Clearmind Founders
Duane O’Kane - Founder and President of Clearmind International Institute Inc.
Duane O’Kane is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, workshop facilitator, teacher and a dynamic
and entertaining public speaker. He has a lengthy background in mental health and social services,
with 18 years in the field before forming Clearmind in 1990.
Duane discovered A Course in Miraclesin 1990 while mired in a deep depression triggered
by a personal crisis in relationship, which nothing in his professional repertoire could adequately
address. It opened him to a revolutionary way of thinking and being that allows him to tap into the
joy available in the present rather than reproduce pain from the past. Duane transformed his pain into
an inspired pathway to love; a path where he now leads thousands worldwide. It is Duane’s passion and
creativity that started Clearmind and carried it through to its current evolution with Catherine.
Email: duane@clearmind.com
Catherine O’Kane - Co-creator and Senior Clinical Director of Clearmind International Institute
Catherine O’Kane is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, teacher, workshop facilitator and a gifted
public speaker with Clearmind International. She has a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, and
has been a practicing therapist since 1992.
Catherine was first introduced to A Course in Miracles in 1991, but it was a near death experience
in 1994 that awakened her to the reality of the spiritual consciousness that forms the fabric of life.
This mystical experience dramatically impacted her view of her own existence, and fundamentally
influenced her view on the human psyche and relationships. Catherine is committed to assisting
others to tap into that same Loving Mind that ACIM and many other spiritual disciplines describe,
because it is from this foundation that true transformation emerges. Catherine first discovered
Clearmind in 1996, and is recognized today as co-founder of the company and co-creator of its
programs with Duane.
Email: catherine@clearmind.com
Clearmind International Head Office - Vancouver, Canada
Tasha Simms: Teacher / Workshop Facilitator
Tasha is a Registered Professional Counsellor with a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology
and a private practice in Vancouver. She uses her skills as a working actor, writer, and workshop
facilitator to teach passionate expression and self acceptance of the authentic self in all our
human aspects, both shadow and light.
She has been a student of A Course in Miracles for over a decade and has taught and contributed
to Clearmind's Program as well as co-creating the women's workshop Drawing Down the Moon,
Assistants Training, and The Summit. She is a certified Master NLP facilitator and also trained
in bodywork, energy healing and hypnotherapy.
Tasha’s integrity, compassion and juicy celebration of life are just some of the gifts she brings
to being of service. She has just produced an audio Body Awareness Training Series which wakes up
feelings in the body and invites a sensory experience of the divine.
Email: tasha.simms@clearmind.com
Joanie Tara: Teacher
Joanie is a Registered Professional Counsellor, works as a counsellor and workshop facilitator,
is Director of Crystal Adventure Camp, and works as a teacher for Clearmind. Joanie has a degree
in Transpersonal Psychology of Counselling, a Counselling Diploma from Clearmind International
Institute, and certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, addictions counselling, Non-Violent
Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, and Constellation Therapy. Joanie spent 10 years
working as a nurse, with 15 years in mental health and disability services prior to changing careers.
Joanie's path to becoming a counsellor began with a spiritual mystical experience in April 1998.
It christened a desire to learn, study and contemplate the meaning of life and why we are here on
this planet.
In December 1998 she was introduced to A Course In Miracles, and as a result she has a passion
to learn all she can about herself, the nature of the universe, and how humans relate to each other.
Email: joanie.tara@clearmind.com
Maria Alexandre - Teacher
Maria is a Registered Professional Counsellor with a private practice, as well as a teacher
for Clearmind International Institute. Maria has a degree in Transpersonal Counselling Psychology
and a Counselling Diploma from Clearmind International Institute.
Maria is passionate and committed to the process of awakening the human spirit and changing
suffering and struggle into a life of grace and purpose. Her own unique life's journey has
taught her that psychological pain, once transformed, can be a teacher and guide to the Divine.
Living authentically in joy is our sacred calling and Maria is committed to helping others
rediscover this truth. The empowerment and the extension of the feminine spirit, as well
as the healing work of couples in relationship, are two areas that Maria feels passionate about.
Email: maria.alexandre@clearmind.com
Angela Baff - Teacher / Workshop Facilitator
Angela Baff is a Registered Professional Counsellor, Occupational Therapist, teacher, and
workshop facilitator. She was drawn to the Awakening workshop in 2001 as a result of feeling
empty in her work. After the workshop, Angela could not deny the perceptual and experiential
shifts that occurred inside her, namely that love exists and we are all connected. She was left
wanting more, but this time not from a place of "empty" but from a place of following her joy
and her heart. Angela brings this determination and passion in guiding others to find their own
path to the joy and love that lives inside them. She leads with an accepting gentle heart that is
unshakeable in the truth that love is a fact.
Email: ang.baff@clearmind.com
Laura Bradley - Teacher
Laura Bradley is a Registered Professional Counsellor with the Canadian Professional Counsellors
Association and a Certified Group Facilitator.
Laura is currently teaching Clearmind's three-year personal growth and leadership program.
She has developed and facilitated personal growth workshops, and has
experience counselling individuals and families.
Laura is also a community trainer and educator. Her main areas of expertise are post partum
adjustment, relationship and parenting. She has appeared on City TV and C-Fun radio, and contributed
to articles in The Globe and Mail and Today’s Parent.
Laura’s path to becoming a counsellor began with her own struggle with post partum depression in
1991; she cites her years of working with parents as "a huge influence on who I am as a therapist."
She is driven by the desire to give her children, herself, and others, the opportunity to create
what they want out of their lives.
Email: laura.bradley@clearmind.com
Lana Gowler - Workshop Facilitator and Support Group Leader
Lana Gowler has a B.A. in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Professional Counsellor and
Recreation Therapist, with over 20 years of experience in mental health. Lana came to Clearmind
after realizing that her “full”, apparently successful, life was not promising her the
peace that she was desperately seeking. Through surrendering her need to control everything, she
opened up to the process of understanding herself and the role she plays in the dynamics of relationship
with self and others.
Lana has an intuitive, curious approach to relationship dynamics and is a living example that it only
takes one person to change a relationship. Her specialty is inspiring others to fully embrace joy and
passion, knowing that in life “pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional”. She facilitates
workshops and leads support groups with laser-like insight, humour and tender-hearted love. Lana has
also been known to blend her health and fitness pursuits and her love of cooking to connect, and stir
others to follow their dreams.
Email: lana.gowler@clearmind.com
Viktoria Nagy - Director of General Administration
Viktoria Nagy is a graduate of Clearmind International's three-year Practitioner Training
Program, and she brings over two decades of customer service and corporate management
experience to her position of Director of General Administration. She focuses on
solution-based problem solving, while considering the needs of self and other equally.
Viktoria's intuitive nature, sensitivity, and respectful manner enable her to provide
a unique brand of encouragement and support to the Clearmind community. Her attention
to detail and her commitment to high quality congruent customer service are at the
heart of her work.
Her consistent application of Clearmind's teachings in all areas of her life has
transformed her life and all of her relationships. She has been a participant
and/or an assistant at most of Clearmind's workshops, even venturing over to
beautiful Ireland to assist at an international workshop. She is dedicated to her
continued personal growth journey and looks forward to connecting with you in service.
Email: viktoria.nagy@clearmind.com
Satu Springer - Director of Workshops and Director of Promotions
Satu Springer is a Registered Professional Counsellor, facilitator, and teacher.
Satu has a Counselling Diploma from Clearmind International Institute and eight years experience
learning and teaching Shamanic healing modalities and traditions.
Satu left a fifteen year career in corporate administration to come to Clearmind to follow her
dreams of becoming a counselor. In the process, she found herself. She has learned to combine her
many business talents with heart, soul, and spirit; all the while learning and teaching how to move
through life with balance, integrity, faith and magnitude. Satu brings all her gifts to her work at
Clearmind, her shamanic healing workshops, and to her counselling practice.
Email: satu.springer@clearmind.com
Kelly Nakatsuka - Director of Regional Newsletters
A graduate of the Langara College journalism program, Kelly Nakatsuka is a print-trained journalist
who had never actually worked in print until joining the Clearmind team. After his schooling, he
leapt immediately into radio, and has been a regular at CBC Radio for the better part of the last
decade, where he and a small but mighty crew produce the CBC Radio afternoon show All Points West.
The show is heard province-wide Monday to Friday in British Columbia.
Until a few years ago, Kelly and his wife Sarah lived in the Lower Mainland, where he discovered
the work of Clearmind and completed several courses, including the first year of Practitioners'
Training. He fell in love with the work and the community, and, despite moving away, has remained
connected through the monthly e-news updates and the quarterly Ripple newsletter. Kelly
now lives in the little paradise of East Sooke on Vancouver Island with his wife and a grumpy cat
and two happy dogs.
Email: kelly.nakatsuka@clearmind.com
Fran Brown - Co-Director of Lectures
Fran Brown has a Masters in Education, is a registered professional counsellor, support group leader,
and student in Clearmind's P.R.A.C. for Life Program.
Fran has a background in teaching and worked for many years as a re-evaluation counsellor. At The
Awakening, she learned that her life was the real curriculum and that a new relationship with old pain
was possible. Clearmind's transpersonal perspective, and the experiential nature of its programs,
helped her fulfill her dream of becoming a professional counsellor.
Fran brings a gentle loving presence and intuitive understanding to Clearmind, as well as profound compassion
for the human spirit. She believes that what lies beneath our fears is a loving connection with all. She is
passionate about working with others to discover the light within ourselves, which can illuminate
the path toward our goals and dreams.
Email: fran.brown@clearmind.com
Email: sarah.nakatsuka@clearmind.com
Marion Baker - Director of Property Rentals
Marion has demonstrated her love of food and community in her role as Clearmind's in-house cook
for the past seven years. She is now a Registered Professional Counsellor and group therapist,
having graduated from Clearmind's P.R.A.C. program in 2009. Her goal is to become a teacher with
Clearmind International.
Marion is also an entrepreneur, having owned and operated her own Robson Street clothing boutique
where she created a community of women that are now friends and loyal supporters of the business
and each other.
Marion's vision and passion is planetary transformation through connection and community. She
brings a fun and friendly dynamic to her position as Director of Rentals at Clearmind's own
Springbrooke Retreat and Conference Centre in Langley.
Email: marion.baker@clearmind.com
Ron Springer - Director of Springbrooke Retreat Facilities
Ron Springer is a multi-talented hardworking craftsman, handyman, and entrepreneur. Having run and
managed his own business for the last eight years, Ron now brings his diverse talents to Clearmind and
Springbrooke Retreat Centre.
Ron’s early love of woodworking and furniture-making has brought him to his present passion
of renovating. He enjoys making homes and properties beautiful and welcoming. Ron is excited to
bring his love of nature, his design skills, and his creativity and heart, to the care and attention
of Springbrooke Retreat Centre.
When Ron isn’t fixing, renovating, or landscaping, you will likely find him connecting with
nature by camping, fishing, hiking or just soaking in the outdoors.
Email: ron.springer@clearmind.com
Steve Pritchard - Teacher
Steve Pritchard is a Registered Professional Counsellor, Certified Hynotherapist, and graduate of
the Clearmind Institute three-year program. He provides group and private
counselling for individuals and couples, as well as teaching for Clearmind International.
Steve blends clarity, compassion, and humour with his enthusiastic support of individuals to create
a life of passion, purpose, and authenticity.
Email: steve.pritchard@clearmind.com
Karen Goodfellow - Director of Marketing
Karen Goodfellow, RPC, RCST, has decades of experience in marketing, customer service, corporate
leadership development, team-building, strategic planning and facilitation.
She has a diverse
educational and vocational background: in addition to her Diploma from Clearmind's three-year
Prac for Life Program, she is a Practicing Registered Professional Counselor, a Registered Cranio
Sacral Therapist (specializing in trauma), an artist with a Certificate in Fine Arts from Emily
Carr University of Art and Design, and has a Certificate in Marketing from BCIT. In these capacities,
she has facilitated over 15,000 participants and countless individuals.
Although Karen has been exposed to numerous teachings, Clearmind's unique blend of proven psychology
and disciplined application of transpersonal teachings was a perfect fit. As a result of her own
process of cultural transformation, she is able to inspire, focus, and harmonize teams with
efficiency and heart.
Email: karen.goodfellow@clearmind.com
Clearmind Stockholm Sweden
Kristoffer Alpsjö - Clearmind Sweden Contact / Support Group Leader
Kristoffer found his way to a Clearmind workshop in 1998, where the experiential work
acted like a catapult to a forgotten world of true and joyful connection
to others and the world. Through the years he has become one of the cornerstones
of the Swedish Clearmind work, bringing his faith, gentleness, compassion,
creativity and patience to the community. His current roles include team leader,
board member, group facilitator, web master, and workshop producer. He also
travels around Europe to assist at many workshops in London, Liverpool and Dublin.
Kirtoffer is a networker and communicator by heart, and combines this with his
skills as a freelancing web developer and IT entrepreneur.
Kristoffer has a spiritual passion for rock climbing, a sport where man join with
spirit by following mother earth's natural reaching for heaven. He also collects
vintage toasters, and enjoys eating cheese and baking bread.
Email: kristoffer@clearmind.se
Clearmind Dublin Ireland
Rachael O'Brien - Clearmind Ireland Contact
Bio coming soon.
Email: rachael.obrien@clearmind.com
Clearmind London UK
Ronnie Purslow - Clearmind London Contact / Facilitator
Ronnie Purslow is a professionally trained rebirther and enery breather. Ronnie trained formally
with Leonard Orr, the founder of Rebirthing (US) and Artemus Foundations (UK). He trained in
Family Constellations and also as a yoga teacher in India. Currently training as a therapist
and facilitator for Clearmind London UK, he is a dedicated student/teacher of A Course in Miracles.
Email: ronnie.purslow@clearmind.com
Sadiye Stevens - Clearmind London Contact
Sadiye Stevens is a professionally trained Iyengar yoga teacher. She has worked with Ronnie
for two years and is a committee member and team leader for Clearmind London UK. An student
and teacher of A Course in Miracles, Sadiye's personal struggle has brought great compassion
and empathy for others that leads her to effectively help others.
Email: sadiye.stevens@clearmind.com
Clearmind Liverpool UK
Jacquie Johnston-Lynch - Clearmind Liverpool Contact
Jacquie is a qualified social worker and has managed teams of counsellors, psychotherapists and
body workers for the past 15 years. She is highly skilled and experienced in the management of
social care organizations and in the leadership and facilitation of therapeutic groups, staff teams
and experiential workshops. She has worked with Sally Fisher (Author and Founder of Life Mastery and
AIDS Mastery) and has trained as a workshop leader with Northern Lights Trust UK. Jacquie has followed
a programme of recovery and has been in a 12 step fellowship since 1997. Since joining Clearmind and
finding a new way through her own struggles, Jacquie has inspired and supported many people to re-think,
re-learn and re-experience their way out of their own difficulties. She is passionate and outrageous
in making things happen. Jacquie is a student of A Course in Miracles and is continually practicing
step 11 work throughout her continuing Clearmind supported journey.
Email: jacquie.johnston-lynch@clearmind.com
