Our Workshop Facilitators
Ella Amir
Groups allow participants to reflect on their experiences as caregivers in the presence of others in similar situations. The power of groups cannot be under-estimated, and it is the trust and connections that make the experience significant and meaningful.
Carolina Bacalao
Hi! My name is Carolina, a Venezuelan expat who found a new home in Montreal. I have been a support group facilitator for AMI-Quebec since 2022, and I am excited to start facilitating workshops this year. I studied psychology in school and am a certified life coach. I love reading books and poetry, watching movies, meditating, my cat Minina, and spending time in nature.
My focus is on the applications of mindfulness and self-compassion on the journey towards healing.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
—Mary Oliver
Sylvie Bouchard
At AMI, I offer counseling, guidance and information to family members, partners, and friends who have a loved one suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder or who are struggling to regulate their emotions. This is done through workshops, groups, and one on one counselling.
I love walking, trees, bird watching, and dancing to joyful disco music!
Bill Byers
Bill has been running AMI’s Meditation workshop for five years now. Meditation is a powerful way of acknowledging the difficulties that arise in our lives and learning to work with them in a constructive way. Over the years we have built up a group of people who are committed to the practice of meditation and can be witnesses to the benefits that it has given them.
Bill is a retired professor at Concordia University and the author of a number of books on science and philosophy. He has been meditating daily for over forty years. This class is his way of passing on to others some of the benefits that meditation has brought to his life.
Joyce Cohen
Hi. I’m Joyce, a certified life coach, artist, writer, and long-time AMI-Quebec facilitator and board member. I offer a variety of art and writing workshops throughout the year. Write From Your Heart is an 8-week workshop that uses expressive writing as a tool for healing, support, and connection. Creative Expressions are workshops where we paint, draw, or create collages for self-discovery and personal empowerment.
Have fun, make friends, explore your creativity, and express yourself in a supportive group of like-minded people.
No experience is needed – it’s all about self-expression. I hope you’ll join us!
Oliver Fitzpatrick
At AMI, I promote action to help young carers and I do tech in support groups. I really believe in peer support and building community for youth. In my spare time I like cooking new things, playing guitar, and visiting galleries.
Jill Grumbache
Jill Grumbache is an artist and award-winning writer. She was a caregiver to her husband who suffered brain injury, affecting his personality and mental health, and to her sister with mental illness who eventually took her own life. She has over 35 years of experience in communications, founded Holistic Beneficial Journaling in 2012, holds a certificate as an Art Therapy Practitioner, and as a Journaling Facilitator.
Resident doctors from McGill University’s Psychiatry Postgraduate Program
Our Treatments for Mental Illness and Types of Mental Illness workshops are facilitated by resident doctors from McGill University’s Psychiatry Postgraduate Program.
Georgia Remond
In nature and in life, we all experience loss in various ways and stages. Significant losses throughout my life had directed me to learn how grief and bereavement affect our emotions, mind and body. The human spirt is remarkable in that it can endure and build resilience. I attribute part of my evolving journey to my rescued cats that I refer to as my ESP (emotional support partners)--Bella and Happy.
Sarah Varichon
I’m a counsellor at AMI-Québec, where I support caregivers in navigating the ups and downs of their journeys so they can feel more heard, supported, and equipped along the way. With a background in somatic expressive arts therapy, movement practices, and caregiving, I love creating warm spaces for connection, reflection, and growth.
When I’m not at AMI, you’ll probably find me dancing flamenco, singing, taking photos, wandering in nature, or enjoying long tea-filled chats with friends.
Marc Griffin
Howdy, I am the Program Coordinator at AMI-Quebec. I oversee our support groups and workshops. Some programs are in person and some are online, so I do a lot of juggling.
I love basketball, yoga, obscure movies, and writing.
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