Team

phil dames headshot

Phil Dames

Lead of Operations & Organization Steward

Phil Dames (he,him), a descendant of diverse European roots, resides on the ancestral lands of the Stz’uminus First Nation. He is the son of George and Leslie Dames, a brother, a father, friend to many and a life partner of Shannon Dames.

Phil is a co-founder, the Lead of Operations and playlist curator (soundscapes that guide psychedelic journeys) for the Roots to Thrive Society for Psychedelic Therapy. Phil is a graduate of Vancouver Island University’s Psychedelic assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program and alumni of the Positive Deviants program through the Wolf Willow Institute

Phil is passionate about men’s health and the cultivation of environments that promote emotional awareness and expression.  He has a keen interest in the intersection of music and psychedelic-assisted therapies and the creation of different playlists to use during therapeutic sessions.  Phil curates the playlists utilized during the different RTT medicine sessions.  Nature and music tend to occupy Phil’s spare time, when it exists.

Other Ex-officio Member

Shannon Dames

RN, MPH, EdD

Visioning and Development Lead, RTT Innovations Co-Chair & Organization Steward

Shannon Dames (maiden Magnus) is a third generation immigrant with mixed ancestry from Britain, Norway, and Germany. She is a descendant of GT Magnus and Lianne Telnes, the proud mother of Piper and Beckett Dames, and the life partner of Phil Dames.  She lives and serves as a Health Professional ...
Pam Kryskow

MD

RTT Medical Team Co-Chair, Medical Lead and Organization Steward

Dr. Pamela Kryskow is the medical lead for the Roots To Thrive Program.  She is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Association of Canada and the medical chair of the Vancouver Island University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychedelic Medicine assisted Therapy.  Pam is also a a clinical i...

MD, FRCPC

Co-Chair RTT Medical Team & Organization Steward

Crosbie completed his MA in Psychology at Lakehead University, prior to completing Medical School at McMaster in 1991. Following medical school, Dr. Watler completed his residency in psychiatry at Dalhousie University. Crosbie relocated to Duncan BC in 2001, working with Island Health in diverse ...

Somatic Energy Modalities Lead & Organization Steward

Helen comes to the team with a background in integrative health delivery. She earned advanced certifications in Eden Energy Medicine and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Her work heightens awareness at the level of body-mind, supporting the innate capacity for healing. Helen is playing a lead ...
Geraldine Manson

Lead Elder

In my role as a VIU Elder-in-Residence, I work directly with students and Faculty/Professors in Health and Human Services programs at VIU and the Shq’apthut/Gathering Place. I share my Traditional Knowledge to work with all programs within the Health & Human Services and within the Shq’apthut...
Wes Taylor

PATGC

Development Chair, Facilitator

Wes’s core practice is recognizing the heart and beauty in everyone.  Joining in the early days of the Roots to Thrive team was therefore a no-brainer.  During the ‘80s and ‘90s, he worked as a therapist in addiction and trauma recovery in the US and Australia. He focused on providing advanced No...

RPN, BSN, MBA

RTT KAT Program Chair, Intake lead, Nurse Facilitator

Julia comes to the Roots to Thrive team with over twenty years experience as a front-line registered psychiatric nurse. Julia completed her nursing training in New Zealand before becoming certified in California and then Canada. Julia has practiced in a wide variety of clinic areas including inpa...
Krys Sciberras

MA, RCC

RTT Training Program Chair, Operations Integrator, Facilitator

Krys is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and she has worked in the Mental Health and Substance Use field for 25 years, managing teams in various leadership capacities. This varied experience working in clinical environments offers a thorough understanding of the challenges in health care and a p...
Graham Walker

MA, RCC

RTT Alumni Program Chair, Alumni Facilitator

Graham comes to the Roots to Thrive team with a passion for supporting people on their journeys of healing and growth. He has worked as a clinical counsellor since 2011 using an integrative therapeutic approach that includes the mind and body while honouring people’s inherent wisdom to heal thems...

Controller

Bio coming soon

Participant Navigator

Susan comes to Roots to Thrive with over 15 years of experience in supporting non-profit administration. Susan also works at Vancouver Island University as the Program Assistant for the Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Post Graduate Certificate Program. Passions include painting, singing, gardening a...

Participant Navigator

Kaarina joins Roots to Thrive with many years of administrative experience in medical and not-for-profit organizations. She is a "behind the scenes" type of person, quietly making sure participants and team members alike have the things they need to succeed. Kaarina finds joy in being resourceful...