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Nick Balyi is a lifelong resident of Vancouver Island whose passion for giving back to his community led to the creation of SuccessAbility. Nick believes that everyone can achieve success with the right blend of tools, strategies, support, and planning.

Nick is a licensed Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia and a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. He obtained his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from McMaster University, where he developed expertise in client-centred care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and holistic practices. His diverse experience spans multiple areas, including:

Pediatric and Youth Therapy
Concussion and Cognitive Rehabilitation
Mental Health and PTSD Recovery
Return-to-Work Planning
Veteran and First Responder Support
Motor Vehicle Accident Rehabilitation

Nick’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through awards like the Shari Lowe Book Award from McMaster University for his work in advancing health outcomes for older adults.

With over seven years of experience as an Accessibility Advisor at the University of Victoria, Nick worked closely with students with disabilities including: ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, visual impairments, traumatic brain injuries/concussions, and mental health challenges to support their educational journeys. This role deepened his understanding of inclusive practices and how to empower neurodivergent individuals to overcome barriers to success.

Nick also gained hands-on experience as a Behavioural Interventionist and Occupational Therapy Assistant at Monarch House, delivering individualized interventions for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. His experiences in this area shape his holistic, goal-oriented approach to occupational therapy and his appreciation for supporting neurodivergent individuals to reach their full potential based on their unique strengths and needs.

In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his partner Candace and their French Bulldog puppy - Churro. He also loves cycling, weight lifting, and exploring the Vancouver Island wilderness. Additionally, Nick is a first degree Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt with over 15 years of martial arts experience.

Nick Balyi, MScOT
Occupational Therapist

Service Area: Victoria and Surrounding Communities

Our Team

Julia knew from a young age that she wanted to be an Occupational Therapist. That early spark turned into a passion, and she went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2009. Soon after, she made her home on Vancouver Island where she still lives with her husband and two young children. She began her professional journey working in private practice. Over time, Julia transitioned into the public sector, broadening the scope of her work and deepening her commitment to serving her community.

Today, Julia brings years of diverse experience to her role as an occupational therapist. She has worked with clients across the lifespan. From infants and toddlers in early-intervention settings, to school-age children in homes and schools across the province, and adults and seniors in community contexts. She is passionate about her work with children that truly lights her up. Helping young clients to grow, thrive, and reach meaningful, functional goals is deeply rewarding to her, especially when those goals make a real difference in everyday life.

Julia believes strongly in a holistic, person-centered approach. Rather than focusing solely on isolated skills, she sees the whole person in their environments, with their family, in their routines, along with strengths and challenges. She works collaboratively with clients, families, and often within transdisciplinary teams, to build programs that are meaningful, practical, and grounded in real life. For Julia, therapy is not about “fixing”, it’s about empowering people to participate fully in the things they care about.

Her commitment goes beyond direct service. Julia cares deeply about the younger generation of therapists. She regularly presents and runs professional-development sessions at provincial and district levels. She is passionate about helping new therapists grow so they can, in turn, offer high-quality care to their clients.

When she’s not working, Julia can often be found exploring the island with her family. Swimming in lakes in the summer, skiing on the mountains in the winter. She takes advantage of the natural beauty of Vancouver Island and is a big part of what keeps her grounded, refreshed, and inspired.

Julia Loreth, MScOT
Occupational Therapist

Service Area: Victoria and Surrounding Communities

Rachel brings experience supporting older adults in hospital-based acute care and long-term care settings. Her work has strengthened her appreciation for helping people maintain their independence, confidence, and quality of life through meaningful daily activities. Rachel takes a practical, compassionate, and client-centred approach, working with each person to understand their goals and identify strategies that support safety and participation. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the SuccessAbility team.

New to Vancouver Island, Rachel is enjoying getting to know the region and all it has to offer. Outside of work, she can often be found trail running, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Rachel Gallagher, MOT
Occupational Therapist

Service Area: Campbell River, Courtney, Comox & Surrounding Communities

Lewis brings over a decade of experience working as a secondary school teacher in the public system and is passionate about reducing barriers, supporting families, and helping students experience success in ways that are meaningful to them.

At SuccessAbility, he is responsible for managing scheduling, communication with families, as well as assisting with the implementation of therapy plans as an OTA. He has a Diploma in Special Education, Bachelor's degrees in Political Science, French, and Education, and a MA in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies from the University of Victoria. He is a student member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and is in the process of applying to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

In his free time, he enjoys reading, cycling, gardening, tackling his next home renovation, and spending time with his partner, Marguerite, and their two dogs, Charlie and Norman. Lewis also has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is slowly making the transition to becoming an average golfer.