MEET THE TEAM
Tyler Lorenz
Founder and Executive Director
Tyler has had a lifetime of experience with mental health and addiction issues. After 29 years of active addiction, Tyler transformed his life and began to follow his true purpose which is to support those individuals still struggling with addiction. Within the first year of recovery, Tyler returned to school and received a diploma in Addiction and Community Service Worker. With the support of his mentor and an incredible community, Tyler founded Residents in Recovery which has supported hundreds of individuals with their recovery journey. Residents in Recovery is roughly modeled after his own journey to recovery. Developing a program that aims to reduce or eliminate barriers has been the goal from the start. Today, Tyler supports his community through participation on many committees and volunteer positions. Filling service gaps and bringing awareness to mental health and addiction issues will work to break the stigma that is still so prevalent in our society today.
Serena Campbell-Barnes
Clinical Director
Serena holds a MSc in Health Promotion and Socio-Behavioral Sciences and a BA in Psychology. Her academic and career path has been greatly shaped by her personal experiences with womanhood, motherhood and addiction. She has been working in the field of mental health and addictions since 2004 in a number of different capacities, including counseling, community development, harm-reduction, as well as program development and evaluation. Through her own journey of healing Serena has found her heart’s passion working with recovering addicts, particularly mothers and their children to break the legacies of intergenerational trauma and is humbled to walk alongside individuals and families on their recovery path. Trained in EMDR, CBT, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, and is a Certified in Sex Addiction Therapist and Certified Partner Trauma Therapists (candidate), Serena approaches healing the wounds of complex and developmental trauma using top-down and bottom-up therapies. She is proud to be a member of the amazing team of passionate and dedicated professionals that make Residents in Recovery the unique and diverse organization that it has grown to be.
Sherien Potts
Operations Manager
Human Resources
Sherien has worked with Residents in Recovery for a little over two years. Sherien has a background in the field of addictions dating back over 10 years. Sherien plans to continue her education to become a Register Social Worker. She prides herself on being a part of this truly ground-breaking organization. She notes that she has learnt so much about the gaps and challenges that people with addiction face, even though she worked in the field for so long. She really loves the fact that she gets to be a part of our clients recovery journey. She is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with multiple departments and support staff and clients in her Management role.
Debbie Roberts
Counselor
Individual Sober Living
Debbie Roberts has worked in the field of addiction for over 10 years and is Graduating with a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counselling through Briercrest Seminary. Using Trauma based, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Emotionally Focused (EFT) and Narrative Therapy with individuals, couples and families who are struggling with addiction, attachment, trauma, and intimacy issues to restore a healthy sense of connection to self and others. Debbie is a Certified Addictions Counsellor through Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) and an Associate Sex Addiction Therapist (ASAT) through the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction.
Molly Spinney
Counselor
Individual Sober Living
“The things we fear are undefeatable. Not by nature but by your approach.” This quote resonated deep with Molly as she pulls from a lifetime of athletics and coaching as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS. Recovery is not one size fits all and Molly is passionate about finding the approach that caters to the individualized needs of clients at Residents in Recovery. With 6 years of experience in the field of Addictions, Molly works daily with Pre-Treatment clients to support individuals with the tools required to be successful with treatment and a life in Recovery.
Elaine Fox
Elder and Cultural Liaison
Elaine is an Elder in Onion Lake Cree Nation. Elaine has a background in education with multiple roles including teaching Cree, preschool and kindergarten. Elaine has also worked in child and youth group homes and enjoys her work with children. As a involved community member, Elaine has served on many Board of Directors including, Ekweskeet Treatment Center, the Education Board and the Native Justice Board. In this capacity she has been able to guide the the direction for generations to come. With a diploma in Health and Wellness, a certificate in Addictions Work, and her personal and spiritual knowledge, Elaine has found a home working with all the clients at Residents in Recovery.
Brenda Loewen
Bookkeeping and
EAL Facilitator
Brenda has worked within the field of addiction, as a bookkeeper, for 29 years. In 2015, she completed her Certified Accounting Technician. In the spring of 2019, she was hired by Residents in Recovery Society for Grant Writing, started part-time employment as a bookkeeper in May of 2020 and moved into full-time employment with them in July. She has definitely experienced the growth of the organization has felt in the past year!
In June of 2022, Brenda completed her Certified Equine Assisted Learning, a skill development program, and is now facilitating to the organization’s clients. She absolutely loves this part of her job and is in hope that it will move into more of a full-time position.