Of all the jobs I dreamt of having, a nutritionist was not one of them. I was raised in a meat, potatoes, and canned corn kind of family that never saw many fresh veggies. However, when a family member was diagnosed with an advanced cancer I dove into the world of integrative and alternative care.

I received my Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP) certification from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in 2013 and am a Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner (ROHP) through the International Organization of Nutritional Consultants. Additionally, I have attained the Certified Holistic Cancer Practitioner (CHNP) designation through Edison Institute of Nutrition. I am currently studying under Dr Aviva Romm as I complete her 10 month Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Professional Training Program.

I began my nutrition career working as an online educator and developed online dietary programs for over 10,000 individuals with LULORA and was a nutritionist and the Vancouver Island Clinical Director at InspireHealth, a supportive cancer care centre partially-funded by the BC Ministry of Health, from 2013-2019. I worked alongside medical doctors, clinical counsellors, kinesiologists, and a team of holistic nutritionists. I have also been a faculty member at Pacific Rim College since 2015 and teach numerous courses in their three year holistic nutrition diploma program and four month doula and herbal certificate courses.

My clinical practice focuses on women’s health, including hormone balancing, fertility, prenatal & postpartum care, menopausal support, and hormone-sensitive cancers, and is primarily conducted through one-on-one nutrition counselling. When not chatting about nutrition, I’m likely spending time with my kids, daydreaming about home improvements, or admiring flowers in the garden.

Of all the jobs I dreamt of having, a nutritionist was not one of them. I was raised in a meat, p... Read More

I understand that health is so personal and we can achieve anything when we feel heard, empowered and understand our treatment options. I take people from feeling limited by their IBS, bloating or hormonal concerns such as PMS and menopause to feeling in control and confident in their body.

My journey to naturopathic medicine began after working as an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation. I witnessed the value of a holistic approach to health care and understood that each individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected. As a naturopathic physician, I understand that health is a very personal issue. My goal is to spend the time getting to know you and your presenting symptoms so we can achieve your ideal state of health.

I’m particularly interested in the connection between our gut, hormones and nervous systems. As a part of my comprehensive approach to your care, I consider all of these aspects of your health when developing your treatment plan.

I am certified in acupuncture, IV therapy and hold my prescriptive rights.

A little about me outside of clinic: I love coffee, a good laugh and running along the ocean.

I understand that health is so personal and we can achieve anything when we feel heard, empowered... Read More

Dr. Melissa Bedford will be retiring from Naturopathic Medicine July 25, 2024. She is not taking any new patients. Existing patients are welcome to book follow up appointments with her or transition their care to Dr. Whitney Baxter.

I firmly believe that healing doesn’t require perfect habits or perfect circumstances - there is such power in simplicity and sustainability. I’m here as your health strategist to lend a listening-ear, offer evidence-based knowledge, and present you with an array of treatment options so that we can decide together how best to support you. I have two main areas of clinical focus: (1) hormonal & menstrual health and (2) cardiovascular health. I support folks who have PMS, PMDD, PCOS, painful periods, heavy periods, and irregular periods. I’m also passionate about providing care throughout the menopause transition - from perimenopause to postmenopause. Additionally, I offer cervical cancer screening (pap testing and/or HPV testing) for both new and returning patients. Prior to becoming a Naturopathic Doctor, I worked as a Cardiology Research Coordinator at Vancouver General Hospital, which is where my love of cardiovascular health started. I offer support in the areas of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes/insulin resistance. I’m licensed by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) and hold certifications in prescriptive authority and acupuncture.

Dr. Melissa Bedford will be retiring from Naturopathic Medicine July 25, 2024. She is not taking ... Read More

Malakai is passionate about helping those struggling with hormonal, reproductive and pregnancy issues and offers a holistic and complementary approach to achieving mental wellness, hormonal balance, menstrual regulation and healthy pregnancies. Her practice is heart centered and trauma informed. She seeks to create a safe space for you to cultivate wellness and reconnect with your body’s innate healing capacity.

She is a Registered Acupuncturist in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia and a member of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association. She completed my training at the International College for Traditional Chinese Medicine Vancouver and Pacific Rim College and has received advanced training in Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Labour and Postpartum, Women’s Health, Fertility and Paediatric Acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a focus in Mental Health.

When not in the clinic, she can be found being a mom to three wonderfully wild children, adventuring on our beautiful island and attempting to make a small farm out of her backyard.

Malakai is passionate about helping those struggling with hormonal, reproductive and pregnancy is... Read More

Haley recognizes that health is multifaceted and agrees with the definition provided by the World Health Organization: “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Haley approaches each client with compassion. She is dedicated to listening and understanding each client’s goals. She is able to assist clients in stress reduction, chronic and acute pain, and general well-being.

Another strong interest for Haley is working with individuals who live with anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles. Having had personal experience living with some of these stressors, Haley found massage to be a valuable tool in developing her own holistic health tool kit.

Haley recognizes that health is multifaceted and agrees with the definition provided by the World... Read More

Rachel’s passion for health and wellness has been a lifelong journey, fueled by her experiences as a competitive volleyball player and pre-professional dancer. Rachel strives to create a safe and supportive space for each person that walks into the treatment room. Embracing a holistic perspective, she is dedicated to guiding people on their path to connecting back to their bodies and ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Her approach is focused on the individual as a whole, providing an effective treatment tailored to meet the unique needs of each person.

Rachel’s passion for health and wellness has been a lifelong journey, fueled by her experiences a... Read More

Alyssa has always derived a sense of purpose from caring for others. Originally completing a Bachelor of Science degree with the intention of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, she changed paths after experiencing the benefits of massage therapy. In 2023, she graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and has found massage to be a perfect blend of her fascination with science, movement and the human body. Her thorough nature and desire to help others motivates her to always keep learning.

Alyssa aims to understand the individuality of each body and to help bolster the body’s innate capabilities to heal through touch, education and empowerment. Some interests of hers include stress and anxiety reduction, nervous system regulation, mind-body connection, autoimmune disease, and the interplay between mental and physical health. Alyssa’s practice is based on the therapeutic effects of relaxation, while addressing musculoskeletal concerns as needed.

Alyssa’s hobbies include dance, yoga, and baking, but she is happiest cozied up on the couch with a cat in her lap.

Alyssa has always derived a sense of purpose from caring for others. Originally completing a Bach... Read More

Rachel is a Registered Acupuncturist, Kinesiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Yoga Teacher and Integrative Health Coach. She has a keen interest in the human body, how it works and the incredible interconnectedness in its ability to heal. Across multiple school programs and almost 20 years of education, the missing pieces of the healing language remained. She has dedicated her career to weaving those missing pieces together and spends her days working with people of all ages and backgrounds to optimize health and integrate a whole-person approach to healing. She holds a Masters Degree in Kinesiology, as well as degrees in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is certified as a yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance), clinical exercise physiologist (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) and kinesiologist (BC Association of Kinesiologists). She truly believes these powerful forms of medicine can ignite our own healing response and bring us into a brighter, clearer and more radiant state of being.

Rachel has also completed advanced training in acupuncture to support cancer care, women’s functional and integrative medicine, and facial rejuvenation acupuncture.

Rachel believes that to truly heal, one needs to look for the root cause, both internally and externally. This often leads us to find some level of dis-ease within the nervous system which must come into regulation to achieve balance and well-being. Her expertise in nervous system health and women’s health provides the foundation for her clinical work, coaching and educational practices.

Rachel is a Registered Acupuncturist, Kinesiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Yoga Teacher... Read More

Susannah takes a gentle, mind body approach to help you feel more embodied and empowered. She brings yoga, sex education, and nervous system care practices into her work. Susannah recognizes that mental health and trauma impact pelvic health, and she works alongside mental health colleagues to coordinate your care. Her own pelvic floor problem led her to see a pelvic physiotherapist, who sparked her interest in learning more.

Susannah is inspired every day by the courage, vulnerability and healing capacity of her patients. Her practice includes support in the following areas: pelvic pain, (peri)menopause, low back pain, pregnancy and postpartum care, painful sex, urinary urgency and frequency, bladder leaks, pelvic organ prolapse (bladder/uterus/rectum), heaviness to vagina/anus, constipation, painful vulva, preparation for/recovery from gender affirming and other pelvic surgery, and more.

In her free time, Susannah loves to sing, dance, do yoga, swim in lakes, play with fashion, and cuddle with dogs.

Susannah takes a gentle, mind body approach to help you feel more embodied and empowered. She bri... Read More

I do not believe that counsellors can be neutral. I show up in-session as myself, tenderhearted, thoughtful and sometimes silly. In this, I hope that you will also feel comfortable showing up as yourself.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (#10011180) and have a master’s degree in counselling psychology.

I view counselling as one way to cultivate space and care for our whole selves. I use a variety of modalities to meet people where they are, including relational cultural, somatic, existential, psychodynamic and cognitive processing therapies. I also work to provide services that are neurodivergent-, queer-, and gender-affirming.

I am currently accepting new clients.

I do not believe that counsellors can be neutral. I show up in-session as myself, tenderhearted, ... Read More

Melanie is a recent grad from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) in Victoria. After a career in animal rescue and emergency veterinary care, Melanie was looking for a change in career into something less stressful and more inline with her lifestyle.

With over 250 hours of hands on experience provided through the clinic at WCCMT, she has had involvement with numerous body conditions such as chronic pain, pregnancy, sports injury, mental health issues, and women’s health. She has a large interest in women and menopause, reconnecting the body and mind during this natural body occurrence. She has a passion for bringing awareness and education on the subject of menopause.

Melanie’s techniques include general Swedish massage, trigger point release, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy. Her treatments are built on a foundation of relaxation and therapeutic techniques that encourage mind-body integration and awareness. She enjoys holding a safe space for clients that will help lead to healing and body empowerment.

Melanie is a recent grad from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) in Victoria. Afte... Read More