Meet Marisa

 

Marisa is a clinician, educator, medicine‑maker, and advocate for helping others deepen their connection to and understanding of botanical medicine, using a traditional western herbalist and modern evidence-informed approach.

After completing a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from The University of Western Ontario, Marisa trained as a Naturopathic Doctor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine - Vancouver Campus, graduating in 2011. In 2014 she became a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist’s Guild, and in 2018 received her Registered Herbal Therapist designation with the British Columbia Herbalist’s Association.

Her life and career path has been immersed in the research, application, and teaching of herbal therapeutics to audiences ranging from the general public to Physicians & other Health Care Practitioners.

In 2018 she co‑authored the first edition of the Botanical Medicine Quick Reference Guide, a book aimed at translating complex herbal theory into clear clinical tools for students and practitioners. She has taught as an academic and clinical faculty member, and served as Chair of the Botanical Medicine at CCNM-Boucher until 2023, and has held adjunct faculty roles at CCNM, Pacific Rim Online College, and National University of Health Sciences. As an educational consultant, Marisa has also supported multinational companies such as Nature’s Way and Standard Process/Mediherb, lending her expertise and passion for spreading herbal knowledge across North America.

Marisa is also the owner of Herbal Energetics, a professional tincture manufacturing and compounding company located on the Sunshine Coast (shíshálh territory) of British Columbia, Canada, where she personally oversees the production of over 200 organic, wildcrafted, and/or chemically tested herbs, supplying the highest possible quality tinctures to practitioners across Canada.

Currently Marisa maintains a small clinical practice where she prioritizes safe, effective, and personalized herbal care. For more information about her clinical practice, click here.

 

Qualifications & Experience

 

Education

 

Clinical Experience

  • Private practice in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada since 2011

  • Clinical Faculty Member at Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Boucher Campus), 2014-2018

 

Teaching Experience

  • Chair of Department of Botanical Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Boucher Campus) 2017 -2023

  • Instructor of Botanical Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Boucher Campus) since 2012

  • Instructor of Botanical Medicine at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (Vancouver Campus) from 2012-2016

  • Instructor of Herbal Medicine Making at Pacific Rim Online College since 2020

  • Instructor of Botanical Medicine at the National University of Health Sciences, 2021

 

Publications & Curriculum Development

  • Co-author of the Botanical Medicine Quick Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, 2018

  • Botanical Medicine for Naturopathic Physicians, CCNM (Boucher Campus) since 2012

  • Public Herbal Workshop Series since 2015

  • Culinary Herbal Medicine Program, Institute of Holistic Nutrition

  • Plant Pharmacology & Plant based Medicine Making Intensive, Institute of Holistic Nutrition

  • Herbal Body Products & Gift Making, Pacific Rim Online College

  • Contributor to Aroma Culture Magazine, BC Parent Magazine, The NaturalPath, and Saje Wellness online

 

Professional Affiliations

  • Licensed ND with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia, 2011-2025

  • Registered Professional Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild since 2014

  • Member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors since 2011

  • Member of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association since 2011-2025

  • Professional Member of the American Botanical Council since 2018

  • Professional Registered Herbal Therapist with the British Columbia Herbalists Association since 2021

  • Member of the Board of Directors of the British Columbia Herbalists Association since 2024

 

Consulting & Speaking EXperience

  • Standard Process Naturopathic & Herbal Consultant since 2018

  • Nature’s Way Herbal Education & Product Consultant since 2016

  • Collaborative Education CE for Naturopathic Physicians, Webinar on IBS & Botanical Medicine, Recorded 2016

  • Speaker for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, 2021

  • Speaker for the Canadian Herb Conference, 2020

  • Speaker for the Washington Naturopathic Doctor Association Annual Conference, 2020

  • Speaker for the Vancouver Island Herb Gathering, 2017

  • Speaker for the Kootenay Herb Conference, 2014, 2016, 2018

  • Restorative Formulations Herbal Content Consultant, 2017

  • International Herbal Product Consulting and experience since 2014

 

Volunteer work & Community engagement

  • Provide Naturopathic care to Musqueam & Haida First Nations communities through the Naturopathic Outreach Society

  • Provide ongoing health education and herbal workshops to Seniors in assisted living in Vancouver, BC

 
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