"We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been - a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free"
- Starhawk


Clementine Hudson, BA
Director of LIFEstreams

Clementine graduated from the University of Victoria with a double major in Economics and Sociology. Clementine currently works at the Victoria Fertility Centre (VFC), and believes that combining wellness to the fertility treatments provided at VFC is a crucial component to the experience of infertility.

Clementine is also an active member of the Canadian Administrative Special Interest Group, a division of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.


Dr. Karen Lam
TCM, R. Acup., Cert. Aromatherapist, Doula

Karen Lam has been active in the healing arts since 1986 when she first started working at one of Vancouver's leading holistic health clinic, Integrative Healing Arts.
Her keen interest in the healing arts and maturation in dealing with patients and practitioners led her to follow her desire to pursue education and in training to be a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine here in Vancouver. It must be noted that the program and profession are regulated by the statute and government agencies in this province. Training includes study in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and diagnosis and disease patterns, internal medicine, gynecology, Chinese herbology, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage.

During the past 12 years of practice she has defined her scope to focus not only on stress, emotional and structural issues but to specifically work with health challenges that women will face in their lifetime - as a teen, woman, mother and beyond.

She has specialized education in advanced acupuncture for conception, pregnancy and other training for assisting the birth process. Her passion to provide the best care in this field includes learning from experts such as Randine Lewis, Francesca Naish, Ting Ting Jiang, Jean Levesque and more. Research is confirming that support and treatment during preparation for conception, IVF and pregnancy is quickly becoming more important an her training in this specialized area has proven invaluable through her own journey with conception, birth, recovery and has helped many other women.

Dr. Karen Lam is very much loved by her patients as her busy clinical practice indicates. Her interest in working with fertility challenged couples has spotlighted her as a pioneer in her field. Her position, in the lives of many women, has demanded and bore out her ability to create a safe and healing environment based on trust and partnership. She is committed to her husband, son and extended family as well as her community as a volunteer and spokesperson for her profession.

She is hard working, dedicated and knowledgeable in treating her patients with respect and providing excellent medical care. She is also very respected by her professional peers for her clinical and diagnostic skills and her generosity in teaching and sharing medical knowledge and innovation.


Chandra Sen, MA, R.C.C.
Counsellor

Chandra Sen is a registered counselor with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from UBC. She began working in the field in 1981 and started her private practice in 1988, working primarily with children and families. Since 1999, she has also developed a specialization in the field of infertility counselling and sees clients from the Lower Mainland and the States.

The investigations and treatments associated with infertility can be enormously stressful for the patients involved. In her work, Chandra addresses the impact of infertility as it relates to intervention, treatment and the outcomes of fertility treatments. Furthermore, her counselling also encompasses educating and familiarizing patients with coping strategies to deal with the often far-reaching implications of, and stresses associated with infertility. In addition to her clinical work, she conducts workshops in the areas of infertility and family counselling.


Sue Dumais
Mind Body Specialist, Yoga Therapist & Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer
Co-founder of Family Passages

With over 15 years experience Sue Dumais is a true pioneer in the field of personal training, yoga and mind body therapy. Her career has evolved along with her own life experiences. Through fertility, pregnancy and motherhood Sue has learned about self-care, love, acceptance, trust and community. Recognizing the need for more support for fertility clients all across Canada, Sue has developed a Fitness Fertility Specialist Certification and Yoga for Fertility Instructor training course. The first of their kind in Canada, Sue aspires to offer these courses internationally. She is the author of A Strong Core for Life and is currently writing another book on Yoga for Fertility. Her training as a Doula and experience with pre & post natal fitness inspired her to write a Pre & Post Natal Fitness Instructor Certification course as well as several online courses to provide continuing education opportunities for fitness professionals all over the world. Although the instructor training is something Sue believes is a vital part of her business, her passion is working with her clients. Her Mind Body Studio in Vancouver is the first in Canada to focus on fertility and pre & post natal health and fitness. The studio offers unique programs including Yoga for Fertility, Transforming your Fertility - Mind Body Program, Core Training for Pregnancy, Yoga Therapy, Energetic Healing and Specialized Personal Training. Sue is fortunate to have many wonderful teachers throughout her career including world renowned physiotherapist Diane Lee. Together, Sue and Diane have created and are facilitating a Postpartum Diastasis Recti study to help discover more ways to support women though postpartum and beyond. Sue is passionate about her work and her life. Her passion is obvious in her teaching and her accomplishments. Sue has a gentle yet powerful way of helping others see their true potential.



Areli Hermanson, RD
Registered Dietitian

Areli is a Registered Dietitian (RD) licensed to practice in BC through the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and is a member of Dietitians of Canada. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and complete her internship with St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Areli has be practicing on Vancouver Island since 1999. Areli has the knowledge and expertise to offer competent services to individuals seeking to improve their overall health and well-being while working towards their family goals. Areli focuses on teaching how to prepare your body for conception through maintaining a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating and physical activity, and she also focuses on restoring nutrient losses that may occur due to the use of certain medication taken as part of fertility treatments. In November 2007 Areli gave birth to her first child through IVF and offers a caring, understanding and supportive environment for clients.
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