Event Calendar
Professional Volunteers
Most volunteers at HIM are giving their time to benefit the gay community; however, we also like to acknowledge that some of our volunteers have special skill sets which they have generously donated to enrich HIM’s services and the gay community. We would like to recognize these highly trained individuals, who have offered their professional services to us, by listing their services below.
Physical Health
Peter Baragon – Peter was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. He obtained his certification as a yoga teacher in 2002 at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga and his ongoing classes have been a popular feature of the WVCC, GECC and YMCA programs. Peter's strong commitment to yoga and to his students is evident in his teaching style, one of gentle encouragement and detailed attention to alignment, breath and concentration. His extended teacher training includes; Restorative Yoga, Kid’s Yoga and Yoga Therapy.
Peter offers classes at the SSCY, on Yoga Getaways and the Yoga Teacher Training.
Peter is currently putting together a few classes and offering them in the west end area, for men that are looking for a healthy, challenging, and whole yoga work out. More to come on when and where! Peter can be reached at 778-288-6306 or at pbaragon@shaw.ca.
Timothy Simpson – Timothy is a valued member of our team of fitness instructors.
Contact 604.562.1707 or via West Coast Fitness.
Anton Michael – Anton is a valued member of our Yoga Team. As a Personal Yoga Trainer & Life Coach, Anton works individually with clients to physically and mentally move them forward in life. His Personal Yoga Training is based on a thorough evaluation of your movement and uses yoga postures to strengthen and increase your mobility, while Life Coaching creates an action-plan to move you forward in specific areas of your life. Having studied Chinese Medicine (University of Westminster) and Strategic Management (London School of Economics), Anton has also contributed to various health and well-being magazines including Men's Health, British VOGUE and The London Sunday Times.
Email Anton: yaletown.lifecoaching@gmail.com
Brandon Hamilton – Brandon has led HIM's physical fitness groups for the last 2 years and is an valued part of our fitness instructor team. He is a Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM) and has Standard First Aid and CPR Level ‘C’. With a degree in Sociology and experience with children, management and people with special needs, Brandon understands the psychology behind transformation and development. Whether it is for weight loss, rehabilitation exercise, muscle gain or health in general; Brandon believes in the philosophy of personal development and the effect it makes in all aspects of our lives. Visit his website at www.h2olifecoaching.com.
Tomoaki Kuramasu – Tomo is one of our yoga instructors and leads dynamic classes for all skill levels. His focus on breathing allows participants to enjoy a challenging, yet emotionally rewarding class. For more information check his facebook page.
Mental Health
Edward Sandberg (MSW, RCSW) – is a Clinical Social Worker, counsellor and therapist in private practice. He has been specializing in the areas of relationships, sex, kink and sexuality for over 30 years. He has an office in Kitsilano on Vancouver’s west side.
Edward has a diverse practice dealing with a vast number of personal and interpersonal issues including depression, self-esteem, grief and loss, substance use, chronic pain, and sexual diversity. He uses a number of therapeutic modalities, but is first and foremost Client Centered and Humanist. Beyond that he uses an eclectic set of talk therapy techniques including Rogerian and Narrative Therapy. Contact info: edward@edwardsandberg.com 604-728-6569 Sliding scale available.
If interested in knowing more, check out his website at edwardsandberg.com.
Bill Coleman – Bill is our peer support supervisor and has worked as a therapist and psychologist for over 25 years. Most of his work has been with gay men around HIV, sex, relationships, self-esteem, substance use, and forensic work, as well as stress and depression.Bill can see people during the week. He charges people whatever they make per hour.
Contact 778 320 4853 or email bcxca@yahoo.com
Trevor Lesmeister - Trevor is a valued member of HIM's volunteer counselling team. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor he provides services for clients who would like support in navigating the path to health and balance. Trevor is skilled in therapeutic techniques to help clients explore areas of concern and work with them to achieve change. Common areas for counselling include depression, anxiety, coming out issues, low self esteem, loneliness, relationship concerns, and conflict. Fee for services are $100 per hour. For any questions please contact Trevor at 604 312 9498 or trevorlesmeister@gmail.com.
Joe Ramirez - Joe is a volunteer counsellor member at HIM and maintains a private practice providing short-term counselling and depth psychotherapy. Although he specializes in men’s sexual health and identity, he works with men, women, trans, couples, and family members with a variety of concerns, such as: anxiety/depression, grief/loss, identity/meaning, and relationship/communication barriers.
For day and evening availability, contact at 778.227.9423 or email: Joe@Joe-Ramirez.com
Website: www.Joe-Ramirez.com
Social Health
None at this time.
Sexual Health
Pega Ren is a renowned sexologist in BC sexdoc@sextalk.com.
By listing on this page, HIM recognizes that the volunteers have shown competence in their field of expertise during their volunteer service at HIM. The volunteers are also gay or gay-friendly, respectful of difference, sex positive and uphold all of HIM's values and philosophies; however they may also be accountable to their own professional bodies and codes of ethics. By choosing to use any of the services listed on this page the participant (you) understands that HIM does not guarantee and cannot be held accountable for any quality of service received from the listed volunteer outside the HIM organization.
