Dr. Maria Patriquin has been a family physician for 24 years and is the founder of Living Well Integrative Health Center in Halifax (https://patientsmedicalhome.ca/news/pmh-success-story-dr-maria-patriquin/).

Her areas of expertise are in collaborative models of primary care, with specializations in prevention and management of stress, mental health, ACEs, TIC, PTSD, compassionate care and care for health care providers; in particular nurses and physicians (https://www.cfpc.ca/clinical-live-stream-webinars-past-recordings).

She has been the physician lead for the introduction of group medical visits, group psycho-education and psychotherapy in Nova Scotia, and has developed novel programs for working with groups, including at-risk children and teens, PTSD, patients with metabolic syndrome and complex trauma. Her positive strengths-based stress reduction classes have run successfully for ten consecutive years leveraging the science behind optimism, neuroplasticity with an emphasis on recovery, resilience and prevention. Maria is a member of the Collaborative Working Group for Shared Care Mental Health (CFPC/CPA) and was co-chair of the 2020 and 2021 Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conferences (http://www.shared-care.ca/). 

Maria serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the CFP. She is a member of the Canadian Pediatric Society Strategic Mental Health Task Force and has worked with the MHCC on presenting and the formation of a toolkit for recovery oriented practice  (https://patientsmedicalhome.ca/resources/best-advice-guides/best-advice-guide-recovery-oriented-mental-health-and-addiction-care-in-the-patients-medical-home/).

Maria works with health care professionals who experience occupation related PTSD and participated in informing Canada’s first Federal Framework on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Maria’s work aims to strengthen collaboration and coordination across disciplines in partnership with patients and caregivers. She believes that collaboration cultivates community. Her work aims to help humanize the experience of health care while reducing the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses. She works to improve recognition of the impact of compassion on the individual and provider’s experience of health care provision. She believes that a care model that is collaborative and compassionate promotes influence, efficacy, wellness, meaning and longevity in our professional lives and is key to successful health care reform. Her clinical, advocacy and academic work are in an effort to actualize this vision for healthier attitudes and humanizing practices in the provision of primary health care services in Canada. Dr. Patriquin is a McMaster graduate with a Women’s health fellowship from University of Toronto, Women’s College Hospital.

She has a background in child psychology from Dalhousie University where she is currently an assistant professor in the department of family medicine.

Make an appointment through Pomelo by logging onto: https://healthmyself.ca/ If you do not have access or an account, or are a new patient please leave a message at 902-406-1500 with your specific information & inquiry. Please remember some with barriers require this more than others. Be considerate and please do not take another’s access by leaving multiple messages.

For inquiries pertaining to group sessions, classes, and workshops, please email lwihc.halifax@gmail.com OR call 902-406-1500.

Please note Dr. Patriquin is not accepting new patients into her family practice, but is open to group and individual therapy referrals. Please wear a mask to your appointment.

Aisha’s career as a Registered Nurse showcases a diverse range of experiences across various healthcare settings. Graduating from Dalhousie in 2022, she has built her expertise in Nova Scotia, contributing to fields such as spinal cord injury rehabilitation, postpartum care, and acute mental health nursing for children and adolescents. Aisha’s professional ethos emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, ensuring comprehensive care through teamwork with both colleagues and clients.

Currently, Aisha dedicates her skills at Living Well Integrative Health Center as a part-time RN, focusing on virtual patient care. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds solace in nature walks and the pleasure of reading. Her dedication to healthcare and patient well-being underscores her proactive approach to nursing, blending compassion with clinical proficiency.

Make an appointment through Pomelo by logging onto: https://healthmyself.ca/ If you do not have access or an account, please leave a message at 902-406-1500 with your specific information & inquiry. Appointments with the nurse are reserved for smaller concerns that can be addressed virtually, such as:

• Prescription refills
• Reviewing lab/test results
• Lab requisitions
• etc.

If you are unsure whether to book with Dr. Patriquin or the nurse, feel free to message us through Pomelo or give the office a call.

Originally from Dartmouth, NS, Ian graduated from the University Of South Australia in 2004 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science. He recently moved back to the Maritimes.

Ian’s philosophy is to use the latest evidence based techniques while at the same time empowering clients through knowledge and support with the goal of self management and health promotion.

He enjoys treating all conditions at any age, and has a strong interest in osteoarthritis, vestibular rehabilitation, concussion management, and sports injuries.

Appointments:
Please email ianthephysio@gmail.com, call (902) 471-2158, or visit https://ianthephysio.com/contact/ to book an appointment.

Molly De Shong (M.Ed.) is a registered counselor-therapist and facilitator who has supported individuals, couples, and workplace groups for 20 years. She teaches an 8-week course in Mindfulness and Resilience and supports free, weekly Open Mindfulness Groups around the city.

Appointments:
Please email mdeshong@gmail.com to book an appointment or visit https://mollydeshong.com/ to learn more.

Lisa has been a dietitian for almost 25 years and has practiced in both clinical and community settings in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada. She has spent the majority of her career working in endocrinology and metabolism in an acute care setting with a focus on collaborative care, research and technology. Lisa has always had an interest in integrative and holistic practices. She has collaborated with community health professionals on several targeted programs to women and those living with chronic disease. In addition to her IFN certification, Lisa actively studies mindfulness, reiki and herbalism and has completed a degree in Psychology. Lisa presently works as a private practice dietitian and health consultant with a focus on integrative and functional nutrition and mindfulness practices. Lisa truly believes in the “power of the written

word” and promotes the art of journaling to individuals as well as in thoughtfully curated Journaling classes. Her favorite wellness quote is “remember…you are the medicine” from Mexican Poet and Healer, Maria Sabina.

Appointments:
Please visit https://lisagalvez.com/contact/ to book your first session.

Dr. Migas is a Halifax-based family physician with over 20 years’ experience in primary care and women’s health and wellness. Realizing the gap in education and health care for women experiencing menopausal concerns, she sought out extra certification in menopause management through The Menopause Society (formerly North American Menopause Society) to better support women in midlife. Since then, she has been passionate about helping women navigate and thrive beyond menopause as well as educating health care providers and employers about the impact of menopause. She is a thought leader who presents to national audiences about women’s health. Dr. Migas is also co-founder of The Menopause Society of Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit society that helps promote the conversation of menopause in the community.

Referral eligibility:

• Females: 40-60 years
• Otherwise healthy (no hx of active heart disease, estrogen-dependent cancers, blood clots or active liver issues)
• For consideration of MHT or non-hormonal menopause treatment
• Recent routine bloodwork preferred.
• PAP test and mammogram reports (optional)

Dr. Wendy Harris is a board-certified psychiatrist with expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD. She has a particular interest in supporting women through the different stages of life and the transitions that accompany them. Dr. Harris takes an individualized approach to treatment, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and medication management to meet each patient’s unique needs and goals.

Dr. Harris previously served as Medical Director of the inpatient eating disorders unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College and as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell. During her tenure, she worked closely with Dr. Katherine Halmi, a pioneer in eating disorder research and treatment. She also taught and supervised medical students and psychiatric residents.

Dr. Harris subsequently served as Assistant Medical Director of the Wilkins Center, a nationally recognized outpatient eating disorders clinic. There, she worked extensively with adolescents and adults across the spectrum of eating disorders, from severe illness through recovery, including patients experiencing co-occurring anxiety and depression. She also established and directed the outpatient eating disorders treatment program at Mid Fairfield Child Guidance Center in Norwalk, Connecticut.

As a mother of two children with ADHD, Dr. Harris brings both personal and professional insight to her work with neurodivergent adolescents, and their families. Her experience has strengthened her commitment to helping young people with ADHD and learning differences thrive through compassionate, individualized care and support for their families.

Dr. Harris believes that excellent psychiatric care begins with understanding the whole person. She is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based treatment in an empathic and collaborative environment. Depending on each patient’s needs, treatment may include psychotherapy, medication management, or coordination of care with the patient’s current therapist.

Dr. Harris earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiology from McGill University and her Doctor of Medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College. She completed her psychiatric residency at Yale University.

She is board-certified in psychiatry and licensed to practice in Nova Scotia as well as New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maine.

We welcome her to Living Well!

Please Fax referral to 833-924-0391.

Lana LacLean is a clinical social worker and Director of Community Health and Mental Health Heath at the North End Community Health Centre. Lana has a small private practice at Living well where she supports the mental health and wellness of individuals from the African, Black and Caribbean communities. IN 2024 she was an honoree in 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women for her work as Co-creator of Impact of Race and Cultural Assessment for Family and Criminal Court and as
Primary Clinical Lead on the Development of IWK Mental Health Black Mental and Addictions Treatment Program . She is the mother of an amazing young adult.