News & Events

Join Our Free 9-Week Therapy Group: Coping with Chronic Conditions STEPS is offering a free, 9-week virtual therapy group for patients living with chronic medical conditions. Led by RN Katie and Psychiatrist Dr. Kristina Birkholz, this group is designed to help participants build coping skills, manage emotions, and improve quality of life. Mondays | Sept 8 – Nov 10, 2025 | 10:00–11:30 AM Online via Zoom Open to STEPS patients with conditions like long COVID, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, diabetes, and more. Registration is required. Spots are limited—contact your physician's office today to learn more and reserve your place.

Effective Communication Group – Sept 10 to Oct 15, 2025 This 6-week Zoom group, led by Social Worker Angela Owen and Psychiatrist Dr. Kristina Birkholz, helps participants build awareness of their communication styles and strengthen assertiveness skills. Each 90-minute session explores CBT and DBT-based strategies to shift unhelpful patterns and foster healthier, more effective communication. Sessions run Wednesdays from 10:00–11:30 AM. Open to eligible STEPS patients — registration is required through your doctor’s office.

Befriending Your Nervous System Group – Sept 10 to Oct 15, 2025 Join Registered Social Worker Angela Owen and Psychiatrist Dr. Kristina Birkholz for a 6-week Zoom group focused on understanding and regulating your nervous system using Polyvagal Theory. Learn how to shift out of fight, flight, or freeze states and feel more grounded and in control. Sessions run Wednesdays from 12:30–2:00 PM. Open to eligible STEPS patients — registration is required through your doctor’s office.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Group – Sept 29 to Oct 23, 2025 STEPS is offering a 4-week virtual MBSR group led by Clinical Counsellor Tess and Psychiatrist Dr. Allibhai. Join us on Zoom for weekly sessions (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays) focused on building resilience, improving well-being, and learning the fundamentals of mindfulness practice through guided meditation and discussion. Open to eligible STEPS patients. Registration is required — contact your doctor’s office to sign up!‍

KAMLOOPS — A new health centre has officially opened on the North Shore, set to bring longitudinal family doctor care to Kamloops. The facility is being run by Supporting Team Excellence with Patients Society (STEPS), which already operates similar community health centers in downtown Kamloops, Valleyview and Sun Peaks. The new North Shore opening represents years of hard work and dedication and will take a substantial bite out of the family doctor shortage in Kamloops.

Dr. Viger will be closing his practice as of September 1, 2025 as he relocates out of Kamloops. At this time, STEPS does not have a provider available to take on new patients. We are actively recruiting and will prioritize previous patients once we are able to reattach. Make sure you’re registered with the BC Health Connect Registry (call 811 or visit healthlinkbc.ca) to be added to the waitlist for a new provider.

Struggling to express yourself or feeling unheard? Learn how to communicate with clarity and confidence. Join Effective Communication: Group Therapy, a 6-session online series designed to build awareness of your communication style and strengthen your assertiveness skills - using tools from CBT & DBT. Led by Angela Owen (RSW) & Dr. Kristina Birkholz (Psychiatrist)

Feeling overwhelmed or stuck in fight, flight, or freeze? You're not alone - and there's support. Join us for Befriending Your Nervous System: Group Therapy, a 6-session online series based on Polyvagal Theory. Learn how to feel more regulated, build resilience, and connect with others on the journey. Led by Angela Owen (RSW) & Dr. Kristina Birkholz (Psychiatrist)

Living with a chronic condition? You’re not alone. If you're a STEPS patient, join our FREE 9-week Coping with Chronic Conditions Therapy Group - an online program designed to help you build coping skills, manage symptoms, and connect with others who truly understand. Led by STEPS RN Katie & Dr. Kristina Birkholz (Psychiatrist) For STEPS patients dealing with conditions like long COVID, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, post-concussion syndrome, diabetes & more.

New name, same great care! Orchards Walk Medical Clinic is now STEPS Community Health Centre - Valleyview. Nothing else changes - same team, same location, same commitment to YOU. We’re excited to continue growing with you under a stronger, more recognizable brand.

Aging Mindfully: Our FREE 8-week group for adults 55+ is now FULL - thank you for the amazing response! We’re so excited to bring people together to connect, move, and support each other’s mental wellness. If you missed out this time, don’t worry - we’re hoping to offer another group soon!

Working with you to keep you well. See your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner if you have any symptoms or significant family history of certain diseases. All tests have pros and cons.

Laser services are available at our STEPS Sun Peaks location.

COVID-19 and influenza immunizations are free and available to everyone 6 months and older in BC this fall, and you can receive both at the same time.

Sign up for a free 90 minute Zoom education session in December on “Sleep Basics” with STEPS RN Katie and Dr. Birkholz.

STEPS Group Therapy Session with psychiatrist Dr. Kristina Birkholz and Registered Social Worker Angela Owen. Two sessions are available: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Befriending your Nervous System Group.

Weekly therapeutic yoga techniques for everyday life. All abilities are welcome. Starts in September.

STEPS, a healthcare organization in Kamloops, is aiming to expand its model to help more residents access primary care.