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.

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.

Khushee Nair

Khushee has been a part of the Reach the Peak team since 2020. She graduated with Honours in Psychology from UBCO in 2020. Khushee fell in love with child psychology in her second year of university and has been passionate about working with children ever since.

She loves to find creative ways to teach them new skills and strategies to navigate through life. Seeing children grow and do better inspires her everyday and she aspires to be a clinical child psychologist in the future.

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, be outdoors and spend time with her friends.

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.

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.

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.

Lexee

Lexee joined Reach the Peak as a behaviour interventionist in March 2023. She graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She plans to continue her studies in the field of psychology by pursuing a masters degree and PhD in the future. She hopes to one day have a career in clinical psychology. Lexee loves working with children and is excited to make a difference and to be a positive influence in their lives.
In her personal time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, being outdoors, and
making art.

Myrian

Myrian is originally from Peru and moved to Canada with her family in 2019. She has worked as an English teacher for thirteen years in her home country and is also a certified yoga instructor. In 2020 she became a Certified Education Assistant at Okanagan College and since then she has been working with autistic children and youth in diverse educational organizations in Kelowna.

Claire

Claire graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in
psychology. Her interest in helping people and history of working with children as a lifeguard and swim
coach led her to join the Reach the Peak team.

She is passionate about teaching through fun and loves to see her students develop their skills and
grow. When she isn’t at work, Claire loves to crochet, watch movies, hike, and spend time with her
family.

Sonja

Sonja joined Reach the Peak in November 2023. Originally from Germany, she graduated from the University of Hildesheim with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. In Germany, she practiced as an occupational therapist for four years in a private practice with clients of all ages and abilities, as well as in a school for blind and disabled children.

Sonja takes great joy in working with children, helping them work towards developing positively to gain skills, and confidence in themselves as they navigate their path in the world.

Prior to moving to Canada last year, she lived in New Zealand for two and a half years, and in her free time loves to travel, hike and ski.

Netra

Netra joined Reach the Peak in November 2023. She completed her undergraduate program in July 2023, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Visual Arts/Photography. Fueled by her passion for working with children and families, she became a member of the Reach the Peak Team.

Netra firmly believes in the inherent capacity for personal growth with just a touch of encouragement and support. Her aspirations include advancing her education, and ultimately dedicating her career to supporting families facing adverse experiences.

During her free time, Netra loves going to the gym, eating delicious meals, spending time with friends, and expressing her creativity through art.

Jonathan

Jonathan joined the Reach the Peak team in January 2024. He is currently doing an Associate of Arts degree at Okanagan College, majoring in Communications and minoring in Psychology. He has a background in Peer Education and Counselling. In his free time he enjoys filming and has a good eye for art.

Brittany

Brittany was born and raised in Kelowna and Graduated in June of 2022 with a Bachelors

Dawn

Dawn moved to Kelowna in 2008 from her hometown of Golden, and attended and graduated from Okanagan College with her Early Childhood Education Diploma, specializing in special needs.  Dawn worked in childcare for a couple of years before moving to Vancouver Island where she worked with adults with intellectual and physical diversabilities, specifically those with complex behavioural needs in group homes, home share and day programs, she has supervised as well as managed homes/programs during her career with adults.

Dawn worked for Reach the Peak back in 2021-2022, and is now back to fulfill her passion of working with children, she hopes to one day open her own preschool.

In Dawn’s free time she enjoys writing and playing music, riding her blue bicycle, and being cozy at home.