’s degree in Leadership and is a certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and Mental Health First Aid trainer. Having started her career working with high-risk youth, Caitlin is proud to have been a member of the Peak House Board since 2013.

Emily Coates

Vice Chair

Emily has been a full time Realtor with Sutton Centre since 2003 prior to which she worked in banking with RBC. In 2011, she obtained her Associate Brokers Licence and in 2014 her licence in Property Management.

Marc Goffaux

Secretary

Marc was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil before moving to Canada to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in 2012. He quickly embraced the Vancouver community where he is proud to call it his home. When he is not working or visiting family abroad, you can find him enjoying either a cup of joe at your local coffee shop or hiking one our beautiful mountains.

Angela Lee

Director

Shannon Richardson

Director

Shannon (she/her) is a Marketing Director with over 15 years of experience. As a mother of two teens, she brings a unique perspective to the Board, combining marketing expertise with a passion for helping at-risk youth.

Stephanie Fitzsimmons

Treasurer

Patrick Grayer

Director

Patrick went to law school at the University of British Columbia and now works out of an office in East Vancouver where he mainly practices criminal and family law. He joined the Peak House board in order to be involved in providing services to youth in his community.