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Dr. Lacey Gerbrandt B.Sc., N.D.Why I Do What I Do...
Growing up I watched my friends and family deal with health issues while at the same time dealing with chronic health issues of my own. I felt the toll that poor health imposed upon me and all those around me and felt the desperation that one begins to feel after hitting so many dead ends, never able to find answers or relief in the conventional medical system. Out of sheer chance I stumbled upon natural medicines and to my awe I not only found answers and relief but true cure for my ailments, something I had never dreamed possible. This was when my passion was born and the moment I knew Naturopathic Medicine would be my life's aim. If I could heal then so could others and it became my life's goal to assist others down that path. Naturopathic medicine has allowed me to live a free and happy life and I find great fulfillment and joy in helping others on their journey to wellness. I believe nothing is impossible with enough knowledge, understanding and persistence. Further, I believe everyone deserves a life of peace, freedom and happiness and that wellness is an inherent part of that. My Education:
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Jessica Heupel B.Sc., N.D.
Dr. Jessica Heupel ND completed her training in naturopathic medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a BSc. with a biology major and nutrition minor from the University of Alberta. She has also trained as a doula (birth assistant). Jessica Heupel is registered with the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA) and is an active member of the CAND and AAND. Jessica Heupel grew up with natural remedies inspired by her German heritage and is passionate to help others in their health journeys. As a naturopath, Jessica primarily uses diet and lifestyle interventions but also recommends homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines, and supplements. She enjoys solving any health puzzle but is particularly interested in digestive health, hormones, reproductive support, pregnancy, and pediatrics. In her free time, Jessica likes to garden, explore the mountains, and spend quality time with her partner and active puppy. |
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Dr. Julie MacDonald, B.Sc., N.D.
I have always been fascinated by the human body and strive to understand ways of improving health and wellbeing. I believe we have an innate healing ability within us, and with the right tools, we can become our best selves. My approach to medicine is rooted in compassion for others and wanting to empower my patients to take control of their health and wellbeing. I want to listen to your concerns and allow you to feel heard. I strive to understand the root cause of your ailments in order to choose effective interventions that will bring you back into balance. I use evidence-based medicine to establish individualized treatment plans for each unique patient. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at St. F.X. university in my hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. My love of the ocean brought me to the west coast to pursue my studies in naturopathic medicine, and I quickly fell in love with the mountains. I completed my doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster, BC. I am registered with the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA), and a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors (AAND). When I am not seeing patients or researching, you can find me in the kitchen experimenting and creating new recipes or somewhere in the great outdoors adventuring with my fiancé and our two dogs. |
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Natasha Christenson
Here’s a little about me and my journey to discovering the path I am on now and what I do to help others find healing! Ever since I was little, I have felt drawn to help people feel better. Growing up I was taught by my mother to be openminded to all the ways that healing can be supported in addressing the whole human in body, mind and soul. With singing coming very naturally to me as a child, through training and lots of practice, this became my first modality I was naturally using to help folks connect back to that inner part of themselves they felt distant from. However much I loved it, it never truly felt fulfilling for me and I was seeking for more. It wasn’t until 2018, that after some very shocking and heart shattering news put me in a spiral of deep despair and feeling totally hopeless, I came to find alternative professional help (I knew drug and talk therapy weren’t going to cut it). Through the support of a dear lifelong friend, I was introduced to Emotional Polarity Technique. This emotional release technique and the process of forgiveness it brought me through helped me get through what I thought I would be stuck in forever. It changed my life so much in the best way, I knew immediately this was what I had been looking for my whole life to help others on their journey through pain and struggle. By fall 2018, I was enrolled to start my EPT training and fast tracked through it in 10 months graduating and becoming a Professional Certified EPT Practitioner. Now, after a few years with this powerful tool of EPT under my belt for helping others heal, I am delighted and grateful I get to serve my clients here, at Vita Sana in person in Spruce Grove, Alberta, as well as from my home remotely. I look forward to getting to know you and how I can serve and support you on your journey of healing and coming back to yourself in truth, love and forgiveness. Click here to learn more about EPT |
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Marla Merkus, RMT
Marla is a Registered Massage Therapist, who completed her 2200 hour program at MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy in 2015. Her passion lies in helping you help yourself. With a more specific passion in helping you with unresolved chronic pain/ injury and whole body functional integration. Marla has been trained and practices: Remedial Massage, Therapeutic, Deep tissue, Pre & Postnatal, Paediatric Massages, Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, Joint Mobilization and Orthopaedic assessment. She also holds certificates in Dynamic Cupping, Craniosacral levels 1&2, somatics, as well as Reiki levels 1&2 she integrates into treatment. Marla enjoys hiking, exploring and being outside in her time off. That also feeds her hobby of photography, with photos of mountains she took adorning her massage room walls. |
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Anna Trimble, LPN
My journey to becoming a holistic nutritional coach started with my own struggles with weight loss in my late twenties. Throughout the years I learned how food can impact my health and effect the way I feel. It is than that developed a healthy relationship with food and become in tune with my body. I was on a health kick and then I welcomed my daughter into the world, and just like that I put my health second. Struggling with sleep depravation and lack of energy I felt lost and alone, I needed to get the old me back on track. Knowing that my passion has always revolved around health and fitness and how holistic health play an important role in our lives, I started my journey. Being a nurse for 14 years, and now a mother has opened my eyes to how fragile our health really is. Having seen many patients in their most vulnerable state made me realize how vital it is to take care of your body. For years I have practiced healthy eating habits and helped many people lose weight by educating them and creating healthy meal plans to fit their lifestyle. I finally decided to turn my passion into a career and become a certified holistic weight lose couch. I started to focus on hormones and gut health as they play a key role on weight loss and overall wellbeing. I love helping people become the best version of themselves by providing them with education and support so that they can be confident to achieve their goals. |
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Rebecca Pawlechko, Bsc, MSW, RSW
My absolute passion is working together with people along their journeys of change. There is nothing more gratifying than walking along side someone in their life’s journeys. My other absolute passion is everything “trauma.’ Trauma affects all aspects of our life’s and can be so complex and multi-faceted. It is amazing to watch someone heal from the traumas that have affected their lives and are limiting their quality of life. My approach to therapy is non-judgmental, compassionate, and sensitive. I am highly approachable and relatable. I like to be a “real person” to all my clients. My approach is always that we are completely “in it together.” My approach is different than a lot of therapists and I don’t like to “beat around the bush.” I like to see people quickly and have them heal as quickly as possible, in and out is my approach. Trauma can feel overwhelming and scary and can feel like you can never overcome from it or heal. It feels like a burden too large and heavy to get through. My passion in therapy is the use of the therapeutic intervention, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is one of the most effective and efficient therapeutic modalities for healing trauma and finding a new way of life. I have found that with the use of EMDR, that trauma can be big and catastrophic, or it can be small and unknown. The use of EMDR can heal what you know is negatively affecting your life and what you don’t know is affecting your life. I have 10 years of clinical experience specializing in the use of EMDR and have 20 years of experience in working together with individuals, couples, families, and groups specializing in mental health. I also haveexperience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, and Clinical Hypnosis. I look forward to being a part of your healing journey and exploring all your options. |
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