About Joanna
Hello, my name is Joanna. For many years, my practice has focused on helping women and families throughout their childbearing cycle. By combining all that I have learned over this time, I offer a unique skill set to support women throughout their pregnancies, assist with birth preparation, and provide postpartum care.
I earned my Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004 and have since expanded my knowledge through additional training in Remedial Massage (2006) and Naturopathy (2015). To better serve my clients, I continually seek to enhance my skills by attending seminars, webinars, and workshops, successfully applying this knowledge in my clinical practice.
In addition, I have obtained qualifications as a Birth and Postpartum Doula and a Body Ready Method-trained 1:1 provider, which adds another layer of depth and understanding to my work within the childbearing cycle. I find great joy in supporting birthing parents throughout their pregnancies, guiding them through birth preparation, and offering postpartum recovery treatments after delivery. Attending to a woman’s needs during the first several years of her newborn's life is a humbling experience that I greatly treasure. The childbearing cycle is a time of significant physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual change for women, and this journey does not have to be taken alone.
I believe it is never too late to seek out a holistic therapist for any health concerns. This can be an excellent opportunity to rebalance your health, lifestyle, and mindset in preparation for the new life soon arriving in your world.
My story
I first became enchanted by herbal medicine as a teenager, I would love to read through books on herbal healing properties and could always envision myself utilising them in some way in my future.
After finishing high school, I was drawn to do a Tui Na (Chinese Massage) course and every Friday one of my parents would diligently drive me 1.5 hours to the city so I could pursue my dreams.
From there I applied to do a BHSc in TCM and have never looked back on my journey as a health practitioner.
Little did I know in those early days that everything I learnt would then shape my life and assist me with varying health issues that arose in my late 20s.
I believe in practicing what I preach. During my own journey of endometriosis, IVF, Gestational Diabetes, and what I like to call ‘Postpartum Overwhelm’, I used acupuncture, herbs, massage, healthy nutritional plans, and various supplements. I used these complementary medicines alongside Allopathic Medicine and believe that together they can create a more holistic outcome.
The best outcome overall was my 2 children who keep me on my toes with all the challenges that motherhood has to offer.
Some of my many interests are
Birth Preparation - preparing yourself and your partner for the birth of your baby. Sharing techniques, backed by research that are effective for a more efficient physiological labour and birth. Sharing skills with your birthing partner so that they may give you the ultimate comfort measures and stability during your labour.
Postpartum Recovery Care - following the traditional themes of - Rest, Recovery, Nutrition, Warmth & Support
Matrescence (the process of becoming a mother) - the physical, psychological, hormonal, social, spiritual and emotional changes you go through after the birth of your child.
Motherhood Rites of Passage - creating personal rituals around your birthing experience; learning to honour the lessons and wisdoms that come from the birthing experience and how to embody these as you transition from maiden to mother (or mother of 1 to a mother of 2 etc); and lastly emerging from the early postpartum phase by being able to step confidently into your new role as a grounded newborn mother.