People choose Inner Ocean Healing Centre because it has a safe, calm and relaxing atmosphere that is welcoming and supportive.
just sitting in the waiting room.
We care so much, all of our therapists continuously upgrade their studies and their modalities, allowing us to offer a huge array of traditional and alternative therapies.
and easily refer to one another to support the client in the best possible way.
of the few healing centres offering somatic trauma therapy in the city.
within you…your own inner ocean of healing…and we are here to help you find and cultivate it.
sometimes, and everyone needs a team in their corner.
Doctor of Chiropractic
Network Chiropractor
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
HeartMath Health Professional, Cranio-Sacral therapy practitioner
Owner of Inner Ocean Healing Centre, Founder of Women Holding Hands
“Dr. Anne is a compassionate listener and intuitive healer.”
My vision is to support individuals in seeing the best in themselves. Help them become aware of their own healing capabilities, the gifts they have to share and the life they have the potential to live. I use gentle therapies that allow me to support individuals in a very subtle yet profound manner which is suitable for people of all ages. I’m an educator, personally and in groups, and my passion is to teach people how amazing their bodies are.
Dr. Anne has been a licensed chiropractor since 1997. She is a member of the Nova Scotia Chiropractic Association, the Canadian National Alliance for Chiropractic, Somatic Experiencing International and The Institute of HeartMath. Dr. Anne is a certified Network Chiropractor and incorporates non-force tonal chiropractic techniques that are very gentle yet profound. She also uses somatic body therapy to help release traumas from the body.
Dr. Anne is the founder of Women Holding Hands group.
Dr. Anne offers services in English and French.
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself” ~ Rumi
“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle”. ~ Albert Einstein
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist
Certified in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
“Christine has such a sunny disposition, I feel relaxed as soon as I’m in her presence. She takes the time to listen to what I need, and always makes me feel cared for. She’s so gentle with the needles, I feel safe and in good professional hands.” AD
TCM acupuncture complements conventional and alternative medicines very well. I’m a strong believer in working with colleagues of different health care disciplines to provide patients with the best supportive network in order to help them achieve their health goals. Acupuncture is a very elegant medicine because of its ability to encompass the patient’s uniqueness and needs.
Christine received her training at Eastern College in Halifax, N.S. in a curriculum of over 2300hrs of courses and clinical internships based on the Grant MacEwan University program in Alberta. She is a member of the Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia. She is also certified in facial rejuvenation acupuncture. In addition to her TCM training, Christine holds a Bachelor and a Master degree of Science. It is this background in scientific research and her training in TCM that allows her to provide holistic care to her patients.
Christine offers services in English and French.
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist
Reiki Master
"Denise is a natural healer. Her quiet, gentle spirit combined with her empathy and compassion allows even a novice of these treatments to open themselves to an optimal healing experience” ~ O.H.
In 2001, I was inspired to become my own advocate in a personal healing journey, which ignited my passion to seek further knowledge and education in the power of energy healing modalities.
Denise’s goal is to help others achieve their goal in a mental, physical and spiritual way and to be of assistance in their personal journey process. Applying her empathetic listening skills in combination with her extensive knowledge and experience, Denise is able to provide her clients with a customized holistic plan. This enables clients to reach their highest level of personal process while ensuring that each client remains fully engaged and in control of their own journey. Denise has successfully formulated plans for clients dealing with: chronic pain, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, low self esteem, grief and end of life transitioning.
Denise believes completely in the innate power that resides in each of us to improve our own mind, body and spirit. It is that belief that inspired Denise to pursue her Reiki certification in 2004, and then obtain her certification as a Reiki master and teacher in order to educate others in how to improve themselves. After witnessing the positive impact energy sessions were having on clients, Denise completed her studies In Quantum-Touch and Intuitive Healing. Most recently, she has become a member of the Reflexology Association of Canada as a Certified Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist, RCRT.
“The natural healing force in each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” ~ Hippocrates
Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist
Reiki Master/Teacher
Certified Practitioner of Indian Head Massage & Rejuvenating Face Massage
Ayurvedic Foot Massage Practitioner
“Donna is an exceptionally knowledgeable, well-educated Therapist with an aura of calmness and tranquility. She is a very kind, gentle, compassionate person who listens to you in a non-judgemental way.” SW
Reflexology has a calming effect on the nervous system, therefore, it is very beneficial in helping to reduce stress, release tension and lessen anxiety. Depending on clients’ needs, I intuitively blend components of other modalities (ie, Reiki) to customize a session that works best for them.
Donna has been a Reflexology Therapist since 2009. She is a member of the Reflexology Association of Canada (RAC) and is President of RAC Nova Scotia Chapter. She is continually upgrading her education so that she has more to offer her clients. Donna’s passion is to build a strong, vibrant community of highly qualified Reflexology Therapists in Nova Scotia, and her dream would be to see Reflexology become an integrative part of our health care system.
“The foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” Leonardo da Vinci
Registered Counselling Therapist/ Psychotherapist
Certified EMDR practitioner
Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
**Please note: Heather is not accepting new clients at this time
“Heather has a calm, confident presence that puts me at ease right away. I feel safe and supported no matter what issue comes up during our sessions. She has been instrumental in supporting me change my life.” DA
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist – Candidate (RCT-C). Like other licensed mental health professionals in Nova Scotia (such as counselling psychologists and clinical social workers), my profession is regulated provincially by a legislated, professional body. I came to this profession after exploring a number of other creative arenas. I have worked as a federal civil servant, as a graphic designer and illustrator, a tree planter, a potter’s apprentice, and a high school teacher. I have worked as a Canadian volunteer in both the West Indies and Sri Lanka. I am also a parent, and consider myself to be still climbing the learning curve daily in this ever challenging, ever tender profession. I share this about myself as we are not all one thing, ever.
I offer Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) approved by the American Psychological & Psychiatric Associations for treating PTSD. I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in training - a body-oriented approach to trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine.
I work with all individuals 18 and older, who wish to explore a different way of thinking and behaving.
I have worked with individuals with diagnoses including: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Major Depressive Disorder; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Dependent Personality Disorder; Trichillomania; Dermatillomania; Bi-polar Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder; Substance Use Disorder.
Heather has completed a Master of Education (Counselling) at Acadia University which required the completion of 48-credit hours, and a 500-hour counselling practicum. As a candidate for registry as a Counselling Therapist, Heather worked with a supervisor who mentors my work for 4000 post-graduate hours. She also holds a Nova Scotia teacher’s licence, and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
The Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT) regulates the practice of Counselling Therapists through established and comprehensive standards of practice, ethical decision making, on-going professional development and licensing. There are three provinces which currently regulate the work of counselling professionals: Québec (Ordre des psychologues du Québec/Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec); Ontario (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario); and Nova Scotia (NSCCT). Nationally, Heather is certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and holds the designation of Canadian Certified Counsellor.
Treatment Approach
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Clinical Hypnosis
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Compassion-Focussed Therapy
Heather is bilingual - English and French
“We are complex beings. Each is unique, and that in and of itself, gives each of us inherent value”.
"Until you stop breathing, there's more right with you than wrong with you." Jon Kabat-Zinn
Counselling Therapist
I believe that when we are able to see ourselves, our lives, and our patterns clearly we open ourselves up to growth, healing, and more meaningful relationships. I am committed to helping my clients move past just trying to get through the day, and toward growth, empowerment, and healing. I use empirically backed modalities and techniques to help my clients make a plan to start moving towards becoming the person they want to be and building the life they want to live.
My approach is honest, supportive and genuine. My goal is to help you feel comfortable taking off your social mask and speaking openly enough to feel truly heard. My theoretic orientation is strength-based, human-centered and holistic. This means that I will always treat you as the expert and authority on your own life. It also means that I will explore your strengths to gain insight and direction in helping you overcome your struggles, and, I will try to gain an understanding of you that respects your social, cultural, biological, and psychological history and experiences rather than simply focusing on your symptoms. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain/ medical diagnosis, interpersonal issues, and issues concerning self-worth.
Amanda is a Registered Counselling Therapist with a Masters in Counselling Psychology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Laurentian University in Sudbury Ontario where she received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude. Amanda has a particular interest in mindfulness-based strategies. Specifically, she is passionate about Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Solution-focused therapy. Amanda is deeply passionate about psychotherapy and mental health, as a result, she is constantly reading, learning, and seeking new training opportunities.
Counselling Therapist
Maria completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Saint Mary’s University, and her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and a Registered Counselling Therapist – Candidate (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT).
Maria has experience providing psychotherapy to children, youth, adults, seniors, couples and families on issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, self-esteem, parenting, communication, school challenges, grief and loss, addiction, behavioural difficulties, anger management, interpersonal difficulties, separation and divorce, domestic abuse, and family conflicts. Maria’s holistic approach is collaborative, trauma-informed and client-centered, and she uses various therapeutic frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Play Therapy, as well as Mindfulness and Harm Reduction strategies.
Maria brings warmth, empathy, and compassion to her practice, and aspires to guide clients towards emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical wellness. She will adapt her approach to the client that she is working with, and feels honoured to be a part of an individual's journey of healing.
Counselling Therapist
I believe at our core we are relational beings who long to be seen, heard, and fully embraced. With care and compassion, I hold space for your healing and growth and for your unique values, beliefs, and lived experience. My emotion-focused approach integrates mindfulness, and is informed by attachment theory and neuroscience. I believe many of the things holding us back were developed to help us survive and cope in the past, and they make sense in that context. However, as time goes on, these coping strategies can become harmful, yet hard to move away from. Through therapy, old patterns give way as you gain more access and understanding of your emotions, and a stronger and wiser version of yourself becomes available.
In addition to individual therapy, I also offer couples counseling, where we work to understand negative patterns that keep you in conflict, and begin to create new patterns of connection, safety, and trust. Whether you are in a newer relationship or have been together for years, couples counselling can provide the support and guidance necessary to help you deepen your bond and strengthen your relationship.
My experience includes work with the Nova Scotia Office of Workplace Mental Health, offering supportive counselling to those dealing with trauma, burnout, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship conflict and more. Much of my other work has been in support of women facing issues of violence, sexual assault, and the need for supportive housing.
As a member of the queer community, I have a keen interest in how socio-cultural factors impact wellbeing. I understand how mental health is affected when safety and belonging are compromised, and how larger systems can either support or harm individuals.
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) licensed by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I have a Master of Education (Counselling) from Acadia University, and an undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies and Psychology from York University. I have specialized training in Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Polyvagal Theory which I integrate in my practice. My professional designation includes requirements for ongoing professional development, so I am always expanding my knowledge and refining my approach to bring you the best care possible.