
Meet Our Practitioners
Our team brings together a diverse group of healthcare practitioners who share a common goal: supporting your whole- person well-being. From hands-on therapies like massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and osteopathy, to mental and emotional support through counselling, yoga, and Pilates, each practitioner offers their own unique path to healing. With a shared belief in compassionate, integrative care, we’re here to help you reconnect with balance, vitality, and ease—mind, body, and spirit.
Pauline Wong
Registered Acupuncturist, R.TCM.P
Pauline is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist, trained at Tzu Chi International College and Central College. She specializes in pain management, fatigue, digestive issues, insomnia, mental health, headaches, menstrual and fertility concerns, facial rejuvenation, and weight management.
Using various modalities like acupuncture, cupping, and Tui-Na, she integrates her dietetics background and over 10 years of experience at Vancouver General Hospital to promote holistic health. Her client-centered approach aims for optimal wellness through natural methods.
In her free time, she enjoys cycling and gardening.
Selina Gu
Registered Acupuncturist, R. TCM.P
Selina possesses over 10 years of experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine within public hospitals. She is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in British Columbia, Canada, having been practicing for 8 years. Selina provides professional treatment for various pain, muscle, and joint issues, as well as alleviates anxiety, tension, improves sleep quality, and strengthens the immune system. These treatments are facilitated through the use of acupuncture, cupping, Guasha, and head acupressure.
Tin Yan Pong
Registered Massage Therapist
Tin-Yan’s holistic approach to wellness aims to achieve balance based on individual needs. She works with patients from diverse backgrounds, including those with chronic pain and athletes seeking rehabilitation. Techniques like myofascial manipulation, trigger point release, and Swedish massage are part of her treatment.
Tin-Yan also holds a Bachelor’s in kinesiology from UBC and has experience as a paramedic. Her diverse background and healthcare experience provide unique insights into patient care and treatment.
In her free time, Tin-Yan enjoys sports like basketball and volleyball, hiking and camping in British Columbia, exploring pastry recipes, and playing board games.
Carmen Merkel
Registered Massage Therapist
Carmen comes to the work with honour and deep curiosity for her client’s lived experiences. Her treatments are heavily informed by her background in yoga and personal experience with chronic pain.
Her practice focuses on nervous system regulation and relaxation. She’s trained in trauma-informed care, chronic pain, perinatal care, fascial, visceral, and cranial therapies. She specializes in supporting clients with stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and women’s health issues.
When not at the clinic Carmen enjoys lifting weights, rock climbing, back country skiing, snuggling her cat and reading about the mind body connection.
Jot Dhaliwal
Registered Massage Therapist / Founder
Jot is a dedicated Registered Massage Therapist focused on movement-based recovery. Known for being a great listener, he takes the time to understand each client’s needs and guides them on their personal healing journey. Having faced his own health challenges, Jot brings empathy and insight to every session. Outside the clinic, he enjoys spending time with his adorable cat,
Chikoo, and is passionate about giving back to the community. As the founder of Elani Wellness, he is committed to creating a warm, welcoming space where wellness and care come first.
Olivia Pyo
Registered Acupuncturist
Olivia is a dedicated acupuncturist committed to helping patients restore balance, relieve pain, and improve overall well-being through natural, holistic care.
She takes a patient-centered approach, creating personalized treatment plans that address both the symptoms and root causes of health concerns. Known for her gentle technique and compassionate care, Olivia strives to create a calm and welcoming environment for every patient. Her special interests are musculoskeletal pain, stress-related conditions, women’s health, digestive issues and skin health and rejuvenation.
Kai Tubinshlak
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Kai aims to create a safe and supportive space for you to explore your story, challenges, and future dreams. As your therapist, he will guide you through your experiences, help you reconnect with your strengths, and find new ways to overcome obstacles. He uses various approaches, including Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He has supported people through various life experiences, from trauma and anxiety to relationship challenges, self-esteem struggles, addictions, and more. Together, you will
explore your values, develop resilience tools, and create a path to living authentically, purposefully, and self-acceptingly.
Kate McKenna
Registered Clincal Counsellor
Kate McKenna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master's of Counselling from City University. She works with clients of all genders, backgrounds, and experiences, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, fertility issues, and chronic pain.
Drawing from approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and Parts Therapy, Kate tailors her work to each client's unique needs. Her warmly collaborative approach ensures your healing journey remains her top priority.
Tara McCaffery
Registered Clincal Counsellor
Tara is a registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified Meditation Instructor with over 10 years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Tara has worked in diverse settings, including private sessions, schools,
and non-profit organizations, supporting individuals through various challenges.
She utilizes a holistic, client-centered approach, combining talk and somatic therapy, and believes in fostering trust and collaboration with clients. Her counselling modalities include certifications in CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, EMDR, and more, reflecting her core values of connection, lifelong learning, and genuineness.
Einaz Farahmand
Registered Acupuncturist
Einaz Farahmand, a graduate of TCICTCM, is a dedicated Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner with comprehensive knowledge and skills. She offers expert treatment for various health concerns, including musculoskeletal, neurological, mental health, digestive, autoimmune, endocrinology, dermatology, and women’s health.
With over 15 years of experience in skin care and cosmetics, Einaz is a Cosmetic Acupuncture Rejuvenation Practitioner who provides personalized treatments tailored to individual needs. Her holistic wellness is enhanced by her certification in Holistic Nutrition through Chinese medicine.
Raised in Vancouver’s vibrant West End, Einaz is thrilled to practice in her community. Her passion for service is evident in her two years of volunteering at the Women’s Health Collective, supporting women in need.