Dr. Joe Flanders
Dr. Joe Flanders
Founder & Psychologist
Refuge was founded by Dr. Joe Flanders, following his own journey through the wilderness. Joe is a psychologist, in practice since 2009, with expertise in Internal Family Systems therapy, mindfulness and psychedelics.
Visit Dr. Joe Flanders WebsiteFrom the Blog
Karine St-Jean, Ph. D.
Karine St-Jean, Ph. D.
Founding Member & Psychologist
I am a psychologist, member of the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec since 2004. I am passionate about creating spaces where human connexions can contribute to growth and healing. In my role as a psychologist, I believe that transformative journeys can happen in a therapeutic relationship when we are held by an authentic and empathic presence that allows us to connect with our inner strengths and resources. I devote myself to offer a kind and curious presence and to create a space where everyone can be fully seen and understood. I accompany individuals in their journey to connect with their innate capacity to heal, find meaning and engage fully in life.
I am deeply interested in the healing potential of a wise use of psychedelic medicines. I truly believe that these medicines can contribute to our growth and wellbeing. I honour their potential to help us step out of our disconnected lives and access meaningful connexions to ourselves, others, nature, and the spiritual realm. I also recognizes that guiding fellow humans in their journey with these medicine is a privilege that requires humility, openness, authenticity and deep respect. My desire is to support and hold every journey with an open heart and a wise presence.
To care for myself, I rely on nature. I live close to nature, and feel a deep connexion to the beauty and strength of Mother Earth. Animals, plants, earth, wind and water are supporting me, nourishing me daily. Caring for nature is as much a source of healing and peace for me. To energize and have fun, I love to run, hike, bike under the trees (and …sit, read, lay down, walk, dance, laugh too!). Reading a good book buried deep under a fluffy blanket, cooking for others, and drawing helps me recharge as well. Finally, I practice meditation to ground myself and cultivate clarity and calm.
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Julien Lacaille
Julien Lacaille
Founding Member & Psychologist
I’m a psychologist, member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ), having obtained a PhD from McGill University. I offer individual psychotherapy in English and French and have experience working with a diverse adult clientele suffering from anxiety, depression, self-criticism, and attachement injuries from developmental traumas.
Working with me, you can expect to be fully seen and heard with unconditional acceptance. I work from the premise that no matter how great your difficulties, there is more right with you than wrong with you. My aim is to assist you in embarking on a transformative journey and access healing resources deep inside of yourself. I will guide you, in a trauma-sensitive way, in approaching your emotions with compassion to resolve past wounds so you can move toward living an unburdened and meaningful life.
I use a non-pathologizing, somatic, and transformational approach based on Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness/compassion practices. When indicated and appropriate, I can also offer support using psychedelic medicines, used judiciously and legally, as catalysts for deepening your psychotherapeutic process.
Karine Bertrand, M.Ps.
Karine Bertrand, M.Ps.
Founding Member & Psychologist
Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine to be
Alan Watts
My life’s work has been about empowering individuals that suffer. Whether it be supporting individuals that have experienced trauma, or struggle with their identity, this work has been about being a witness and a guide to transformation. I have been practicing over twelve years as a Psychologist and, although no longer a midwife, I practiced as one for more than five years in the Inuit communities of Nunavik, in northern Quebec.
I am an integrative non-directive psychologist who believes in the power of curiosity and compassion for transformation and growth. I am trained in a range of approaches, from classical psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies to humanistic and existential approaches. Most recently, my interest and ongoing training are oriented toward a combination of mindfulness, transpersonal, somatic therapies and parts work (Internal Family System (IFS), with a transversal neuroscience and trauma-informed care approach.
Given my trainings, my own experiences and current research around mental health, my passion lies in supporting individuals through non ordinary states of consciousness, which include : psychedelics, meditation, breathwork, but also trauma, giving birth, our dreams, identity formation and desolation, travel, change and the process of dying.
I walk alongside individuals that want to look into these non ordinary states and I support them to find beauty and insights from within these experiences and within themselves.
Ultimately, my work aims to support people who want to take charge, transform and rewrite the story of their life.
Andrea Reyes
Andrea Reyes
Founding Member & Psychologist
Training, Experience & Specialties
Andrea is a registered psychologist with the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. She holds a
Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology and a Master’s degree in Psychiatry from McGill
University. She has trained and worked in different settings including hospital outpatient
clinics, E.R. Psychiatry, university counselling centers and private practice.
She offers individual therapy as well as couple therapy and provides services in English,
French and Spanish. She is also currently offering Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for clients
presenting with treatment-resistant depression and trauma symptoms as well as
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through Health Canada’s Special Access Program.
Andrea completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Sex and Couple Therapy Service and in the
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Unit of the MUHC. At these services, she received specialized
training in couple therapy, in treating sexual dysfunction, anxiety disorders and trauma. She has
also completed over a 100-hours of training in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
She has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and presenting with a wide range of
difficulties but specializes in anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder,
trauma, couple difficulties and issues surrounding female sexuality.
APPROACH
My approach is primarily client-centered, meaning the client is treated as the expert of their own
experience and I a guide meant to provide support and direction during the therapy process.
When working with you, my first priority is to foster a supportive and warm environment that
can help you feel at ease. We will then work collaboratively to build a treatment plan that suits
your specific needs, preferences and that is also strongly grounded on evidence. In doing so, I
also take into account cultural and other lifestyle differences. Rather than managing symptoms, I
strive to accompany you in making integral changes that address the root-cause of your
difficulties.
My approach will often be emotion-focused, process-oriented and trauma-informed. An
approach that encourages the demonstrated benefit of being present-focused, body-aware and
aligned with one’s values. I thus draw from experiential approaches, Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral therapy and
Somatic Approaches. In working with couples, I have received training in evidence-based
approaches including Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for couples and
mindfulness-based interventions, particularly for couples struggling with sexual difficulties.
So, what can you expect from a typical therapy session with me? Our work on a typical session
will focus on helping you gain further insight regarding your experiences and recurrent patterns
while providing you with practical strategies to help you respond differently to your lived
experiences.
Jean-François Jodouin
Jean-François Jodouin
Member & Psychologist
Jean-François is a clinical psychologist who believes that our minds, hearts, and bodies should not be considered separately in therapy. Consistent with this, he focuses professionally and personally on how we can best be in relationship with others, with ourselves, and with our bodies.
In therapy, he often integrates breathwork and other body-centered practices, grounding his methods in trauma-informed care. For Jean-François, the well-considered and well-supported use of psychedelics can be a powerful means of deepening these processes.
Holding a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and another in cognitive science, Jean-François has trained across various related disciplines, including psychotherapy, coaching, massotherapy, and yoga, in different parts of the world such as Canada, Europe, and the USA. He is a registered member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ) and of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (STARR) and the Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine (CSPM).
Jean-François offers psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups, and continues to supervise, teach and consult internationally, mainly for non-profit organizations.
Dr. Élise Chaperon
Dr. Élise Chaperon
Member & Psychologue
I completed a doctorate in psychology at the University of Quebec in Montreal (Ph.D./Psy.D.), and I have been working as a psychologist in private practice since 2019. I am a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. As a clinician, I value an authentic and warm attitude to offer you a safe, caring, and welcoming space where you can feel free to express yourself without constraints.
I work primarily with humanistic-existential, intersubjective, and psychodynamic approaches that emphasize the present moment, self-awareness, emotions, and the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, I integrate elements from other approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy, self-compassion, mindfulness, and internal family systems.
Having obtained my teaching certification in yoga, I use this knowledge to enrich my therapeutic tools, particularly by paying attention to bodily aspects such as breathing and embodiment. My recent interests and continuing education have led me to develop a strong orientation toward trauma-informed care and somatic work.
Finally, my own journey has led me to explore traditional therapeutic practices, particularly plant medicines. Following these profoundly transformative experiences, I trained in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy and began accompanying individuals in exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness. This work aims to foster spiritual growth and healing, a deeper connection with oneself and others, and a sense of meaning and inner peace while navigating human existence.
(Elise offers services in French only).
