Read More

Prior to completing my education at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), I graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and minor in Psychology. During this time, I was further exposed to the powers of exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness, and how these factors ultimately affect our physical wellbeing and overall risk of disease. Having played soccer and other sports my whole life, I felt motivated to funnel my energy towards encouraging physical activity within the community as well. Outside of working at my school’s gym facility, I volunteered at a gym for those with neurological impairments and published research related to removing barriers and enhancing physical activity among those with disabilities.

During my years at CCNM, my passion for holistic health strengthened, and my interests within it continued to evolve. Eager to learn and stay up to date with the research, I attended conferences and worked part-time in the supplement industry. It was through these experiences that I discovered the significant role naturopathic medicine can play in cancer care and started pursuing opportunities that allowed me to explore this further. One of the more pivotal experiences for me was seeing firsthand the impact naturopathic cancer support can have on patients, while shadowing an ND who focuses in this area; I was inspired and motivated to do the same for my own future patients.

Fast forward to now, I am consistently humbled by the experience of working with patients affected by cancer. I enjoy taking the time to educate patients about their health, the science behind our therapies and why we recommend them. I strongly believe naturopathic medicine fills an essential gap in cancer care at every stage of treatment, and I strive to contribute my best to this care by continuing to build upon my knowledge in integrative oncology through research and clinical experience. Having witnessed the immense benefit it provides patients at each stage of their treatment, I am grateful for the opportunity to work in an integrative setting that prioritizes safety and efficacy when combining natural therapies alongside conventional treatments. Put simply, naturopathic cancer care aims to optimize quality of life and improve outcomes, and my mission as a resident naturopathic doctor is to help facilitate this for all patients at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre.

When I’m not in the clinic, I continue to play a lot of soccer and enjoy hiking or biking on nearby trails as much as I can.

As a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ontario, I am also an active member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP), Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).

Prior to completing my education at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), I gradu... Read More

Originally from Beijing, China, I came from a family practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) across generations. At a young age, I was taught Taoism philosophy, which states that all living things ought to co-exist in a state of harmony with the universe. This is a concept that, for TCM practitioners, has been passed down from generation to generation. At this young age I developed a strong interest in exploring the connections between human health, natural science and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

With great passion to learn more about human health, I studied Neuroscience and Nutritional Science at the University of Toronto, and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, I worked as a physician assistant in family medicine and general surgery for five years. During this time, my work included supporting patients with diet and lifestyle change, through a nutrition counselling program. Through my daily interactions with patients, I could see the significance of complementary and integrative medicine in improving their quality of life. This motivated me to continue my education and pursue postgraduate work in TCM at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science and Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This education provided me valuable knowledge and experience in Chinese Medicine diagnosis and treatment, acupuncture and herbal medicine. To assist my practice, I also received training as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). I have additional training in Craniosacral Therapy and Somato-Emotional Release at the Upledger Institute and Visceral Manipulation at the Barral Institute and I find these therapies particularly helpful in providing my patients a holistic treatment. My experience working with people with cancer started at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute as I was rotating among geriatrics, palliative, and oncology units to provide complementary treatments in managing complications of disease.

My approach to treating patients emphasizes connection between mind and body. I integrate Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and manual therapies to create balance between the mental and physiological environment by working on organs and meridians. I have been helping people through all stages of cancer treatment, assisting with conditions such as hot flashes, neuropathy, digestive disorders, lymphedema, anemia and low blood counts, menstrual disorders and induced menopause, hypertension, general fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and more.

I am an active member of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). I am also currently running teaching curriculums to help college students in both Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Diploma Programs.

Originally from Beijing, China, I came from a family practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TC... Read More

I graduated from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2006 and have been in private practice for over 10 years as a Naturopathic Doctor. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to wellness, which includes mental health counselling. Counselling felt like a natural extension of my work and so I have spent the last decade studying several approaches to psychotherapy. I spent over a decade studying an experiential form of psychotherapy called Gestalt and have also trained in mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy. I am currently a Registered Psychotherapist under the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

I take an open, direct and compassionate approach to forge working relationships with clients. Our work together aims to support your journey needs and hopefully help develop new sensory and emotional understanding within the context of your life. Your experiences during our sessions help create awareness and new opportunity for your daily life.

Chronic illness, life impacting or life threatening illness can create massive emotional and stress-related struggles. These often shift how we perceive ourselves, our world and can certainly impact relationships and facets of life. Supports may be limited, may be not what you need or you may be unsure of what supports you need or how to get them. Psychotherapy during hardship is often extremely helpful in helping explore self definition and support systems, coping with anxiety and depression and finding ways to move through grief and trauma.

I graduated from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2006 and have been in private ... Read More

Read More

I came to naturopathic medicine through my background and training in fitness and nutrition. I have been passionate about fitness, nutrition and health since a young age, and wanted to share that passion by working as a personal trainer and holistic nutritionist, helping people achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through this work, I came across many patients diagnosed with cancer, looking for support; it was these patients who inspired me to become a naturopathic doctor, focused in cancer care. I strongly believe we need whole-person support both during and after cancer treatment and have witnessed the power of naturopathic medicine in achieving that goal.

Originally from Toronto, I studied biology at the University of Toronto, and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science. I then completed the Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) program at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and subsequently worked as faculty before attending the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Immediately upon graduation with my naturopathic doctorate, I joined Cancer Treatment Centers of America as a naturopathic oncology resident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, I completed a 2-year, hospital-based residency in integrative naturopathic oncology and then continued on as a staff naturopathic oncologist. In addition, I have worked as a naturopathic doctor at a private integrative clinic in Maryland. I am a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), and am currently seeing patients full-time at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Center.

I recognize that health is individual and each patient is on their own dynamic health continuum. My goal is to treat each patient as a whole person and meet them where they are on their continuum. I work to restore health by finding and correcting the cause of disease and utilize safe and evidence-based treatments as therapy.

My view of naturopathic medicine in cancer care is that it is both essential at every stage of treatment as well as complementary to conventional medicine. Patients with cancer require unique support – whether they are undergoing treatment, recovering from treatment or working to prevent recurrence. Naturopathic support is effective at each of these stages in supporting quality of life, healing and optimizing the benefit from natural anti-cancer therapeutics.

I am an active member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

I came to naturopathic medicine through my background and training in fitness and nutrition. I ha... Read More

As the Director of the CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre, I have focused on creating a cancer care model based on scientifically grounded, evidence-informed complementary medicine.

My interest in the healing power of nature began as a young boy when I would spend the summers identifying and learning about the medicinal plants growing wild in the woods behind my grandmother’s cottage in New Hampshire. This knowledge, that nature possesses the ability to promote healing and wellness, inspired me to follow a career in naturopathic medicine.

I first studied human nutrition at the University of Guelph, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, with honours, in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences. I then graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 2006. During that time, I developed a strong interest in cancer care and went on to complete a hospital-based residency at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Upon completion of the residency program, I joined CTCA as a staff naturopathic oncologist where I continued to practice for an additional two years. As a fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), I am one of only a handful of naturopathic doctors in Canada who are board certified in naturopathic oncology.

Outside of my clinical role at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre, I am an Associate Professor at CCNM, where I teach Naturopathic Oncology and supervise 4th year interns in their clinical rotations. I am also the director of CCNM’s Naturopathic Oncology Residency Program. I regularly share my expertise in integrative oncology through educational talks for other practitioners in the medical community, including at international conferences and at local area hospitals and cancer treatment centers.

I am a strong proponent of naturopathic oncology as an area of focus within naturopathic medicine and presently serve on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology. Prior to this, I served for four years on the Board of Directors of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians. I am also an advocate for the regulation of naturopathic medicine and while living in Oklahoma held terms as the President and the Vice-President of the Oklahoma Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

In my practice, my mission is to support people living with cancer and to facilitate their individual healing process by working with natural therapies before, during, and after conventional treatment. I have seen first-hand how much people can benefit from naturopathic support in decreasing the side effects of many cancer therapies as well as helping people recover and get back to themselves after treatment has finished.

As the Director of the CCNM Integrative Cancer Centre, I have focused on creating a cancer care m... Read More

Dr. Gabriella Chow, Naturopathic Doctor, IV Provider My interest in naturopathic medicine began as a child when I was first exposed to Chinese medicinal herbs and acupuncture from my family and became solidified throughout my university studies in human physiology, my laboratory research on the effects of Echinacea in pregnancy and also my travels to a tropical medicinal farm in Costa Rica and a living foods centre in New Mexico.

My premedical education is from McGill University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Great Distinction) in physiology and subsequently pursued a Degree in Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). I have a special interest in parenteral therapy and have over 10 years of experience in this modality, treating a variety of health conditions as well as lecturing on the safe use of parenteral therapy for CCNM’s intravenous therapy certification course. At CCNM, I am faculty at the Integrative Cancer Centre, acting as a supervisor on the intravenous therapy shift where I enjoy teaching students about the use of parenteral therapy.

I have additional training in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromylagia, and multiple chemical sensitivity (CFS/FM/MCS), having worked at the Integrative Care Centre of Toronto with Dr. Alison Bested, a leader in the integrative treatment of patients with CFS/FM/MCS.

I am a contributing author to the following books and journal articles:

Hope and Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia The Clear Skin Diet Biology of the Neonate, ‘Dietary Echinacea purpurea during Murine Pregnancy: Effect on Maternal Hemopoiesis and Fetal Growth I am an active member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

Dr. Gabriella Chow, Naturopathic Doctor, IV Provider My interest in naturopathic medicine began a... Read More

While it is not uncommon to experience distressing emotions, maladaptive thoughts, and difficult life events, we don’t always have the tools or strategies to manage. The inability to cope can make us feel alone, isolated, and overwhelmed. As a therapist, I work collaboratively with clients to build a trusting therapeutic relationship so that individuals feel supported throughout the course of therapy. I provide a non-judgmental and welcoming space so that clients can be the most authentic version of themselves while feeling safe enough to do so.

Chronic illness can often cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can further complicate how we feel physically and mentally, this can create feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and can complicate the relationships we have with ourselves and our loved ones. Therapy can support individuals as they move through all stages of chronic illness, so they feel less alone and supported throughout the entire process.

As a registered social worker, I’ve obtained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. My clinical experience comes from working in a variety of settings including hospitals, residential treatment centres, community settings and in private practice. My areas of specialty include complex trauma and PTSD. In addition, I also specialize in working with individuals who have a history of eating disorders/disordered eating, body image concerns, addiction and complex mental health issues. I incorporate evidence-based treatment models within my practice along with mindfulness-based strategies.

While therapy can be an uncomfortable process at times, I frequently remind individuals that change and growth happens when we are uncomfortable – this is a natural part of the process that won’t last forever.

While it is not uncommon to experience distressing emotions, maladaptive thoughts, and difficult ... Read More