The Haven, Gabriola Island

10/30/2026

⭐️ Come Alive with an Organizational Leader
Register: haven.ca/come-alive
Ian Curtin is one of the leaders for Come Alive, December 1-6. While our core programs carry a consistent structure, each facilitator brings their own life experience and professional lens to the program.

Ian Curtin specializes in facilitating dialogues within and between organizations, supporting relational leadership and teamwork, and is a founding member of the The Inner Activist.

Learn More: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13662/come-alive-20181127/

10/27/2026

Cathy Wilder is one of the leaders for Come Alive, December 1-6. While our core programs carry a consistent structure, each facilitator brings their own life experience and professional lens to the program.

Cathy Wilder holds an MEd and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a specialty in addictions, alongside a deep understanding of mental health concerns, working with Fraser Health MHSU for twenty years.

Learn More: https://haven.ca/come-alive/

The magic of Come Alive is in our unique history, renowned communication and relationship models, community dynamic, and oceanfront setting on Gabriola Island. With support and guidance, you will learn and practice the Haven models of communication, relationship and self-responsibility, through a ra...

10/21/2026

We've got a great group ready for Dynamic Embodiment this October 25-29 - and! - there's still room for a few more.

This unique experiential workshop with Linda Nicholls and Christina Smith is only offered once per year! Sign up soon:

An experiential training program in the concepts and practice of the transformative Haven-style body, breath and energy flow approaches.

10/19/2026

Meet the Team for Living Alive this November 💖

Chantel Laforet, Intern, is an experienced Intern at the Haven, having supported 9 Come Alive programs following her first experience in 2016. Along with being a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor through ACCT, she also holds a designation of Master Practitioner Clinical Counsellor – Provisional through CPCA. She brings with her a wealth of skills and gifts to support participants.

In addition to our Faculty leaders, Louise Amuir & JoAnn Kevala, our programs are supported by diversely-skilled interns and assistants. This November 1-26, you're invited to immerse in a transformative experience alongside a dedicated leadership team including Colleen Cuggy, Karin Matthews, JP Walker & Chantel.

👉 View all / Learn more: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2

The Living Alive programs offer the unique experience of time, space, and guidance to help you (re)discover who you truly are. For 25 days, you’ll have the opportunity to create and establish new or different patterns for conscious living. In Living Alive: Self Awareness the focus is on self-aware...

10/18/2026

Meet the Team for Living Alive this November 💖

JP Walker, Intern, began his journey at Haven in 2019 as a Come Alive participant seeking support for himself and his wife Roberta after she was in a catastrophic bike accident. He returned to Haven a year later and participated in back to back Living Alive programs and signed up to become an intern at that time. JP is from Utah and has been a professional snowboarder for the last 30 years. He has traveled the world snowboarding and been featured in the biggest films the industry has produced. He now balances his time interning and participating in Haven programs while also following his new passion for Latin rhythm dancing.

In addition to our Faculty leaders, Louise Amuir & JoAnn Kevala, our programs are supported by diversely-skilled interns and assistants. This November 1-26, you're invited to immerse in a transformative experience alongside a dedicated leadership team including Colleen Cuggy, Chantel Laforet, Karin Matthews & JP!

👉 View all / Learn more: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2

The Living Alive programs offer the unique experience of time, space, and guidance to help you (re)discover who you truly are. For 25 days, you’ll have the opportunity to create and establish new or different patterns for conscious living. In Living Alive: Self Awareness the focus is on self-aware...

10/17/2026

Meet the Team for Living Alive this November 💖

Karin Matthews, Intern, is a Marriage and Family Therapist whose work is grounded in presence, curiosity, and the belief that people grow most fully in connection. Her professional background spans law, international relations, business, technology, marketing, real estate, and education. These diverse experiences shaped her appreciation for complexity, cultural nuance, and the many ways people navigate change.

In addition to our Faculty leaders, Louise Amuir & JoAnn Kevala, our programs are supported by diversely-skilled interns and assistants. This November 1-26, you're invited to immerse in a transformative experience alongside a dedicated leadership team including Karin, Colleen Cuggy, Chantel Laforet & JP Walker.

👉 View all / Learn more: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2

The Living Alive programs offer the unique experience of time, space, and guidance to help you (re)discover who you truly are. For 25 days, you’ll have the opportunity to create and establish new or different patterns for conscious living. In Living Alive: Self Awareness the focus is on self-aware...

10/17/2026

Meet the Team for Living Alive this November 💖

Colleen Cuggy, Assistant, is a passionate believer in self-responsible living and is devoted to helping others recognize their own power. The art of clear communication and a compassionate acceptance of self and others has been the foundation of Colleen’s work at The Haven. After a long career as a Respiratory Therapist/Anesthesia Assistant, she is skilled being with people in their most vulnerable times.

In addition to our Faculty leaders, Louise Amuir & JoAnn Kevala, our programs are supported by diversely-skilled interns and assistants. This November 1-26, you're invited to immerse in a transformative experience alongside a dedicated leadership team including Colleen, Chantel Laforet, Karin Matthews & JP Walker.

👉 View all / Learn more: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2

The Living Alive programs offer the unique experience of time, space, and guidance to help you (re)discover who you truly are. For 25 days, you’ll have the opportunity to create and establish new or different patterns for conscious living. In Living Alive: Self Awareness the focus is on self-aware...

10/14/2026

"Over time, people soften into their bodies.
Movement frees.
Voices clarify.
Presence steadies.

I’ve witnessed shame turn into celebration, fear into expression, and people step fully into themselves — met with respect and care.

Within clear boundaries around harm, there is extraordinary freedom.

Freedom to be yourself.
Freedom to learn alongside others.

The land itself — ocean, forest, and long history of connection — seems to support what unfolds. Many feel it the moment they arrive.into beginnings, to redefine themselves after loss or stagnation, and to step boldly into what’s next."

⭐️ Read more: https://haven.ca/why-time-matters/
🌟 Register for Living Alive this November: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2/

~ written by Louise Amiur Program Leader, Living Alive: Self-Awareness People often ask what actually changes after 25 days. The answer is simple. Time. Groups begin cautiously. People arrive with habits, histories, and protective strategies already in place. Roles form quickly. Defences too. The ea...

10/10/2026

“I can take responsibility for my own life despite whatever happened in the past. I can give myself permission to be powerful. I have choice.” – Jay

The Living Alive programs offer the unique experience of time, space, and guidance to help you (re)discover who you truly are. For 25 days, you’ll have the opportunity to create and establish new or different patterns for conscious living. People from all walks of life, backgrounds, experiences, lifestyles, and locations join us and often experience something profound.

👉 Learn more: https://haven.ca/programs-index/13645/living-alive-self-awareness-2/

10/09/2026

Dynamic Embodiment: Somatic Breath & Energy Skills Training for helping professionals with Linda Nicholls and Christina Smith is coming up!

Psychological and emotional energy restrictions from traumatic events and neglectful emotional experiences are held deeply in our body, and lie at the root of distress, dissociation and disembodiment. In order to responsibly guide another person to liberate their self from these unconscious restrictions of their inner strength, passion, physical and mental health and vitality through facilitating embodiment practices, the practitioner must first tend to their own embodiment.

Join us October 25-29th:

An experiential training program in the concepts and practice of the transformative Haven-style body, breath and energy flow approaches.