About Us
Healing House was created as a small community wellness centre where all clients have the opportunity to be heard and make informed decisions about their healing. Whether clients choose to pursue herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, clinical counselling, clinical aromatherapy, or use natural medicine in conjunction with any other modality, their decision will be supported and nurtured on an individual basis.
Healing House was also created in the spirit of learning; here, students and members of the community may learn about traditional and western clinical herbalism, gardening, and nutrition, and may attend small workshops and classes.
Recently, Healing House has had the honor to pair with Herbalists Without Borders to offer a monthly free people's clinic (low to no cost, or by donation), and the Institute for Holistic Nutrition where students from the college come to learn in a wellness centre environment.
Healing House was also created in the spirit of learning; here, students and members of the community may learn about traditional and western clinical herbalism, gardening, and nutrition, and may attend small workshops and classes.
Recently, Healing House has had the honor to pair with Herbalists Without Borders to offer a monthly free people's clinic (low to no cost, or by donation), and the Institute for Holistic Nutrition where students from the college come to learn in a wellness centre environment.
We offer appointments in person or via phone/web. To schedule an appointment please call the office at
778-866-3320 or email us at healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
778-866-3320 or email us at healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
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Our MissionTo see each of our clients as an individual with individual needs and expectations. To offer natural wellness advise to the best of our abilities knowing that we are often part of a multi-faceted team of practitioners. To encourage each of our clients to take responsibility for their own healing and to guide them with a comprehensive plan to achieve and maintain their wellness goals.
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In addition to our client mission, we feel very strongly that as natural practitioners we should strive to be good examples in our respective roles and to maintain a high platform of professionalism. It is also important to us to be stewards of natural healing in our community, and to be actively aware of the status of the environment. It is very important to us that all plans we offer to clients be mindful, local, and sustainable.
Meet Our Practitioners
Petra Sovcov - Clinical Herbal Therapist |
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Petra Sovcov is the founder of Healing House Natural Wellness where she sees clients in person or via phone/tele-health. Petra was previously part of the Finlandia Natural Health Centre in Vancouver where she served as Clinical Herbalist on their team of natural practitioners. Currently, she is a staff member at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition where she teaches Nutrition and the Environment (the environmental impact of man made pollution on the food system and environment), is an active volunteer with Herbalists Without Borders International (HWB) and runs the HWB Chapter for Vancouver BC and the free people’s clinic at Healing House. Lastly, Petra is a regular contributor to Home Herbalist Magazine, a North American wide publication where she writes two articles (Ask the Herbalist and Understanding Herbs).
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She is a graduate of Dominion Herbal College where she received high commendations for her research on H-pylori and its connection to inflammatory diseases, specifically various cancers of the gastro-intestinal tract. Petra is passionate about facilitating an individual’s healing path and enjoys enriching a person’s core health with the use of herbs, supplements, dietary, and lifestyle modifications. Like many others involved in natural wellness, she believes that health and healing should not be something afforded solely to those with the financial means to seek help, but rather that the knowledge behind taking responsibility of one’s own healing is a basic human right. Apart from clinic and teaching, Petra is an avid gardener and sustainable small-scale food producer. She enjoys teaching out of her gardens and finds great meaning in sharing the message of sustainability with others. She is passionate about heirloom/native plant varieties, and domestic history, which she believes hold the solutions for the modern food crisis.
To make an appointment with Petra, she can be reached directly at: healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
or by phone at 778-866-3320
To make an appointment with Petra, she can be reached directly at: healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
or by phone at 778-866-3320
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Tahlia Sage - Registered Holistic Nutritionist
To make an appointment with Tahlia, she can be reached directly at: tahliasagewellness@gmail.com or by phone at
604-720-0641 |
Tahlia Sage is the founder of Tahlia Sage Wellness and new partner at Healing House Natural Wellness, she is also an instructor at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Her coaching practice helps clients achieve their wellness goals by embracing functional foods and healthy lifestyle changes. Tahlia’s own health challenges and weight issues prompted her to pursue an education in nutritional science and holistic nutrition. Tahlia empowers her clients to regain balance with easy, concrete steps. To Tahlia, holistic nutrition is a way of using foods as nourishing messages to the body and communicating with our body's innate healing wisdom. "I want my clients to enjoy their health with confidence". The field of holistic nutrition is based on an evidence-based scientific approach to support the body by providing the nutrients it needs to heal. A holistic nutritionist is a specialized wellness professional who helps clients improve their health using natural foods and products instead of treating isolated symptoms. |
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Bobbie Miteva - Registered Therapeutic CounsellorBobbie has long been passionate about helping people reach their full potential – first as a Social Service Worker liaising with community organizations and professionals, and more recently as a Counsellor working therapeutically with children, adults and families. Based on her familiarity with the groundwork and research in the fields of Psychology (BA) and Socio-Cultural Studies (MA), along with her philosophy of holistic wellbeing, in her assessment and treatment of individuals she takes into consideration how their physical health and social/relational factors might be influencing mental health.
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Having worked with people from various backgrounds, Bobbie also strives to provide culturally sensitive counselling, in a way that clients feel empowered to find answers and make decisions which are congruent with their own values. Hence, Bobbie does not believe in a “fit-all” approach to counselling primarily concerned with symptoms; instead, she tailors her approach in a unique way for every individual. She encourages her clients to get in touch with their underlying thoughts and emotions through role-playing, guided imagery, mindfulness exercises, expressive arts and play therapy. Nevertheless, Bobbie is also aware of the importance of taking action after getting insight, which is where her Solution Focused Therapy training becomes quite valuable – offering strength-based support for clients to take the necessary steps towards their holistic well-being goals.
Outside the counselling room Bobbie loves playing with her children, being active outdoors, spending quality time with her family and friends, and also cooking, eating or talking about seasonal whole foods. As part of her self-care routine before bed she enjoys reading books and articles about psychology and natural lifestyle while diffusing essential oils and sipping herbal tea.
To make an appointment with Bobbie, she can be reached directly at: bmitevacounselling@gmail.com
or by phone at 778.801.6176
Our Wellness Modalities
Clinical Herbalism
The Canadian Herbalists Association of British Columbia defines herbalism as
"... the use of plants to assist with common ailments and promote wellness. It is the oldest form of medicinal healing known to man. Although it is classified as an alternative therapy, it is the most widely practiced form of medicine used worldwide, with over 80% of the world’s population relying on herbs for health. Currently over 50% of all new pharmaceutical prescriptions contain at least one ingredient-
"... the use of plants to assist with common ailments and promote wellness. It is the oldest form of medicinal healing known to man. Although it is classified as an alternative therapy, it is the most widely practiced form of medicine used worldwide, with over 80% of the world’s population relying on herbs for health. Currently over 50% of all new pharmaceutical prescriptions contain at least one ingredient-
either produced directly from plants or discovered from plant sources and later synthesized. Modern medicine draws it origins from early herbal therapies. Until the advent of synthetic medicine within the past 50 – 100 years, all medical doctors prescribed herbs routinely.Herbal medicine uses plants that do not have the aggressive and invasive action of modern drugs, but instead support the body’s own natural tendency to heal itself. Herbal products are derived from roots, stems, flowers or leaves of plants and are frequently sold in liquid extracts, capsules, tablets or teas.
Herbalists prefer to use remedies extracted from a part of the whole plant, with all its bio-chemical constituents, rather than individual standardized extracts. It is believed that the active constituents are naturally balanced within the plant, and consequently aid in working on the body, mind and spirit in a less invasive manner."
From a holistic standpoint, a person is not an individual with a disease or syndrome but a whole being where all body systems and organs are connected. This wholeness necessitates the practitioner to create an individual wellness plan with concise precision that involves herbal formulations, supplement suggestions, holistic dietary, and lifestyle modifications to support each individual in supporting their body's innate healing capabilities.
Beyond using plants to assist with ailments and promote wellness, a clinical herbalist has completed years of extensive training at an accredited school. The education of a clinical herbalist includes full immersion into the western clinical approach. Because of this full immersion and understanding of the physical body, an initial intake with a new client is an indepth process which may take one to one and a half hours for the first visit.
Studies and training for a clinical herbalist include: anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical pathology, chemistry, biological chemistry, botany, pharmacology and pharmacy, herbal compound formulation, materia medica, clinical and differential assessment, history and philosophy of herbalism, nutrition, botanical therapeutics, and clinical ethics. Additionally, a clinical herbalist has completed thousands of hours of studies and hundreds of supervised clinical hours under the guidance of a clinic director prior to graduation.
Graduates of these various schools will have obtained the necessary training to be part of the Canadian Herbalists' Association of British Columbia and/or the American Herbalist Guild. The title of Clinical Herbal Therapist is currently the highest standard of training in herbal medicine available in North America.
Herbalists prefer to use remedies extracted from a part of the whole plant, with all its bio-chemical constituents, rather than individual standardized extracts. It is believed that the active constituents are naturally balanced within the plant, and consequently aid in working on the body, mind and spirit in a less invasive manner."
From a holistic standpoint, a person is not an individual with a disease or syndrome but a whole being where all body systems and organs are connected. This wholeness necessitates the practitioner to create an individual wellness plan with concise precision that involves herbal formulations, supplement suggestions, holistic dietary, and lifestyle modifications to support each individual in supporting their body's innate healing capabilities.
Beyond using plants to assist with ailments and promote wellness, a clinical herbalist has completed years of extensive training at an accredited school. The education of a clinical herbalist includes full immersion into the western clinical approach. Because of this full immersion and understanding of the physical body, an initial intake with a new client is an indepth process which may take one to one and a half hours for the first visit.
Studies and training for a clinical herbalist include: anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical pathology, chemistry, biological chemistry, botany, pharmacology and pharmacy, herbal compound formulation, materia medica, clinical and differential assessment, history and philosophy of herbalism, nutrition, botanical therapeutics, and clinical ethics. Additionally, a clinical herbalist has completed thousands of hours of studies and hundreds of supervised clinical hours under the guidance of a clinic director prior to graduation.
Graduates of these various schools will have obtained the necessary training to be part of the Canadian Herbalists' Association of British Columbia and/or the American Herbalist Guild. The title of Clinical Herbal Therapist is currently the highest standard of training in herbal medicine available in North America.
Holistic Nutrition
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The philosophy of holistic nutrition is that one’s health is an expression of the complex interplay between the physical and chemical, mental and emotional, as well as spiritual and environmental aspects of one’s life and being. As such, professionals who are trained in holistic nutrition approach health and healing from a whole-person perspective. Using nutritional education as a primary tool, holistic nutrition professionals emphasize the building of health and disease risk-reduction by approaching each person as a unique individual.
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This requires fully engaging the individual in her health recovery process and honoring her innate wisdom by working in an empowering and cooperative manner to chart a course to optimal health.
A Holistic Nutrition Professional advises individuals, families and groups on how to improve diet, lifestyle and habits to prevent disease and promote health. He/she may work with a licensed healthcare provider to help individuals with previously diagnosed illnesses identify biochemical imbalances and toxicities that contribute to poor health. His/her advice and support is founded on evidence-based and holistic principles.
The job of a Holistic Nutritionist is to bring non-biased health and nutrition information to our clients, and to educate clients on the cost/benefit of eating unprocessed local, fresh, and often plant-based foods.
A Holistic Nutrition Professional advises individuals, families and groups on how to improve diet, lifestyle and habits to prevent disease and promote health. He/she may work with a licensed healthcare provider to help individuals with previously diagnosed illnesses identify biochemical imbalances and toxicities that contribute to poor health. His/her advice and support is founded on evidence-based and holistic principles.
The job of a Holistic Nutritionist is to bring non-biased health and nutrition information to our clients, and to educate clients on the cost/benefit of eating unprocessed local, fresh, and often plant-based foods.
Therapeutic CounsellingThe Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT) defines counselling as the process in which trained professionals “use the therapeutic relationship to increase self-knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth. The overall aim of counsellors is to provide an opportunity for people to explore possible solutions to personal and interpersonal problems, resolve conflicts, define goals, make decisions and move toward living a more satisfying and resourceful life.
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Counselling relationships are unique to the individuals involved and counselling may be concerned with, but not limited to the following: developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific problems, understanding of strengths and weaknesses, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal insights and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict, restructuring feelings, beliefs and concepts or improving relationships with others.” There is a wide range of general approaches to counselling among which Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered, Adlerian, Gestalt, Family Systems, Narrative, Solution Focused, Expressive Arts and Play Therapy to name a few – each with its specific techniques and means of providing assessment, evaluation and treatment of individuals. Regardless of the modality, all Registered Therapeutic Counselors (RTCs) have met the education and training requirements, and are accountable for ethical practices under the ACCT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
AromatherapyA broad definition of aromatherapy is:
"The use of pure essential oils from plants that are used to influence, change, modify, or assist the physical body, mind, or spirit in order to assist a more balanced effect in wellness or herbal therapies." The term aromatherapy was first coined by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, and was used to describe the many uses of volatile aromatic essential oils which have been extracted from raw plant materials. |
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Essential oils are highly concentrated substances from raw plant materials. Unlike herbalism, where the raw plant materials are used directly, the compounds extracted from essential oils can be up to 100 times stronger than the plants themselves, and can amplify certain chemical constituents.
Each essential oil has a complex chemical structure which, depending on the individual oil, can have as few as 30 to over 1000 individual chemical compounds. Properly certified aromatherapy practitioners are trained in the chemistry of these various essential oils and how these combine to create synergy to assist an individual's wellness needs.
At Healing House Natural Wellness, our aromatherapy practitioner uses the English Method of aromatherapy, whereby essential oils are applied and diluted in a carrier oil, and often combined with relaxation therapy for the purpose of relaxation and stress reduction. The German Method is also used, whereby essential oils are combined without dilution and formulated for inhalation. Additionally, essential oils can be combined to create natural medicinal bath salts, creams, topical oils, inhalants, or compresses.
At Healing House, we do not implement the internal ingestion of essential oils.
Each essential oil has a complex chemical structure which, depending on the individual oil, can have as few as 30 to over 1000 individual chemical compounds. Properly certified aromatherapy practitioners are trained in the chemistry of these various essential oils and how these combine to create synergy to assist an individual's wellness needs.
At Healing House Natural Wellness, our aromatherapy practitioner uses the English Method of aromatherapy, whereby essential oils are applied and diluted in a carrier oil, and often combined with relaxation therapy for the purpose of relaxation and stress reduction. The German Method is also used, whereby essential oils are combined without dilution and formulated for inhalation. Additionally, essential oils can be combined to create natural medicinal bath salts, creams, topical oils, inhalants, or compresses.
At Healing House, we do not implement the internal ingestion of essential oils.
How does aromatherapy work?
There are two primary ways in which aromatherapy works. These are the act of absorption, either through the skin or the mucous membranes of the body, or via the limbic system, through inhalation of scent.
In either case, there has been clinical research that shows the chemical volatile oils from essential oils entering the blood stream.
In absorption through the skin, the essential oils enter the top dermal layer, where sebacious glands and hair follicles have direct blood supply. Through these minuscule capillaries of the dermal layer, essential oils gain access to the body.
In inhalation methods, such as the use of diffusers, we directly inhale the scents (volatile oils) from various essential oils or oil combinations. The scent is made up of millions of molecules that are breathed in. The molecules enter the olefactory mucous membranes of the nose. In this area is located the olfactory bulb, which is a bulb of nerve endings that controls scent perception. This bulb is directly connected to our limbic system. From here, essential oil molecules trigger the nerve impulses that lead to the hypothalamus of the brain.
The entire process from the perception of smell to the corresponding systemic reactions takes only a few seconds, making aromatherapy an efficient, safe, and complementary therapy to other modalities.
In either case, there has been clinical research that shows the chemical volatile oils from essential oils entering the blood stream.
In absorption through the skin, the essential oils enter the top dermal layer, where sebacious glands and hair follicles have direct blood supply. Through these minuscule capillaries of the dermal layer, essential oils gain access to the body.
In inhalation methods, such as the use of diffusers, we directly inhale the scents (volatile oils) from various essential oils or oil combinations. The scent is made up of millions of molecules that are breathed in. The molecules enter the olefactory mucous membranes of the nose. In this area is located the olfactory bulb, which is a bulb of nerve endings that controls scent perception. This bulb is directly connected to our limbic system. From here, essential oil molecules trigger the nerve impulses that lead to the hypothalamus of the brain.
The entire process from the perception of smell to the corresponding systemic reactions takes only a few seconds, making aromatherapy an efficient, safe, and complementary therapy to other modalities.
We offer appointments in person or via phone/web. To schedule an appointment please call the office at
778-866-3320 or email us at healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
778-866-3320 or email us at healinghouseherbal@gmail.com
The practitioners on this site are not Medical Doctors (MD), nor are any of the suggestions or recommendations made on this site meant to be a substitute for advice from your MD, or as a substitute for any prescriptions you may be taking. Suggestions followed will be the responsibility of the individual, and are stated with the intention of interest and education. If you have a health issue, please see your primary care physician (MD) first and foremost.