I  obtained my  naturopathic medical degree in 2002 from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Upon graduating from this full-time 4 year post-graduate program , I  moved back to the interior where I had a beautiful piece of land in the Columbia Valley. Alongside establishing my own Naturopathic practice in Golden and Invermere, I  co- built a  cob home, lived off the grid and converted an old house into a commercial building,  clinic and yoga studio before relocating to the coast. I currently practice naturopathic medicine - with a focus on culinary nutrition - at the Sage Clinic in Yaletown.

How I came to study  Naturopathic Medicine:

During my undergraduate studies in Anthropology and Native Studies at Trent University, I had the  opportunity to work on some projects on traditional medicine with Dene First Nation in the NWT.  It was through this practical experience of working with communities and seeing the transformative power of traditional styles of healing that addressed the health of the whole person: body and mind rather than focusing on the disease, that I was inspired to pursue studying naturopathic medicine.  I went back to university, to the University of Calgary to take the pre-med science requirements, and at the same time living in Canmore,  co-founded a backcountry adventure company which continued working with while  practicing in the Kootenays. Alongside yoga and meditation, cooking wholefoods, my love of the outdoors and the abundance of biking and hiking options on the coast continue to supply me with the energy that fuels my daily.

For more info on Naturopathic Medicine:

College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia

www.cnpbc.bc.ca

British Columbia Naturopathic Association

www.bcna.ca

For more info on Naturopathic Education:

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges In informational site about naturopathic medical education and practice. http://www.aanmc.org/

Philosophy on Patient Care:  In my naturopathic practice I am committed to understanding an individual’s unique history and health goals and examining all the determinants of wellness: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. In the initial visit, I undertake a complete health intake, and any relevant physical exams to diagnose the underlying root cause.  I utilize  the traditional naturopathic modalities: clinical nutrition, diet and lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. I believe that an integration of these therapies as well as guidance on daily choices and self-care options serves most effectively to inform and support  patients on the path to optimal health.  

As a general practitioner, I treat most chronic and acute conditions but I have a particular interest in these areas:

Hormone Imbalances

Women's Health Issues  

Immune System Support/Auto-immune Conditions

Digestive Imbalances

Nervous System Imbalance/Mental Health Issues  

Weight and Stress Management

Experience that shapes my practice:

A lifelong avid cook,  I  have  a particular focus on clinical nutrition and diet consulting. I had the good fortune of combining my enthusiasm for healthy food with my love of the outdoors in a career that sustained me through my studies and adventures over the years: working as a chef at backcountry lodges in the Rocky Mountains, retreat centers in the US, the movie industry in Vancouver and with Hollyhock on Cortes Island. Blending my passion for cooking  and medical knowledge, I aim to nourish healthy changes, through culinary guidance and naturopathic counseling, helping patients put  into practice the  understanding  that food is medicine. It is my belief that having the knowledge, skills and inspiration to feed ourselves well is the foundation of preventative medicine and feeling optimal on all levels.

Alongside private practice at Sage Clinic, I teach the practical art of healthy living through workshops  and cooking classes: Nourish Health in Vancouver and through  Hollyhock on Cortes Island.