Our Faculty

We are lucky to have many dedicated teachers at the NHC. Click on any of the names below to find out what they do and some information about themselves.

CATHARINE ALLAN

MEDIUM, CLAIRVOYANT AND ASTROLOGER
Catharine Allan is a Medium, Clairvoyant and Astrologer who has been offering spiritual counseling to her clients for the past 18 years based on intuitive guidance, spirit guides. She has experience counseling many issues from career challenges to trauma related issues. She has a degree from Queen’s University for Literature and Education, a graduate diploma from Concordia University for Community Economic Development, short training sessions for Entrepreneurship and a certificate from the Douglas Hospital from their Mini Psych Series. Catharine has developed a host of workshops to help people self-heal and awaken their own abilities including, Psychic Development, Tarot Archetypes, Astrology, Discovering and Working with Your Spirit Guides, Past Life Regressions, Creative Visualization, Chakras, and Animal totems. She is an insightful symbolist with a sense of wit. She has a strong following for her River-Rain Spirit guides Ezine and Intuitive Astrology column, and has appeared on CJAD.
www.river-rain.com
river.rain.catharine@gmail.com
514-943-7246

STEPHANIE BINETTE

ACUPUNCTURIST
A graduate of College Rosemont in acupuncture, the only acupuncture school in Quebec. Stephanie specializes in obstetrics and has worked with women at the Lasalle hospital helping them throughout their pregnancies and during labor. Stephanie also treats every person as an individual to provide and re-establish a correct flow of energy through the body. She uses old fashioned Traditional Chinese techniques such as moxibustion, cupping and Chinese dietetics in addition to traditional needling techniques to nurture the well being of every patient. She is a member of the Ordre des Acupuncteurs du Quebec (OAQ). She is also a member and on the administrative board as the treasurer of the Association des Acupuncteurs du Quebec (AAQ). She now puts her skills to work at the Clinique Holistique Zen in Baie d’Urfé. Stephanie is one of NHC’s up and coming teachers eager and passionate to share her knowledge for traditional Chinese medicine.
stephanie.binette@gmail.com
514-457-1966

CHIARA BORRELLO

PERSONAL & GROUP DEVELOPMENT
Be the change you want to see in the world. – Gandhi
On top of being Executive Director at NHC Institute, this innately curious and diversified woman is the founder of Creative Thinking, a private practice that helps people develop their inner voice, listen to their gut feelings, and use them in decision-making. Boasting over 20 years’ experience in a broad range of fields, Chiara is an organizational development specialist who has worked as a senior manager in the corporate world and as a consultant for non-profit organizations. Her methods develop and support collaborative strategies, allowing people within an organization to solve problems creatively and collectively. Chiara holds a Master’s degree in Human Systems Intervention, a BA in History, a certificate in Marketing, and a certificate in Focusing. Her work led her to train under the award-winning psychologist and philosopher Dr. Eugene Gendlin, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago and founder of the Focusing Institute in New York.
chiara@nhcinstitute.com
514.485.3859

CATHY COCHRANE

NATUROTHERAPIST
Placing special emphasis on nutrition, Cathy uses whole foods to help her clients change their lifestyles. Through this work, she is able to alleviate such ailments as allergies, digestive disorders and chronic conditions. She also facilitates general health and wellness through seasonal cleanses. Cathy is not only a naturotherapist. She also studied fine arts and costume studies before settling on holistic health. She is a member of the ANQ (Association des naturothérapeutes du Québec.
www.wholehealthservices.ca
wholehealth.cathy@gmail.com
514.475.4271

LAYNE DALFEN

DREAM ANALYST
Founder of The Dream Interpretation Center in Montreal, and author of Dreams Do Come True; Decoding Your Dreams To Discover Your Full Potential, Layne Dalfen has emerged as a speaker and guest on TV and radio programs in the United States and Canada. She lectures at schools and universities including Concordia, Marianopolis, Champlain College and The C G Jung Society in Montreal. She speaks yearly at IASD conferences all over the world. Layne has also lectured at Canyon Ranch Spas in Lennox, MA and Tucson, AZ, along with Rancho La Puerta in Mexico.

Layne has a Certificate in Gestalt Counseling from The Gestalt Counseling and Training Center in Montreal and studied Adlerian approaches to dreams with the American Dr. Leo Gold at The Alfred Adler Institute in Montreal. Eclectic in her approach to dreams, Layne provides the tools needed to decode and understand why we have certain dreams on a particular night, and how that knowledge can potentially enrich our lives. Layne also sits on the Board of Directors for The International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), and is a member of The C. G. Jung Society of Montreal. She is currently a part of a new Internet Social Networking Site called http://www.dreamcatcher.net.

DONNA DUSEIGNE

NATUROTHERAPIST
Coming from the Prairies, Donna has always had a keen interest in nutrition. Although her initial studies provided her with a business degree, after having 2 children, she embarked on a holistic journey. This has lead her to complete the Nutrition program at the NHC. With the understanding that proper nutrition nourishes not only the body, but the mind and the soul, Donna’s mission is to help people be the best they can be! She has completed over 500 hours of homeopathy studies with Dr. André Saine and has a private practice, along with working at an integrated health clinic in the Plateau.
dduseigne@videotron.ca
(514) 889-0285

ADAM FIORE

CERTIFIED ACUPRESSURE THERAPIST & MINDFULNESS INSTRUCTOR
Adam Fiore focuses on holistic and individualized approaches to health. His clinical practice includes acupressure (needle-less acupuncture), nutrition and mindfulness techniques that address each unique expression of physical and psycho-emotional distress. He has worked with teens and adults on issues of addiction, spectrum disorders and has facilitated women’s groups.
www.centresedona.com
adam.steven.fiore@gmail.com
(514) 983-7609

SEAN GARDNER

I have always believed that there is a need for a revolution in society, one that will free people from greed, ignorance, delusion; the tool for this is meditation. If we want this revolution we must take the time to first of all do a personal revolution. To create change in the world we must first allow this change to occur in ourselves, to free ourselves from suffering before we are able to help others break free. I have always lived a life that was “against the stream”, never happy with the status quo and refusing to simply shut up and taking my number and falling in line. Meditation has been a tool for me to be able to meet the world with kindness and compassion, a necessary approach for change. The Buddha was a revolutionary, his practice was subversive; his teachings changed the world and they can change you. This is a call to all Spiritual Revolutionaries, the revolution has already begun and this call to the sleeping masses is more relevant now more than ever.

I have studied with Noah Levine (author of Dharma Punx and Against the Stream) in Los Angeles to teach meditation and facilitate groups. I have helped him on a few retreats in the US and plan on starting his Teacher Training in the next year. I have studied in the Theravada tradition and mostly teach the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Brahma Viharas. The essential teaching for liberation. My teachings are mixed with Western Philosophy and Punk Rock analogies. All are welcome! Let the revolution begin!

MONICA GIACOMIN

HERBALIST & WELLNESS CONSULTANT
Live well, laugh often, love much.
In her 20-year career as an educator and consultant, Monica has always put forth the same recipe for wellness and harmony. It’s equal parts positive attitude, quality nutrition and active living, mixed with medicinal and preventative herbs. On top of her Herbology course at NHC Institute, Monica also teaches workshops on herbal medicine and invigorating Outdoor Education classes at Marianopolis College. Her company, Herbs on the Side, helps clients identify, prepare and integrate herbs into their lifestyle. Monica has a degree in Physical Education. She was also trained at the Wise Woman Center in Woodstock, New York and she received her Advanced Herbal Training certificate at Sage Mountain in Vermont. Monica is a member of Montreal’s Guilde des herboristes and Can-Fit-Pro.
herbsontheside.com
herbsontheside@hotmail.com

CHERIE GRIFFITHS

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANT
“We are all angels with one wing, it is only by embracing each other that we may truly learn to fly.” Leo Buscaglia
Cherie is a graduate of Institute Natural Health Consultants, Montreal and has worked as a wholistic therapist for the past 4 years in private practice and in the Spa industry. After many years as a stay at home mom and working from home, doing volunteer work, studying at Concordia, and The Visual Arts Centre, she spent her spare time in watercolour painting, Ikebana, flower arranging, garden design, stained glass, crochet & sewing, and became a master porcelain thrower in pottery. Now, Cherie has found herself in a place where her passion is to help others help themselves through their own struggles and joys.

She returned to school in 2001 to Study Wholistic Nutrition, and without reason or understanding, this led to a profound interest in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupressure, which secretly also became her bedtime reading. Somehow her love of working on feet and trying to understand how the body is found on the feet, directed her to Reflexology, and then listening to the rhythms and tides of the Cranio Sacral system ….. and her passion for plants and flowers are used in her everyday practice through the Bach Flower Essences.
My heart is open, my door is open, I seek peace in every day life, strive for balance and mindfulness in every moment.

PATRICIA HUERTA

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST
It doesn’t matter how often you fall, it only matters how often you get up.
With a firm footing in clinical laboratory science, the earlier part of Patricia’s 38-year career began with research in biochemistry, physiology, immunology and bacteriology. As a result, she came into contact with psychoneuroimmunology, which she now teaches at NHC Institute, along with other courses that boast her scientific training. She also provides counselling services on a volunteer basis.
patricia.huerta@sympatico.ca
514.699.7580

LOUISE LABROSSE

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY TEACHER
Louise Labrosse is an enthusiastic anatomy and physiology teacher in massage, naturopathy, herbalism and yoga schools. She caught the bug for anatomy during her training in massage therapy and she has been teaching it with passion for almost twenty years in french and english. She became interested in natural ways of healing in 1979 when she worked in a macrobiotic restaurant and a natural food store where she discovered her love for medicinal plants. Ever since then, she has been encouraging friends and students to take responsibility for their own health, mental, physical and emotional and she has become convinced that active listening and compassion are more healing than almost any other medicine. She has recently published a book on growing and eating sprouts and she offers a monthly Medicine Wheel ritual for small groups. She has been an active member of La Guilde des herboristes since its inception in 1997.
lalou@ecohosting.com

MICHEL LECOMTE

NATUROPATH
Michel Le Comte graduated from Université de Moncton, N.-B. in 1982, where he developed a keen interest in psychopharmacology. During his studies, he was hired as a research assistant and collaborated to the publication of scientific research.

Michel Le Comte is a well known naturopath in Quebec. He graduated from École d’enseignement Supérieur de Naturopathie du Québec in 2001. Since this time, he teaches the orthomolecular approach. With his interest in psychopharmacology, he specializes in metabolic pathways, neurotransmitters and hormones. He also developed a natural comprehensive approach to behavioural food disturbances, mixed intestinal and brain diseases, and immune problems.

Involved in the community, he has had different responsibilities in the naturopaths association (ANAQ) in the last 10 years, focusing on training and helping young naturopaths develop their practice. During the same period, he lead different radio shows in Outaouais and Montreal areas and participated on TV shows in Trois-Rivieres and Victoriaville, as well as giving several public speeches to educate and help people take better care of their health.

KADEJA LEFEBVRE

DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day.
Sanskrit proverb

Kadeja Lefebvre is a doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; she obtained a B.Sc. (specialization in biology) from Concordia University and graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001, one of the 6 accredited colleges in North America.

Dr. Kadeja opened the Integrative Health Centre in Montreal-West at 63 Westminster Avenue N in 2006, where she maintains her private family practice. She also provides seminars, teaching people to achieve optimal health.
‘‘My goal for this Centre is to form a group of independent healthcare practitioners that together will help their patients. I believe it is important to make sure the body, mind, and spirit are healthy.’’

Naturopathic Medicine is the Art and Science of Natural Healing. Dr. Kadeja focuses on prevention and using natural substances and treatments that support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. She works effectively in conjunction with conventional treatments to reduce side-effects and improve outcomes.
The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply treat or suppress symptoms. Dr. Kadeja considers the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the patient when determining the cause of illness and developing a treatment plan so as to treat them as a whole person.
63 Westminster Ave North,
Montreal-West, QC
H4X-1Y8
T: 514-485-6789
F: 514-485-1769
Kadeja@ihcmontreal.com
www.ihcmontreal.com

RAMYA MEMMI

REIKI MASTER
When I see I am nothing, that is wisdom. When I see I am everything, that is love. And between these two, my life flows. – Nisargadatta Maharaj
This globetrotter lady has a life journey that’s as broad as her world travels. Following a career in engineering in France, she came to Montreal and became a marketing guru. From there, she packed her bags and left for India and Israel. During this time, she discovered Reiki as well as her writing talents. Now a published author, Ramya is also a Reiki master. She focuses on energy work and shamanism and she’s also a consultant in a women’s shelter. She is a member of the Syndicat professionnel des homéopathes du Québec.
floramya.com
floramya@yahoo.com

DANIELA MORTETTI

NUTRITIONIST
Daniela is an established Pilates studio owner and instructor in Montreal Canada for the last 20 years. Her understanding of the human body stems from her own experience with chronic back pain following a severe back injury. Her certification is based on the Pilates method along with a combination of certification programs focusing on spine health in Canada, United States, and UK from Stott Pilates® and Body Control®. She developed the Moretti Method, by combining a variety of bodywork techniques to help empower clients to learn and understand their physical and nutritional needs.

She became a RHN (Registered Holistic Nutritionist) in 2007 graduating with honors from CSNN (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition) and in 2011 a Breast Cancer Coach from NAPCC (National Association of Professional Cancer Coaches).

Her special interest in Nutrition and Cancer peaked in 2008 when cancer deeply hit her family, she lost her father that year to cancer and in the same year she was diagnosed along with her mother six months later. She is passionate in helping others fight this complicated disease by providing support and information through community programs and private coaching.

She has inspired hundreds of clients to step out of their comfort zones and make positive lifestyle changes. She is the author of two training manuals and has published articles on exercise physiology, nutrition and equine behavior. Her soon to be published book Staying Healthy — Why has it become so complicated, will explore intuitive thinking as a method of finding your true balance.

Daniela is dedicated to teaching the essentials of staying healthy and living well. It’s not about what life throws at us but how we deal with it that counts. She is an avid believer that vitality and longevity comes from proper nourishment, an active body and a positive mindset

BLANCHE MOSKOVICI

ART THERAPIST
Reality is nothing but the perception one has of it – Gilles Rivest, Zen monk
Blanche Moskovici, M.A., ATPQ, developed “Zen art therapy”, a multidisciplinary approach that integrates the known benefits of Zen and art therapy based practices for personal and professional well being. Her practice of “zazen” sitting in silence began in 1993 with Gilles Rivest, founder of the Vaudreuil Soto Zen Centre. Since 1996, Blanche has provided therapeutic services to a diversified clientele: adults diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders, substance abuse problems, and now she is counseling care-givers. Her vast clinical experience is complemented by her passion for presenting lectures and leading workshops that incorporate her unique approach. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Creative Arts Therapies from Concordia University in Montreal, and an Art Therapy Diploma from the “Institut de formation professionnelle en psychothérapie par l’art” of Sherbrooke. An art therapist, trained in psychodynamic and humanistic-existential approaches, Blanche is a professional member of the Quebec Art Therapy Association (A.A.T.Q.).
blanchemoskovici@sympatico.ca
514.242.1262

TRISHA POPE

SOUND HEALER & INTUITIVE
Sing and it shall pass.
Who knew that this intuitive jazz singer would use her training in music for healing? Or that she would be teaching Clairvoyant Training? Trisha has been exploring and practicing sound healing work for 23 years. A specialist in her field, Trisha is often invited to speak on Sound Healing and Intuition. Trisha has directed community choirs in Montreal for 16 years that invoke shared community ritual singing for healing and renewal. She is a graduate of Psychic Horizons Institute of Colorado and affiliated with the Berkeley Psychic Institute.
trishapope.com
popetrisha@gmail.com
450-405-7827

SUZANNE PRETTEN

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS PRACTITIONER
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill. Where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep. – Rumi
For 25 years, Suzanne has been lending her expertise in psych-spiritual counselling and as a psychosynthesis guide and teacher. She runs her own psychosynthesis practice and keeps busy as a teaching assistant at Psychosynthesis Pathways of Montreal. Most recently, Suzanne became involved in Peacework Inc. The organization hosts lectures and workshops to raise awareness on non-violence in the community. She is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis.
cygnature.org
spretten@videotron.ca
514.697.4529

FRANCOIS RENAUD

CLINICAL SEXOLOGIST, PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Dedicated to helping people find a more satisfying and pleasurable sexuality, Francois has extensive knowledge on how our own bodies and minds can help us express our most inner erotic self by confronting ourselves. His passion for sexology has led him to collaborate with different professionals such as doctors, massage-therapist and sexologist on the ethics of touching in bodywork professions. He gives sexological lectures and workshops to health professionals and the general public on coupleʼs intimacy, body awareness and seduction. He practices sexo-therapy in Montreal in his private office since 2010. He is also a member of the “Association des sexologues du Québec” and “Regroupement professionnel des sexologues du Québec”. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters in sexology at the Université du Québec à Montréal.
www.sexologuefrenaudenglish.sitew.com
sexologue.f.renaud@gmail.com
514-948-0550

ALLISON RYAN

CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPIST
“What people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can.” – Henry David Thoreau
Allison Ryan is a massage therapist , energy healer, palm reader, hypnotherapist and shamanic practitoner. She has been facilitating shamanic rattle making workshops for the First Nations’ community in Ottawa since 2008 at the Wabano Center for Aborigional Health, as well as working privately with Montreal groups interested in the healing benefits of creative manifestation. She studied Swedish massage therapy at Kine Concept Institute, Reiki & Chakra Balancing under Kyra Lober of the Body Being & Heart School and obtained Hypnotherapy certification from Jean-Claude Zekri from the HypnoAide Institute. Allison has been providing her healing services to the Montreal community since 2007, and is a member of the Association des Massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec.
www.dreamingrattles.webs.com
www.massagetherapyinmontreal.com
514-836-9690

MARJORIE SILCOFF

CERTIFIED ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE THERAPIST
Universal Intelligence rules the world, not me. Follow your bliss and you will be helped by unseen hands.
As a certified Acupressure Massage Therapist, Marjorie works in private practice and treats a number of health concerns including structural issues, fertility, emotional problems, allergies as well as pain/headaches. She is always trying to determine what is happening at each level, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Marjorie is a member of the Association Can-Americain des Massotherapeutes.
marjoriesilcoff@hotmail.com
514.969.6576

DAN WALDSTON

CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPIST
Embracing a second career after 20 years of owning and operating a Montreal advertising agency, Dan has fully immersed himself in the field of therapeutic massage therapy.

A bachelor degree in marketing and finance from Concordia University complemented by a post-graduate diploma of management from McGill University had enabled Dan to run a successful business servicing the corporate world. After continuing his education at the NHC, Dan’s clinic is celebrating its 10th anniversary in providing therapeutic healing through various massage techniques to a wide range of clientele. Now a teacher at the NHC for Massage Therapy and Business Practice, Dan brings his enthusiasm and experience into the classroom hoping to inspire a new generation of successful holistic healers.
thehandsofdan@me.com
514-485-1919

DOT WOJAKOWSKI

NATUROPATH AND HOMEOPATH
Where does it all lead? What will become of us?… It leads us to each other. We become ourselves. – Patti Smith
Dot Wojakowski is a licensed homeopath and naturopath and a graduate of the Montreal Institute of Classical Homeopathy (MICH). She began taking courses in holistic medicine in 1991 at the NHC, where she now teaches and serves on its Board of Directors. Dot has always had an interest in health, holistic healing, and the nature of Being. Since receiving her degree in social work from McGill University, she has been inspired to empower people and initiate change. Dot’s healing journey of recovery from an eating disorder and, more recently, a life-changing traumatic brain injury, has left her with two beliefs: healing is always possible and is often more remarkable than anticipated. Dot loves to cook and create recipes — she is currently working on a cookbook. Dot is also actively involved in Montreal in the work of creating an integrative healthcare system, one that not only serves the needs of our diverse population but is also holistic in its approach and care.• Member of the Syndicat professionel des homéopathes du Québec (SPHQ).

• Member of the Association des naturopathes professionnels du Québec (ANPQ).

• Member of National United Professional Association of Trained Homeopaths (NUPATH).

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Natural Health Consultants Institute (NHC).

• Representative of the Montreal Institute of Classical Homeopathy (MICH) at the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH).

www.wholepersoncare.org
www.dotwojakowski.com
Dotness@mac.com
514.271.7085

RYAN YOUNG

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR
Ryan Young is a wholistic environmental educator and activist. He has a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University. His most cherished passion has been to read and explore the “Book of Nature” since he was a young boy. He has developed and honed his skills as a naturalist ever since. He has taught professionally at John Abbott College in the Creative Arts department since 2002. He is also the producer and host of Ecolibrium, Montreal’s only English language environmental radio show, on CKUT 90.3 FM, heard every Tuesday from 11h00am-12h00pm. In November of 2009, he was elected as a city councilor in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and he now presides over the Environment Committee of Ste. Anne de Bellevue and leads many environmentally sustainable projects for the city.
ryan.young@johnabbott.qc.ca
514-457-9758