Meet the Team

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top against a gray background.

    Kelsi Baine, MSc, CCC, CCS

    Executive Director, Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor

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  • Woman with long hair and glasses smiling, wearing a sleeveless top and necklace, against a gray background with a teal border.

    Cheryl Close, MA, CCC

    Counsellor

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  • Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a patterned lace top, against a gray background with a turquoise border.

    Holly Kleban, MC, CCC

    Counsellor

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  • Woman with long blonde hair wearing a blue shirt, smiling against a gray background with teal border.

    Amy Dugas, MA, CCC

    Counsellor

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  • Smiling woman with long hair in a green shirt, against a plain background.

    Natalie Maga

    Administrative Coordinator

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  • Person wearing glasses and a teal blouse, smiling against a neutral background.

    Katie Robinson

    Administrative Assistant

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  • Deb Little

    Master’s Intern

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Kelsi Baine, MSc, CCC, CCS
Executive Director, Counsellor

A counsellor -- a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top and gray pinstripe pants, sitting on a green office chair in a modern office with a large potted plant nearby.

I’m so grateful to have been supporting upper Vancouver Island as a counsellor with UIC since 2007. I spent my early years in Manitoba before heading west to enjoy a beautiful life with my partner, raising our two boys, here in Campbell River BC. Once we landed here, we knew we could never leave.

 As a counsellor I use a down-to-earth, compassionate, practical, and trauma informed approach that recognizes individual strengths, resources, resilience and wisdom, while drawing from different modalities to tailor the therapeutic process to each client’s story and goals. I believe that wellness is rooted in relationship and connection. Exploring how we relate and connect with ourselves, others, our environment, and our community can help guide the path to symptom relief, healing, change, and happiness. I work with clients age 10 and up, and have extensive experience with couples counselling and issues including: anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, parenting, trauma, addictions, life transitions, and overall wellness.

  • MSc., Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary, 2006

  • Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCPA, since 2006) #648

  • Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCPA, since 2024)

  • Critical Incident Group Debriefing, 2013

  • Occupational Awareness First Responder Trauma Training (2018)

  • San’yas Indigenous Mental Health Training (2021)

  • Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma (2023)

  • Many courses in CBT, DBT, Addictions, Trauma, and Attachment

  • FNHA direct billing

Cheryl Close, MA, CCC
Counsellor

Woman sitting in an office chair holding a clipboard and pen, with a large potted plant in the background.

I am grateful to be a part of the Upper Island Counselling team and to support so many folks with their mental health and wellbeing. Fifteen years ago I left Ontario and landed at a local outdoor education center where I established lifelong friendships and a connection to Vancouver Island’s natural spaces. I now live in Merville with my family, and I love our life and community here. Outside of work, I’m usually found meandering outside, enjoying time with friends and family, playing in circus arts, and listening to too many audiobooks.

I take a person-centered, collaborative approach to counselling to assist clients in finding supportive strategies to meet their needs. I work with individuals over the age of 14, with a variety of experiences including, but not limited to; anxiety, depression, grief, emotion-regulation, stress management, relational challenges, and values-based living. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space that offers empathy, warmth, and a sprinkling of humour.

  • MA, Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University, 2019.

  • Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCPA, since 2019) #10004889

  • San’yas Indigenous Mental Health Training (2021)

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1. (2022)

  • Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response.

  • FNHA Direct Billing

Amy Dugas, MA, CCC
Counsellor

A counsellor --a woman with long blonde hair wearing a beige sweater sitting in an office chair, smiling, with framed pictures of stones and a piece of wood on the wall behind her.

I first came to Vancouver Island during a year off from my finance career in the UK. An outdoor training program in BC’s beautiful wild coast, along with meeting my now-husband, convinced me that this was a place I wanted to call home. Fifteen years later, I feel incredibly grateful to have transitioned to a life that supports balance and fulfillment. Combining a rewarding career with hobbies such as kayaking, skiing, and biking makes me feel like I’m living the best version of my life.

I came to counselling after personally experiencing relational trauma, and this subject remains the core of my practice. In addition to trauma work, I am passionate about family and couple relationships, communication skills, emotional regulation, loss, life transitions, career choices, the pursuit of meaning, and self-actualization. I take a collaborative, down-to-earth approach to counselling, working with each client’s unique strengths, resources, goals, and wisdom.

  • MA, Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University, 2023

  • Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCPA, 2024) #11246584

  • San’yas Indigenous Mental Health Training, 2024

  • EMDR Technician, 2024

  • Certified Complex Trauma Professional level 2, 2023

  • Mental Health First Aid Training, 2022

  • PhD in Geophysics, University College Dublin, 2001

Holly Kleban, MA, CCC
Counsellor

A woman sitting in a wicker chair wearing glasses, a black shirt, and jeans, with a plant on a side table nearby.

After living in the big city and working with complex clients for over a decade I was ready for a change of pace, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love being part of the team at Upper Island Counselling and feel a strong sense of connection and belonging here on the island. I grew up in Horseshoe Bay and wanted to offer my two boys the opportunity to grow up in a place with the same small-town feeling I loved as a child and still cherish today. With the ocean at our doorstep, surrounded by nature’s playground, we are grateful to call Campbell River home.

I try to combine candor, empathy and humour in an integrated and collaborative approach to counselling, choosing from a variety of modalities to help clients explore and achieve their goals for therapy. I believe strongly that, with caring guidance, everyone has the capacity to discover and achieve their best self. I studied in New York, where psychodynamic approaches are heavily favoured, so attachment-based and introspective therapies are my first love. However, I balance this with more skills-driven, solution-focused approaches that can offer clients more actionable insights in fewer sessions.

  • MA, Clinical Psychology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2009

  • Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCPA, 2021) #10009493

  • San’yas Indigenous Mental Health Training (2015)

  • EFT Externship (ICEEFT 2021)

  • Courses in IFS including the 6-month online Learning Circle (2024)

  • Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician Training (2025)

  • Many courses in CBT, DBT, Addictions, Trauma, and Couples Therapy

  • FNHA direct billing

Two women having a conversation in a living room. The counsellor is seated in a wicker chair, the woman in counselling is seated on a gray sofa. There is a lamp, a clock, and framed art on the walls.

Deb Little
Master’s Intern

Deb joined Upper Island Counselling in May 2025. She is in the final stages of completing her master’s degree in counselling psychology at Yorkville University. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University.

Deb has worked as a vocational rehabilitation consultant and career coach for six and 18 years respectively. In these roles, she has supported hundreds of people to find purpose in their working lives and manage the complex emotions of injuries that impact them. She has assisted individuals in recovery, youth, women experiencing intimate partner violence, new immigrants to Canada, and those going through various life transitions. Deb believes that each person brings gifts and strengths to the world and understanding them helps to inform their journey.

In her counselling practice, Deb’s focus is on a client-centered approach where trust, respect and collaboration are the cornerstones of the therapeutic relationship. Her goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where people feel heard and understood. She integrates therapeutic modalities to support client growth, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, narrative therapy, person-centered therapy, and Adlerian therapy. Incorporating these strategies, Deb is here to support you on your path to healing and growth, offering a blend of professional expertise and heart-based compassion.

A smiling woman with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing an olive green t-shirt, standing against a neutral gray background.

Natalie Maga
Administrative Coordinator

I joined the team at UIC in 2015, bringing a background in corporate office administration. I quickly found a strong sense of purpose here at UIC, where I get to be part of the meaningful, community-focused work that our nonprofit wellness agency offers. As Administrative Coordinator, I help the office run smoothly from Monday to Thursday. I’m always happy to answer questions, help you book an appointment, and discuss how UIC can support you, your family, or your organization.

Outside the office, in the warmer months, I love camping and exploring the island with family, friends and our two dogs. During the winter months I enjoy crafting & creating, and game nights.

Katie Robinson
Administrative Assistant

A woman with red hair, glasses, and a green blouse smiling at the camera.

I joined the team in February 2024 as a part time Administrative Assistant and enjoy supporting the clients and staff at UIC in any way I can. I've worked in an administrative role within the social services sector for many years in addition to volunteering with various mental health organizations. I hold a community social service worker diploma and additional courses in both business and psychology.

When I'm not at work I love spending time with my dog and my arts and crafts supplies!