Your Addiction Recovery Partner
Vida Nova Recovery provides medically supported addiction treatment in a setting away from familiar pressures. So you can focus fully on healing.
Our team of counsellors, medical professionals, and peer support workers with lived recovery experience work alongside you to create a personalized, trauma-informed treatment plan. Together, we address the physical, emotional, and psychological parts of addiction so healing can begin.
By combining evidence-based clinical care with connection in a restorative environment, we help you build the skills, stability, and confidence to move forward long after residential treatment ends.
In Newfoundland & Labrador care is part of the culture. Here, no one is expected to face hardship alone.
Our People
Our founders and treatment team bring a mix of clinical expertise and lived experience to your recovery. Every member of our team is trauma-informed, meeting you with empathy, understanding, and real support.
Ryan Kirby
Founder
Ryan founded Vida Nova Recovery and brings over seven years of lived experience in recovery. His work is rooted in a simple belief: people deserve real support, without judgment, and help figuring out what comes next.
He sets the tone from the moment someone arrives—often welcoming guests with a hug that says more than words. Outside the centre, Ryan spends time on the East Coast Trail, a place that continues to keep him grounded.
Dr. Anthony Parrell
Medical Director
Dr. Parrell oversees medical care at Vida Nova Recovery, supporting from detox through recovery. With training in Emergency and Family Medicine, he works with people experiencing substance use and mental health challenges.
His approach is evidence-based and steady, incorporating a range of treatment options while keeping care practical and accessible. He focuses on safety, continuity, and helping people stabilize so they can move forward with confidence.
Rebecca Roche
Office Manager
Rebecca manages the day-to-day flow at Vida Nova Recovery, keeping things organized and running smoothly for both staff and guests. With a strong background in administration and support roles, she ensures that details are handled and nothing falls through the cracks.
She’s often one of the first people guests meet, helping create an environment that feels calm, welcoming, and easy to navigate from the start.
Una Howard, BE, BA, CCS
Executive Director
Una leads the clinical program at Vida Nova Recovery, drawing on years of experience in mental health, trauma, and addictions care. Her work spans treatment centres, crisis response, and private practice.
She focuses on building programs that are both clinically sound and practical in real life. Una works closely with the team to ensure care remains consistent, responsive, and grounded in what actually helps people move forward.
Merissa Bremer, BSW, RSW
Lead Counsellor
Merissa supports individuals and families across a wide range of recovery experiences, including work in rural and remote communities. She understands how complex and personal change can be.
Her approach is steady and respectful, creating room for people to speak openly and honestly. Whether working one-on-one or alongside community partners, she helps people rebuild direction and find a more stable footing.
Brianna Strowbridge, CCC
Counsellor
Brianna works with individuals and families navigating substance use and mental health challenges, using a trauma-informed and client-centered approach.
She creates an environment where people can speak openly and begin to understand what’s beneath the surface. Her work supports insight, emotional processing, and meaningful change, always at a pace that feels manageable and grounded in each person’s experience.
Jonathan Christopher, RN
Lead Nurse
Jonathan leads nursing care at Vida Nova Recovery with over 20 years of experience across emergency and remote healthcare settings. His background includes air ambulance and offshore work.
He brings a calm, focused presence to the team, ensuring care is delivered safely and reliably. Jonathan’s priority is helping people feel physically secure and well cared for throughout their time in the program.
Amy Parsons
Transitional Support Specialist
Amy supports clients as they move from structured care into everyday life, helping them rebuild routines and find balance. With experience in crisis and frontline support, she understands how challenging that transition can be.
She focuses on practical steps and steady progress, helping people build confidence and momentum as they move into the next phase of their recovery.
Erin Dancey
Outreach Specialist
Erin works with people returning to daily life after treatment, helping them navigate that shift in a steady and practical way. Her focus is on rebuilding routine, connection, and confidence over time.
Her work is shaped by lived experience, including the loss of a former partner with an alcohol use disorder. That perspective informs how she shows up—grounded, understanding, and able to meet difficult moments with care.
Richard Driscoll
Lead Peer Support
Richard brings lived experience and a direct, honest approach to peer support. Having navigated mental health challenges, addiction, and the justice system, he connects with people in a way that feels real.
He values straightforward conversation and shared understanding. Richard believes that being able to relate, person to person, can make a lasting impact in someone’s recovery.
Shyanna Mercer, MA, CCC
Counsellor
Shyanna is a counsellor with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She brings a warm, grounded presence to her work, combining strong clinical training with an ability to build trust and connection.
Shyanna draws on evidence-based approaches—including CBT, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care, to support individuals navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and complex life transitions.
Sylvia Critch, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Sylvia provides day-to-day nursing care at Vida Nova Recovery, supporting individuals throughout treatment. Her experience across medical and recovery settings allows her to respond to a range of needs.
She focuses on care that is consistent, attentive, and respectful, helping support both physical health and overall well-being as people move through the program.
Lino O’Keefe, BSc, MACP, DC, CCC
Counsellor
Lino O’Keefe brings a calm approach to supporting people through recovery, trauma, stress, and life’s challenges.
With a background in counselling, behavioural neuroscience, and holistic health, he values honest connection where clients feel comfortable, respected, and understood. Lino is passionate about helping people build practical tools for lasting change and healthier living.
John Longlott
Peer Support
John Longlott brings lived experience and a deep understanding of recovery to his work in peer support. He has spent years working alongside individuals facing addiction, mental health challenges, and difficult life circumstances, helping create supportive and judgment-free environments.
John connects with people through patience, honesty, encouragement, and shared experience.
Taylor Critch, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Taylor Critch has clinical experience in mental health, acute care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and medical-surgical nursing. She enjoys working closely with individuals and families to provide supportive, patient-centered care across a variety of healthcare settings. Taylor brings strong communication skills, compassion, and confidence to fast-paced environments while helping individuals feel cared for and understood.
Tray Rochlow, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Tray has experience providing compassionate, patient-centered care across medical, surgical, mental health, maternity, pediatric, palliative, and long-term care settings. She has worked in both inpatient hospital and clinical environments
Tray is dedicated to patient advocacy, strong teamwork, and delivering high-quality care with professionalism, compassion, and strong communication skills.
Megan Reid, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Megan Reid is dedicated to providing thoughtful, person-centered care in long-term care settings. Her experience includes medication administration, patient monitoring, and supporting residents with their daily needs.
Megan is valued for being dependable, organized, and approachable, helping those in her care feel comfortable and well supported.
Matt Hancock, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Matt Hancock is an experienced LPN whose healthcare career began as an Emergency Medical Responder before moving into nursing. He has worked in medicine and surgery, emergency care, the operating room, day surgery, protective care, and long-term care.
Matt brings a calm, approachable presence to his work and has a strong interest in mental health and addictions care.
Julie Gosse, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Julie Gosse has experience in long-term care and a strong interest in mental health and addictions nursing. She believes quality care begins with compassion, understanding, and building trust with the people she supports.
Julie’s thoughtful approach and attention to detail help foster an environment where individuals feel supported in their recovery.
Amy Noftall
Peer Support
Amy Noftall is a Peer Support Worker who values connection, encouragement, and creating a safe space for others. She brings a calm and supportive approach to working with individuals navigating recovery and personal challenges.
Amy’s empathy and positive attitude help people feel heard, welcomed, and encouraged throughout their journey.
Where Healing Begins
Surrounded by the natural calm of the Salmonier Valley, Vida Nova Recovery provides a private, peaceful setting where addiction recovery begins with space to breathe, reflect, and heal. Our team is here to support you at every stage, offering medically supported care and guidance you can trust.
