By bringing together a team of compassionate practitioners who educate, inspire and empower women, we created a community of support, education and well-being for women affected by breast cancer. Stay tuned as we put together an incredible team of holistic practitioners to guide the women through their first “Dragonfly Wellness Retreat: Trust your wings”.
Karen Kingsley
Registered Massage Therapist
Karen was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012 at the age of 30. She has since quit her corporate job and went back to school to become a registered massage therapist and is devoting herself to helping other cancer survivors through their recovery process with massage.
Judy Gould
Emotional and Psychological Health
Judy runs a private practice as a psychotherapist (
judygould.com), is a faculty member where she trains therapists at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy, and leads psycho-educational and support groups for those living with cancer and their caregivers at Wellspring Cancer Support Network. In the recent past and after earning her PhD in Psychology, she was the Initiative Director of the Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Women’s College Research Institute. Her work involved understanding the experiences of 1) young women with breast cancer, 2) lower income women with breast cancer, and 3) spirituality and breast cancer. She was also a post-doctoral fellow at Princess Margaret Hospital in the Healing Journey Program.
Kimberley Lyall,
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Kimberley graduated from The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2007 and is currently working on her advanced degree. She recently attended a Breast Cancer Prevention Workshop. Kim enjoys sharing her love of food and knowledge with clients, family, and friends. She often can be found in her kitchen juicing, blending, and developing fresh recipes. Kim is a dedicated mother of four. With a special interest in family and women’s health, she is passionate about the power of whole food, its roots and its ability to facilitate healing in the body. She provides tailored information to help her clients make healthy choices, incorporate more raw food into their diet, while staying within their food budget.
Darlene Nicholson
Registered Nurse and Community Health
Over the past 16 years, Darlene has been practicing different styles of meditation and movement. She is a certified Kripalu & Yin Yoga Teacher and offers Yoga, meditation and stress reduction classes at various hospital, corporate, community, retreat venues, and home studio. Darlene also offers Thai Yoga Massage at her home office in Holland Landing.
Laura Stornelli
Certified Fitness and Yoga Instructor
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 at the age of 48, the same age her mother and cousin were when diagnosed. Her diagnosis did not come as a shock, she since has been determined to make cancer just a bump in the road, today she is a thriving survivor. Laura strongly believes in the benefits of physical activities during and after cancer treatments. She also volunteers at the King-Aurora Hospice leading yoga classes for cancer survivors. In the past 18 months, she has attended seminars on ‘yoga for cancer survivors’ and ‘yoga for breast health’.
Nancy Umphrey
Certified Reiki Master and Healer.
Nancy has spent numerous years counseling and healing and believes that the healing journey starts with a desire to live a more authentic life. She holds a Master of Religious Education and a Life Skills Coaching Certificate; and has spent numerous years healing, counselling and educating. She is currently offering a range of services from her home office..
Rebecca Wilkinson
Massage Therapy
Rebecca graduated from Massage Therapy School in 2007 and has a passion for working with cancer survivors. She embarked on the lymphatic drainage journey just over a year later and completed that training in 2010 through the Dr. Vodder School. She has since continued her education completing the Aqua Lymphatic Therapy Course, Axillary Web Syndrome Course and two garment fitting courses. Rebecca continues to look for ways to improve the quality of life for her clients and is currently embarking on a journey to become a yoga instructor. She is looking forward to designing a yoga program specifically for lymphedema patients in her community of Newmarket, Ontario
