Providing care in the clinical areas of chronic pain, mental health and substance use, either alone or as co-morbidities, can be challenging. The BC Adaptive Mentorship Network for Pain, Mental Health and Substance Use (BCAMN) was launched in March 2022 to build primary care capacity to support British Columbians living with chronic pain, mental health and substance use conditions.
BCAMN is intended for community-based primary care providers and allied health care professionals governed by the Health Professions Act. It connects health care provider Mentees with professional Mentors on the topics of chronic pain, mental health and substance use through safe, non-judgmental group-based mentoring and learning opportunities, and on-demand one-to-one mentoring conversations. Mentors and Mentees come from a wide variety of primary care disciplines (including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, social work and more) and from all regions of British Columbia.
To meet growing demand, the BCAMN is increasing the number of Mentors from sixteen to eighteen. The Mentors work in pairs facilitating a small group of Mentees. Most groups meet monthly but may adapt their meeting schedule to meet the preference of the group members. One-to-one mentoring is available outside of the small groups. Mentees can engage in the National Adaptive Mentoring Forum – an online community of practice for Mentors and Mentees across Canada. There will also be opportunities to engage in province-wide and national workshops.
Compensation and funding
There is no cost to Mentees who join BCAMN. Mentors are compensated for their time.
BCAMN is supported by a funding agreement from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program provided to the Centre for Effective Practice, the Atlantic Mentorship Network – Pain & Addiction, and Pain BC. Funding for this Project was also provided by the Shared Care Committee (SCC), one of four Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC) representing a partnership between Doctors of BC and the Government of BC.
Frequently asked questions
Adaptive mentorship is a safe, non-judgmental experience providing opportunities for clinical conversations tailored to Mentees’ evolving needs. Adaptive mentorship is not a consultative service; rather, it provides an opportunity for Mentees to build knowledge and skills in a supportive networking environment.
Three fundamental tenets of adaptive mentorship:
- Ensure the form of mentorship is adaptive and fits the needs of the participants
- Ensure there is bidirectional value/learning for both Mentor and Mentee
- Create safe and compassionate spaces that cultivate trust and enhance resiliency amongst participants
Adaptive mentorship encourages capacity building through:
- Examining and addressing systemic and clinical barriers to timely access and supports for people experiencing chronic pain, mental health and substance use conditions1
- Building and enhancing connections between specialized services and community/primary care1
- Encouraging longitudinal support that is well aligned with complex care needs1
Adaptive mentorship can include different:
- Environments: in-person, email, phone, video conferencing
- Forms of mentoring: one-to-one, group, peer
- Purposes/durations: discussing single cases vs. longitudinal spanning years
1Webinar on adaptive mentoring: Building compassionate primary care capacity
An evaluation of the Collaborative Mental Health Network and Medical Mentoring for Addictions and Pain Network, and Ontario adaptive mentorship network on which BCAMN’s model is based, showed:
High satisfaction among Mentees:
- 90% reported improvement in their knowledge1
- 83% reported improvement in their competence around clinical skills1
- 82% reported improvement in their confidence in managing care for people with complex health conditions1
- 70% reported a positive impact on patients’ quality of life2
Beneficial system impact:
- 60% reported seeing more patients with complex health conditions who live with chronic pain, mental health or substance use1
- 40% reported a decrease in seeking consultations1
- 60% reported being able to assist colleagues with patients who have complex conditions1
1 A Radhakrishnan et. al. Healthcare Quarterly Vol 22 No 3 2019
2 Webinar on adaptive mentoring: Building compassionate primary care capacity
Mentors plan engagement with Mentees by:
- Collaborating with BCAMN Co-Directors and Coordinator in developing and delivering creative evidence-based initiatives that enhance the learning experiences of Mentees
- Assisting in the development of small group meeting design, format and content aimed to facilitate growth and learning for Mentees
- Working with the Coordinator and Co-Directors to schedule and deliver small group sessions
Mentors engage with Mentees by:
- Providing advice and support within the scope of clinical expertise
- Covering key competencies while helping Mentees navigate clinical situations
- Providing one-to-one mentorship to Mentees
- Responding to Mentees’ communications within 48-72 hours
- Hosting small, virtual group sessions with support from BCAMN Coordinator
- Contributing to discussions via the National Adaptive Mentoring Forum
- Supporting the development of compassionate, non-judgmental learning communities
- Occasionally develop educational sessions for the full BCAMN network, in collaboration with one or more other Mentors
Mentees engage in BCAMN by:
- Attending and actively participating in group mentoring sessions
- Attending and following up on any one-to-one mentoring sessions they have scheduled with a Mentor
- Responding to Mentors’ communications within 48-72 hours
- Interacting collaboratively with BCAMN community, including Mentors, Clinical Directors and the Coordinator, to ensure a rich and meaningful Mentee experience
- Complying with the guidelines set out within BCAMN for one-to-one communications and group interactions
- Participating in network communication and activities, including the National Adaptive Mentoring Forum, as needed
- Participating in BCAMN-wide network educational opportunities, such as clinical education sessions and the annual in-person BCAMN Summit (free to all Mentees). Please note that MainPro+ accreditation is sought for all BCAMN-wide educational sessions.
Mentees support BCAMN by:
- Providing input and feedback to BCAMN leadership and support team
- Providing insight and input on strategies to gain momentum and support for BCAMN
- Promoting the merits of mentoring, along with informing and influencing the larger system, in a climate of continuous quality improvement
Most small groups meet online once per month at a time agreed to by the Mentees and Mentors within each group. Both Mentors and Mentees are strongly encouraged to participate in periodic educational sessions for the entire BCAMN community, the annual one-day BCAMN Summit in Vancouver, and to contribute to discussion via the online National Adaptive Mentoring Forum.
Mentors are expected to dedicate 30-50 hours per year to the network, including in a 10 hour mentor training session when they first join the BCAMN, semi-annual Mentor training seminars, organizing and hosting a minimum of four small group sessions per year, and responding to Mentee requests for 1:1 mentoring. To acknowledge their contributions to the BCAMN, Mentors receive an honorarium based on 40 hours per year at an hourly rate equivalent to the BC physicians’ sessional rate.
Continuous quality improvement is important for the BCAMN, both in setting direction for the future of the network, and to show our funders the types of impacts the network makes on its members. Mentees and Mentors are expected to complete a brief survey upon entering the BCAMN and semi-annual surveys for the duration of their participation in the network.
Clinical Directors
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Sean Ebert, BSc, MD, CCFP (FPA), FCFP, FRRMSSean has been a rural physician for over 25 years. His current clinical work is focused on helping patients with chronic pain, and he is a passionate student of quality improvement and system change. Sean is privileged to work with Pain BC as a medical co-director for the BC Adaptive Mentorship Network for Pain, Mental Health & Substance Use.
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Brenda Poulton, RN, MN, NP (retired)Brenda has an extensive background in health care from frontline nurse to educator to Nurse Practitioner and most recently as the Clinical Lead for Pain in Fraser Health. Brenda has passionately pursued bringing change and improvement for those living in pain, supporting practitioners providing pain care and system change in the last two decades. Brenda is honoured to be involved in the development of BCAMN and to support the practitioners within the mentorship network. |
Mentors
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Barbara EddyBarb Eddy is a nurse practitioner and practises primary care in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver since 2007 and on the North Shore since 2020. Prior, she was a clinical nurse specialist with the Vancouver Home Hospice team, a nurse educator and home care nurse. Most recently Barb championed the start of the Vancouver Community pain service to offer non-pharmacological pain interventions to those living with homelessness, poverty, substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Barb has been offering myoActivation since 2017 to her primary care and pain service patients. Barb is an adjunct assistant professor with the UBC School of nursing and an associate with the Division of Palliative Care, UBC Department of Medicine. |
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Natasha EdneyNatasha is a Psychotherapist, Somatic Trauma Therapist, and Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR), with a special interest in exploring the connection between chronic pain/ disease and underlying trauma. She has 18 years' experience in private practice, and now works from Solis Integrative Health Centre specializing in chronic pain and trauma. In addition to her psychotherapy practice Natasha facilitates Chronic Pain Support Groups, co-designed/facilitates an Integrative Health Program providing education and self-management tools for chronic pain patients and facilitates Pain BC’s Making Sense of Pain program. Natasha sits on the Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice Chronic Pain Project Steering Committee. |
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Garry PalakDr. Garry Palak is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine specialist. He graduated from McMaster University and relocated back to British Columbia in 2019 where he splits his time between the Pain Clinic at UHNBC, in Prince George and the Initium Centre for Pain Medicine in Abbotsford. In addition to the role of Medical Director of Pain Care BC, he is the Medical Lead for Rehabilitation Services in Northern Health, sits on the board at the Canadian Academy of Pain Management and is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at UBC. Areas of specialty: Musculoskeletal medicine, interventional pain medicine, regenerative medicine and education. |
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Melanie McDonaldMelanie is Pain BC’s Director of Support Services. She has a master's degree in social work with a background working in direct practice, leadership, and clinical supervision in a variety of settings including oncology, hospice, and community care. She has a passion for supporting program development and leading diverse teams to deliver high quality and trauma-informed services. She is an Adjunct Professor (Research) at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Social Work. Areas of specialty: Chronic pain, mental health, psychosocial oncology, social work practice and leadership. |
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Neil PearsonNeil is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, and faculty in four accredited yoga therapy programs. He is also a consultant to the BC Medical Association, and to Lifemark’s 300+ clinics in Canada. He was a lead contributor to Pain Canada's Pain Foundations CE course, Pain BC's Gentle Movement @ Home video series, and the self-care for chronic pain and self-care for low back pain health journeys in PC Health’s mobile app. Areas of specialty: Physiotherapy, physiotherapy pain care, yoga therapy for people living in pain, pain education |
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Devan ReddyDr. Devan Reddy is a family physician in Prince George British Columbia. As the Medical Lead for Chronic Non-cancer pain for the Northern Health Authority he is passionate about advocating for and improving Pain Care Service delivery to patients. In his private practice he provides consultations for chronic pain and provides interventions such as trigger point injections and ultrasound guided joint injections. Areas of specialty: Family medicine, interventional pain care, trigger point therapy (myoActivation), ultrasound guided joint injections, medical leadership, information technology |
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Launette RiebDr. Launette Rieb is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She holds a Certificate of Added Competency in Addiction Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. She was the co-creator and initial Physician Director of BC’s first Addiction Medicine Fellowship and contributed to the formation of BC’s first Pain Medicine Fellowship. She works and does research on pain and addiction, serving clinical populations through ActumHealth and St. Paul's Hospital. Dr. Rieb is the recipient of a UBC Post Graduate Teaching Award and the BC College of Family Physicians Exceptional Teacher Honour. |
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Susan Reid SchellinckSusan Reid Schellinck is an OT who works exclusively with people with chronic pain. She received her BSc from UVic, and OT degree from UBC. She is clinical faculty for Pain BC and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and is a guest lecturer for UBC MScOT students. She was a subject matter expert for Pain BC’s Pain Foundations online course, and is on the Pain BC Project ECHO team hub. Susan is a board member for Canadian Neuromodulation Society, and PacificSport Vancouver Island. She tours Canada teaching other OTs about assessment and treatment of chronic pain. Areas of specialty: Pain education, CRPS, pain management, movement, ACT
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Kat DikeakosKat is a Vancouver-based occupational therapist, owner and Clinical Director of Are You Better Yet Therapy Services, and person living with chronic pain. Kat founded the CAOT Chronic Pain Practice Network in 2016 and is the CAOT-BC Advisory Committee representative for Mental Health & Chronic Pain. She has extensive experience in rheumatology, perinatal health and working with adults under 40 with chronic pain. Kat treats clients across Canada, has consulted for many self-management programs including the St. Paul’s Complex Pain Centre, and is involved with mentoring OTs on a global level. Areas of specialty: Women’s and perinatal health, post-viral syndromes/chronic fatigue, auto-immune issues, self-management, burnout, pain education, trauma |
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Richard McIlmoyleDr. McIlmoyle has been a practicing chiropractor for 20+ years and holds a special interest and post-graduate education in pain management. He has presented internationally and currently provides instruction to chiropractors, physiotherapists and registered massage therapists through private continuing education courses and Pain BC. He also sits on the board of directors and is the Chair of the Research committee with the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation.
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Valerie HruschakDr. Hruschak earned her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from UBC-O, completed a post-graduate certification in pain management from the University of Alberta, completed her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hruschak is currently a Senior Project Manager with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and has a private practice tailored to individuals with chronic pain, mental health, and addictions. Areas of specialty: Chronic pain, mental health and addictions, non-pharmacological behavioral approaches (CBT, DBT, MI, ACT, etc.), behavioral research, knowledge translation and exchange |
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Heather FultonDr. Heather Fulton, a Registered Psychologist and Director of Wayfinder Wellness Centre, works in the intersection of mental health and substance use, commonly referred to as concurrent disorders. A member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, she is also certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety (a treatment for trauma, substance use, or both), and Invitation to Change (an evidence-informed approach for family members to support loved ones with substance use challenges). She is a Clinical Instructor and Adjunct Professor within the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at UBC. |
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Cameron RossDr. Cameron Ross is a family physician in Chilliwack, Lead Faculty EBM for UBC Postgraduate Dept of Family Practice, a UBC Associate Professor of Family Medicine (Clinical) and has been teaching medical residents for more than 25 years. He is a recipient of the Peter Grantham UBC Post Graduate Teaching Award in Family Practice, and the BC College of Family Physicians Exceptional Teacher Honour. He is an active participant in curriculum development for chronic pain management workshops as part of the BC practice support program (PSP) and was recently the family practice representative on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Committee. He is a co-author of the recent BC guideline on managing patients with pain in primary care. |
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Judy DercksenDr. Judy Dercksen has been a family doctor for thirty years, a pain consultant and family physician for the largest pain charity organization in the world (Pain BC). Her lived experience with complex PTSD contributed to her understanding of herself and to becoming a better informed doctor and pain partner. She believes patients and health care providers collaborating within pain communities can alleviate the distress of chronic pain.
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Tori EtheridgeTori has experience working in public health care, private practice, neurological research and health care leadership and management. She is also a certified vestibular therapist and a Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC. She is a past executive with the Pain Science Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Currently, Tori serves as the Provincial Clinical Lead of Initiatives and Innovation for Pain Care BC, where she leads the development of practice and policy to enhance patient care. Areas of specialty: Physiotherapy, neuro-rehabilitation, persistent Pain, trauma-informed care, concussion, vestibular, migraines and headaches, leadership and mentorship |
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Colin PhillipsDr. Colin Phillips completed his training in anesthesia and chronic pain at Western University. He currently splits his time between those specialties at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) in Prince George, where he serves as Medical Lead Chronic Pain Specialized Care. The majority of his pain focus is in interventional pain management. |
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Alyssa HodgsonDr. Alyssa Hodgson, MA, MD, FRCPC (Anesthesiology), works at the Canadian Pain and Regenerative Institute. She is a Clinical Instructor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine, and holds scientific and research privileges in Fraser Health Authority. She completed her medical training at UBC in 2007 and worked at the Royal Columbian Hospital from 2007 to 2016. She has been working in the field of chronic pain since 2014, and has a focused practice in chronic pain since 2017. Her clinical interests include transitional pain, surgical prehabilitation, myofascial pain syndromes, cannabis medicine and psychedelic-assisted therapies. |
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Sandra HodgeSandra Hodge is a compassionate and dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of diverse healthcare experience. This includes remote clinic and hospital work in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and volunteer work in the Solomon Islands, Haiti, Thailand and Myanmar. She is a Military Veteran with 25 years of medical service, and has co-founded nonprofit and charity organizations to enhance educational opportunities in Myanmar. Since 2013, she has provided holistic, patient-centered primary care, specializing as a Level 4 Myoactivation provider in fascial release and incorporates and understands the importance of trauma informed care and trauma releasing techniques with her treatments. With her mental health certification, Sandra's unique empathetic perspective is shaped by her own experiences with chronic pain and complex PTSD. Deeply involved in disaster relief since 2005 with CMAT and other grassroots organizations, she balances her professional life with bucket filling activities like gardening, permaculture, and outdoor pursuits, embodying a holistic approach to well-being and community care. As a proud mother and partner, she focuses on fostering balanced, thriving and enhancing environments both personally and professionally. |
How to become a Mentee
Please complete an application form and a member of our team will contact you as soon as a space becomes available. You may also request to be added to the waitlist for our annual group intake in the spring.
View our short presentation for an overview on BCAMN and its impact on Mentees.
Contact us
If you have questions about BCAMN, please email education@painbc.ca.