While I was doing my undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in the late 1980’s, I experienced a debilitating depression and anxiety. I also had an eating disorder and was not coping with the stress I was under at that time. Like most people, I had not heard about Naturopathic medicine so I was treated with medications that were not effective. After taking the medication that was initially prescribed to alleviate depression, I swung into a psychotic manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1. In 1994, after surviving a suicide attempt (which left me in a coma, on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant), I finally began the healing process after reading a book called “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson. Up until this point I was living with the shame and stigma of having a mental illness and I had not accepted myself. The sole reason I became a Naturopathic Doctor was because when I was struggling with my illness there weren’t many natural experts in the field. After attending a Mental Health Regained Public Forum in 1999, I became a patient of Dr. Abram Hoffer’s (a nutritionally oriented psychiatrist) and experienced my first depression and anxiety free year in 13 years. I also made some major life changes, such as resigning from my corporate job, where I reported to the CEO and traveled frequently and I began the process of inquiry into what I really wanted to be doing with my life. After sitting with the question “If money didn’t matter, what would I be doing?” the answer revealed itself to me in a tiny whisper “Become a Naturopathic Doctor and help people heal from anxiety, depression, bulimia, bipolar disorder (types 1 or 2), addiction, ADD/ADHD, etc using natural therapies and orthomolecular medicine – as you have been helped“. Through my books, 10 week course and one on one visits, I teach you how you can regain your mental health using a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual approach to health.

These events impacted me greatly and have been the impetus for my career change to becoming a Naturopathic Doctor. Initially when I was diagnosed, I was told that I would need to take medication for the rest of my life and I wasn’t offered any other suggestions, solutions or possibilities. I was left feeling demoralized and stuck in stigma and shame. When I would ask the question: “Why is this happening to me?” The answer I received was that it was genetic and therefore, nothing I could do to fix it. That answer didn’t sit well with me as I am adopted and, as such, was unable to verify the truth of the gene theory. This causes me to look for other answers to optimize my mental well-being. I think that the current medical model for matching an individual’s ills with a pill is a one size fits all solution that doesn’t address the individual characteristics and qualities of a patient. We need to shift to an individualized approach that takes into consideration factors such as trauma, prior medication use, hormones, gut health & dysbiosis, toxic load, food intolerances, mineral imbalances, etc.

After my suicide attempts, I realized I needed to figure out another way to navigate my mental health. After working with a naturopathic doctor and a nutritionally oriented psychiatrist, I felt free from depression or anxiety and I had not experienced a manic episode in a decade; however, it took much investigation and searching to find practitioners to help me at that time. I was inspired to go back to school to become a naturopathic doctor in 2000 because there weren’t that many people offering help in the field and I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

I explain to patients that there are four aspects to each of us: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual and I believe that we need to address all of these areas when helping patients. The traditional medical system focuses primarily on the physical level so the areas I investigate on this level include the following macrosystems: 1. neurotransmitter balance 2. Hormone balance 3. Organs of detoxification and immunity. Our goal is always to determine what the root cause or causes might be and restore the body back to balance. When I work with patients, I discuss how the following areas need to be addressed to maintain mental wellness: 1. Diet 2. Sleep 3. Exercise 4. Stress management 5. Thoughts 6. Emotions 7. Your behaviors and reactions in the world 8. Exposure to environmental toxins 9. Spirituality 10. Love and compassion for yourself and others Essentially I leave no stone unturned in my investigation of what needs to be addressed to help an individual regain their mental health. I will encourage you to move beyond the label (or labels) you have been given, and ask you to travel back to the center of your being and the heart of your humanity. I want you to remember that you are more than the labels you have been assigned. Labels can serve a purpose initially, helping you to understand that there is an explanation for what you are experiencing; however, in the end, you are more than the label and can move beyond it. My hope is that you move through the stigma and shame of mental illness and find peace in mental wellness. The ultimate lessons that I want to impart on my patients include: • Learning how to love accept yourself • Listening to your inner voice • Quieting the unhelpful voices of others • Follow your path • Live as your heart desires according to rules you define for yourself Maybe you experience anxiety, are depressed, or struggle with your weight or an eating disorder. Maybe you have bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or another mental health label. Or maybe you are just sick and tired of being tired and sick. Rest assured—you will find help in using a naturopathic approach to support your mental health. At one point, I was stressed out, depressed, anxious, obsessed with my weight, and managing it through bulimia and over-exercising. Then, after being prescribed medication to help with depression and anxiety, I had a psychotic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1. I thought I would never be happy. I got so low that I attempted suicide on more than one occasion. Let me tell you, there have been some very dark days. Through all of this, I have come to learn that there are 10 key areas that need to be addressed to achieve mental wellness. I will guide you on the path to wellness, by helping you navigate the steps needed to regain your mental health. My hope is that ultimately you will live a balanced life and embrace all that it can offer.