Our Practitioners
Ngaio Richards
M. Hlth. Sc. (TCM), Dip. App. Sc. (Ac), Registered Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner MAACMA, AHPRA, CMBA
Many people get a little jaded in long-term careers, however Ngaio who is the founder of House of Fertility & Healing, despite having been in continuous clinical practice for over 30yrs still stands in awe of this modalities capacity to turn people’s lives around. She has:
Keen clinical interests in
- working with women toward achieving a healthy and pain-free pregnancy
- assisting relief of menstrual issues
- fertility & IVF support
- mid-life transitions
An intuitive practitioner, she encourages a collaborative healing process through which the health issues on hand become tools and opportunities for her patient to learn more about body/mind and how to proactively take better care for oneself.
She utilises acupuncture (both Chinese & Tung styles), laser and Chinese herbal medicine alongside dietary & lifestyle coaching (where appropriate) to diagnose and address issues that may be undermining flourishing health. She is here to support your health goals and perhaps also beyond being symptom or pain-free we could aim for robust energy levels and feeling fabulous!
Determined to provide high calibre treatment and naturally a perpetual student, she endeavours to stay abreast of the latest research and regularly upskills via industry seminars presented by prominent, preferably independent thinkers and also a regular meditation practice.
Published Articles
For example:
A Bitter Pill – Journal of Chinese Medicine, Oct ’06
Availability
Bookings available through our online booking system or 02 9560 1100.
Kevin Redmond
B.Hlth.Sc. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Registered Acupuncturist
& Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner AHPRA, AACMA.
Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board
Kevin has 35yrs experience in health care, the last 9 he has combined with his passion which is Traditional Chinese Medicine. Integrating his understanding of Western Medicine with the holistic insight of Chinese Medicine to deliver high level healthcare with the best possible outcomes for all clients. His practice is grounded in the belief that the most effective path to health and well-being is through an individualised approach that actively engages the whole person to address emotional and spiritual as well as physical imbalances.
Kevin has a keen interest in IVF support (acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF), pregnancy related musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries and pain management.
He utilises a combination of modalities which may include acupuncture (both Japanese & Chinese styles), Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion along with dietary and lifestyle advice.
Other Qualifications:
Grad.Cert in TCM (Beijing)
Graduate Certificate in Renal and Transplant Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Trauma Nursing.
Availability
Kevin is available by appointment at HOFH on Tuesdays 8am-7pm and Saturdays 7am-3pm.
For further enquiries please contact Kevin at the House of Fertility & Healing, 02 9560 1100 or book yourself in online via this website.
Machelle Boothroyd
Dip TCM; MAACMA; AHPRA, Acupuncturist / Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner
Machelle (Shelley) is passionate about healthy living. She knows from her own experience that making your health your number one priority is the foundation for having the vitality to live life to the full.
She was inspired by Chinese Medicine (CM) 25 years ago, when she turned her own health around through a combination of improved diet, herbal medicine, acupuncture and supplements.
Today, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm through educating others on diet and lifestyle choices and incorporating herbs and acupuncture. For the past 13 years Machelle has enjoyed working with people of all ages with their acute and chronic health challenges with a focus on digestive health. diet, exercise and good sleep being considered the three pillars to good health.
Machelle has an interest in all aspects of women’s health, working with women throughout their pregnancy and including acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF. She often works with children and not a day goes by without a muscular skeletal treatment or relaxation treatment being needed.
Her clients are varied and seek her support when suffering acute or chronic problems whilst trying to fall pregnant, during pregnancy, during IVF cycles, during stressful periods in their life, during periods when they are stretched/overdoing it or run down or when they have physically injured themselves. Some seek support for side effects of cancer treatments such as chemo.
Machelle uses Chinese Medicine theory and its unique diagnosis as the basis of her acupuncture and herbal treatments. She often tailors her treatments to work with other health practitioners and highly regards the preference of her patients to combine their varied approaches to health. She believes that it is often a combination of Chinese Medicine, other complimentary medicines and/or western medicine that helps individuals achieve their optimum health.
Relevant Qualifications
Machelle’s training includes studies at The Sydney Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine and internships at Guan An Men Hospital Beijing and Jianxi TCM Teaching Hospital Nanchang.
She continually updates and expands her knowledge by regularly attending seminars, learning from internationally recognised researchers and clinicians and holding regular meetings with colleagues. This keeps her up to date with the latest industry knowledge and advancements in Natural Medicine to use in her practice.
Member of the Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA2151)
AHPRA – Registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Herbalist (CMR 1712407)
Availability
Machelle (Shelley) is available by appointment on Mondays 8am-7pm.
For further enquiries please contact Machelle at the House of Fertility & Healing, 02 9560 1100 or book yourself in for an appointment with her via our online booking system.
Alice Yang
B.Hlth.Sc. Traditional Chinese Medicine UTS
Alice is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner with a skill set that includes Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and moxibustion.
She graduated from University of Technology Sydney with a degree in Applied Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has completed an internship at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, where she trained in several of the hospital wards, including dermatology, gynaecology, oncology, and musculo-skeletal wards.
In her practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine she believes in having a holistic approach towards health and well being. There is a focus on trying to provide symptom relief, understanding the root cause of the symptoms in addition to having an emphasis on the importance of diet and lifestyle as part of the health journey.
Alice is a member of Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association and a registered member of the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.
Areas of Interest
- Women’s Health – premenstrual symptoms, painful periods
- Pregnancy & Fertility – IVF, Pre- and Post-Natal Care
- Migraine and Headaches
Availability
Al is currently on mat leave. Watch this space!
For further enquiries please contact Alice at the House of Fertility & Healing, 02 9560 1100 or book yourself in for an appointment with her via our online booking system.
Sylvie Perera
BSc (Acupuncture), PG Dip (Oriental Herbal Medicine), BSc (Psychology), MSc (Ergonomics), Registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner AHPRA, MATMS
Sylvie has been in practice since 2006 firstly in the UK and now in Sydney. She began locuming for us here at the House of Fertility and Healing in 2015 and we are delighted she is now part of our team. Having been in practice for well over a decade she’s adept at honing in on what’s important for you even if she’s not seen you before. Her caring nature makes us feel comfortable that she’ll do the best for our clients when we are unfortunately not able to be present.
Sylvie’s special interests include working with women toward carrying a healthy baby to term. She has also done further training to support people through loss and grief, and to treat babies and children.
Practising what she teaches, Sylvie takes care of her own health: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She brings an empathetic understanding to follow your treatment goals using acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping or herbal medicine.
Availability
Sylvie is available by appointment on Thursdays 10am-7pm.
For further enquiries please contact Sylvie at the House of Fertility & Healing, 02 9560 1100 or book yourself in for an appointment with her via our online booking system.
Laelia Douglas-Brown
B. Health Science (TCM) University of Technology. AACMA, AHPRA, CMBA
Laelia is a fertility practitioner who uses Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to support people’s fertile health, at all life phases.
For over seven years Laelia’s practise has increasingly centred around cycle support, fertility, IVF, pregnancy and postpartum health; completing fertility centred training, and targeting autoimmune and thyroid support, she views fertility results through functional medicine ranges as part of that process and works within an LGBTIQ+ friendly space.
She loves helping people who feel depleted, tired, sleepy, hungry, grumpy, stressed, anxious, or in pain. Laelia tailors her ongoing skill development to ensure that there’s a systemised way to approach supporting your fertile potential at any stage of your journey, and following it through to supporting you in feeling held in your postpartum life.
Laelia brings a gentle warmth and calming presence to the clinic. When not working, she loves all kinds of active meditation practices, including climbing, making, gardening, cooking and tea.
As a registered practitioner Laelia is accredited with all major private health funds.
Availability
Laelia is available on Wednesdays by appointment.
For further enquiries please contact Laelia at the House of Fertility & Healing, 02 9560 1100 or book yourself in for an appointment with her via our online booking system.
Elizabeth d’Avigdor
M.Cl.Sc (Comp.Med), Dip.Nutr., DMH. Member ATMS, NHAA, Nutritionist, Naturopath
One of her aims is to help clients to understand and manage their own individual health.
When asked what her speciality is, Elizabeth has a hard time answering that one! Whilst she has a particular interest in helping to ensure an ideal environment for conception, all systems in the body need to be considered.
Elizabeth uses dietary and lifestyle advice and, where necessary, will prescribe herbal medicine and supplementation for acute or chronic problems.
Qualifications and Experience
M.Cl.Science (Comp. Med) from Southern Cross University.
Dip. Nutrition (Naturecare College)
Dip. Medical Herbalism (Southern Cross College)
Dip. Remedial Massage (Naturecare College)
Certificate of Iridology (Naturecare, Sydney)
Current First Aid
Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training
In addition to her clinical practice, Elizabeth lectured to Bachelor of Health Science students at Sydney’s Endeavour College for three years.
She worked for Blackmores Ltd from 2000-2017, and for Bioceuticals from 2017-2018, as Senior Professional Educator focussing on the Blackmores Celloid Mineral Therapy. She researched, wrote and delivered educational workshops, travelling nationally and internationally to train healthcare professionals.
Elizabeth is Programme Director of Botanica Ethiopia, a project supporting traditional herbal medicine sustainability in Ethiopia www.botanicaethiopia.com
Publications:
d’Avigdor E. et al. The current status of knowledge of herbal medicine and medicinal plants in Fiche, Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2014 10:38
d’Avigdor E. Ethiopia: A herbal experience. Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine 2014: 26(2)
Podcast:
Fx Medicine 2018: Children’s Health with Mineral Therapy
Radio:
Ethiopian English national radio, Addis Ababa 2017. Interview discussion on herbs, health and biodiversity: herbal medicine project in Ethiopia. www.botanicaethiopia.com
Awards:
Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow, 2012
NHAA 2013 Special Award for work with Botanica Ethiopia
Availability
Elizabeth is available via online consultations and by appointment Wednesdays 9-12 and Saturdays 9-12. You can book via our online booking system.
Amy Zhong Chen
PH.D. Integrated Medicine, BUCM
M.D. Acupuncture, BUCM
Registered Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner AHPRA, AACMA.
Dr. Amy Chen is a registered acupuncturist and TCM practitioner. She received her master degree in acupuncture from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Before moving to Sydney, Amy studied and worked in Guang An Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Beijing, which is the top TCM hospital in China. She was awarded a Ph.D. of Integrated Medicine in 2016 and then moved to Sydney where she has continued to work as a TCM practitioner and acupuncturist.
With over 14 years of clinical practice, Amy has extensive experience in using hybrid methods for helping to manage symptoms associated with conditions involving all aspects of women’s health.
She is also interested in using combinations of methods including scalp acupuncture, herbal medicine and moxa to work with people through the stresses of life and assisting with immune disorders.
Amy is always passionate about improving her clinical skills and constantly challenges herself to better help patients. She is always keen to provide her knowledge and care with the best possible support to help recovery and healing.
Availability
Dr Amy is available on Sundays and you can book via our online booking system.