Joanne has been working in the field of addictions and mental health since 1998 and her experience over the years includes working with people struggling with substance abuse, problem gambling, sex addiction, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss, relapse prevention, recovery planning, and Family Program Intensives. Joanne is also trained in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).
The Thorpe Recovery Centre’s commitment to the success of the programs is reflected in the high standard of work, and adherence to the core values. The Staff place a premium on the ethics, education, and training that will serve to provide clients with the best path to recovery. Professional and volunteer experience is only augmented by the fact that a significant number of us are in recovery ourselves, and are proud to serve as examples that change is possible.
The Thorpe Recovery Centre’s commitment to the success of the programs is reflected in the high standard of work, and adherence to the core values. The Staff place a premium on the ethics, education, and training that will serve to provide clients with the best path to recovery. Professional and volunteer experience is only augmented by the fact that a significant number of us are in recovery ourselves, and are proud to serve as examples that change is possible.
Vera Koster
Community Counsellor | BA, CCAC, CCRC, ACTA
Vera has been with Thorpe since 2016. Vera holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology, as well as a Diploma in Addiction Counselling. Vera is certified through the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) and she is a Certified Canadian Addiction Counsellor as well as a Canadian Certified Recovery Coach through the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF).
Vera’s passion for helping people recover from substance addiction is fueled by her personal experience with addiction; she is in recovery since June 2011. In her free time Vera is a passionate runner and in 2020 she co-created the Thorpe Running Program; a program that every week brings together volunteers from the Lloydminster running community and Thorpe clients to engage in the sport of running as a way of supporting healthy living in recovery. Vera is also an avid animal lover. She is also strongly committed to supporting clients who present with eating disorders as well as those who identify with less specific, but unhealthy relationships with food. Vera’s commitment is driven by her struggles with substance abuse and anorexia/bulimia; she has been in recovery since 2011. Vera is certified by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation, and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Learn more about Vera
Haley Gyug
Community Counsellor | Dip. Addictions Counselling
Haley is a graduate of Medicine Hat College with a diploma in Addictions Counselling. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life and is currently our Continuing Care Program facilitator, connecting with Alumni and providing support in their recovery.
Haley enjoys reading, crocheting, cuddling with her kitten, and being outdoors.
Learn more about HaleySavannah Meadus
Community Counsellor
Originally from Lloydminster, Savannah joined our counselling team in 2021 after working at Thorpe as a CSW since 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from McGill University.
Jason Patterson
Community Counsellor | BHSc.
Jason completed his junior practicum with Thorpe in 2018 and was hired on to be the Continuing Care Counsellor until he returned to school at the University of Lethbridge to finish his bachelor of health sciences degree, majoring in Addiction Counselling.
Originally from Calgary, Jason also has his diploma in addiction counselling from Medicine Hat College and diploma in Business Administration through the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Jason has previous experience working with vulnerable populations through Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Calgary, South Country Treatment Centre in Lethbridge and ARCHES safe consumption site in Lethbridge. Jason’s passion for the field of addiction began with his own recovery from alcoholism which he began in January 2014. Jason is excited to be back in Lloydminster working with the Thorpe team. His hobbies include a variety of sports and spending summer weekends at his family cabin.
Learn more about JasonKenzie Penrod
Community Counsellor
Kenzie join us with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Lethbridge.
Kenzie has a passion for learning people’s stories, as well as working with individuals using strengths-based counseling techniques. While not in addiction recovery, they are currently managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which began in their youth. Through their education in addictions counseling and own personal journey in recovering from mental illness, they understand the struggles that those battling substance use disorders often report, such as feelings of shame and guilt, as well as isolation tendencies. Their hope is that in working with those battling the disease of addiction, they are able to utilize their education alongside personal experiences to support those on their recovery journey.
Learn more about KenzieCandace Stryker
Community Counsellor| M.Ed, CCC
Feeling a strong connection to the natural world, Candace’s journey started with a passion in the environmental field. Unknowingly, this was part of her own healing of an underlying eating disorder that continued to live itself through her for years.
The outward journey to understand this then began to include working on poverty reduction projects overseas, to providing supports to those living with disabilities, to eventually the study of counselling psychology, in addition to her many personal journey’s living in Ashrams, participating in Meditation Retreats, and personal time-outs spent in contemplation. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology with a focus on Mental Health and Addictions. She has experience working as a counsellor in Palliative Care as well as Addictions. Her professional orientation is strongly influenced by her contemplative, meditative, and yogic leanings, as well as to her connection to the natural world. She believes that addiction is, at its root, a call for love, a call to come ‘home’ within ourselves - to once again feel our inherent connection to life itself.
Learn more about CandaceMorgan Peeters
Psychiatric Nurse | RPN
Morgan graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing in 2020. She is originally from Calgary but has lived in various cities in Canada. She really enjoys reading and crocheting.
Joanne Wright
Counselling Manager | CACII, CCAC, ATCA
Joanne’s desire to help others embrace recovery comes from her own journey in recovery and how addiction has impacted family and loved ones. Joanne enjoys spending time with family and her pets, making time to laugh every day, fishing and camping, yoga, singing, and listening to music. Joanne is certified with the Canadian Society of Counselors and Therapists and with the Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certificate Federation.
Learn more about JoanneAngie Connors
Community Support Manager
Angie has always felt at home with the Thorpe Recovery Centre team. First working for the Thorpe from 2000 - 2009, Angie left to further pursue her career in medical technology but as life had it, her fate brought her back to TRC.
In 2020, Angie once again joined the staff at Thorpe. When Angie isn't at work you can find her enjoying adventures alongwise her German Shepard, family and friends.
Learn more about AngieKeith Markwick
Facility Manager
Seeking a fresh set of challenges, Keith Markwick joined the Thorpe team in January as the Facility Manager.
He joins us with 21 years of experience from ADM Agri-Industries as the Shipping Supervisor where he managed a large team and the 24/7 railyard operations. Keith is a Christian who is dedicated to improving our community through various groups and initiatives. When not working, you can find him outside fishing, hunting or just enjoying whatever weather Mother Nature has to offer. Keith can also be found on the baseball diamond where he has been on a softball team in town for 20 years enjoying great times with all of his brothers and sisters.
Learn more about KeithJoey Ortzanez
Kitchen Manager
Joey Ortzanez in his new role as Kitchen Manager! Joey has been on our team for six years and has vast experience in the food industry. He certainly has what it takes to provide nutritious and exciting meals to those we serve at Thorpe.
Tim Van Staden
Operations Director | BSc., RSE, CME
Tim was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where he completed a degree in Kinesiology before heading to Lloydminster in 2003. Tim is now a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter and Master Electrician.
Tim joined Thorpe with over 20 years of experience in construction repair and maintenance. Projects he has worked on include Stoney Trail Bridgework in Calgary, Calgary Zoo Elephant Exhibit and the Lloydminster Servus Sports Centre. Dedicated to the community, Tim is also an active member of the Blackfoot Fire Department.
Learn more about TimTeressa Krueckl
Chief Executive Officer
Teressa began her role as CEO in September 2013 after serving as Director of Administration during a time of organizational transition in 2012. Prior to her time at Thorpe, she worked in community and fund development, executive leadership, and other various community initiative-working groups. Teressa is an active Rotarian and enjoys giving back to the community.
In her role as CEO, she works closely with the governing board of directors to set strategic direction, the vision and mission, all the while ensuring there is a client-centered focus on program delivery. We have come a long way over the last 8 years. It is exciting to be able to guide development so that we may offer a community atmosphere to those struggling with addiction. It is truly a privilege to work with a fantastic team of individuals who all play a part in touching the lives of our clients and their families.
Learn more about Teressa
