Therapeutic Approach Health Centre

Yoga and Physiotherapy

Michael Munro B.Sc.P.T., CIYI, MCPA

Michael Munro, P.T., CYT (500 Hr), MCPA, has been working in the field of Physiotherapy since 1993 and has been a Certified Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor since 1998. He is currently a registered physiotherapist and offers physiotherapy and yoga therapy services to his clients. His skill with physiotherapy and yoga allows individuals with physical symptoms or limitations the best possible entry into yoga or re-entry after injury or illness. Mike is active in teaching weekly gentle yoga and meditation classes at the studio. Additionally, Mike is the main driving force behind the 200 hour and the 500 hour yoga teacher training programs run through Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio.

Mike offers:

* manual therapy
* exercise therapy
* yoga therapy
* gentle yoga
* education

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy: Have confidence that your mobility is in good hands.

"As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability. With your independence in mind, a physiotherapist's goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being. Physiotherapists prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm." (from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association)

Massage Therapy

Elizabeth Roper RMT (honors), Osteopathy Student (5th year)

Liz Roper has been a practicing massage therapist for five years. During this time she has also been studying at The Canadian College of Osteopathy, and is currently working on her Thesis to complete the program. Her training included, Cranial Osteopathy, myofascial techniques, muscle energy techniques and Visceral manipulation. Liz Roper is an honors graduate of Northumberland College for Massage Therapy and was the recipient of the award for Clinical Excellence and Professionalism.

Michelle Wallace, RMT

"Massage is a wonderful alternative to medicines in lengthening and restoring the health of your muscles. Touch therapy not only helps with the healing of overworked, painful and/or inflamed muscles, but it also helps in the healing of the soul."

Any muscular ailment, such as tension headaches, tendonitis, painful knots or the aftermath of a whiplash can be treated. Michelle is a graduate of the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy of which she is trained in the general Swedish massage method. Upon graduation she has furthered her studies in fire cupping, prenatal massage and she is in the process of becoming a certified Doula.

Michelle is part of the Massage Therapists' & Holistic Practitioners' Association of the Maritimes. Please call her directly to book your appointment at (902) 576-3366 or book online. Her office is upstairs in Suite 201. Michelle accepts cash or cheque for payment. Thank you.

Patricia Graham, RMT

Patricia has over 25 years experience as a practicing massage therapist. After doing extensive training in yoga and meditation, and receiving a Masters Degree in Holistic Health in the U.S. she went on to study massage therapy. Since then, she has had additional training in cranio-sacral therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, deep tissue and pregnancy massage, and La Stone therapy. She believes that the deepest self-healing of body, mind and spirit occurs when one is truly relaxed and at home in their body. Her intention is to create the conditions for the client where this self-healing can occur. Patricia is member of the Massage Therapy Association of Nova Scotia.

Please call Patricia directly at 576-4500 or 483-9141, or e-mail patriciagraham@ns.sympatico.ca to book an appointment. Her office is upstairs in Suite 201. Direct billing for Blue Cross clients. Payment by cheque or cash. Pregnancy table available.

Psychology

Angela MacKay, M.Sc., Psychologist, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Practitioner

Angela MacKay, M.Sc. specializes in child psychology, but also works with adolescents, individuals, and families in the Halifax area. She has worked with a variety of people in diverse mental health settings, including hospitals, the private sector, and abroad in Asia. Angela has experience in counseling the following areas of concern: depression, anxiety, anger management, eating disorders/body image, trauma, behavior difficulties, self-esteem, addictions, parenting, family conflicts, gay/lesbian/bisexual issues, and communication skills.

 Angela obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Acadia University and went on to complete her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. She is enthusiastic about her work and creatively draws from both Eastern and Western traditions. Angela also completed training in The Energetics of Mind/Body Healing: Science and Practice, Logosynthesis, and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Angela engages in formal study and practice of yoga, Qigong, and Tibetan Buddhist meditation. She is a member of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia, and is a Registered Psychologist with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. If you would like more information about Angela MacKay, M.Sc., and the psychological services she offers, please visit her new website: or her new blog.

Acupuncture /Omega Health Testing

Karen Ritchie B.S., M.S. Oriental Medicine, L.Ac.

Karen Ritchie is a graduate of the four year program at Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, receiving her Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine. Karen also passed the exams necessary to receive a Diploma in Acupuncture from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Karen established Omega Health Associates in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1995. She has tested over 5,000 individuals using the Omega AcuBase program and has found this to be an invaluable tool for helping others find out about their health concerns. For the past 30 years, Karen has had a passion for educating and empowering others within the framework of integrative medicine, including - nutrition, energetic medicine and meditation. It is her firm belief that the person ultimately heals themselves.

Psychotherapy / Counselling Psychotherapy

Elizabeth Berlasso, Certified Canadian Counsellor, MEd, CCC, NSRPC

Ms. Berlasso has worked in the field of counseling and psychotherapy for over a decade both in private practice and for a variety of community support agencies. Following completion of the Professional Training for Healthcare Professionals in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at Omega Institute in 1997 she developed the BodyMind Awareness Program. She has also completed the Teacher Development Intensive Program in MBSR at the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Elizabeth is actively presenting workshops on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction locally.

In addition to working at the Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre, Elizabeth sees clients privately for counseling and psychotherapy from an emotion-focused perspective for issues related to lifestyle management, psychological trauma, anxiety and depression, and coping strategies related to managing the stress of illness.

Elizabeth is a Certified Canadian Counsellor, and is a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Professional Counsellors. She maintains active training and practice in meditation, yoga, qigong and therapeutic touch.

Other related websites to mindfulness-based stress reduction:

• www.angelamackay.com
• www.vsa.cape.com/jkzinn

Sara Lamb, MEd, CCC, RCT

Sara is a psychotherapist whose practice is founded in the belief that each person has the ability to find their own unique path to emotional well-being and happier relationships

She loves her work for the diversity and challenge it offers, and the opportunity to support people in creating the changes they know are possible – working together in a spirit of collaboration and curiosity. Sara has experience with intimacy and couple relationships; parenting; child and adolescent issues; separation and divorce; eating and body image; stress; trauma and domestic violence; anxiety and depression; sexuality, gender and GLBT-specific concerns, among others.

Sara has specialized training in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and individuals, play therapy for kids and teens, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy for working with families. She has studied varied approaches to therapy – such as Logosynthesis and mindfulness-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – and draws upon these to find tools that will best fit clients' needs. She has completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training program at Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio, and is now pursuing 500-hour certification

Sara is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Nova Scotia Association of Counselling Therapists. Her primary office is at Therapeutic Approach Health Centre; clients in Tantallon, Hammonds Plains and the South Shore may prefer her office in St. Margaret’s Bay. If you would like to book an appointment, or if you have any questions, please contact Sara directly, by phone 902-473-0813, as she books all her own appointments. For more information see her website. Sara offre des consultations en français aussi.

Naturopathic Medicine

Sandra Murphy B.Sc. (Biochemistry), ND

Sandra is a graduate of The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), a fully-accredited 4-year, full-time professional program in Toronto. She graduated as a recipient of the Presidents Letter for Outstanding Achievement in Asian Medicine Specialty. Sandra is licensed to practice in regulated provinces after completing the comprehensive Naturopathic Licencing Examinations (NPLEX) administred by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) in Oregon. Naturopathic education includes the basic and clinical sciences common to all medical training but also includes studies of holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Sandra also holds a BSc (Four-year Advanced Major) in Biochemistry from Dalhousie University and previously worked in R&D for MedMira Laboratoires in Halifax developing Rapid Diagnositic testing in the fields of Breast and Prostate Cancer.

Through her residency training, public speaking and working alongside many different types of patients Sandra has had the opportunity to see a variety of conditions affecting person's of all ages.

Nutritional Consulting/Omega Health Testing

Penny Ormsbee
RHN, RNCP, Registered Holistic Nutritional Consultant

Penny graduated from the Natural Nutrition Program at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. She is a member of the International Organization of Nutritional Consultants and is a contributor to their monthly newsletter. Penny has a special interest in hypothyroidism, digestive disorders, weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, women's health, and the impact of stress on the body.

Penny teaches nutrition and business courses at the Halifax branch of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. She also holds monthly wellness lectures throughout the HRM while promoting an integrative approach to wellness. Penny is a columnist for The Source magazine and has written several magazine articles. Penny offers one-on-one nutritional consultations as well as computerized food and environmental sensitivity testing using the BioMeridian screening system. Penny is passionate about her work and is committed to helping her clients and students reach their goals.

If you would like to talk to Penny or find out more about her services please email or view her website.

Chiropractic Care

Dr. Brent S. MacNeil, BA, DC
Chiropractic Doctor

A history of spinal problems led this one-time traveler, mediocre guitar player and aspiring teacher to seek chiropractic care. Impressed with the empowering notion of working with the body’s nervous system through its structure, Brent was drawn to join this healing profession. He began his studies in the late 90’s at the Anglo European College of Chiropractic, and later transferred to CMCC in Toronto, thanks to the then booming British Pound. He is still not very good at guitar.
The stress which is associated with a complaint is too often ignored, with the detrimental effect of worsening or recurring symptoms. Stress usually comes at you from from several sources (both external and internal) at once. Developing strategies to eliminate unnecessary stress helps quality of life and often benefits your overall health.

Dr. MacNeil wishes to work with you to to find effective treatment for your complaint(s) and assist in determining and reaching your goals. He believes so deeply in yoga and its benefits, that he will pay for your first yoga class. He recommends TAYS yoga class wednesday evenings at 7:00pm with Leanne Whiting.

Brent has been practicing in Nova Scotia since 2004. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Chiropractic Association and the Canadian Chiropractic Association.

Please email or call 466-1378/429-3303 for more information or to book an appointment.