Team

Our Team

Our seasoned counsellors have extensive experience treating all forms of addiction amongst a diverse population. Many of our providers have faced the disease of addiction themselves – bringing with them a deep and authentic understanding of the continuous journey of recovery.

We’ve Got Your Recovery Covered!

The rigorous core program content is delivered from Monday through Friday. Weekends are time to rest and practice new behaviours. Activities include time for discussion, assignment completion, an Alumni meeting, exercise and relaxation. In all cases a weekend plan is developed with the primary counsellor and can include a home visit after the second week.

Key Members

Ben Robinson, Managing Director

Ben’s background is a mix of private industry finance/management and, not for profit long term mental illness facilities and homes for the aged.
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Adam Lewis, CCAC, MATS, Program Manager

Adam is a certified through the Canadian Addiction Counselling Certification Federation as a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor and Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist.
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David Saunders M.D.

David trained as a general practitioner and worked as a family doctor for 25 years. His professional work is now entirely devoted to the addiction field.
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Jim Rafferty M.D.

Jim presently has a rural medical practice as a family practitioner on Nova Scotia’s south shore.
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Bill Macintyre - Rev. (MDiv.)

Bill, is an Ordained Lutheran Pastor and has served as Spiritual advisor to Crosbie House since 2014. Bill has extensive experience in the field of recovery and addictions counselling. He has a keen understanding of the spiritual needs, elements and components as they relate to a successful recovery.
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Paul

Paul is a Crosbie House alumni and brings many years of personal recovery to the table. Paul is an advocate of the 12 step program and started volunteering his time before accepting a support position in 2016.
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Gerard

Gerard spent many years as a after care facilitator in PEI before joining the Crosbie team in 2015 as a support worker. He brings many years of personal recovery, insight and understanding , Gerard encourages all clients to have a voice and has a genuine passion for recovery.
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Heather

Massage and accupuncture
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Katie MacDonald

Katie is registered with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association and holds a diploma with high honours in counselling and human services.
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Alexa Smith

Alexa has a special interest in family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She utilizes her skills to aid clients in understanding their roles within family systems and how to work toward healthier, happier relationships.
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Hope Hackett

"Witnessing individuals embarking on their journey towards recovery is truly inspiring."
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Brittany Wadden

Brittany works as support staff on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Ben Robinson, Managing Director

Ben’s background is a mix of private industry finance/management and, not for profit long term mental illness facilities and homes for the aged.

He is committed to Crosbie House and our mission. He is responsible for our facility overall and any financial transactions while working closely with the Program Manager during the scheduling and intake process.

Adam Lewis, CCAC, MATS, Program Manager

Adam is a certified through the Canadian Addiction Counselling Certification Federation as a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor and Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist.

Adam is a recovering addict and alumni of the Crosbie House program with more than thirty years of addiction and recovery experience. Since 2016 Adam has worked in many aspects of addiction treatment including individual and group counselling, family support, recovery coaching.  Adam's work experience also includes Residential Treatment Manager and Recreation and Healthy Living Program Manager.

David Saunders M.D.

David studied medicine at Dalhousie University and graduated in the class of 1984. David then practiced family medicine until 2009. In 2010 he attended addiction medicine training at the center for addiction and mental health in Toronto and that has been his specialty ever since. David is also a member of Canadian and American Societies of addiction medicine.

His current practice includes opiod assisted treatment at Direction 180 in Halifax and at the open door clinic in Dartmouth. He also works at the withdrawal management ward of the CDHA, is the medical director at Crosbie House, is an addiction medicine consultant for QE 2 Emergency department, and an inpatient addiction consultant for obstetrics at the IWK hospital in Halifax.

Jim Rafferty M.D.

Jim presently has a rural medical practice as a family practitioner on Nova Scotia’s south shore.

He has been a family practitioner in the Annapolis Valley, is a past Medical Director at the former Crosbie House location and Valley Regional Hospital Detox Program, and has four years of addiction counseling. From a personal perspective, he lives in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Presently he serves our Crosbie clients as a medical consultant and supports the treatment direction for our abstinence based program.

Bill Macintyre - Rev. (MDiv.)

Bill, is an Ordained Lutheran Pastor and has served as Spiritual advisor to Crosbie House since 2014. Bill has extensive experience in the field of recovery and addictions counselling. He has a keen understanding of the spiritual needs, elements and components as they relate to a successful recovery.

Paul

Paul is a Crosbie House alumni and brings many years of personal recovery to the table. Paul is an advocate of the 12 step program and started volunteering his time before accepting a support position in 2016.

Gerard

Gerard spent many years as an aftercare coordinator facilitator in PEI before joining the Crosbie team in 2015. He is now our “aftercare coordinator” here at Crosbie House. He is very passionate about ongoing follow up with our alumni, keeping that connection after treatment is very important. Gerard brings with him, many years of personal recovery, insight, and understanding. His focus in on follow up with alumni, going out into the communities to visit, and also helps with the Wednesday family program here at Crosbie.

Heather

Massage and accupuncture

Katie MacDonald

Katie is registered with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association and holds a diploma with high honours in counselling and human services. She began her journey with Crosbie as a student in 2021 and joined the team as a counsellor in 2022. In addition to working with clients in treatment, Katie supports their loved ones alongside Gerard Flynn on Family Night.  She's passionate about families also receiving care, knowledge and healing. Katie considers working at Crosbie a joy and privilege every day. 

Alexa Smith

Alexa joined the team at Crosbie House in 2024 as an addiction counsellor. She has a High Honors Diploma in Social and Human services and is endorsed by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation as an Associate Addictions Counsellor. Alexa has a background of both personal and professional experience with the disease of addiction. She uses a trauma informed approach and is passionate about “meeting people where they are at.” Alexa has a special interest in family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She utilizes her skills to aid clients in understanding their roles within family systems and how to work toward healthier, happier relationships.

Hope Hackett

"Hello, I'm Hope, an addictions counselor at Crosbie. With a blend of professional and personal experience, it's both a privilege and a joy to step into Crosbie House each day. Witnessing individuals embarking on their journey towards recovery is truly inspiring."

Brittany Wadden

Brittany joined the Crosbie House team in the summer of 2022. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently studying for her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology through Yorkville University. Brittany works as support staff on Saturdays and Sundays.

Board of Directors

The Board of the Crosbie House Society is populated with professionals possessing wide ranging skills and expertise. Some are Crosbie House graduates, some are not. These people guide the direction of Crosbie house on a volunteer basis for no financial remuneration of any kind. It again exemplifies that the sole purpose of the Society is to help addicted people and their families heal.

Our Partners

Crosbie House Society works with its corporate supporters in a way that recognizes partnerships carry responsibilities that aren’t necessarily attached to donations. We act as resource for employee or member information, assessment, consultation, treatment and follow-up. Several of our participating organizations have elected to use Crosbie as an independent 3rd party and refer requests for information on addiction treatment directly to Crosbie.

The return on investment is huge. The return on saving a life is immeasurable.

Partner benefits include:

  • Employee/manager education & awareness
  • Timely assessment and treatment
  • Aftercare support for client and family
  • Progress reports on request
  • Partners

Key Partners

Scotia Investments Group of Companies
www.scotiainvestments.ca
Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
www.gamingns.ca
John Risley &, Clearwater Fine Foods
www.clearwater.ca/en
Membertou First Nation
www.membertou.ca
Millbrook First Nation
www.millbrookfirstnation.net
Michelin North America (Canada Inc.)
www.michelin.ca/CA/en/homepage.html
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
www.pans.ns.ca
Municipal Group of Companies
www.dexter.ca