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EHN Guardians
Nanaimo

Mental Health, Trauma, and Addiction Treatment for Military, Veterans, and First Responders

LOCATED IN:
Nanaimo, BC

TREATMENT FOR:
Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Moral Injury, Occupational Stress Injury (OSI), as well as any associated substance use disorders.

At EHN Guardians Nanaimo, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where members of Canada’s military, veterans, and first responder communities can begin their recovery journey. Understanding the unique challenges they face, we offer tailored, compassionate care to help them overcome these obstacles and reclaim their lives.

Located in the serene setting of Nanaimo, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island’s east coast, we provide evidence-based treatment for trauma and addiction, free from judgment and stigma. Our mission is clear: to safeguard the well-being of those who have selflessly served and protected others.

EHN Guardians Nanaimo is located on the campus of EHN Edgewood Nanaimo but the therapeutic communities are separated by a different building and different treatment cohorts. We believe in fostering dedicated recovery communities for military, veterans and first responders.

Find out more about what makes EHN Guardians Nanaimo unique.

EHN Guardians Nanaimo is situated on the EHN Edgewood Nanaimo campus, though EHN Guardians programs operate in a separate building, offering a dedicated and secure environment for our therapeutic community to grow.

Our campus provides a deep sense of safety and comfort from the moment they arrive. We encourage a range of activities to help you make the most of your time, fostering both healing and personal growth.

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PROGRAMS AT EHN GUARDIANS NANAIMO

EHN Guardians Nanaimo’s trauma program is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans Affairs Canada, RCMP personnel, other First Responders, and those covered by Presumptive Legislation. It provides comprehensive treatment for PTSD and Operational Stress Injury, with or without co-occurring addiction.

Concurrent Trauma and Addictions

To treat those struggling with both trauma and addiction, we use Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help clients overcome workplace trauma, and in-vivo exposure to regulate emotional responses to real-time triggers. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are employed to foster healthier thought patterns, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) aids in processing trauma, while individual psychotherapy offers a supportive space for recovery concerns. We also provide group therapy, psychoeducational sessions, relapse prevention, and recreation therapy to promote long-term recovery and wellness.

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Trauma and Psychological Injury

At our residential treatment center, clients gain lifelong skills to manage trauma and PTSD through an evidence-based and measurement-based approach. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to promote healthy thinking, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for emotional and relationship management, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help process traumatic beliefs. We also offer individual psychotherapy for personalized recovery, group therapy for peer support, psychoeducational sessions for trauma understanding, and recreation therapy such as mindfulness, yoga, and exercise to foster a balanced, recovery-oriented lifestyle. 

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Amenities Offered with Our Inpatient Programs

  • On-site medical professionals, with 24/7 access to nurses
  • Detox and withdrawal management
  • Specialized trauma-focused groups including psycho-education, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, symptoms management, trauma and emotional processing
  • Regular PTSD/OSI group therapy as well as exposure and activation therapy
  • Regular one-on-one sessions with a trauma certified clinician
  • In-vivo exposure sessions to assist in community integration and symptom management
  • Sleep and personal hygiene sessions
  • Holistic care that includes yoga, fitness, meditation, and art therapy
  • Access to peer support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, during and after treatment
  • One year of Aftercare and lifelong access to the EHN Guardians Alumni Community
  • Family programs that help your loved ones learn how to support you and heal themselves
  • Private and semi-private rooms

MEET OUR TEAM

Our team is made up of compassionate, highly skilled professionals, uniquely trained to deliver mental health and addiction treatment. Many have experienced personal breakthroughs with recovery, giving them a deep, empathetic understanding of the recovery journey. Their commitment lies in providing the tools necessary to achieve your recovery goals.

KITA LAFRANCE, BBA, MBA, MScIB

Executive Director, EHN Guardians Nanaimo 

Kita LaFrance brings a unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience to her role as Executive Director at EHN Edgewood Nanaimo. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vancouver Island University, as well as a Master of Science in International Business from the University of […]
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COLETTE CURRIN 

Vice President, EHN Guardians 

Colette is a clinician and business developer, working as a member of the Outpatient team while also managing the referral relationships and treatment needs for veteran, military and first responder clients. With 27 years of personal recovery, Colette combines her lived experience and clinical expertise to help others develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence in […]
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HEAR WHAT OUR ALUMNI HAVE TO SAY

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