Meet Our Team

Michael Ross, MSW RSW

I have been working full time as a psychotherapist since 1998 after coming from Annapolis Valley Health Services. I have been involved with Social Work since 1988 and specialize in Stress and Trauma recovery. Over the years I have researched, written about trauma and coordinated groups and community actions. In 1990 I spent 8 months in India. I worked with social workers who support women who have experienced violence, rape and torture. I stayed at a women’s shelter for many months working with some of the women’s husbands and speaking to women regarding the differences between western and eastern culture re: trauma. At that time, I also witnessed extreme poverty, neglect and abuse especially while volunteering at Mother Theresa’s home for the dying in Calcutta. In 1998 I was part of a group in auditing the first domestic violence court in Ottawa, Ontario. In 2005 I was in Colombia, South America involved in trauma recovery work with those experiencing torture, kidnapping, violence, death threats and the destruction of basic human rights. I am a Registered Social Worker and trained in numerous approaches to Mental Health and trauma recovery work.

I work primarily with adults, teens, families and groups. I work with those who experience extreme stress, trauma and loss, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.

My specialties include:

-Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences
-Stress/Trauma, abuse and torture recovery specialist
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
-Acceptance Commitment Therapy
-Suicide and homicide prevention
-Crisis intervention-early response, critical incident stress management and bereavement counseling skills
-Case management, assessment, advocacy and broker skills
-Education/awareness, training and prevention experience
-Extensive knowledge and experience in community development
-Marital, family, group and community presentation/facilitation
-Certified in auricular acupuncture and Ericsonian medical hypnosis, meditation
-Knowledge of both internal and external community resources
-Experienced in community health and substance abuse issues (harm reduction/relapse prevention)
-Mindfulness Meditation
-Numerous other psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches

Oleg Schmalz

Originally born in Asia, I was early exposed to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), growing up in the western world (Germany) I missed this wholistic and natural way of healing. Having moved to Canada with my wife and three children in 2015 I could focus to engage and develop into my sincere interest of studying Medicine at the Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. 

I have achieved two diplomas at this college: massage and TCM / acupuncture. My biggest gain from the school was to see how herbs, massage, acupuncture and reflexology have impact and effect on patients. Treating the root and not only the symptoms was always important to me.

In 2021, having now four children, we moved to Nova Scotia to have a balanced life working on our homestead and helping others as a health practitioner. I offer Massage Therapy, TCM and Acupuncture. I am looking forward to working with you.

Silvia Lange

Massage is a later career choice for Silvia, which she embarked on as she is fascinated by the results massage creates for people of all ages and conditions. 

After graduating in 2018 from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy she has continued to expand her knowledge, completing training in Manual Lymph Drainage Level  II – applied Manual Lymph Drainage certifications.

Silvia’s desire to learn more about the body has led her to the world of fascia.  She has an understanding of the body, that doesn’t look at the local pain only, but sees the body as a whole. Silvia believes that with applied massage techniques the muscle and fascia trains in our body can be encouraged to work better and give us more mobility and wellbeing.

Silvia received additional training in hot stone and cupping techniques.  She specializes in treatments for tension and headache, tightness and stiffness in neck, shoulders, arms and hands, as well as scar work to increase mobility and lymph drainage after surgeries and accidents. 

Working with clients of all ages, she especially loves working with older clients to keep them moving and independent. She is a member in good standing with MTANS

Please note due to her schedule Silvia is unable to accommodate new clients.

Nathalie Lepire

Nathalie graduated with a Diploma from the Massage Therapy Program at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy (CCMH) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Nathalie customizes her treatments to meet the needs and wishes of her patients. She uses a combination of general therapeutic Swedish massage, joint mobilizations, myofascial release, stretching, hydrotherapy, hot stones, indian head massage and cupping to put her guests on a path to health and wellness. Nathalie enjoys performing soothing full body relaxation to decrease stress and improve circulation, or performing specialized treatments to improve a wide variety of health conditions ranging from postural dysfunctions and chronic pain.

In her spare time, Nathalie enjoys spending time with family and friends, biking, hiking.

Jessica Dean

Dr. Jessica Dean is an evidence-based chiropractor and graduate of Northeast College of Health Sciences (formally New York Chiropractic College).

Dr. Jess knew from an early age that she was destined to work in the healthcare field, specifically one that would allow her to work with patients in a hands-on capacity. She attended Dalhousie University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree; this is where she discovered her passion for learning about and understanding the human body. This passion combined with her desire to directly treat patients led her into the chiropractic profession.

Dr. Jess is a member in good standing with the Canadian Chiropractic Association and Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors.

Dr. Jess uses a variety of treatment options to manage conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica and more for patients of all ages. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective option for relief of pregnancy-related pain, which is something that Dr. Jess has recently experienced firsthand. As a new mom, she also has a special interest in treating babies and children.

In her free time, Dr. Jess enjoys trail walks with her puppy, as well as visiting local coffee shops. She also loves swimming and skating at the LCLC with her family.

Dr. Jess is so excited to join the team at Harmony Health Centre and begin treating patients in her hometown of Bridgewater!

Linda Groeger

I grew up in a small community in Germany until my family moved to the South Shore of Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) when I was seventeen. Since then I have been living, studying, working, and growing in Halifax, Fredericton, and most recently back on the South Shore. 

I finished my Masters of Education in Counselling in 2017. I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association as well as a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Nova Scotia College of
Counselling Therapists.

My commitment to my own growth and continuous learning guides my work with my clients and helps me show up the best I can in the world. I believe that our past wounds and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can overwhelm us and cause dis-connection from ourselves. It is my goal to continue to get in touch with my body, mind and soul whenever this happens and I hope to help my clients do the same.

My favourite ways to reconnect with myself are spending time with horses (who I have been crazy about since childhood), being creative, practicing yoga, meditating, hiking and camping.  

My approach is client-centred and trauma-informed at its core. I draw from a variety of modalities including somatic-based, expressive arts, attachment-focused, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioural therapy to assist my clients in deconstructing unhelpful thoughts/beliefs, become comfortable in their own skin, and increase their capacity to
gently be with their experiences.

I specialize in working with individuals who experience anxiety, have a history of trauma, and/or who struggle to sense their self-worth. I understand the importance of a good client-counsellor fit. I would be honoured to support you on your journey.

Oana Botosan

Oana is a Holistic Nutrition Practitioner recognized by the Canadian Association for Integrative Nutrition.

Oana specializes in gut health and can assist with a range of health concerns, including: IBS and other digestive concerns, nutritional guidance, weight loss, meal planning, food intolerances, sleep optimization, stress management, migraines, chronic pain, brain fog, ADHD, anxiety, mold toxicity, hypothyroidism and management of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

Her approach integrates nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, stress management techniques, gut healing and health supplements. In select cases, Oana utilizes food allergy and intolerance testing and other functional lab assessments, such as stool testing, SIBO breath testing, or evaluations for toxicities to gain valuable insights into individual health needs.

Brendan Girones

Brendan Girones graduated from the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) in the UK, in 2006. The ESO at the time was a renowned centre of excellence in osteopathic training; being one of the few schools to train its students in all aspects of osteopathy at an undergraduate level and in a supervised clinical context.

During his time at the ESO and since graduating, Brendan has been very fortunate to be trained and mentored by many illustrious osteopaths; including Gez Lamb, Robert Lever, Renzo Molinari, Peter Blagrave, Rick and Sue Allen, Viola Fryman, Anna Reeve, Christian Sullivan and more.

Brendan has trained extensively in tructural/classical/cranial/visceral and functional approaches over the last 20 years. Brendan treats patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly and from patients suffering from more serious and long-term injuries/conditions, to elite sportsmen/women who are trying to achieve peak performance.

Brendan has observed and participated in treatment at the Osteopathic Children’s centre in both London and Manchester as well as at the Molinari Institute for Women’s Health in London.

Brendan has also been influenced by the approach of Dr. Jim Jealous; having first encountered and mentored in this approach while still a student more than 20 years ago. He has completed all of the ‘Biodynamics of Osteopathy’ phases; including the the phases focused on the treatment of children.

While Brendan enjoys practicing all the different aspects of osteopathy he has a special interest in the treatment of children, women’s health and pre and post natal care; as well as the treatment of difficult clinical presentations and the treatment of elite sportspersons for optimal performance.

Before Brendan began to work at Harmony Health, he was the principle osteopath in his own busy clinic in South Wales, Uk; treating all ages and a wide array of presenting problems. Brendan is excited to have returned back to South Shore, an area he loves; and to offer a high level of osteopathic care and a wealth of experience to the patients of the area.

He is excited to be joining the team at Harmony Health and to work with the Team to offer a well-rounded multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.