Meet Catherine…
Catherine is a Doctor of Acupuncture, a Classical Chinese Herbalist, a shamanic practitioner, and a holistic doula. She began her journey into medicine work through the practice of shamanism in 2007, when she started studying with the Kimmapii Community, nestled in the heart of the Crowsnest Mountains. After years spent travelling and shamanically exploring herself and the world, like a butterfly on the wind, she realized that her soul was calling for a more structured form of medicine to bring a framework to her yearning to serve her fellow human beings.
This lead her to the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (now known as the Kootenay Columbia School of Integrative Sciences), in Nelson, BC, to become immersed in the 5 year Doctor of Chinese Medicine program. She instantly knew she had found her life’s calling. The magic and breadth of the scope of practice of Chinese Medicine entranced her: And then, she discovered the world of Fu Ke, or gynaecological medicine. In her first class, her teacher matter of factly stated that a woman’s period should be easy and smooth, with no PMS symptoms, no cramping, and no real symptoms. Having struggled with severe, writhe in the bed in fetal position, dysmenorrhea and PMDD for her whole life, she was so flabbergasted she had to leave the class room. Thus began her love affair with gynaecological medicine.
After graduating in 2017, Catherine continued her education within the scope of fertility, mental health, gynaecology, obstetrics and all things internal medicine. Shortly after she began treating in clinic, she became pregnant with her daughter. To say that her pregnancy was a trainwreck, is an understatement. It absolutely shocked her, that after everything she learned and all the medicine she practiced, she could have such a difficult experience. This inspired her to learn more about pregnancy and obstetrics so that she could help ease her patients symptoms.
After her birth, which absolutely blew her mind with its altered states of consciousness and healing potential, she understood that birth can be a portal and one of the greatest ceremonies a woman can enter. She is passionate about sharing this perspective with her patients and helping to prepare their bodies & spirits for birth. She became so intrigued by birth that she ended up taking the Holistic Doula program with Whapio, as well as became a member of the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association.
Finally, she ended up having her own journey with fertility as she attempted to conceive a sibling for her daughter. She experienced two devastating miscarriages, one which broke her heart open, and another that put her heart back together. During the experience of communicating with these little souls that were here and gone too quickly, she learned that there can be powerful, if difficult, medicine within this place of life altering grief. She deeply hopes to be a safe space to be with others as they process their own miscarriage experiences.
Catherine continues to learn about both acupuncture and herbal medicine while she deepens her shamanic practices. She recently had to opportunity to engage in a year long mentorship with Sharon Weizenbaum of the White Pine Circle, delving into the Great Turnings of Women’s Lives. This classical herbal framework has her so inspired with herbal formulas, and has her making new inquiries with her cases - such as where are the fluids and metabolic warmth of the body, and how can we bring them back into correct physiologic relationship. This has elevated her herbal formulas to create such magic within her patients’ physiology.
Throughout her years of clinical experience, she has discovered that sometimes the emotional and spiritual aspects of physiology can be what is truly holding a person back from healing. And so everything has come full circle, and Catherine is currently offering shamanic healings and shamanic acupuncture in clinic. She is humbled and excited to be able to share this part of her medicine with her patients in the treatment room.
Catherine has recently moved her practice to the gorgeous clinic in St. Albert, Holistic Fertility Group. She is thrilled to be practicing alongside such incredible colleagues and to be able to mix up herbal formulas on site.
Outside of clinic, she spends her time obsessively learning and taking more courses, listening to records while sipping tea with her family and cats, and watching in awe as her little one blossoms into a full human.
She looks forward to sharing stories, time and medicine with you in the treatment room!
