Into Action Recovery is comprized of a team of substance use professionals who provide healing, freedom, and hope for men struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Administrator
Anya has worked in an administrative and leadership role for 18 years. She has served and continues to serve on the Board of Directors of a local non-profit in the recovery field. In 2015 when addiction hit close to home, Anya decided this is where her passion lies. Anya devoted her career in helping other individuals struggling with substance use and their families.
Anya has been in Administrative Manager role of Into Action Recovery since 2016, and has been responsible for creating and implementing systems to ensure consistent high caliber care for all clients, ensuring safety and efficiency at all operational and administrative levels of the organization.
Program Manager, CCAC ICADC, Diploma Addiction and Community Services Work
Christopher struggled with addiction for over two decades before finding his way to recovery. Christopher faced multiple barriers including physical disability, severe street entrenchment and institutionalization but through the practical application of the tools learned he has been able to completely transform his life.
He has managed to achieve a diploma, become a nationally and internationally recognized drug and alcohol counsellor, is attending university and has gained 70 certificates related to the field.
Compliance Manager
Intake Coordinator, AAP, CCAC
Group Facilitator and Addictions Worker
Mike has more than 20 years experience working in the addiction field. Mike is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about helping men suffering in the depths of addiction. He understands all too well the pain, suffering and loneliness that comes in darkness of addictions. Mike was fortunate to achieve sobriety in his life, which has inspired him to dedicate his life to helping other men turn their lives around and see the light of hope.
Mike’s greatest passion is watching men walk through the doors of recovery in complete despair, and showing them there is a better way. He teaches practical tools to overcoming addiction such as CBT, DBT, Family Systems, Satir, SMART Recovery and twelve-step Recovery.
Step Coach
Gerry Wilce has been a counsellor with Into Action Recovery for the past five years. He has over 11 years clean and sober, and has been active sharing hope and strength to thousands of others who were struggling with addiction.
Gerry grew up on a Nisga’a native reserve near Prince Rupert, losing his parents at the age of eleven. He started drinking and drugging for relief, and eventually ended up becoming involved in crime as a teen. As a young adult, he took to the streets of the Downtown East Side and consumed drugs and alcohol on a daily basis for a year and a half. He was homeless, hopeless, and completely addicted.
Through twelve-step work, and the ability to help others, he has been able to overcome his struggles. At Into Action, he’s had the amazing opportunity to put his own program to good use in helping others; a program based on empathy, understanding, and an ability to relate to people that struggle just like he did.
Gerry is also an international recovery speaker and has facilitated recovery groups to thousands of men and women over the last 11 years, free of charge.
Group Facilitator, Certified Social Service Worker
Based in Vancouver, BC, Achi Thilakeratne combines a unique blend of personal experience, empathy, and professionalism in the field of addiction recovery and social services. Originally from Sri Lanka, Achi moved to Australia at a young age, grew up in California, and ultimately settled in Vancouver. Drawing from a background in hospitality, where he honed skills in managing people and high-stress environments as a front-of-house manager, he now applies these strengths in supporting vulnerable populations.
Having attained a Social Service Worker Diploma, Achi works with Into Action Recovery, where he facilitates group sessions on critical topics like Relapse Prevention, Coping Strategies, and Gratitude in Recovery. He is also actively involved in setting up systems to promote productivity and support the recovery processes.
Motivated by his own journey of overcoming addiction, Achi is committed to ongoing learning, with plans to pursue a psychology degree. His ultimate goal is to become a licensed counselor and therapist, eventually opening a private practice. He approaches each day with resilience and a deep dedication to helping others rebuild their lives, embodying a compassionate and growth-oriented philosophy that he brings to every client interaction.
Group Facilitator and Addictions Worker
Zan is deeply passionate about supporting men who struggle with addiction having personally experienced addiction. Raised in a small town, Zan was once an exceptional hockey player with a bright future ahead of him. However, everything changed in his teens when late-night partying and alcohol began to take over, ending the possibility of a promising athletic career. Alcohol and heavy drug use became common and all-consuming.
After years of broken relationships, relapses, and personal struggles, Zan’s first son was born which finally brought him to embrace recovery in 2014. Inspired by his own journey, Zan decided in 2020 to leave his stable career and to work with those struggling with addiction. At 44, he returned to school, earning a diploma in Professional Coaching and certifications in Life Skills Counselling and Recovery Coaching. He trained in SMART Recovery Facilitation, Motivational Interviewing, and Community Mental Health to grow his experience to support others.
Zan has a passion for group facilitation, guiding discussions on recovery, personal change, and transformation. Zan also offers private recovery coaching, He believes wholeheartedly in recovery and enjoys helping men recognize their abilities beyond addiction. After ten years of his own recovery, Zan is grateful to extend a helping hand to those struggling and feels fulfilled working with men seeking recovery.
Support Worker, Personal Trainer
Eric struggled with addiction since a young age. He had tried many times to get clean, and many times he had failed. Into Action Recovery was the last place he tried and the first place that worked! Since coming to Into Action years ago Eric has done all sorts of things he never thought possible.
He has cleared his debt, travelled the world, got married and has a baby on the way, rebuild family relationships, and gone back to school to become an addictions specialist and personal trainer.
Eric bases his journey on helping others achieve their goals be they spiritual, physical or material.
Support Worker
Ben was raised by a wonderful family in a farming community, he grew up hard-working and respectful. Like many at a young age, the life of partying soon got the best of him. With time, drinking and drugging became no longer used for fun, but a necessity. The struggle of alcoholism and addiction robbed him of almost all he had worked so hard for.
Ben attended a treatment centre and, after completing, returned to life on the farm, but fell again shortly after to the struggles of alcoholism and addiction. That’s when he came across Into Action Recovery, the only organization to reach back out to him within a week. He settled in nicely and completed the program.
With help from Into Action Recovery, Ben began the training to become an addictions support worker, and he has never looked back. Ben has a passion for helping others deal with the same pains he himself felt. His most cherished benefit of working at Into Action Recovery is witnessing a fellow brother’s first smile and laughter after years of despair.
Support Worker
Justin was born into a family that struggled with addiction, and from a very young age, Justin had undergone many traumatic experiences, such as the loss of both biological parents. Justin became a ward of the government and was moved around through the foster care system, which made fitting in feel difficult. Once Justin found alcohol and drugs, he felt life became easier – until it didn’t. Justin soon found himself on the wrong side of the law and by age 21 had served two years in prison.
Justin then tried to reinvent himself, to no avail. It wasn’t until Justin was introduced to Into Action Recovery that he found himself and the path God was leading him on.
Justin and his dedication to his work in recovery is truly inspiring. He is deeply passionate about leading by example and is always focused on the well-being of those in the recovery houses he works with. His genuine care for people extends far beyond his professional duties, as he consistently shows compassion and support to everyone he encounters. A natural leader, Justin empowers others, creating a positive and encouraging environment for growth and healing. His unwavering commitment to his work and his community makes him an exceptional individual.
Group Facilitator and Support Worker
Phil Morgan grew up in Alberta and had a very dysfunctional childhood and family. He was introduced to drugs at a very young age. By the age of 20, he was in jail and headed down a dark path. This continued and progressed for many years, going in and out of treatment centres, and eventually homelessness. After losing his family and everything he loved, he eventually got the gift of desperation and submitted himself to a program of recovery.
Now Phil has turned his life around in a huge way. He came to Into Action in 2020 after being homeless for two months. He humbled himself and took direction and guidance from the staff at Into Action and was able to get his first year clean. This time he was able to get his full licence, credit cards, and even a college course. He has rekindled his relationship with his daughter and considers Into Action his family, He has built up a gigantic support network, and now instead of hurting the people he loves, he is able to help others, and has found a new way of life.
Phil now has over four years of experience of working in recovery. He is a group facilitator, support worker, mentor and a great friend to many people. He sponsors newcomers. And loves to help out whenever he has an opportunity to do so. He has found a new purpose in life. Has been given a second chance. he owes this great success to Into Action and will forever be grateful for his newfound life.
House Monitor
Travis started using drugs and alcohol at an early age, and for the better part of his adult life was in and out of institutions, struggling to find his way. When it seemed there was nowhere else to go, he got stuck in the life of being homeless, helpless, and broken – a bottom he never thought he would get out of.
Eventually, he arrived at Into Action Recovery as a last attempt to change. He was finally able to stay sober, and he was finally able to find a new way of life which was offered to him through the broad fellowship, countless counsellors with lived experience, and that initial glimpse of hope.
Travis is now a House Monitor at one of the second-stage houses, where he gladly works with men who are new in recovery. He helps them get familiarized with being an active member of society – transitioning from the first stage can be a struggle for those who have just completed their program, and Travis takes great pleasure in helping them get on their feet. He is currently taking the necessary steps to obtain a career in the field of addictions. Travis is grateful to continue helping others and share what was so freely given to him.
Registered Professional Counsellor RPC-c, PCC
Ben is a Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC-C). He work with client to address all aspects of grief and loss, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, neglect, stress, self-esteem and identity, and relationship problems.
Originally from the UK, Ben moved to Vancouver in 2019, and now considers it home. Prior to working as a therapist, Ben spent twelve years working within project management roles for the corporate, local government, defense and construction industries. During this time, he learned a great deal about organization, interpersonal relationships, effective communication, and how to identify and amplify the strength of others.
He was always interested in psychology, and learning about human behavior. It wasn’t until he lost my Dad that I truly understood the value of a compassionate and skilled therapist. He realized that it was his purpose to support others through the most challenging life events. His priority is to give his clients a safe place to process their experiences, better understand themselves and as a result, grow as an individual.
Ben is also trained in hospice and palliative care. His go-to modalities are CBT, Narrative therapy and Existential Therapy. Ben works with his clients to build the tools and self-understanding they need to thrive.
Taking the first step toward healing can feel overwhelming, but the right support makes all the difference. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through every stage of your recovery journey with care, respect, and professional expertise.
We provide structured, evidence-based therapy programs designed to help individuals regain control, rebuild confidence, and move forward with purpose. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one, help is available right now.
