Wellness Medicine

Dr Joanna Hickey
General Practictioner
MBBS FRACGP MACNEM

Joanna has practiced as a GP for over 25 years, with 15 years in Clifton Hill. She provides quality general practice care and access to complementary therapy where appropriate. She believes in the uniqueness of each individual and knows that people may respond differently to the same treatment.

"A GP is an ideal person to coordinate an individual’s health care and helps with decisions on which medical or complementary therapies may be appropriate. A GP can also provide medical screening and diagnosis for those wishing to use complementary therapies, while monitoring their condition and response to complementary treatment."

Joanna is strongly aware of the mind-body connection in the process of healing. She has practiced meditation for many years and encourages her patients to learn a meditation or relaxation technique to assist the healing process. She is studying for a Graduate Diploma in Integrative Medicine at Swinburne University.

"I am inspired by the potential of combining the latest of trends and technology in medical practice with complementary therapies. I opened the Queens Parade Integrative Medicine centre in December 2001 because I saw the need for a centre that provided our patients with a truly integrated approach. It has often been confusing for people – what, when and who to use – but we have changed that."

Dr John Walters
General Practicitioner
MBBS DPDerm (Dist’n) FASEM FACRRM FRACGP

John graduated in medicine from Melbourne University and worked in general practice locally before moving to country Queensland. He worked there for more than 20 years as a rural GP before returning to Melbourne.

He trained in nutritional medicine and hypnotherapy and studied allergies and later dermatology in the UK. He commenced and ran the Warwick Medical Centre in Queensland specializing in dermatology, skin cancer and allergies.

John has used complementary approaches with western medicine for more than 30 years including nutritional and herbal medicine, exercise, relaxation techniques and hypnotherapy. He has a special interest and expertise in dermatology and especially the treatment of skin cancer as well as allergies, hypnotherapy and psychological medicine.

"I value the importance of education where patients discover how to manage their health and support their body, mind and spirit in healing disease."

Dr Lisa Barker
Osteopath
BSc(Clin. Sci) MHSc(Osteo) - Registered Osteopath

Dr. Lisa Barker is a registered Osteopath. Lisa completed her osteopathic training at Victoria University in 2001 and furthered her studies by obtaining her masters degree in biomechanics of sporting injuries. Since completion of her training, she has spent over four years working in private practice in Victoria and New South Wales, and lecturing in Osteopathic Clinical studies at the Victoria University, RMIT, and the University of Western Sydney.

Lisa has always maintained a strong interest in sport and hence specializes in the correct management and rehabilitation of patient injuries. She uses the principles of activity, and a positive approach, combined with lifestyles changes such as dietary modification, and a regular stretching and exercise program to manage recovery from injury. She believes that by upgrading activity and having the patient become less reliant on passive therapy, they can aid in their own recovery.

• Back & Neck Pain
• Postural problems
• Headaches and migraines
• Arthritis & Joint pain
• Muscle strain & sporting injuries
• Pregnancy relates pain
• Asthma/Breathing difficulties
• Sciatica and Menstrual pain

Dr Sarah Hayes
General Practictioner
MBBS FRACGP DRCOG

Sarah trained in the UK completing her general practice training in 2003.  Since that time she has worked in a rural practice just outside of Melbourne before joining Wellness Medicine in 2009.

Sarah's practice includes all areas of family medicine with a particukar interest in women's health snd family planning in which she has gained post graduate qualifications.  Other areas of interest include child health, elderly care, mind-body medicine and health promotion.

"I am pleased to be working in an environment which fosters an holistic and integrative approach to patient care."

Jenny Adams
Naturopath & Herbalist
Dip App Sci(nat), Grad Dip Health Couns., MPH, MANTA, MNHAA

Jenny has practised as a naturopath in Melbourne for the past 17 years. Prior to joining Wellness Medicine she worked in a multidisciplinary practice and a specialised women’s health clinic.

Jenny uses herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, therapeutic diets and lifestyle advice as part of a holistic treatment plan tailored to each individual. Her practice is family-based and she has a special interest in women’s health, infertility, pregnancy and children’s health.

Naturopathy treats many common conditions ranging from infantile colic and eczema to menstrual problems and menopausal symptoms. It is also ideally designed to prevent health problems by supporting people to participate in their own health care.

As well as working as a naturopath, Jenny is a qualified yoga teacher and teaches weekly prenatal yoga classes. She has a post-graduate qualification in health counselling and a Master’s degree in Public Health.

Natalie Cook
Naturopath & Herbalist
BHSc(Nat) MNHAA BCom(Mkt)

Natalie is a qualified and registered naturopath who completed her studies at the Southern School of Natural Therapies here in Melbourne.

Natalie’s degree in Health Science has equipped her with thorough training in natural medicine including clinical nutrition and herbal medicine while incorporating a solid grounding in contemporary medical science and clinical diagnosis. She believes the effectiveness of naturopathic treatment stems from a holistic approach that capitalises on the body’s innate capacity for healing and is tailored to your own unique situation and requirements.

"My philosophy is one of setting realistic goals and education is always an important part of my treatment. Your treatment plan may include use of herbal tonics, nutritional supplements, a detox and/or diet changes combined with practical lifestyle advice".

With a background in corporate sales and marketing, Natalie understands the pressures of urban living and the practicalities of addressing the health issues that arise from this.

Natalie also holds a commerce degree with a marketing major and is in the process of completing a certificate course in Natural Fertility Education.

Mattie Sempert
Registered Acupuncturist
Reg. CMRB Vic. Bsc NCCAOM (USA)

Mattie Sempert graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture (Boston, USA) in 1991, and is a Registered Acupuncturist with the Chinese medicine Registration Board (Victoria)

Her style of acupuncture combines classical Chinese with the more dynamic, hands-on Japanese approaches, where it is crucial to find the live spots to treat. The numerous ‘tools’ that she uses include not only needles (very fine Japanese gauge) but also different moxibustion techniques (especially direct moxa and a soothing gadget called a Tiger Warmer) and Gua Sha or ‘spooning’, which is a very effective way to free-up stubborn muscle tension.

Mattie enjoys explaining this ancient medical art in contemporary terms that are more accessible and understandable to her predominantly Western, urban-based clientele. She frequently and effectively treats a wide range of problems related to stress, weak immunity and all sorts of painful conditions.

As well as her extensive clinical experience Mattie regularly holds seminars and teaching Japanese methods.

Dr Sandra Parsons
General Practitioner
MBBS FRACGP MACNEM

Sandra graduated in Melbourne in 1972 and has over 35 years experience in General Practice and for 26 of those years she ran her own practice in Fremantle.

Sandra has a wealth of experience and a great interest in women's health, more specifically natural hormones, peri menopause/menopause, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and premenstrual stress.  She also specialises in both female and male health assessments and health checks.

"In conjunction with women's health I have maintained a strong interest in mind-body medicine which centres around the belief that unresolved emotional issues can have an enormous impact in the future of our health.

Throughout years of clinical experience I have found that by combining complementary and natural medicine with conventional medicine greatly assists people in achieving optimal wellness.  Biomedical intervention with a focus on diet and naturally derived supplements will help restore a healthy biochemistry."