Hi, I’m Emmeline! I’m a Registered Acupuncturist and my ultimate goal is to provide a comfortable, inclusive and friendly space for your healing journey.

My favorite part of being an acupuncturist is working with patients to create a custom treatment plan that is tailored to their specific case. I take pride in establishing trust with every patient to refine the efficacy of each treatment. I am experienced in treating stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and chronic pain. That said, there are limitless possibilities as to what acupuncture can treat! I am deeply passionate about what I do, and would be honoured to be a part of your healing process.

Hi, I’m Emmeline! I’m a Registered Acupuncturist and my ultimate goal is to provide a comfortable... Read More

A Registered Professional Counsellor (RPCC), Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTCC), Certified Therapeutic Coach and a BCom in Entrepreneurship, Melissa brings over 20 years of experience in yoga and breathwork, along with 15 years in youth and women’s health, developmental and spiritual psychology, relational neurobiology and business.

TREATMENT AREAS Her clients often face challenges with relationships/codependence, parenting, perinatal and motherhood, grief, finding purpose or direction, health issues, feelings of anxiety, depression, or overwhelm, navigating career or major life transitions, and disconnection from authentic self and spirit.

METHOD Melissa’s work blends compassion, curiosity, and creativity, integrating therapeutic practices with ancient wisdom to offer a comprehensive and holistic path to well-being.

Through heartfelt conversations and embodied understanding, she inspires clients to deepen their self-connection, heal relational patterns, and align mind, body, and soul—revealing clarity, purpose, and personal empowerment for meaningful and lasting transformation.

Rooted in a warm, compassionate understanding of energy and mindset, Melissa uses intuition and collaboration to meet clients where they are, helping them navigate toward their goals.

APPROACH At the heart of Melissa’s work is guiding individuals toward individuation and connection with their internal wisdom through the lens of the medicine wheel (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual). Her counselling approach blends attachment and systems therapy (healing past wounds), somatics (integrating body and mind), narrative and cognitive therapy (exploring self-stories and subconscious programming), and spiritual psychology (nurturing connections to nature and truth).

Her Therapeutic Coaching combines change coaching (focused on career, life transitions, and relationships) with tools for leadership and identity exploration through Human Design and The Gene Keys systems, along with somatic tools (Frequency, Yoga/Meditation/Breathwork) fostering deeper self-awareness and meaningful connections with others.

ABOUT Passionate about music, hiking, photography, design, travel, nature, and slow food; supporting women’s health, daily immersion in nature and cherishing moments with her daughter are what makes Melissa’s heart sing.

She is a Metis citizen and resides and operates a private counselling and coaching practice in beautiful Victoria, BC, on the sacred and ancestral lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) and the W̱SÁNEĆ nations.

Melissa Blyth REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING and THERAPEUTIC COACHING ... Read More

As a Massage Therapist graduating from OVCMT and practicing since 2012, I offer a holistic and trauma-informed approach to healing that honours the mind-body connection. My practice is inclusive, patient-centered, and rooted in the belief that true wellness comes from addressing the whole person—physically, emotionally, and energetically. I strive to support your health journey by creating a safe, supportive space for all individuals to reconnect with their bodies and restore balance, self-awareness and well-being through therapeutic touch.

I have always been fascinated by the nervous system and always strive to advance my knowledge base to facilitate nervous system regulation through breathwork, gentle techniques including Craniosacral Therapy and somatic homecare to create an overall nurturing and relaxing treatment.

I look forward to welcoming you into my practice at Opal Wellness in Esquimalt, empowering you along your unique healing path.

As a Massage Therapist graduating from OVCMT and practicing since 2012, I offer a holistic and tr... Read More

Meet Lindsay, a Registered Acupuncturist and graduate of the globally recognized Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC. She is registered and in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA).

Taking an integrative approach to healing, Lindsay’s focus extends beyond relieving symptoms to fostering long-term balance and vitality. She believes in providing patients with the tools and information needed to engage closely with every aspect of their healing journey —mind, body, soul —for achieving optimal health and well-being. In the clinic, Lindsay adopts a trauma-informed approach, prioritizing the creation of a safe space where patient voices are valued.

As a practitioner, she has a particular interest in mental-emotional balancing, cosmetic and skin health, gastrointestinal-digestive disorders, and women’s health. Lindsay continuously enhances her education by regularly attending workshops and online courses.

Meet Lindsay, a Registered Acupuncturist and graduate of the globally recognized Pacific Rim Coll... Read More

With over a decade of experience in the wellness industry, as a Massage Professional, I’ve dedicated my career to guiding others to reconnect with their bodies, for deeper healing and balance. I am passionate about the body-mind connection and the the natural capacity for growth and renewal when creating coherence within. My approach is deeply rooted in a diverse background, blending Massage, Bioenergetics, and the transformative power of Light therapy, through Audio Visual Entrainment. As a certified instructor in Yin and Hatha yoga, Pilates, and Barre, I bring a multidimensional understanding of movement and alignment to every session. I’ve had the privilege of training with leaders in the field, including Dr. Sue Morter, with a certification in this work, I address not just physical tension but also the underlying energetic imbalances that may contribute to discomfort or stress. Whether it’s releasing deep tension or emotional and energetic support, together we create space that facilitates your body’s innate ability to find homeostasis and harmony, my goal is to create time where you feel truly seen, heard, and cared for.

With over a decade of experience in the wellness industry, as a Massage Professional, I’ve dedica... Read More

Lucy is a Camosun College graduate who joined the Opal Wellness practitioner team in December 2024. Her massage therapy practice is shaped by a strong interest in myofascial techniques, hot and cold stone therapy, and growing curiosity around TMJ and facial treatments—including intraoral work for jaw-related concerns.

Lucy’s treatments are guided by a nervous system-informed lens. She prioritizes a calming, parasympathetic approach— with a goal of helping clients access greater ease, mobility, and integration by addressing both the physical and neurological contributors to pain and dysfunction. By creating space for the nervous system to settle, her treatments aim to enhance mobility, reduce discomfort, and encourage lasting change.

Lucy welcomes all bodies into her treatment space, and is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the clinic directly with any questions about accessibility or comfort.

Lucy is a Camosun College graduate who joined the Opal Wellness practitioner team in December 202... Read More

Melissa is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, practicing since 2014.

She is passionate about working with those looking for help with skin issues and anything related to digestive, hormonal and mental health.

Melissa is an instructor at Pacific Rim College, teaching courses like TCM Food Therapy and TCM Herbal Pharmacology. She loves the opportunity to share Chinese medicine perspectives with those coming in for treatments, ask if you ever want to learn more!

Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, Melissa completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Psychology. She is most drawn to the holistic approach of TCM and loves customizing each treatment - employing acupuncture, food therapy, cupping, ear seeds, and herbal medicine, depending on the needs of each individual.

Melissa has developed a very gentle needling technique. Her acupuncture sessions offer a moment of rest and relaxation.

Melissa is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, practicing since 2014. She is pa... Read More

Hi! My name is Marika. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Victoria, BC. I pursued my passion for wellness and healing by studying at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy.

I am a queer and Indigenous practitioner, and these aspects of my identity have been pillars on my journey of discovery and remembering. Embracing my queerness has brought me so much joy and peace, which then led me to start reconnecting with and better understanding my ancestral identity. I have ancestral ties to the Tlingit and Penelakut peoples, as well as Dutch and Scandinavian roots. As a white-presenting person, it hasn’t always been easy to claim my Indigenous roots, but I have come to understand how vital ancestral reconnection is on the path to healing. I hope to share this understanding and support others on their own journeys of self-discovery and healing.

I did not always know that massage therapy was my path to serving the collective. I have struggled a lot with anxiety and depression in my life. And yet, it was when I was in one my darkest and most painful times that the idea of becoming an RMT was presented to me. This profession has given me so much healing and I hope that my own personal transformation can help others.

The foundations of my practice are trust, safety, and reconnecting mind, body and spirit. I value holistic, intuitive, inclusive, and body-neutral care. I believe that having the space to fully relax and be heard is healing in and of itself and that our bodies retain all the wisdom necessary for healing and wholeness; we just need to tune into the “language” they speak.

Amidst the challenges in our world, both on an individual and global scale, my goal for my practice is to create space to offer more compassion, grounding, and support to others. Through this work, I hope to offer more profound avenues of healing for myself, my clients, and the collective. I wish to amplify the impact of my work by sharing more of my authentic self and the wisdom that flows through me, fostering the reconnection of Body, Mind, and Spirit for others.

I always strive to make my clinic room a safe and trauma-informed space. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make you more comfortable during your appointment.

Hi! My name is Marika. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Victoria, BC. I pursued my ... Read More

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Andrea Penagos is a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.) with the CTCMA of British Columbia. She holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University in Los Angeles and a Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) from Pacific Rim College in Victoria, and practices both Chinese and Western herbal medicine.

Andrea is passionate about helping patients up-level their quality of life and wellbeing through the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine, lifestyle medicine, and individualized holistic care. Her practice is based on the understanding that the body innately knows how to heal itself and its potential can be optimized with acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, movement, and everyday habits. Other modalities in her toolkit include cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, tui na, and Reiki/energy healing.

Andrea has a special interest in fertility, menstrual health, emotional wellbeing, pain management, and cosmetic acupuncture. She also treats a range of conditions that include acute injuries, back pain, joint pain, sciatica, headaches, fatigue, digestive disorders, and respiratory/post-viral conditions.

Andrea holds additional training in facial rejuvenation acupuncture and spa facial techniques. Her approach to skincare has been shaped by her own journey healing rosacea and chronic inflammation, which has inspired her to help others navigate their skin concerns. Andrea prioritizes gentle but effective techniques, organic skincare products, and actionable lifestyle shifts to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Outside of the clinic, Andrea enjoys daily Gorge walks with her rescue pup Archer, strength training, cooking, meditating, writing, medicine-making, and the occasional adventure abroad.

Andrea Penagos is a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.) with the CTCM... Read More

Alexis is a dedicated registered clinical counsellor who provides tailored, person-centred, and culturally responsive support to her clients. With a profound appreciation for the importance of access to quality support that considers all intersections of one’s identity, Alexis aims to empower each unique client who walks through Opal’s doors.

Alexis specializes in working with female-identifying individuals exploring self-esteem, emotional regulation, boundary-setting, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, and major life transitions. She prioritizes the development of strong therapeutic relationships with her clientele and strives to honour diverse lived experiences through carefully tailored interventions. Alexis tailors interventions to each client’s needs, drawing from Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Mindfulness.

In her spare time, Alexis loves to soak in the simple pleasures of life, from listening to music, eating great pasta, and backyard birding. She especially loves to venture out with her fiancé and dog to explore the trails, beaches, and parks of southern Vancouver Island — the traditional territories of the Lekwungen (Esquimalt and Songhees), Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke, and W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples.

Alexis is a dedicated registered clinical counsellor who provides tailored, person-centred, and c... Read More

Hi, I’m Nicola – A relationship-focused & couples counsellor, but a human first. And I welcome you into my space as the full human you know yourself to be.

I tend to think of therapy as “work hard, play hard” – with a generous side of empathy, honesty, and humour. It’s a space to help you recognize your strengths, take ownership of your successes (& fuck-ups), while providing support, and offering new perspectives – So you can dive deep into those big feelings, chat through the uncomfortable stuff, and explore everything life throws at you, human to human.

In my one-to-one work with individuals, I love supporting folks who are:

• Working through the pains of perfectionism
• Going through big life changes – Whether you’re figuring out a new career path, debating going back to school, ending a relationship, moving to another city, or deciding to have kids…
• Asking the big questions like, Who am I? What do I care about most? What do I want for myself?
• Riding the rollercoaster of relationships – From dating, to family, to friendships, to exploring your sexuality, opening your relationship, or building a life with someone
• Struggling to build confidence or feel like you’re always getting in your own way

In my work with couples, I’m passionate about helping partners reconnect, communicate better, and navigate life’s messy, beautiful moments together. I aim to help you & your partner(s):

• Talk so your partner(s) actually hear [aka – understands] you
• Feel like a real team instead of two opposing forces
• Make the hard conversations a bit easier & more productive
• Imagine new ways to improve your sex life
• Create closeness, even in long-distance relationships
• Explore the complexities of being intentionally child-free

Whether you’re dating, married, navigating non-monogamy, long-distance, or intentionally child-free – I’m here to support you. Relationships are deeply personal, but they don’t have to be figured out alone. Let’s roll up our sleeves and explore what’s working, what’s not, and what kind of connection you want to build moving forward.

with salt, Nicola

Hi, I’m Nicola – A relationship-focused & couples counsellor, but a human first. And I welcom... Read More

Kristy will be covering as a locum practitioner at Opal Wellness between July 13-August 2nd

Kristy is a passionate and experienced Registered Massage Therapist who graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) in 2014. Since then, she’s been helping people feel better in their bodies through a treatment approach that’s grounded, intuitive, and centered on making clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard.

With a focus on rehabilitation and long-term wellness, Kristy works with her clients to reduce pain, restore movement, and support recovery—both in the treatment room and at home. She believes that empowering people with tools, education, and encouragement is key to helping them feel their best beyond the clinic.

She’s taken Mental Health First Aid training and understands the deep connection between physical and emotional well-being. Whether you’re dealing with stress, injury, persistent pain, or just need some time to reset, Kristy’s goal is always to create a calm, caring, and effective space tailored to your needs.

Outside the clinic, Kristy fuels her creativity and sense of adventure through crocheting, hiking, and riding her motorcycle. She’s also a lifelong fan of the Dave Matthews Band and finds joy in music, nature, and the open road.

Ready to take the next step in your recovery or self-care? Kristy would love to help you feel your best—both on and off the table.

Kristy will be covering as a locum practitioner at Opal Wellness between July 13-August 2nd Kris... Read More

Hi there! I am Rebecca Waterman CNP, and I want you to eat well. I believe that food has the power to heal and transform. As a Holistic Nutritionist my focus is on supporting individuals with goals centered on realigning hormonal health, stress and the connections to digestive health. I am excited to join the Opal Wellness team!

My own health journey started with burnout, digestive issues and hormonal imbalances while working multiple jobs, attending school and experiencing complex personal stressors - life! After experiencing burnout, I knew I needed to take control of my health and started to heal my relationship to food and my body. As I healed my body, I took this momentum quickly into rigorous nonprofit work which inevitably led me to experience burnout once again as I was not considering a whole person approach for myself. As this was not my first rodeo with burnout, and I knew I needed to make a change, I decided to seize this opportunity to formalize my experience in holistic health and nutrition through attending the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. This education gave me the tools to more directly serve the wellbeing of my community.

As a member of the 2LGBTQIA+ community and through my history of working supporting food security, sovereignty and wellness in non-profit spaces, I knew it was important for me to create a practice that is inclusive, trauma-informed and takes into account intersections of wellness that exist in all individuals including marginalized communities. In addition to this, I bring over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, where I have done recipe creation, menu design, conducted job skills training programs, skin health consultations and more.

This journey to improved health, while not easy, has informed the compassion that I carry into meeting individuals, and truly believe the path towards healing is one that takes a whole person approach. This means that I see individuals for who they are beyond their diet, and make meaningful recommendations that fit the lifestyle of the individual while providing options that are both delicious and informed. Rooted in empathetic listening, together we will create personalized protocols and spend time learning and honouring you and your health journey. I believe we all have the innate power within us to transform, and I look forward to walking alongside you on your path to greater ease.

Along with working at other clinics providing one on one nutritional consultations, I have been working at Opal Wellness since opening in March 2024. I feel continuously inspired by the incredible network of practitioners, and the wonderful people who make Opal Wellness the special place that it is. I look forward to meeting you!

Hi there! I am Rebecca Waterman CNP, and I want you to eat well. I believe that food has the powe... Read More