Introducing the Continuum Health Centre team

Meet the health professionals ready to help you achieve your best life!

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About
Continuum Health Centre

Our team of practitioners are invested in your health. We make every decision with our clients’ well-being in mind. Achieve your best self with us!

The Team

Alex Derksen coach at Continuum Health Centre
01

Alex Derksen

MscPT (Master of Science in Physical Therapy)- Registered Physiotherapist & Performance Coach

Alex is a Physiotherapist and a Performance & Weightlifting Coach born and raised in Victoria, BC. Alex graduated from Queen’s University with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy and from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Alex is passionate about providing the best possible care for his patients. He is a firm believer in evidence-based, patient-centered care to help empower individuals to get back to their meaningful activities. Alex uses exercise, education, and communication strategies to help individuals overcome obstacles that are holding them back from reaching their goals. Alex focuses on promoting physical, psychological, and emotional strength to build resilient and robust individuals while fostering self-efficacy and independence in their lives. Alex is a certified ‘Clinical Athlete Provider’ who specializes in the management of athletes, designed to help athletes perform better and stay healthy longer. Alex feels an athlete is any individual who has active-related goals, no matter the age, skills, or abilities. He is passionate about working with barbell athletes including weightlifters, powerlifters, and Crossfit Athletes. Alex blends his knowledge in strength and conditioning with injury reconditioning and psychologically informed care to help athletes reach their health & performance related goals. He is also a certified Crossfit Level 1 Trainer, NCCP Weightlifting Trained Coach, CCPC Powerlifting Coach, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist, and a graduate from the Level Up Initiative Mentorship program, designed to create positive change in the world of healthcare. Alex has taken numerous courses related to strength and conditioning, exercise prescription, pain science education, psychologically informed practice, communication, clinical reasoning, biomechanics, injury risk reduction, and focused areas of the hip, knee, and shoulder. Alex can typically be found in the gym weightlifting, or playing various sports including golf, hockey, and baseball. He is an avid adventurer and enjoys exploring the outdoors and traveling around the world with his wife, while indulging in plant-based dishes and the finest local coffee.

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Cait Leavitt coach at Continuum Health Centre
02

Cait Leavitt

M.Sc, MPC

Cait received a Masters in Psychology with a focus on sport and performance applications. As a Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA), Cait works across a wide range of sports, competitive levels, and ages to help athletes enhance their mental skills. Cait works with athletes to develop confidence, mindset, emotional regulation, focus, teamwork, and many other critical skills to performance. Cait has conducted research and specializes in helping athletes through the psychological aspects of injury recovery, specifically concussions. Cait is passionate about working alongside athletes to help them thrive in the sporting environment and in their personal lives.

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Ciara Malone coach at Continuum Health Centre
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Ciara Malone

MA, CCC & MPC (Prov.) – (Certified Clinical Counsellor & Provisional Mental Performance Consultant)

Ciara (she/her) brings a wealth of experience as a high-performance athlete turned research-practitioner. In her research, Ciara looks at the identity challenges that athletes face at the conclusion of their varsity careers. Over the 14 months, Ciara has been engaged in research around the mental health experiences of Canadian University Athletes through COVID-19 and has presented her research internationally. As a practitioner, Ciara uses an integrated and culturally sensitive approach to meet the needs of each unique client. She understands the importance of a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship for meaningful growth and change to take place and centres her work on creating a secure environment in which you can feel seen, heard, and valued. Ciara brings her natural warmth, compassion and curiosity into each session. She believes in the healing power of laughter and enjoys connecting with her clients over life’s big and small victories as well as its hardships. Ciara believes in the importance of tuning into the moment and turning toward your emotions, and frequently works with clients to learn to slow down and find their own inner guide, whether they’re stuck, struggling with interpersonal issues, or having trouble coping. She uses a strength-based approach to help people accept and embrace diverse aspects of themselves as well as develop new skills that can be used in everyday life. Ciara has a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is a Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC) and Provisional Mental Performance Consultant.

Greg Kirk coach at Continuum Health Centre
04

Greg Kirk

Physiotherapist

Greg has been a physiotherapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist for over 15 years. He completed his Master of Physiotherapy at UBC and a post-graduate certificate in manual therapy at Curtain University in Perth. During this time, Greg served as a research assistant in neurophysiology, motor learning, biomechanics, and knowledge translation. Since graduating, he has also completed multiple courses – receiving certifications and accreditation for Gunn IMS, DNS D, PRI training, and Applied Kinesiology. In addition, Greg is a graduate of the ConnectTherapy Series and the Thoracic Ring Approach. Greg has a keen interest in human behavior. He’s worked with a very diverse population with varying activity levels, and among everyone, there remains a common theme. We’re all human. As such, there are similarities in the shortcuts our bodies and brains will take to make life easier in response to injuries, stresses, and emotions. However, these shortcuts are not always great long-term solutions. Greg is a firm believer that the body is not simply a sum of its parts, and the interactions of this complex system are of the utmost importance. Understanding these patterns plays an integral role in treating his clients while incorporating movement, exercise, education, and manual therapy. Greg’s passion is getting an individual back to full capacity – as it relates to the activities that are important and meaningful to them. Greg’s other specific interest is in performance physio to mitigate injury and maximize performance. He has worked with national and Olympic level athletes in almost every sport, including snowboarding, skiing, beach volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, track, triathlon, weight lifting, swimming, diving, tennis, soccer, and mountain biking. Greg has also worked with professional dancers, musicians, actors, and athletes from various basketball leagues. He has worked with MLB, NHL, and most extensively, NFL athletes. Greg worked as a team physio for high school basketball, rugby, football, volleyball, and varsity baseball squads and has traveled with Canadian wrestling and rugby teams.

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Dr. Jaritt Ptolemy coach at Continuum Health Centre
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Dr. Jaritt Ptolemy

Chiropractor

Dr Jaritt Ptolemy has been in clinical practice for over 15 years as a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) for over 17 years. Prior to that, he received an Honours Kinesiology degree from McMaster University. Dr. Jaritt has also received a certification as a Medical Acupuncture provider from McMaster University in 2009. Other note-worth certifications are Neurodynamic Solutions (NDS); Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) through the Prague School of Rehabilitation; Specific Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA); Active Release Technique (ART); Advanced Instructor through the Oxygen Advantage; Blood Flow Restriction (BFR).

Dr. Jaritt’s approach is to optimize the recovery of each patient. This starts with a thorough assessment in order to achieve an accurate diagnosis, followed by a treatment plan based on patient needs. Dr. Jaritt’s extensive skillset allows for the most appropriate intervention for each patient. He believes patient education is imperative and treatment should be a collaborative effort between patient and practitioner in order to maximize recovery. The most effective treatment plans are when both practitioner and patient work with the bodies needs, which often includes patient homework and behavioral modifications, in addition to treatment.

Dr. Jaritt strongly believes that the body wants to find equilibrium in a healthy and pain-free state. Treatment and rehabilitation is often over-complicated and recovery lengthened because basic core tenants of human movement are overlooked. In Dr. Jaritt’s experience, most people have dysfunctional breathing patterns, and just by restoring basic breathing patterns patients often experience significant improvement in symptoms and recovery. For example, functional breathing is imperative for functional movement and signals to the nervous system whether the body is receptive to recovery. Dr. Jaritt is always looking for the low-hanging fruits that will have the greatest impact on patient recovery.

Dr. Jaritt has always blurred the lines between treatment, rehabilitation exercise and training. Some patients may require a more passive approach to treatment – such as soft tissue treatment of muscles and fascia, joint mobilization and or spinal manipulation. Other patients may require a more active approach concentrating more on restoring functional movement quality and range of motion progressing to functional capacity training with loads. Dr. Jaritt primarily works with an active general population, and has also worked as a therapist to two national level teams.

Book with Jaritt

06

John Cunningham

Coach

CREDENTIALS:
Masters in Sports Physiology & Nutrition
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS)
British Weightlifting Level 1 Coach
Track & Field Club Sprinter (60m,100m,Discus, Shot Put)
Sale Sharks Rugby Academy
Bedford Blues Rugby
Loughborough University Rugby
Waterloo Rugby (National League 1&2)
Invited to British Bobsleigh Trials

Athlete CV
Manchester University Talented Athlete S&C coach (Multiple Sports)
Loughborough University S&C coach (Multiple Sports)
British Ski S&C coach (Testing days)
England Golf (North West S&C coach)
DNA sports performance coach (Multiple Sports)
Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) S&C consultant
MMA Academy Liverpool Nutrition & S&C coach
Myerscough College 1st XV Rugby S&C coach

Dr. MJ Atkins coach at Continuum Health Centre
07

Dr. MJ Atkins

ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) B.ScH.

N.D. Dr. MJ Atkins is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and has been in practice for over 14 years in Victoria, BC. Dr. Atkins believes strongly in identifying and treating the root cause of an issue and not just focusing on the treatment of symptoms. His ultimate goal is to help patients look and feel great, inside and out. Dr. Atkins lives on the Peninsula with his wife and dogs and is an adoptive parent-in-waiting. He is an avid nature-lover who enjoys all that the Peninsula has to offer whether paddle boarding, playing hockey, gardening, cycling or hiking. When not outdoors, you can find him in the kitchen preparing delicious meals.

Book with MJ

08

Rachel Knowles

Registered Massage Therapist

Rachel Knowles is a registered massage therapist with over four years of clinical experience in therapeutic massage and in treating a variety of conditions including nerve pain, scar tissue restrictions, headaches, sports injuries, chronic pain, and more. She graduated from Algonquin College in Ottawa with an advanced diploma of massage therapy and has worked in various treatment settings since, including clinics and mobile services in business, home, and gym locations. Her favourite experience was working with her local gym’s Muay Thai athletes for post-training muscle recovery and increased mobility.

Rachel takes an objective approach to care and will work with you to achieve your goals. Her treatments focus on discovering and addressing the root cause of a client’s pain through interview, assessment, and hands on treatment. Her preferred treatment style is deep tissue; using slow pace and specific techniques to engage with the deep muscle layers to achieve the desired outcome: decreased trigger point activity, increased range of motion, decreased pain, etc.

She focuses her practice on partnering with clients who are seeking relief from soft tissue orthopedic conditions affecting their active lifestyle. As an athlete herself, Rachel is motivated to support her clients in their recreational and competitive pursuits using her technical skills and experience. She is thrilled to bring her practice to Victoria and is looking forward to exploring the natural beauty of the Island.

Book with Rachel

Rebecca Gaetz coach at Continuum Health Centre
09

Rebecca Gaetz

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapist, Athletic and Exercise Therapist
MPT, BAET, CPT
Functional Gait Specialist
Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation

Rebecca grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon, and has spent most of her life enjoying the outdoors.

She graduated with a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from University of Dublin in 2022, as well as a Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy from Camosun College in Victoria, BC in 2019.

Throughout her career, Rebecca has been fortunate to work alongside the lead physiotherapist for Hockey Canada’s National Para Hockey team and gained experience with concussion and injury rehab. She has worked with the Canadian Armed Forces and various sports teams including the National Rugby team, Camosun Chargers Basketball and Volleyball and provided pitch side care for the National University 7’s Rugby Tournament. Rebecca works with all injuries but has recently specialized in neurological rehab including concussion and vestibular rehabilitation as well as gait biomechanics and lower limb injuries.

Rebecca’s treatment philosophy is focused on using evidence based practice to create a treatment plan based on patient goals. She believes that patient education, hands on manual therapy, and graded loading of injured tissue are important components of the rehabilitation process.

Outside of work you will find Rebecca at the gym lifting weights, ocean swimming, cycling and hiking.

Book with Rebecca

Dr. Trevor Nelson coach at Continuum Health Centre
010

Dr. Trevor Nelson

DC (Doctor of Chiropractic), MSc. Sports Medicine, BSc. Kinesiology, CSCS

Trevor graduated from the University of Western States with his Doctor of Chiropractic and a Master of Science in Sports Medicine. He grew up in Surrey, BC, but after completing his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at UVIC, he always knew he would settle on the island. Trevor grew up playing numerous sports and believes in the importance of overall athleticism and developing a positive experience with health and exercise. Throughout his years playing competitive rugby, he had the help of many great health professionals, and it was during this time, Trevor realised the benefits of chiropractic treatment. Trevor uses an evidence-informed approach in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions of the spine. He also has great interest and skill in treating injuries and conditions involving the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and other extremities. In addition, his background in training and athletics has created a passion for helping individuals recover from injury and allowing them to reach their performance goals. Trevor has taken several additional courses, including DNS Strength Training, and is constantly pursuing further education to better help his patients. Trevor’s main goal with treatment is to work with his patients towards a common goal, whether that means returning to sport after an injury, treating those nagging aches and pains, being able to work more functionally and with less pain, or simply learning how to move better and live a more active lifestyle. Trevor employs various treatment techniques depending on the individual and is a firm believer in the power of movement and exercise. The ultimate goal of treatment is to empower each patient with the tools and knowledge they need to stay healthy and reach their goals.

Book with Trevor

011

Scott Eckardt

Manager

Bio coming soon.

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