What Students Say

Jacqueline Raaymakers
I am originally from Saskatchewan, Out of high school, like many, I became overwhelmed in determining what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to pursue my art; however, I also always knew I was intended to help others.

Upon finding and enrolling at CCATCM, I have found the direction I longed for. My fond interest in natural/alternative medicine encouraged me to broaden the spectrum of potential out there for it; thus leading me to acupuncture and TCM. Having the opportunity to work with clients, I have revealed to myself that I am in fact pursuing the arts, a healing art. I feel fortunate to have discovered the profound and incredible knowledge Traditional Chinese Medicine has to offer.

At CCATCM not only have I some beautiful, like-minded, inspiring classmates/friends, but some amazing and inspirational teachers who go above and beyond. This is a true demonstration of how passionate they are, which truly is motivation and encouragement to be as ambitious and knowledgeable as them. I genuinely look forward to forever devoting my life to this art, to continuously learn more and share it with the world.

Dora Kinsman
I graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2009. Afterwards I started working as a massage therapist at the S-T Natural Medicine Centre with Dr. Li and Dr. Chen. I had been working there for a few months when the process of opening the college got underway. By this time I had seen many patients get great results from their acupuncture treatments, most notably with Dr. Li’s infertility treatments. I was amazed to see these women who had been struggling to conceive, get pregnant and have babies!

Being a massage therapist, I have always had an interest in acupuncture but seeing first- hand the incredible results really made me really want to find out more about it.  I had the option of taking a 400 hour, weekend continuing education certificate program in acupuncture offered to massage therapists. This course however was very limited consisting of mostly just insertion and needling skills, condition specific blueprint treatment design, and only about 30 acupuncture points, which could only then be used in the context of a Massage Therapy treatment. Needling is obviously very important but I feel acupuncture and TCM in general is more about the intention as well as the theory and principles behind it, which I do not believe are taught in these weekend courses.



Kate Mosley
I am 24 years old and from Amherst, Nova Scotia. I was attending Saint Francis Xavier University taking my RN degree when I was exposed to Chinese medicine and acupuncture in a religion course. It occurred to me that natural medicine is a less invasive way to treat people. It targets the actual problem. When I decided to attend CCATCM, I was happy to learn that I can take a natural approach to healing and the prevention of disease. As a nurse working in a Western health- care facility, I know first-hand the difference prevention can make.

People are usually only ever treated for the symptoms of their diseases, not the actual root of the problem. In the long run, this is not beneficial for the patient because the root of the problem is steadily growing worse and is being covered up by medications that are being taken for the symptoms. In the acupuncture program at CCATCM, you treat the root of the problem, and learn how to prevent diseases from returning.

Angela-Rae
Shortly after meeting Dr. Li & Dr. Chen I brought my mom to the clinic for acupuncture for chronic pain & fatigue which had plagued a restful night's sleep for her for approx. 2 yrs. With only a couple of treatments my mom was finally sleeping better and had some relief of the pain. 

During the initial consult appointment with Dr. Li, we further discovered that Dr. Li & Dr. Chen had treated my uncle (my mom's brother) for cancer over 15yrs ago. As a family, we had always been thankful that my uncle had sought natural medicine to fight cancer. Even though his doctors had remained nameless to us we appreciated what they had done as we truly felt that Chinese Medicine had prolonged his life which allowed him to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling to New Orleans.

I believe, through an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a desire for improved health, that I was lead to CCATCM. These so called "coincidences" only confirm for me that I am on the right path. I will be forever grateful for the knowledge and experiences gained and shared here. I look forward to passing it on....

Zoe Macdonald
I grew up in the Annapolis Valley, NS, but spent my early twenties planting trees and traveling around Canada. I chose to study acupuncture because I like the idea of practicing honest, simple, and effective medicine. I also feel that acupuncture is something I will study for the rest of my life, as it is so fascinating and in-depth. I think that our culture is on the brink of a rapid expansion into energy-based medicine, and I want to be a part of that expansion.

I chose to attend CCATCM for several reasons, one being that it was within easy commuting distance from where I live. The morning schedules appealed to me as the mother of a young child. I have my afternoons free to spend with my son, and to study, of course. I was also interested in CCATCM because there is a clinic on-site and one downtown where we do clinical observations and learn from patients, as well as from our teachers. I feel that no matter in what capacity I practice acupuncture, be it in my own clinic or in an interdisciplinary clinic with other practitioners, I will be studying for the rest of my life.