Our Therapists

Dr. Samantha Ristimaki, BSc, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Samantha Ristimaki received her undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph majoring in Nutrition and Neutraceutical. Her passion for health led her to pursue a four year graduate degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto where she graduated with Honours as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Dr. Ristimaki’s focus is on assisting her patients in their achievement of optimal health by assessing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of health and addressing the underlying cause of health concerns. She develops individualized treatment plans and educates patients about their health while encouraging them to take an active role in their own health care.

As a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Ristimaki utilizes her strong background in Nutrition, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lifestyle counseling, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy and Physical Medicine to assist her patients in attaining their treatment goals. She has a wealth of experience in dealing with immune disorders and sports injuries. She specializes in digestive health issues, heart disease, diabetes, pain management, women’s health and pediatrics. She has also designed specific programs dealing with weight management, detoxification, healthy aging and stress reduction.

Samantha also brings her experience as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor to the clinic. She instructs fitness at several clubs in the GTA and was awarded the Bally Total Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2003.

Dr. Ristimaki is a member of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Alumni Association, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors, the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and is registered and licensed with the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy.

Therapies: Naturopathic Medicine | Physical Medicine| Nutrition
Acupuncture | Cosmetic Acupuncture | Homeopathy

Dr. Carole Smith, B.A., DC
Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Smith graduated with Clinical Honours from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. She is also certified in contemporary medical acupuncture (McMaster University). Dr. Smith has been treating a variety of patient conditions, including sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries, acute and chronic conditions, as well as car accidents and other traumas. She has experience treating sports injuries and teaches seminars at Goodlife Fitness on rehabilitation strategies and preventing injuries. She is also an experienced worker with different types of special needs patients, including autism and ALS. She spent a year interning at the Muki Baum Children’s Center in Toronto doing chiropractic and rehabilitation for the students with a variety of special needs, and has worked as an IBI therapist for children with autism for over 10 years. Dr. Smith also works as a research associate out of Toronto Western Hospital, and has recently co-authored a chapter on complementary therapies in the recent revised edition of Migraine.

Dr. Smith received music and academic scholarships to attend Simon Fraser University and holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology with a focus on children with autism. She is an accomplished musician having won various bagpipe competitions across North America and Scotland, including the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. This has given her insight and experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of muscular strains and other injuries related to playing instruments at a highly competitive level.

Therapies: Chiropractic Care | Myofascial Release Techniques
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture | Custom Orthotics
Special Needs Rehabilitation

Jemal Anderson, RMT, D. Ac
Registered Massage Therapist & Doctor of Acupuncture

Jemal Anderson has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over eight years, and a Doctor of Acupuncture for three years. As a RMT his priority is taking away peoples pain. His work experience has lead him into many areas of the Massage Industry including Spas, Hair salons, Chiropractic offices and MVA clinics. Jemal found his work on a professional sports team, the Hamilton Bulldogs (ice hockey) pre and post games during the 1999-2000 season, to be very rewarding. There is no condition that he cannot help you overcome, be it symptomatic or actual treatments for chronic pains and/or restrictions.

Jemal now offers his clients the option of Needleless Laser Apuncture and is a Certified Laser Therapist.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Acupuncture
Laser Acupuncture | Cosmetic Acupuncture

Andrea Antaya, RMT, Dipl. S.T.
Registered Massage Therapist, Shiatsu Therapist & Reiki Practitioner

Andrea is a Registered Massage Therapist, Shiatsu Therapist, and Reiki Practitioner. In her mid 20’s, when she was first introduced to Chinese Medicine, she decided to approach life from a different perspective. This combined with the strong will to join the alternative healthcare field led her to the Shiatsu School of Canada in Toronto where she studied Shiatsu for two years. Her training uniquely blended Eastern and Western medicine and included extensive hands on teaching.

In 2005 the decision was made to expand her knowledge of Swedish Massage as she attended and graduated from the Canadian Therapeutic College. She also received her Reiki Level II training during this time.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Shiatsu | Reiki

Calais Irwin, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Calais is a graduate of The Canadian Therapeutic College. In her massage therapy training, she participated in a student outreach at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. During that time Calais treated patients with ailments such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Strokes. Calais’ interest in the alternative health care field began when she was 15. When her own injuries and headaches began to take their toll on her, Calais decided to look for an alternative to prescription drugs. After seeing a massage therapist, she knew her career path would involve alternative medicine and she has been working toward that goal since then.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy

Leah Rosso, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Leah is a Registered Massage Therapist and a Graduate of Sutherland - Chan Teaching School and Clinic in Toronto, Ontario. She is also trained in NISA (Neuromuscular Integration and Structural Alignment) techniques that address the body's facia as well as Thai Massage.

Leah works with postural re-education, compression disorders, low back pain and decreased range of motion, as well as stress reduction and many other soft tissue/joint discomforts.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | NISA Technique
Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Kimberly Paterson, RMT, D. Ac
Registered Massage Therapist & Doctor of Acupuncture

A graduate of the Registered Massage Therapy program at The Canadian Therapeutic College three years ago, Kimberly Paterson is not new to the clinic environment. Past experiences include rehabilitation therapy within both sports injury and chiropractic centres. Her specialties include pregnancy and child massage, hot stone, rehabilitation and sports injuries.

Kimberly has recently completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and can now offer this healing therapy to her clients.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Acupuncture
Hot Stone Massage Therapy | Reiki

Christian Thomson, B.Sc HK, RRPr
Reiki Master & Registered Reflexology Practitioner

Christian Thomson is a Reiki Master and Registered Reflexology Practitioner. After studying the science of the human body at the University of Guelph, Christian’s passion - the process of healing, soon led him into the field of Reiki and holistic healing.

His application and unique approach to healing recognizes and supports our three distinct energies; mind, body, and spirit. By using a multi-dimensional approach, Christian helps to encourage and engage the healing faculties and resources of his clients on each level, in an effort to accelerate the healing process and restore health and well being throughout all aspects of one’s life.

As a Reiki Master and director of a successful Academy of Healing Arts, Christian has many years of experience developing and facilitating classes and workshops relative to energy, intention, and demonstration.

Furthermore, in an effort to better understand the tremendous healing capacities of the mind and promote mental well being, Christian has nearly completed his Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

Therapies: Reflexology | Reiki Master