Hey there!

I’m so glad you stopped by! I’m Lyn, a Registered Nurse in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Two years ago I found myself! I was experiencing being burnt-out from working as an RN in the Covid-19 pandemic. I knew I needed a different route in life and I stumbled upon Ciinde (The Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development and Education.) I completed my holistic nursing and nurse coaching certification and I haven’t looked back. I love being able to help people in practical ways. I’ve been burnt-out, overwhelmed, struggled with anxiety and also with chronic illness. I know how these things can feel and I would love to meet with you and give you some tools for your toolbox to help you to have coping strategies to be able to move forward. As a holistic nurse coach I see you as a whole person, not just a problem or diagnosis. I will help guide you with your journey of healing and self-discovery. 

I graduated as an RN in 1997, so, it’s been a while! I’m a Ciinde Certified Holistic Nurse and Nurse Coach, a Functional Health Nurse (Integrated Nurse Coach Academy), a Certified Trauma Professional (Evergreen), a Certified Sleep and Science Coach, a Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional, and an End of Life Coach.  I’ve worked in a variety of health care settings including intensive care, community, long term care and mental health. I’ve also held positions in management within acute and long term care settings.

I can work with you concerning any health challenges that you might have. I particularly have an interest in working with people who are living with stress, burn-out, anxiety, hormonal concerns and sleep disturbances. Are you struggling with learning how to complete self-care? Do you have low self-esteem and low self-compassion? I’d love to guide you, give you practical tools and empower you towards making positive changes within your overall health and life. 

My husband and I have two adult children, we moved to Canada from the UK 15 years ago. Until recently we made New Brunswick our home, but now you can find us in a lovely community in Nova Scotia by the Atlantic Ocean. I enjoy spending time in nature, going for walks on trails or along the beach, along with our puppy, Max. I hope to include nature therapy and walk and talk therapy within my coaching as time goes on. I enjoy collecting shells and sea glass, photography, birding, knitting and reading. I love peace and tranquility and have learned over the past few years the importance of practicing my own self-care.

What’s in a Name?

Why Upstream Health and Wellness? While I was completing some research into anxiety I came across this quote by Desmond Tutu. 

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” ~ Desmond Tutu

It really struck me at the time as so often within the allopathic healthcare model we are treating the condition or disease often when it has got to a point that the symptoms can’t be ignored anymore. Functional Health and Nurse Coaching is more focused on preventative health, as in, let’s go upstream and find out why people are falling into the river before we have to pull them out. 

Going upstream is hard, it is going against the current, against the grain so to speak. If you have seen videos of salmon completing their annual migration, going upstream against the current, then you will be aware of how challenging it can be. Holistic Nurse Coaching is a relatively new nursing practice and it does not always look like traditional nursing!

Training and Experience

  • Holistic Nurse
  • Nurse Coach
  • Functional Health Nurse
  • End of Life Coach
  • Certified Sleep Science Coach (Spencer Institute)
  • Certified Trauma Professional (Evergreen)
  • Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional (Evergreen)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Guided imagery, mindfulness exercises and grounding techniques
  • SAD – wintering techniques
  • ASIST
  • Single Session Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Nature Education – Cornell University
  • Pallium LEAP Core 
  • Pallium LEAP In-Depth

Testimonials


Lyn’s coaching style is full of empathy, compassion and support. She has the ability to listen and validate her clients emotions, beliefs and ideas. She provided me with helpful tools and suggestions on how I could address my most challenging life circumstances while helping me to recognize my strengths and values. She provided me with a sense of comfort and empowerment along my wellness journey. She has a beautiful way of being and a caring nature . She was so sincere in wanting me to find the best solutions for my own well being. 

Thank you Lyn! 

LS – New Brunswick


I am so grateful for my time spent with Lyn. Lyn was able to guide me to organize my scattered thoughts and ideas regarding my career to a clear and concise plan. She never failed to provide sincere encouragement and a calming affect throughout each session. Thank you Lyn, for sharing all of your wisdom with me, in which I will use on my path forward.

GO – Newfoundland & Labrador


A few words to encourage anyone who may be thinking of engaging in one on one coaching with Lyn. My experience was one of positive feedback. An enlightening time for me to better understand the medications I am taking and how they affect my overall health.  Through Lyn’s encouragement and thought provoking questions, I am better able to understand the “why” of things in my life, and that enabled me to make different choices to succeed with better outcomes.  It also gave me the courage to dig into places I tried to hide from. Overall, I am facing my fears and striving to be a better me, mind, body, and soul. Thank you Lyn.

MN – New Brunswick

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