About - Valley Wellness & Nutrition

Hey there, friend!

I’m Samantha, the heart and soul behind Valley Wellness & Nutrition.

A small-town country girl at heart, I’m now a therapist and holistic nutritionist building a homestead with my family in the breathtaking Ottawa Valley. Exploring its stunning landscapes and working in my gardens alongside my family is my favourite way to unwind and reconnect. It’s a deep breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. The peace and harmony I find in nature resonates with my love for music. Playing piano, dancing, or simply letting music wash over me offers a similar sense of calm. These passions for nature and music sparked my desire to help others find their own unique paths to balance and well-being.

After spending 14 years working in the child welfare sector, I experienced firsthand the challenges of juggling work, family, and personal well-being. Like many of you, I felt the sting of burnout and the physical effects of chronic stress. For me, it manifested as anxiety, digestive issues, and chronic pain. Feeling lost and frustrated by a lack of answers, I embarked on a journey to learn more about how to feel better. Through this journey, I became fascinated by the connection between nutrition and mental health. This passion led me back to school to become a therapist and nutritionist, equipped to help myself and others navigate the challenges of burnout, stress and anxiety, especially in high-stress, trauma-exposed environments. This experience fuels my passion for helping others find practical solutions to manage burnout.

That’s why I created Valley Wellness & Nutrition, a space dedicated to real talk and realistic goals that work for busy working professionals, like you. No fancy jargon — just genuine conversations about wellness and mental health. If you’re looking for practical, tangible steps towards better mental and physical health, I’m here to help.

My approach

As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I’m passionate about helping individuals, particularly burnt-out working professionals, achieve holistic wellness.

Unlike traditional approaches, I believe in a truly integrated approach that blends psychotherapy and nutritional science. We’ll explore how your emotions and experiences might influence your eating habits, and conversely, how nutritional choices can impact your mental state. By exploring both aspects, we can create a powerful path towards lasting change and improved well-being.

Through psychotherapy, we’ll address the root causes of your challenges by drawing on various evidence-based frameworks such as Solution-focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-behaviour Therapy(CBT), and Mindfulness-based approaches to manage burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, and/or improve emotional regulation.

As your Holistic Nutritionist, I’ll guide you in creating a personalized nutrition plan based on your specific needs and goals. This can encompass anything from boosting energy levels to managing chronic conditions. My focus is on fostering a healthy relationship with food that nourishes both your body and mind.

I’m committed to creating a safe and supportive space where you can feel heard and empowered to make positive changes in your life. I believe in a collaborative approach, working with you to develop a plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences. A truly integrated journey.

Ready to embark on this transformative adventure? Let’s connect to discover how I can help you.

Qualifications

Education

Community Herbalist Certificate (currently enrolled), Pacific Rim Online College
Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University
Natural Nutrition Diploma, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition
Honours Bachelor of Arts, Joint-Major in Business Administration and French Language Studies, Trent University

Professional Memberships

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO)
Professional Member, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Standard Member, Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals (CAHN-Pro)
Alumni Member, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition Alumni Association (CSNNAA)

Continuing Education

Train the Trainer – Empathic Fatigue, Secondary Trauma & Burnout Trainer (TEND Academy)
Compassion Fatigue 101 (TEND Academy)
LivingWorks Start (LivingWorks)
Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA), Level 1 (Renfrew County District School Board)

Here are some more fun facts about me,
since sometimes, habits speak louder than words:

My favourite balanced nutritional snack: Sliced apples with almond butter and hemp seeds.
My favourite not-so-balanced nutritional snack: Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (yum!).
My go-to coffee order: Chai Latte with oat milk and a sprinkle cinnamon
My least favourite household task: Vacuuming, but scrubbing the bathtub and mopping the floor are up there too.
The app I can’t live without for managing stress: Spotify – music is my go-to for stress management
My top tip for squeezing in movement during a busy week: Habit stack! Add in stretches while lying in bed, waiting for your lunch to heat up or every time you go to the bathroom. Park further away and take the stairs!
My favourite way to unwind after a long day: Sitting outside reading a book or binge-watching 90s / 00s TV sitcoms and dramas
My go to playlist to get motivated: 80s Road Trip!
My dream job: allows me to empower people in recognizing their strengths that will lead them back to feeling the truest selves, to teach people skills to navigate through the highs and lows of life, and to bring community together through events and retreats. Oh wait, I’m working my dream job!