Prior to your first appointment please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing (if you are coming from work or other activities no worries, you will be fully covered by a sheet if you need to remove any clothing that impedes treatment. We ask that you have a small meal or snack before coming but avoid the “all you can eat” buffet before an appointment. Not having enough nutrition can lead to some dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea during of after your appointment from low blood sugar.

On your first appointment we will go through your current concern/condition as well as your previous medical and physical history. This will include an in depth look at all of the different body systems, even if they seem unrelated to the current complaint. Be prepared that we will go into things usually considered TMI with no shame at all! Pee and poop and period talk galore. After we have explored all of the different facets of your health we will go over an informed consent with you before performing any treatment so that you understand what the proposed treatment looks like as well as the risks and benefits associated with acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, etc.

From there we will perform your first acupuncture treatment, which may also include any of the other treatment methods listed on the acupuncture information page. Once the needles are in you will lay on the table to let them do their magic. Part way through the treatment you will be gently checked on, but if you are enjoying the cat-nap don’t worry we try our best not to disturb you much.

In the initial appointment your chiropractor will take a detailed health history, diving into the specific complaint that brought you in but also other information that may have contributed to the current condition.

There will then also be a thorough neurological and chiropractic exam performed that includes balance testing, reflex testing, muscle and sensory testing. We will then palpate, or feel, the spine and surrounding soft tissue for joint dysfunction and decreased range of motion, as well as tension in the muscle, fascia and ligaments of the body.

We typically do not adjust on the first visit, and in the case of most teens and adults we may send for x-ray imaging to complete the picture of what may be going on in the spine. We send out to Kingston Imaging Services just a couple of blocks down the road, and x-rays are covered under OHIP.

On your second visit we will take time to go over the results of the examinations and the imaging together. We want you to understand what is going on in your body and what your care plan entails. For this reason we typically go over the care plan right at this appointment so that there are no surprises later. You will have a pretty good idea of how treatment will progress as well as the approximate cost of acute and ongoing wellness care if you choose to include chiropractic as part of a preventative health plan.

After going through all of this we will perform the first adjustment using the appropriate and preferred technique for you. As we perform adjustments there will be constant communication so that you are comfortable and relaxed throughout the appointment. We may also prescribe home care such as ice, stretches, nutrition or supplements to help boost the effect of the adjustment.

The focus of newborn coaching sessions is to help with any baby care skills you need to master be it swaddling, first baths, gas relief, how to interact with your baby, or how to get some sleep!

We will recommend any necessary follow up sessions, allowing us to check in and evaluate how things are going and whether there are new questions or concerns to be addressed. This is also a great time to go over some of the first year milestones, leaps, and even food transitions, and what to expect along with them.

During the initial visit, Lauren will work with you to assess your lifestyle, lactation goals, support outside of coaching, birth experiences, baby’s oral function, other intended feeding strategies, and more. Using this information, we will create a plan to set you and your family up for success. We will check back in as often as our plan outlines and offer support through email and text to address any questions that come up during the timeframe of the plan.

Lauren offers holistic lactation coaching as a support that is inclusive to all families regardless of dynamic, sexuality, or culture.

On the first visit you will complete a confidential health history as part of your assessment. Your massage therapist will assess your individual needs as well as other factors that may be contributing to your injury or condition. The RMT will develop a treatment plan with you to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and will be reassessed at an appropriate time. You have no obligation to undergo any part of a treatment. Your treatment will begin once you have given your informed consent. This involves setting realistic goals for treatment, discussing possible responses to treatment, and being informed of alternative care options. Never be afraid to ask questions or raise your concerns.

On the day of your session, wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. For Reiki you remain fully clothed so it is important to be comfortable. If you are coming for Aromatouch, Emmy will need access to your full back and neck, as well as your lower legs. The rest of your body will be covered with a sheet, so if the pant style you have chosen is uncomfortable when rolled up to access the legs you may be asked to remove them and cover yourself with the top sheet.

Emmy will briefly speak with you about your goals for the session and if there are any specific concerns or issues you are looking to address.

Aromatouch sessions use essential oils and fractionated coconut oil as a carrier. The technique involves massaging up into the neck and the hairline, so there may be a small amount of oils in the hair at the base of the head when you leave.

After sessions it is recommended to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Prior to scheduling your first appointment we suggest scheduling a discovery call. With the extremely personal nature of therapy it is essential to determine if your therapist is going to be the right fit. Connection and comfort to share is a huge aspect to a successful client-therapist relationship.

Your first session will probably involve your psychotherapist asking you a lot of questions. They want to get to know your history, what you are struggling with, your coping mechanisms, as well as your intentions and goals for therapy. Although you may not be expecting it, your first session can be very emotional and draining as you explore some of the experiences and people who helped form your current self. It is absolutely okay to experience and show strong emotions at any time during your sessions- we keep Kleenex at the ready at all times! Being open and candid with yourself and your therapist can feel scary or overwhelming but also yields some amazing results and breakthroughs.

Your psychotherapist will work with you to tailor a care plan that will often include both sessions with your therapist as well as equipping you with tools/resources and homework to get the most out of your therapy.