Our History

Awakenings Healing Centre Society was founded in April 2009. After working for many years in the child welfare, mental health system and human service field, co-founders Ferne Strain and Cassandra Strain realized there was huge barrier for people seeking to better themselves.  The problem most people have is that they can only afford to get help from mainstream therapies which are mostly based on the medical system.  When we speak of mainstream therapies, we mean medications and talk therapy in general.   

Ferne and Cassandra have experienced various "alternative" healing therapies which improved their own lives greatly.  That is why both are such supporters and believers in the benefits of alternative healing.   However, both noted that since none of the alternative services are covered by the provincial health care program or any private insurance companies (without having to pay upfront), that this is a major barrier to people in these tight financial times.

With the belief that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to heal and experience the benefits of various alternative therapies, regardless of cost, Awakenings Healing Centre Society was born.

What Are Alternative Healing Therapies?

The term we use "Alternative Healing Therapies" encompasses a broad range of healing practice, many of which have been around for centuries.

Wikipedia defines alternative medicine as "... any healing practice that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine".  Conventional medicine itself is beginning to acknowledge the importance of alternative therapies and have labeled it "Complementary and Alternative Medicine" or CAM for short.  You may have already seen this term used, but if you have not, you will soon enough as it is a rapidly expanding field of medicine. Many medical schools in Canada and around the world are beginning to offer courses in CAM.

Awakenings Healing uses the categories set forth by the medical system to define alternative therapies. They are as follows:

Stand Alone Systems

- Acupuncture

- Herbal Therapy

- Aromatherapy

- Color Therapy

Body Based Therapies

-  Massage Therapy (ie Swedish massage)

- Stress Management techniques such as meditation, yoga and breathing practices)

- Reflexology

- Acupressure

- Shiatsu massage

Complete Medical Systems

- Homeopathy

- Naturopathy

-  Ayurveda

- Traditional North American Indigenous Healing

- Traditional Chinese Medicine

- Shamanism

Energetic Therapies

- Therapeutic touch

- Reiki

- Pranic Healing

- Healing touch

As well as the therapies listed above, Cognitive Behavioral talk therapy (CBT for short) and Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT for short) are also considered a form of alternative therapy.