Jude (Zoe) Chaytors

Emberwood founder and social worker Jude Chaytors is on a black background wearing an orange toque, plaid shirt and smiling. He has two nose piercings

I live on Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta where I grew up. I'm a queer, mixed raced, cat-loving, quilting, nature nerd. I love to work with other people in helping capacities and seek out solitude in nature as often as I can.

In my spare time, I enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book and my two cats, Benny and Joon. I can often be found exploring Mill Creek Ravine on foot, or you'll find I'm off in the mountains, going for long walks in solitude.

Related credentials:

  • Registered Social Worker - BSW, RSW

  • B. Arts - Gender Studies major, Theology minor

  • Therapist -

    • Expressive Art Therapy Diploma, EXaT

    • Somatic Experiencing (in progress)

  • Outdoor guide - Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader certifications, Outward Bound Canada Training Academy certifications

  • First Aid - Wilderness Mental Health First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder (highest level of wilderness first aid)

Fergus/Alison Brooks-Starks

Emberwood Founder and outdoor educator Fergus is on blue background smiling and holding a canoe paddle. He is wearing a black quilted shift. He has brown hair with grey streaks

Hey all y’all! I'm an ecotherapy informed educator in Edmonton, Alberta. With a background in both improv and spiritual care, we are bound to have a fun, wild, and meaningful time.

Some intersections of my identity… I am a white, 3rd gen Ukrainian+ settler. I have always lived on Treaty 6 territory along the North Saskatchewan River – I’m originally from Duck Lake and Prince Albert, SK, and now live in ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), AB. I am currently non-disabled and have thin privilege. I am exploring gender and I am queer.

For those wanting the deep dive, I am a scorpio, an ENFP and an enneagram 7. I have two wee ones whom I love very much.

I have particular experience working with people who are 2SLGBTQIA+ and in areas of eco-therapy, solitude therapy, grief and spiritual allyship.

Related credentials:

  • Educator - B.Ed

  • Certificate of Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute

  • Certificate of Spiritual Care from diaconal program

  • National Lifeguard

  • Top notch guiding, shown in great detail here:



Practicum Students

Want to do your practicum with us? Talk to your placement coordinator and us. Each year we have students from social work and psychology programs, but other programs may be a fit as well.

Praticum Students who are from psychology and social work. There are three all smiling and standing outside smiling in fall leaves

Behind the Scenes

Sam

Hello! I'm Sam (xe/they). 
I am Emberwood’s All-Around-Task-Handler & Fungi Fan!
Taurus sun/Aquarius moon – INFJ – 4/6 – enneagram 4

I was born and raised on Treaty 6 with a complex relationship with land and self, as a mixed-ethnicity Arab and white person, an agender human, and a somatic plant medicine practitioner and deep griever.

I believe in the immense healing power of connection to the land and our embodied experiences, and I am here to help you discover what the best Emberwood space is for you and help make it happen.

You may see me in your inboxes, exploring on the other side of the world, or curled up on the couch with my cat, Goose. You can learn more about my therapeutic work over at www.psilocycle.com