Our Team
Hyo Joo Esther Yoo, BMSc, RTCMP, RAc
Director of Complete Balance
Registered TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist
Our clinic director and chief TCM practitioner, Esther Yoo, is a qualified Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and an Acupuncturist with 9+ years of experience in both Oriental medicine and Western complementary therapies. Esther is in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturist of Ontario (CTCMPAO).
After earning her Bachelor in Medical Sciences (BMSc) from the University of Western Ontario, Esther moved to Toronto to train in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at the Toronto School of TCM. This background and training underlies Esther’s practice, combining traditional Eastern approaches with modern Western science knowledge.
Esther believes in an integrated approach to healthcare. Drawing on her multidisciplinary education and experience, she has developed a flexible treatment style which guides clients through the various stages of holistic medicine. She is known for her empathetic and caring approach, which is evident in her ability to listen and relate to patients.
Credentials
In order to pursue further education in Classical Chinese Medicine, Esther has been traveling the world extensively over the past 6 years, studying under world-renowned practitioners. Esther has completed the following adjunct therapy courses:
- Advanced Tung Acupuncture, One-Needle Therapy, Hands on Teaching of Points Locating and The Complete Course of Tung’s Acupuncture under the instruction of Dr. Young, Wei-Chieh
- ZSA For Internal Organic Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders, ZSA for Pain, Sensory and Motor Disorders; Introduction to Acupuncture Anesthesia, ZSA For Neurological Disorders and Emergency Conditions, ZSA for Stroke and Spinal Cord Injuries, studying directly with Professor Ming Qing Zhu
- Balance Method with the late Dr. Richard Tan
- Japanese acupuncture from SSC Acupuncture Institute
- Cosmetic acupuncture from OCTCM.
As a result of expanding into classical training, Esther has successfully treated conditions in numerous health fields, including orthopedics, psychology, cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, rheumatology, nephrology, ENT, urology, respiratory, nephrology, gastroenterology and neurology. While she believes that a practitioner of Oriental Medicine should cover a broad spectrum of health conditions, Esther’s passion, training and experience has led her to focus her treatments in neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and strokes. Esther is passionate about helping as many people as possible reach their health potential and live a high quality, balanced life.
Lara Frendjian, RHN, CA, CPA
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Lara is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She is a health enthusiast on a mission to improve personal health and vitality, and a compassionate nutritionist providing tailored plans to help clients achieve a sustainable lifestyle of health and wellness. She is a passionate speaker and blogger with a special interest in research-based methods of improving health and longevity. After spending over 15 years in the corporate world, she understands how a busy life can get in the way of proper nutrition. As a result, she offers realistic solutions tailored to the needs and schedules of her clients.
Lara works closely with her clients to educate them on nutrition, and to empower them with the necessary skills to improve and maintain their health and vitality. She provides one-on-one as well as group nutrition counseling to promote general wellness and treat a wide range of nutrition-related diseases. Lara’s programs are not diets. They include making holistic, sustainable and delicious changes for health improvement. For instance, the focus is on developing a positive relationship with food; and practically, providing delicious recipes that nourish the body for energy and longevity.
Lara graduated from Ryerson University with a major in Accounting and a minor in Finance. She later obtained her CPA, CA designation articling with a multinational accounting firm. She also obtained her Registered Holistic Nutrition designation after attending the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.
Lara is on a mission to educate and empower individuals to make informed nutritional choices in order to best nourish their bodies and maximize their health and vitality.
Shannon Felicia Teekah-Lam, BA(Hons), RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Shannon fell in love with massage therapy the first time she received a massage by a RMT and instantly wanted to pass on this exhilarating feeling to others. Shannon graduated from The Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2012 and provides massage therapy for numerous conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, nerve pathologies, pms, migraines, tension headaches, edema, strains, sprains, disc herniation, sports injuries, spasms, respiratory conditions, fascial restrictions, postural disorders, constipation, TMJ disorder, fibromyalgia and piriformis syndrome. The techniques Shannon uses in her treatments include deep tissue massage, manual lymph drainage, joint mobilization, and facial work.
Shannon has a particular interest in working with clients who suffer from mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief as well as traumatized individuals. She specializes in Thai yoga massage which includes a series of yoga postures, stretches and massage for the joints and tissues of the body. Other modalities Shannon is trained in include Indian Head Massage and Hot Stone massage.
Through ongoing learning, Shannon strives to maintain well-roundedness in her field. Shannon also works part-time as a counsellor with homeless and at-risk populations.
Deborah Kim, CPT, BA
Certified Personal Trainer with a Specialized Honours in Kinesiology
Deborah has been physically active all her life. She enjoys playing sports, being outdoors, hiking and is always on the move. As physical activity has always been an important part of her life, she wanted to pursue a career that would incorporate this passion into her professional life.
Deborah graduated with specialized honours in Kinesiology at York University and further obtained her certification as a Personal Trainer at the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. She then went on to work in the fitness industry for over 10 years with a wide demographic of clients. She has received specialized training in numerous areas, including foam rolling, periodization training, lower back, shoulder and knee injuries, pelvic-floor exercises, osteoporosis/osteopenia to increase bone density, pre and post-natal exercises, exercises for cancer and diabetes, heart health, seniors fitness testing and exercises.
She is passionate about motivating clients to participate in a healthy and balanced lifestyle through physical activity and movement. Through her programs, she deals with body awareness, strength training, weight loss and functional rehabilitation in order to help individuals reach their health goals. By helping individuals maintain a physically active lifestyle, she hopes to inspire healthy attitudes toward exercise and the human body.
Deborah’s mission is to help and educate clients in regaining proper structure, function and mobility through movement. She provides quality individualized programs through teaching, training and motivation.
Leema Malla, S.RTCMP, S.RAc, MBBS
Student-Class TCM Practitioner & Acupuncturist
Leema Malla is a student-class TCM practitioner and acupuncturist and the member of the College of Traditional Chinese Practitioners and Acupuncturist of Ontario (CTCMPAO). She completed her Medical degree (Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery) at Shanghai Jiaotong University and participated in various internship programs in Shanghai, China and Kathmandu, Nepal to expand her skills within the medical field. She then moved to Toronto to finish her Diploma program in Acupuncture and RTCMP(student class), obtaining specific training in Japanese acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Scalp and Tung Acupuncture.
During her MBBS days she was actively involved in the University hospital community centre in Shanghai. Throughout her internship, Leema learned everything she could in western medicine and encountered various medical conditions. After completing her MBBS, she returned to Kathmandu for an internship which further enhanced her skills & gave her more confidence.
As a child, Leema spent a lot of time at her mother’s Acupuncture clinic & hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. This exposure increased her admiration & interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her mother is her inspiration to selflessly serve society. She enjoys the discipline and responsibility that comes with studying medicine and she hopes to incorporate this into her medical career.
Her current practice involves the combination of Acupuncture and Daoyin, a form of physical therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine which speeds up the recovery process and helps to restore the health of patients. She has treated the following conditions with great success; Migraine,Neck/Shoulder/Back Pain, Sciatica, Cold/cough/flu, Menstruation problems, Digestion problems,Skin problems, Anxiety/Stress, and Insomnia.
Coming from a multicultural family, she is fluent in 4 different languages including English, Hindi, Chinese, and Nepali, allowing her to connect with patients from many different ethnic backgrounds.
Medicine is the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease in humans. Therefore, her greatest goal is to achieve visible results in patients by continuing to enhance her own skills and techniques and providing effective treatment plans that are specific to patients’ needs.
Melody Yeung, RP, CCC
Registered Psychotherapist & Canadian Certified Counsellor
Melody has a Masters of Arts in Child Study and Education and was an Elementary School Teacher for the Toronto District School Board. While teaching in inner city schools in Toronto, she recognized the importance of the social and emotional well-being of her students. She returned to school and received her Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2012. She has worked in the area of psychotherapy since 2012 working with children, teenagers, and adults at various settings, such as the Toronto Reconciliation Mission Centre, the Medical Clinic for Person-Centered Psychotherapy, and Innate Wellness. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Certified Canadian Counsellor (C.C.C.) by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Melody practices from a person-centered approach by meeting individuals, adolescents, children and families where they are and helping them reach their goals. She integrates a variety of techniques, such as solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and interpersonal therapy, to tailor the therapy for each client’s unique needs. She ensures a warm, safe and confidential environment to freely discuss their issues and needs. She has received certificate training in Brief and Narrative Therapy.
Therapies offered for:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger Management
- Relationships
- Career
- Self-Esteem
- Life Transitions
Melody has experience working with children, adults and families struggling with emotional difficulties, depression, anxiety, adjustment and interpersonal concerns, as well as with children experiencing learning difficulties, autism and ADHD. Melody also has extensive experience with providing psycho-education about the education system and various approaches to assist with anger management.
Royce Yu Chang Liu B. Sc (hons.), R. Ac
Registered Acupuncturist
Yu Chang (Royce) Liu is a Registered Acupuncturist who has been trained to perform acupuncture based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory. He has extensive clinical training during school years and is currently a volunteer acupuncturist at Dorothy Ley Hospice. Royce graduated from University of Toronto with a bachelor in Human Biology and Cell System Biology. He wishes to bridge western medical science knowledge and Traditional Chinese medicine to provide better treatment results.
During University years, Royce went to Costa Rica and Nicaragua as a volunteer medical assistant. This experience strengthened his determination in becoming a healthcare provider to be able to provide health benefits for more individuals. He then studied in Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which he is currently at his last year of advanced program that is the equivalent of Doctoral Degree program in Oriental Medicine in the United States.
Ambrose Ty, M. Sc, M. Div, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Ambrose has a passion for understanding the brain and the mind. He originally pursued his education in understanding the brain through scientific research using fMRI. As he pursued his research, he began to understand how human experience correlates in the brain, and while informative and helpful, he realized that knowledge alone was not enough. He saw the mental health needs of those around him as he met with different groups of people and felt that he could provide on a more personal and professional level. He finished his research career and pursued his clinical counselling degree at Tyndale University and Seminary. He has worked in the field in psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families from all walks in life in the Family Services sector.
Ambrose integrates his training in multiple psychotherapeutic models, such as solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotionally focused therapy, along with other experiential-focused approaches such as focusing and mindfulness, with his experience in providing trauma-informed, client-focused counselling. Ambrose strives to meet clients where they are at and providing services in their needs. He ensures that he does all that he can to provide an environment to help clients feel safe and comfortable to build a relationship of trust and non-judgment that allows them to speak freely about themselves and their concerns.
Ru Ri (Rudy) Lee
Marystellar Park, BA(Hons)
Administrative Manager
Mary manages the clinic administration and reception at Complete Balance. She graduated from University of Toronto with a double major in Linguistics and English and has volunteered at St. Michael’s Hospital and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital within the research department. Although she has grown up surrounded by Oriental medicinal practices, it was through this clinic that she has encountered it personally and learned about the holistic view of the body and its systems. Her goal at Complete Balance is to promote barrier-free communication between the patients and the clinic, to share the relevance of holistic medicine in our daily lives and to maintain a clean and welcoming environment within the clinic itself.
Jedidiah Quilop
Shawn Kunhee Kim,
