MEET THE TEAM
Dr. Richard R. Thompson, BA Kin (Hon), DC
Chiropractor, Clinic Director, Certified Active Release Techniques® Provider Originally from Markham, Ontario, Dr. Richard Thompson has been actively involved in competitive sports since early childhood. Having played competitive volleyball, hockey, and soccer, his interest in Chiropractic was formed early thanks to the various sports injuries that came with the territory. He also has been an avid golfer for many years and currently plays out of Oakfield Golf & Country Club. As such, his current day practice involves a special area of interest in sport related injury and performance. Dr. Thompson enjoys re-certifying his Active Release Techniques® credentials annually at seminars throughout North America where he works with elite athletes, and he has completed post-graduate training in golf performance therapy.
Dr. Thompson obtained his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, with particular focus in biomechanics and human physiology. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic diploma from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto, where he maintains an ongoing relationship as a member of the college and the new-applicant interview panel.
Dr. Thompson’s wife, whom he met at CMCC in 2002, is also a chiropractor. They moved to Nova Scotia upon graduation and are thoroughly enjoying life on the East coast.
Any questions are warmly welcomed at dr.thompson@activeapproach.ca
Christopher Dyson , RMT
Christopher Dyson graduated from the 2200 Hour Massage Therapy program at ICT Northumberland College in 2004. Since graduation, Chris has worked in a variety of settings, from a clinic in small town Labrador, to a busy spa in downtown Halifax. Chris is excited to join our multidisciplinary team and looks forward to new challenges.
Chris has also recently begun training as an adult educator and is presently acting as Clinic Supervisor at Northumberland College to help educate new Massage Therapists.
A registered member of the Massage Therapists Association of Nova Scotia, Chris has formally trained in Swedish Massage. Chris has had much experience with trigger point work, deep tissue, relaxation and pregnancy massage. Future plans include training in Thai Yoga Massage, completion of training in Suikodo, as well as further training in pregnancy massage. Contact at chris@activeapproach.ca.
Gillian Scott, Dipl.ST, RMT
LaStone Therapy®
Gillian Scott graduated in Toronto, Ontario in 1993 with a Diploma in Professional Shiatsu Therapy (2200 hrs) from The Shiatsu School of Canada Inc. (SSC). After graduating she joined The Toronto Pain and Headache Clinic, where she practiced for eight years in a multidisciplinary environment along with Doctors of Chiropractic and Acupuncture.
Gillian was asked to train as a teacher upon graduation from SSC and became an instructor for the Shiatsu practice/theory certificate program for seven years. She has taken professional development courses and workshops in Chinese & Japanese acupuncture, moxibustion, and holistic Nutrition as well as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Iyengar yoga and meditation.
In 2003, she decided to reside in Halifax, where she attended the Massage Therapy Diploma Program (2200hrs) at International Complementary Therapies (ICT) Northumberland, with a special interest in Swedish Massage techniques, Orthopedic testing, and Sports Massage.
Bringing 15 years of clinical experience to Active Approach Health & Wellness Center, Gillian continues to practice as a non-judgmental, effective Shiatsu and Massage Therapist within the health care community of Nova Scotia. She is an active member of the Massage Therapy Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) and past board member of The Shiatsu Association of Ontario (STAO). gillian@activeapproach.ca
Karen Johnston, CFT, RMT
Schweitzer’s Deep Tissue Therapy® CertifiedTrimesters Pregnancy Massage Certified
Karen received her certification in Family Therapy, specializing in dysfunctional family systems pertaining to Alcohol and Drug Addiction at the Caron Foundation in Wernersville, PA. She worked with the PEI Government for approximately 10 years before making a change and pursuing a massage therapy career. Karen earned her Massage Therapy Diploma at the ICT Northumberland College here in Halifax. She is also an active member of the Massage Therapy Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS).
Originally from PEI, Karen has been actively involved in competitive sports representing PEI at Nationals for both Fastpitch Softball and Hockey. Massage was something Karen has been interested in for many years, understanding first-hand how massage helps with the healing process when the body is injured. Her keen interest in sports, helping others and the body, have brought her to this profession. Interested in increasing her knowledge she has taken extended courses in Deep Tissue Massage and Pregnancy Massage. Karen is a proud mother of Mandy and Derek and grandmother to Samantha, Kayla, Emma and Zackary. She has had the opportunity to provide massage for her daughter for 3 of the 4 deliveries of her grandchildren. karen@activeapproach.ca
Mary Steckle, BA Visual Arts (Hon), RMT
Craniosacral Therapy®
,Myofascial Release,
LaStone® Therapy
Mary Steckle returned to school to study massage therapy after spending almost 20 years in the film business. Although this may seem like an odd turn in careers, it is something that she had considered years before but life had led her in other directions. She graduated from York University in Toronto, Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts. She spent a few years working in galleries in England, and then moved into the film industry, first in Toronto and then in Halifax. Mary graduated from Northumberland College in Massage Therapy in 2000.
Although originally from Ontario, Mary decided that after much travel that Nova Scotia is where she feels at home. She spends considerable time at her place by the sea, enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, golfing and, of course, traveling. Mary believes in the strong benefits of yoga and has been practicing in the Iyengar tradition for the past 8 years.
Mary has always believed in the benefits of bodywork, having been introduced to it at an early age by a forward thinking mother. She is fascinated by the complexity of the human body and continues to take courses to upgrade her skills as a therapist. Her main areas of interest are Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy, having studied under John Upledger and John Barnes. She is a member of both MTANS (Massage Therapist’s Association of Nova Scotia) and CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario). mary@activeapproach.ca
