Doctor Colleen is a licensed Naturopathic Physician practising eclectic, wholistic medicine on the Mid and North Island. After graduating from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2011, Dr. Colleen opened a practice in Campbell River and has since expanded her reach to Nanaimo.
I have always had an passion for health and wellness and a fascination for the human body. Following my passion, I pursued post-secondary studies in the field of Kinesiology and Physical Education, as well as Psychology, at Wilfrid Laurier University. During my 3rd year of education, I was at a crossroads. Unsure of what path to take next for my career, I was serendipitously gifted with an opportunity to see a Naturopathic Doctor in my hometown of Peterborough, Ontario. I stumbled upon a career whose philosophy was in line with what I have always thought medicine should be: treat the person, not the symptom, with safe and effective therapies and, most importantly, figure out why it is the person is unwell and address the underlying causes of disease. After our hour-long first visit, I had found my path and purpose.
Not but a few months later, I matriculated to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Toronto, Ontario, where in 2011, I completed her four years of training as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. During my formative education, I completed an externship in Beijing, China at a hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where I honed my pulse and tongue diagnostic skills.
Upon successful completion of my four-year diploma as Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, I moved westward, toward the mountains and ocean, to start my practice with a focus on serving smaller communities that are often devoid of options for healthcare. In the last 5 years of practice, my style has evolved to that of the older eclectic NDs where I incorporate an array of physical and energetic medicines: diet, herbal remedies, homeopathy, Bach flowers and phytoembryotherapy to address, on an individual basis, the core imbalances for my patients. Counselling and work on trauma and addiction have also become cornerstones of my practice.
Outside of the teaching role I have assumed for my patients, my passion for education has lead me to undertake a teaching position at the Canadian School for Natural Nutrition in Nanaimo, British Columbia, where since 2015 I have been instructing students in Pathology as well as Anatomy and Physiology. It is with great honour that I share my knowledge and clinical experience with the students who have matriculated to CSNN.
In my spare time, I can be found at Robert Ostler park, practising yoga, in Strathcona Park conquering another summit, cycling down the roads of Quadra Island, climbing the crags at Crest Creek or Comox Lake or tending to my garden or in the kitchen, experimenting with my latest creation.
