PASSION
Being a naturopathic doctor is not just what I do for a living, it is a large part of who I am. I am inspired and passionate about what I do. Every week people tell me that they feel healthier – they have more energy, better mood, better sleep, better digestion, less allergies and they feel more like themselves. I am so privileged to help make this happen and to witness these changes.
I love when my patients come to me for hormonal health from menstrual concerns to preconception, fertility, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. I love to talk about hormones! I am totally fascinated by those tiny chemical messengers in our bodies that control so much. We are so complex!
Over the many years that I have been in practice, I have realized that one of the best things about being a naturopathic doctor is the time that it affords me to spend with my patients. I have the time that I need to really understand my patients and the vast web that is the context of their health. I have the time needed to address concerns, discuss options, provide good explanations and create detailed health plans. I have the time needed to help plan for life long wellness and prevention. Taking this time is something that I feel very passionate about!
ART
There are many ways a person might find the healing that they seek, the art of what I do is to help to find which road will be best for each individual. I try to listen carefully, and see each person for the unique being they are. I try to keep the goals of the person I am working with at the forefront of my mind. Naturopathic medicine is a partnership between doctor and patient. I know I have valuable knowledge about health and wellness to share but I also have a respect for my patient’s own feeling about what is best for them.
EDUCATION
I am one of those rare people who knew what I wanted to do when I was 16 years old. The light bulb-moment came when I read an article about naturopathic medicine in a career magazine written for high school students (strange, given that it was the early nineties and naturopathic medicine was not nearly as popular as it is today). The combination of scientific and traditional medical knowledge with a holistic view of health just made sense – I knew right away this was for me.
I completed my premedical studies with an undergraduate degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. After one year teaching overseas, I enrolled at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto where I completed four years of training.
I have a thirst for new learning and I constantly update and upgrade my skills and knowledge. A large portion of my continuing education centres around women’s health, hormonal health, digestion, wellness and prevention. I have done extra training in breastfeeding counselling. In 2010 I was awarded prescribing authority which means that when necessary, I can prescribe a range of pharmaceutical medications, including menopausal hormone therapy. I have recently upgraded my knowledge and skills in regards to menopausal hormone therapy and feel very well equipped to discuss and give a thorough break down of options, benefits and risks.
ME
When I’m not working, I am spending time with my family. I have a husband and two beautiful children, Kylen and Elijah. We love spending time in our garden and exploring our beautiful island.
Dr. Shannon Sarrasin BSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Shannon Sarrasin is a licensed naturopathic doctor. She has a family oriented practice with a focus on supporting women’s and children’s health using natural medicine solutions. Dr. Shannon strives to understand the relationship between an individual’s symptoms in order to identify and treat the root cause. Her treatment plans draw from food as medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture and lifestyle counselling. Her goal as a doctor and teacher is to support her patient’s in achieving optimal physical and mental/emotional health.
General health conditions commonly treated:
>Immune Concerns, Auto-Immune Conditions, Allergies, Skin, Digestive Concerns, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Stress, Hormone Imbalance, Thyroid, Weight optimization, Others.
Woman’s health conditions commonly treated:
>Hormone Concerns, PMS, Prenatal Wellness, Infertility, Pre-Conception Planning, Menopause, PCOS, Endometriosis, Others.
Children’s health conditions commonly treated:
>Allergies, Digestive Concerns, Skin Conditions, Low Immunity, Prevention, Well Child Visits.
Training and Experience
Originally from Winnipeg, Dr. Shannon obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Manitoba. She went on to complete the four-year, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.
Dr. Shannon now calls the west coast her home, where she feels blessed to enjoy all the island has to offer with her husband and two kids.
