Our Services

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a health profession of primary care doctors.  It is rooted in prevention and while symptom reduction is a primary goal, an equal focus is placed on uncovering and treating the cause.  Naturopathic doctors have 8 years of formal education, including a university degree and 4 years of intensive, specialized training.  An important part of the education is pathology and pharmacology, meaning that naturopathic doctors are well-versed in any diagnosis you have been given or medication you have been prescribed.  Together with your naturopath, you will be assessed system by system.  Your sleep, digestion, diet, lifestyle, social support, hormones, stress and more will be examined to determine their role in your condition.  We work with the other members of your medical or treatment team collaboratively so that you are getting the best, well-rounded care!

Treatments include:

• Nutraceuticals
• Botanical Medicines
• Lifestyle Modifications
• Acupuncture

Nutrition Counselling

With the support of your nutritionist, you will completely redefine your relationship with food.  Nutrition plays a major role in the development and perpetuation of mental health concerns and is a crucial factor in healing.  One element of the nutrition work will be food-focused, which involves exploring your current diet and meal planning.  We will ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients that your body needs and eating in a balanced, health-supporting manner.  Any nutrient deficiencies will be discovered and this is extremely important as there are many mental health conditions caused by or correlated to nutrient deficiencies.  Another major element will be education so that you learn about all of the important micronutrients and macronutrients found within foods.  You will learn about their roles in the body, how they may be depleted, how they affect your mental health condition and where you can find good sources in the foods you eat.   A third aspect of the nutrition work, if indicated, will be hands-on engaging with food.  This can include cooking classes, meal preparation in the kitchen, going for meals in the community or grocery shopping.

Therapy

The therapy that you will engage in at The Spark Institute is provided by registered social workers, who have a specialized university education, with Master’s degrees. The unique approach that social workers employ to treat mental health concerns is complementary to the holistic model utilized by naturopaths and holistic nutritionists. We strive to enhance the capabilities of individuals to make positive changes in their lives and to address concerns from strengths-based perspective. We are mindful of the various facets of life that can contribute to overall mental wellness and honour and appreciate the diversity of our clients.  The social workers at The Spark Institute begin with the individual, but recognize that family, peers, community members and larger societal issues all play a role in the health of our clients.  These influences are also addressed throughout treatment. We offer individual, family and group therapy depending on the specific needs of each client.