Hi, my name is Zoë.

I was raised on the Salish sea - born on Semihamoo territory (White Rock, BC) and grew up in Surrey, and many parts of this special coast have been my home for life. My ancestral roots are Greek, Swiss and English/Irish. I was raised by a Celtic mum and a Greek dad.

My path into becoming the practitioner I am today began at a young age, encountering physical and mental health challenges at the thresholds of becoming a teen and again as a young adult. Because of these profound experiences, I always had a curiosity to understand more deeply the nature of human suffering. When I was studying my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I was devotedly practicing yoga and meditation, and began to feel limited by the Western approach to the mind and body. Although I was enjoying my neurobiology and ecology courses, I found that the mainstream scientific approach tended to dismiss the existence of energy or spirit, and was founded on a disconnect between mind and body. I found more resonance within Eastern (Buddhist and Yogic) integrative approaches to mind, body and spirit, which had an explanation for my spiritual experience of life, and felt immediately empowering. At this time, I was also undergoing major changes in my health; I stopped taking birth control pills after many years, and was in a crisis of digestive and hormonal imbalances, as well as major shifts in my energy levels. In this state of openness to change, I tried Acupuncture for the first time, and experienced incredibly transformative results overnight. From that point onwards I was convinced about its efficacy, and as I continued along a path of deepening into my yoga studies, spirituality, nutritional healing, and nature connection, Acupuncture was an ally that accompanied me along the way and called me towards study, and herbalism became an inevitable companion in my life.

I spent a lot of time work-trading as a young traveller and was introduced to the power of herbalism through permaculture farming. I began to form strong allyships with plants as I learned how to heal myself. I am grateful to have received rich mentorship in plant connection, cultivation, and medical usage from elders, teachers and friends from around the world and close to home, including working for two years at Self-Heal Herbs in Victoria. I have deepened my study of herbal medicine through self-study, supporting people in my community, and taking classes and seminars from a variety of teachers, and continue to be an ongoing student. Currently I am working towards completing my diploma in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, and am furthering my studies of Acupressure and Medical Qigong.

I am currently registered in good standing with the College of Complementary Health Practitioners of British Columbia (CCHPBC). I also have recent trainings in Acupressure and Zenthai Shiatsu, as well as Reiki, and have a personal practice of Medical Qigong.

I am covered by ICBC, Blue Cross, Telus, Canada Life, and MSP Supplementary benefits, along with any other insurers that cover Acupuncture.

In my healing practice, I guide clients into a mindful connection with the body, mind, emotions and spirit through holding a gentle, open-mind-and-hearted space. I value creating a space that feels safe enough to relax, unwind, and allow energy to move in the direction of healing, vitality and deep rest.

I have a special interest in nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, mental health and addictions, musculoskeletal and neurological pain, myofascial release, digestive health, immune system support, menstrual cycle health, as well as love to support pregnant individuals and families in their journey through birth and postpartum. I will treat anyone and any condition that walks into my clinic, because I confidently believe in Acupuncture’s capacity to kickstart your body’s self-healing response.

I incorporate an integrative approach to Nutrition and Herbal Medicine in my practice. I weave herbs and Nutritional Therapy (Shi Liao) together to create nuanced and individualized treatment plans for deep and lasting results.

It is my pleasure and joy to offer acupuncture & healing services to Saltspring Island at this time. I look forward to meeting you and connecting!

Many blessings,

Zoë

education:

Diploma of Acupuncture, Pacific Rim College, Victoria, BC

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Biology, UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC

200 Hour Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training, Trimurti Yoga, Dharamsala, India

Trauma-Informed, Restorative & Therapeutic Yin Teacher Training, Ajna Yoga, Victoria, BC

8-Month Herbal Mentorship with Ramadevi Rainbow May, Saltspring Island BC

Plant Spirit Medicine Apprenticeship with Megan Waddy, Medical Herbalist, Duncan BC

Zenthai Shiatsu Massage Training, Level 1 with Clara Rose Buttemer, Victoria BC

Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure Module 1 with Rebecca Lynn, Saltspring Island BC