Staff

Ann-Louise Ellwood

Dr. Ellwood is a registered psychologist who completed her Master’s (2000) and Doctoral (2006) degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary.  Her clinical internship focused on outpatient psychiatry, psychosocial oncology, and family therapy.

Dr. Ellwood is a cognitive-behaviour therapist whose private practice is focused on providing psychological services to those living with chronic or life-threatening illness, adults and youth with depression and anxiety, and families in distress.  She is also the clinical director of Reach the Peak Behaviour Intervention Services. This program provides behaviour consulting, behaviour therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy to children with Autism Spectrum and related disorders.

Dr. Ellwood is a former Izaak Walton Killam scholar whose doctoral work identified factors that mediate the desire for hastened death among terminally ill cancer patients.  Following completion of her doctoral degree, she worked as both researcher and clinical practitioner at the BC Cancer Agency. In this role Dr. Ellwood served on provincial and national groups including the National Cancer Institute of Canada’s Clinical Trials Group and was instrumental in the creation of a multidisciplinary research team investigating the neuropsychological impact of brain cancers.  During this time she also held an adjunct professorship at UBC Okanagan in the department of Psychology. Dr. Ellwood also worked at Okanagan Ability Centre and Diversified Rehabilitation Group before opening her own private practice in 2009.

Guifré Calderer

Guifré fell in love with Behaviour Intervention in 1998 when, after realizing that he was not suited to being stuck in a chemistry lab all day, he started a job working one-on-one with a preschool age girl with Autism. He liked the collaboration with her family and the consulting team, as well as the way the treatment was adapted to utilize her strengths to address areas of need. The amazing children he has worked with have been inspiring him to learn and develop advanced Autism Intervention skills ever since.

Guifré started work in the field with on the job training in Applied Behaviour Analysis with Autism Partnership in Calgary, Alberta. Working out of family homes, he learned quickly and became a Lead Behaviour Therapist within 18 months. Guifré became a Behaviour Consultant at Renfrew Educational Services in 2005 where he taught the Floortime Model to 300 staff members.

He moved to Kelowna, BC in 2006 and started working at the Central Okanagan Children’s Development Association (later re-branded as Starbright). Guifré attained his Master’s degree in Education in 2012 and became the Registered Autism Service Provider of Starbright’s Autism Program until its closure in December 2019.

He continues to do the work that he loves and now provides clinical oversight of Reach the Peak Behaviour Intervention Services.

Jaimee Bryce

Jaimee’s passion for helping families stems from her own experiences raising four children, two of whom have ASD.  She studied psychology at Vancouver Island University, and received an Autism Spectrum Disorder certificate from Okanagan College in 2012.

Jaimee is an eager learner and has attended many workshops including intensive ABA training through Autism Partnership and many workshops on topics such as Social Thinking and Executive Functions.  In addition to several years experience doing intervention in people’s homes, Jaimee worked for 7 years in Starbright Children Development Centre’s Autism Program as a Behaviour Interventionist and as a Senior Behaviour Interventionist.

Jaimee is keen to use her over 12,000 hours experience as a Senior BI and her extensive training to continue to serve the Autism community in the Okanagan through Reach the Peak.

Clarissa Gotobed

Clarissa graduated from the University of Victoria in 2014 with a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care. During this program she worked in a variety of practicum settings, including a community centre and an Elementary School. Her degree focused on a training in running one-to-one and group therapy sessions, a variety of therapeutic techniques, and working with children and families at all ages and stages.

She worked as a Behaviour Interventionist and a Senior Behaviour Interventionist at Starbright Children’s Development Centre for over 4 years, prior to the closure in December 2019. She loves watching each client learn and grow in their own way, and will do her best to help them in their journey.

When she is not working, Clarissa is an avid baker and board game enthusiast.

Autumn Smith

Autumn graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has spent the last 5 years working with people with a wide range of needs. Autumn worked as a Behaviour Interventionist at Starbright Child Development Centre from 2017 until the closure of the Autism Program in December of 2019. She was a starting member of our Reach the Peak Team in January 2020.

Autumn brings enthusiasm and energy to every session, and is always thinking about the best way she can further the independence of the clients she works with. She has worked for several years with clients who use Augmented Communication, and is well versed in the use of applications such as Touch Chat. Outside of work, Autumn is an avid movie buff and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Emma Kusiak

Sonali

Sonali moved to Canada in 2019, and completed her post-graduate diploma in Accounting in 2021 from Selkirk College, Castlegar. Sonali joined the team at Reach the Peak in December 2021, and has been an invaluable part of our team ever since due to her incredible organization and planning skills.

Sonali loves to get things done, and enjoys a challenge in a professional space. She is passionate about her career, and it shows in the dedicated and enthusiastic way she approaches every task she is handed. She loves to take on new challenges, and is working hard at creating even better systems and structures for Reach the Peak each day.

Outside of work, Sonali loves the summer sunshine, and enjoys sitting by the beach. When she isn’t working, you can find her cleaning, organizing, or listening to true crime stories.

Lama

Annekatrin

Annekatrin graduated from the Bochum University of Applied Science in Germany with a Bachelor in Social Work. After moving to Canada, she began working at a private school, where she had the opportunity to work closely with children on the Autism Spectrum. This experience inspired her to become certified as an Education Assistant at Okanagan College in 2006.

After working as a CEA for the school, and privately as a Behaviour Interventionist, she joined the team at Reach the Peak in March of 2020.

She is passionate about encouraging her students to learn and grow, and does this with patience and creativity. Outside of work, she enjoys taking on new projects, and spending time with her friends and family.

Khushee

Khushee is a 3rd Year Psychology student at UBC Okanagan, and will be graduating in April 2022. She dreams of becoming a clinical child psychologist. She loves children, and fell in love with child psychology in her second year of university.

Coming to Canada in 2018, Khushee is originally from Mumbai, India and is fluent in Hindi and English. She can also understand multiple other Indian languages. Outside of work, Khushee loves to dance, cook, and spend time with her friends.

Ashley

Ashley joined Reach The Peak in January 2022, she previously worked at Arion therapeutic farm as a therapeutic riding instructor.

She has worked mostly with children on the autism spectrum. She also does respite work. Ashley is very eager to start this new journey of becoming a behavioral interventionist and is absolutely thrilled to work with and make a difference in the children’s lives. She would say her true calling is working with children and that is what makes her heart happy.

Outside of work you can find Ashley hanging out with or riding her horses. She also enjoys boxing, fishing and anything outdoors.

Ainsley

Ainsley has recently moved back home from Montreal after graduating from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts & Science, majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience, and minoring in Sociology. Her studies focused on the development of the human brain and its plasticity.

Ainsley is excited to be with Reach the Peak and working with children to help reinforce their individual strengths and motivate them to build new skills!

Ainsley is bilingual in French and English. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, being near Okanagan Lake, and spending time with her two dogs while helping out on her family orchard and vineyard.

Domonique

Domonique joined the reach the peak team as a behaviour interventionist in February of 2022. She recently graduated from the university of British Columbia with a undergraduate degree in psychology as well as a focus on courses such as anthropology and sociology.
Domonique is currently working towards a master’s degree in clinical counselling, with the goal of working in a counselling capacity with children and youth in the future.
Outside of work Domonique enjoys yoga, knitting, reading and coffee.

Ryan

Ryan joined the Reach the Peak team in March of 2022. He is a fourth year university student, working on his Bachelors of Psychology and English, and is hoping to go on and work on his Masters and PhD.

Ryan loves working with children, and was raised with a brother on the autism spectrum. He hopes to truly make a difference in the lives of the children he works with.

Outside of work, Ryan is a self professed history buff, and loves the outdoors.

Ileigh

Ileigh worked previously as a full-time Behaviour Interventionist for 3 years before joining the Reach the Peak Team. At her previous workplace she worked as both a Behaviour Interventionist, and was hired as a Senior Interventionist shortly after starting. Since 2017 she has provided private one-on-one therapy and tutoring with families in their homes.

Ileigh is also familiar with autism in her personal life, as she grew up with two siblings on the spectrum, and a parent who worked in the Behaviour Intervention field.

In her free time she enjoys camping, 4x4ing, singing, and spending time in warm fuzzy sweaters.

Jordan

Jordan joined the Reach the Peak Team in June of 2022. He graduated from The University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology.

Jordan loves working with children, and seeing them succeed. In the future, he is hoping to pursue a career in the health care field, medicine, or physiotherapy.

Outside of work Jordan loves to spend time outdoors and is an avid golfer. He also enjoys spending his time volunteering with children.

Manuela

Manuela (she/her) joined Reach the Peak in July 2022. She graduated from Thompson Rivers University in 2022 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Manuela was born in Bogota, Colombia. She is passionate about working with children and she has previously volunteered with children in hospitals, family welfare homes, and was previously working at the Kamloops YMCA in the after school program. In addition, she completed her undergraduate thesis on children’s memory and is passionate about research on children’s development.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, skiing, reading and spending time with her loved ones.

Darian

Darian joined the team at Reach the Peak during the summer of 2021. He has a background in computer science and ancient history, but felt he was not satisfied with monotonous work that wasn’t fulfilling. After meeting a former director of Autism Okanagan and her family, Darian knew he was interested in working with youth with ASD. He is currently working towards his Behaviour Intervention Certificate through the program at Douglas College.

Outside of work, Darian loves dogs, technology, and spending time in nature.

Julia

Julia is passionate about working with children that have ASD and other neurological disorders. Her passion stems from growing up with a brother on the spectrum. He has been her biggest inspiration, and has led to her dream of becoming a child psychiatrist. She has been working as a BI since August 2019 doing home sessions, day care sessions, and community outings wtih children. Over the past couple years she has also been providing respite services for families both overnight care and for multiple/full days. Outside of work you will find her at her desk learning, or reading a book. She enjoys being outdoors doing activities like hiking, swimming, and ice skating.