Meet Our Dedicated Healthcare Practitioners
Compassionate professionals delivering personalized care through experience, collaboration, and expertise.
Merlita Cabalse, DOMP
Merlita has always been drawn to the holistic nature of osteopathy, its core understanding that the body heals itself, and the simple yet profound idea of movement as an expression of health and life. She believes in identifying and treating the root cause of pain and dysfunction rather than simply managing symptoms.
She enjoys treating people of all ages and witnessing improvements in their health. Merlita values patient education and treats both structurally and cranially, incorporating a wide range of techniques in a gentle yet focused manner. She also brings many years of experience in physiotherapy to her practice. Her goal is to optimize each patient’s health and well-being through a holistic and alternative approach to healthcare.
In her spare time, Merlita loves spending time with her daughter, taking walks, reading, cooking, and enjoying cake decorating. She remains deeply passionate about osteopathy and continues her postgraduate studies.
Courses Completed
- Visceral Manipulation (VM1): Barral Institute, April 2018
- Listening Techniques: An Osteopathic Approach to Evaluation: Barral Institute, February 2019
Sheelagh Stewart, DOMP
Deeply caring for the comfort and well-being of others, Sheelagh is passionate about her work and her connection with every person who enters her clinic. Her journey into understanding the complexities of the body-mind connection began 15 years ago and led her to osteopathy after experiencing her own chronic pain and stress.
Her philosophy centers on the unity and integration of the body and its innate ability to recover, heal, and self-regulate. Sheelagh is a graduate of the National Academy of Osteopathy and continues to pursue advanced studies in manual therapies and integrative care. She also joined the 2016 graduating class of the Whole Health Medicine Institute (USA), led by Dr. Lissa Rankin, MD.
“It’s unbelievable how an empathetic person, whose hands convey a genuine sense of concern, can enhance the body’s healing response.”
Courses Completed
- Visceral Manipulation (VM1): Barral Institute, April 2018
- Craniosacral Therapy (CST1): Upledger Institute, November 2019
Mariane Felippe, DOMP
Guided by a passion to restore movement and well-being, Mariane’s healthcare journey has evolved into a holistic, root-cause-focused practice. She earned her Bachelor of Physiotherapy in Brazil in 2010, grounding her knowledge in biomechanics and rehabilitation. That same year, she obtained her Pilates certification, deepening her understanding of the connection between movement, breath, and mental awareness.
Her holistic philosophy naturally led her to osteopathy, where structure and function are viewed as deeply interconnected. With over 10 years of hands-on experience, Mariane provides personalized, whole-body care that supports long-term wellness and empowers the body’s natural healing abilities.
Kari Gamble-Verdone, Registered Massage Therapist
Kari has been a full-time licensed massage therapist since 2015 after graduating from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in Cambridge. She returned to her hometown in Northern Ontario, providing in-home and clinical treatments before relocating back to Southern Ontario to continue her passion for helping others.
Kari specializes in Swedish massage, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, sports massage, and medical massage. Her treatments are customized to each individual’s needs, and she is known for her caring and professional presence. In her free time, Kari enjoys spending time with her children and family, playing sports—especially hockey—and embracing the outdoors.
Michelle Dueck, Registered Massage Therapist
Michelle grew up in the KW region and completed her vocational training at Wellington College of Remedial Massage Therapies and post-secondary studies at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. She has been a registered massage therapist in Ontario since 2014.
She supports patients across all stages of life, helping relieve stress responses and tension patterns related to posture, repetitive motion, and chronic, progressive, or genetic conditions. Her treatments combine relaxation with therapeutic care and include specialized training in pre- and post-natal massage and foot reflexology. Her special interests include neurodiversity, trauma response, and interoception.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys family time, hiking, camping, creative projects, reading, art, and playing board games.
Candace Wight, Reiki Master
Candace has been a Reiki Master and practitioner since 2015, trained in the Usui Shiki Ryoho System, and became a Certified Foot Reflexology Practitioner in 2017. She believes deeply in every person’s ability to heal emotionally, physically, and mentally.
By working with subtle energy systems, Candace helps create the conditions for rest, relaxation, and homeostasis—supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. She is committed to offering a safe, gentle space for therapeutic care.
Outside of the clinic, Candace is an abstract artist, avid gardener, traveler, home renovator, and dedicated parent.
Priyanka Chandel, PT, Registered Physiotherapist
Priyanka earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy in 2008 and gained extensive experience in orthopaedics, pelvic rehabilitation, and neurology while working in a kidney and urology hospital. She has been a Registered Physiotherapist since 2018 and works in private orthopaedic and geriatric care.
With a strong interest in women’s health, Priyanka completed advanced pelvic health training for both male and female patients. She treats pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, pregnancy-related concerns, prolapse, and related conditions using hands-on manual therapy, education, and exercise prescription.
Dedicated to excellence, Priyanka continually updates her skills to integrate evidence-based practice with compassionate patient care. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family.
Explore Our Treatment Services
Learn more about the range of therapies our practitioners offer and discover the care options designed to support your health, movement, and overall well-being.