Melissa Tohlakai

I've spent the last decade supporting women through their menopause journey without HRT or medications so that they have choice and empowerment in their own path through the change.

Melissa's relief work running and self-funding a free service on the Navajo Nation was the centre of the documentary "COVID Nation" made in 2020 and featured on Australian TV. 

I was depressed, anxious, suffering from unbearable monthly pain and  debilitating migraines that left my words coming out all jumbled amongst the vomiting and right sided numbness.

Doctors told me that period pain is normal (it's common, but never normal!) and put me on contraceptives to control the pain and bleeding. In reality I had undiagnosed endometriosis, it took almost 20 years of being invalidated by doctors before I was able to have that confirmed.

The whole time I was living under the cloud of depression and severe anxiety. I was told it was impossible to have both, more invalidation and patronisation.

Not once did a health professional ask me why I felt this way.

Instead I was medicated.

First with Benzodiazepines, and then with SSRI's. And that was just the medication for my moods, there were also pills to prevent migraines, more pills for when I got them, pain pills and more.

End result was I got worse. These mood altering drugs weren't even studied for use in teens and would later be proven to cause suicidal ideation. 

This cycle went on into my twenties until I had the good fortune to find a holistic psychologist who helped me understand what I was experiencing and gave me the strength to get off the medications.

Back then there was no real support for people withdrawing from SSRIs and the taper symptoms were unbearable, so I went cold turkey to get it over with. Much of my work has revolved around supporting those who are struggling with mental and emotional health.

When people learn how I stopped they are stunned, honestly looking back so am I when I see how people often struggle through tapers. But I believe I had an inner strength and reason that overcame the difficulties. 

Life had bigger plans for me and my greatest teacher and inspiration came in the form of a pony named Pippi. I had bought him for my daughter and he developed a mystery illness that vets treated with a multitude of drugs including an antibiotic cocktail that destroyed one kidney, damaged the other and left him diabetic.

For three years I researched day and night to save him. I became a nutritionist first, then completed my studies in naturopathy and herbal medicine. I couldn't undo the organ damage caused by conventional medicine, but I did buy us three precious years with nature's medicine chest and some amazing teachers. While I couldn't save Pippi, in many ways he saved me. He gave me the gift of knowing who I truly am.

The day I opened my Australian office felt like coming home. It is my great privilege to walk beside you, my clients in your healing path.

Here you will find someone who truly listens to you and understands how difficult finding the right answers and healing partnership can be. 

With a wealth of natural methods at our disposal we will dig deep for answers so that we can address the imbalances and support your body to do what it strives to in every moment - find balance and health by removing the blockages in your way.

Each step of the way you have choices, you get a say in every aspect of your care and recommendations. Never will anything be forced on you.

Welcome!

• Adv Dip Naturopathy, 2012 Australian Institute of Applied Sciences
• Adv Dip Nutritional Medicine, 2012 Australian Institute of Applied Sciences
• Adv Dip Western Herbal Medicine, 2012 Australian Institute of Applied Sciences
• Diploma in Clinical Nutrition, International Institute of Clinical Nutrition, Santa Fe USA
• Assoc Dip in Applied Science (Equine Science), Adelaide University, Australia 1990

Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner,
American Association of Drugless Practitioners

International Association of Natural Health Practitioners
MINDD Certified Practitioner, 2015 MINDD Foundation

Gastrointestinal and Nutrition , Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, Sydney 2015

Environmental Medicine, Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, Sydney 2015
Level 2 Reiki Practitioner