Meet the Team
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Sasha Visona MPT, BSc (Hons) KIN, AN-IMS
Sasha was born and raised in the Alberni Valley and is thrilled to be able to give back to the community that she grew up in.
Sasha graduated from the University of Victoria in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. During her time at UVic, she completed honours research in the detection and management of concussions. Sasha continued her education at the University of British Columbia and obtained a Master's in Physical Therapy degree, graduating in 2017.
Since graduating, Sasha has worked in private practice with a wide variety of patients. She has continued with further education in manual therapy, vestibular treatment and is AN-IMS certified. Sasha believes in the importance of developing individually tailored physical therapy and exercise treatment plans to help people of all ages overcome challenges, reach their full physical potential, and achieve their goals.
Sasha’s athletic background includes many years of competitive softball and soccer. This is where her interest in athletic and orthopaedic injury management began. Sasha is passionate about strength and conditioning. Outside of the clinic you can find her in the gym, playing sports or spending time outdoors.
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Daley Forbes CAT(C), BAET, Registered Kin
Daley completed her Bachelor’s of Athletic and Exercise Therapy degree (BAET) at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia; She has extensive field experience with contact sports such as rugby, olympic freestyle wrestling and hockey. Upon graduation from BAET, Daley became a practicing Kinesiologist through the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists. Currently she works for the Port Alberni Bombers Jr B hockey team .
Daley has experience as a competitive athlete, so she understands the drive to return to play after battling injuries. Following a sports medicine model of care, strength and mobility are key aspects of her treatment style to improve function of daily living or athletics. She wants to bring awareness of Athletic Therapy to the Valley and Nuu-Chah-Nulth communities, where she can educate and empower clients to manage pain or injury and maximize function at all levels.
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Paige Blaauw - RMT
Paige is excited to be moving to Port Alberni and joining the Ridge View team!
She grew up in Victoria and graduated from Camosun College’s Massage Therapy Program in 2022. Paige has always had an interest in physical & mental wellness and health. She firmly believes in treating you as a whole person, and that stress levels, sleep, pain, mobility, and emotional states all work in tandem.
Every appointment with Paige will consist of an assessment of your movement, ergonomics, and lifestyle. Then a treatment tailored to your needs with the use of myofascial, deep tissue, sports massage, relaxation, or trigger point release techniques. All treatments are based on consent, comfort, and care.
Paige has a passion for supporting pregnant and postpartum clients and loves advocating for the benefits of safe and effective pregnancy and postpartum massage. Accounting for any risk factors or special circumstances, all treatments are focused on your ever-changing needs during your journey. Paige also finds treating clients with anxiety or stress, recovering injuries, and chronic illnesses especially rewarding. She prides herself on her easy-going nature, empathy, and ability to put people at ease - and feels a deep appreciation for the trust clients place in her.
Outside of work, Paige can be found planning future dog names, refurbishing vintage furniture, and exploring the island with her partner.
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Taylor Christensen - RMT
Taylor was born and raised in Nanaimo, British Columbia. He grew up very involved in sports, leading him to pursue a kinesiology degree at Vancouver Island University. During his time in school he developed a passion for optimal performance of the human body which ultimately led him to Victoria to further education. Taylor graduated in 2023 from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and has been residing in Port Alberni for 2 years. He believes the Alberni Valley is a tremendous community for him and his family to continue to grow.
Taylor enters the clinic with a thorough understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle, manage stress, improve athletic performance, and treat injuries using a variety of treatment modalities to meet the unique needs of each patient. He utilizes techniques such as trigger point release, myofascial release, deep tissue treatments, joint mobilizations, diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation massages. His treatments also include home care remedies designed to promote stretching and strengthening and hydrotherapy methods to assist people in reaching their full physical potential.
Outside of the clinic Taylor can be found at the gym, playing hockey soccer, golf, and all other activities outdoors.
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Carly Thornton - IAYT Yoga Therapist
Born in North Vancouver, Carly has recently returned to Canada after living & teaching yoga in Spain for the last 10 years.
Carly completed her first yoga training over 12 years ago in Dharamsala India to become a hatha yoga teacher. She has since trained in kundalini, ashtanga, and most recently completed a 3 year training through IAYT to become a Yoga Therapist. During her practicum she worked with students with a variety of health concerns: fibromyalgia, IBS, hypertension, hypothyroid, menstrual/women's health issues, parkinsons and more.
She is an empathetic listener, with a trauma informed style of teaching. She believes in a holistic & collaborative approach, with other practitioners & especially with the students themselves. She also holds a BA in psychology from UBC & Holistic Nutrition Certification from CSNN.
Carly loves nature & animals and spends most of her time outside the clinic hiking, biking, and swimming with her dog Mukta.
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Jocelyn Williamson - R. Ac
CURRENTLY ON LEAVE
Jocelyn (she/her) is a Registered Acupuncturist who graduated from Pacific Rim College, Summa Cum Laude. In addition, Jocelyn holds a Registered Holistic Nutritionist designation from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Victoria, both accreditations awarded with high honours. Further, Jocelyn has completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Reiki Level 2, and has attended workshops in counselling skills, cranio-sacral therapy, and other energy healing modalities.Jocelyn is captivated by Traditional Chinese Medicine’s emphasis of holism. The medicine ascertains that health and wellbeing are the natural order of the human condition, and thus, the manifestation of disease reflects disharmony or imbalance in the individual’s mind, body, spirit, or environment. Jocelyn intends to be an educator and ally who supports her patients as they find agency in their healing process; she strives to offer individualized treatment plans as unique as her patients because no two experiences of disease or disharmony are alike. Her trauma-informed practice is founded on mind-body-spirit integration, and focuses on nervous system regulation, hormonal and fertility health, digestive health, and mental-emotional health.
Outside the clinic, Jocelyn can be found enjoying the great outdoors, as she loves to surf, hike, beach comb, sunbathe, and swim in any body of water deep enough to submerge. She also loves to eat good food with friends and is notorious for her dance moves.
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Sheena Cook - OFFICE MANAGER
Sheena has worked in customer service, administration and bookkeeping roles throughout her career. Sheena is an avid animal lover. In her spare time she loves to read, craft and hike the local trails with her husband and her dog Joey.
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Tina DiRocco - Administration
Tina is a Port Alberni local who has built her career in administration. You may recognize her from the dentist office, or when she is out for a walk with her friends. Tina loves spending time with her family, going to yoga and has recently taken up golf!