Mental health and nervous system · Ottawa and virtual
Support for your mental health and nervous system in Ottawa
Running on empty for so long that tired feels normal. Lying awake with your heart racing. Snapping at the people you love, then feeling awful about it.
We look at the body side of mental health, including sleep, nutrition, hormones and your nervous system, alongside any care you already have with a therapist or doctor.
First visit $295 · In person in Ottawa or virtual anywhere in Ontario
Does any of this sound familiar?
- You can't remember the last time you felt rested.
- Your mind won't switch off at night.
- Small things set you off, or you feel nothing much at all.
- You get through the week on caffeine and willpower, then crash on the weekend.
- Since having a baby you feel anxious or low in a way that worries you.
- You live with anxiety, depression or ADHD and want support for your body too.
None of this is a character flaw. Often it’s what a body looks like after carrying too much for too long.
Body and mind
Looking at the physical side
Low iron, thyroid changes, blood sugar swings, perimenopause and poor sleep can all affect mood, focus and anxiety. We review your history and any recent bloodwork to see whether something physical is adding to how you feel.
Naturopathic care here sits alongside psychotherapy and medication, not instead of them. If you take medication for your mental health, please don’t stop or change it without talking to your prescriber.
Somatic Experiencing
Stuck on, or stuck off
Stress and trauma can leave your nervous system stuck “on”: alert, overriding, pushing through. Or stuck “off”: numb, flat, collapsed on the couch. Many of us swing between the two.
Dr. Jada is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner. In sessions she helps you notice what’s happening in your body and gently teach your nervous system to do something different, at a pace that feels manageable.
Somatic Experiencing works with sensation, breath and small movements. You don’t have to retell painful events in detail.
What we can look at together
You don’t need a diagnosis to book. These are the concerns we see most often.
- Anxiety. Racing thoughts, a tight chest, a body that won't settle.
- Low mood and depression. Alongside your therapist or doctor.
- Burnout. When rest no longer seems to refill the tank.
- Postpartum anxiety and depression. With your doctor or midwife involved.
- ADHD. Sleep, nutrition and routines that support focus.
- Trauma and chronic stress. Body-based support with Somatic Experiencing.
Getting started
How a first visit works
1
Before you come in
You fill out intake forms in Practice Better, our secure patient app. Upload any recent bloodwork, and list the medications and supports you already have.
2
Your first visit
75 minutes, $295. We talk through how you’ve been feeling, your sleep, energy, health history and what support you already have. You leave with a few gentle first steps, at a pace that suits you.
3
Follow-ups
We see what’s working and adjust. Follow-ups run 30 to 60 minutes ($125 to $225). Testing is only suggested when the result would change your plan, and we talk about cost first.
Visits are in person at 29 Bayswater Avenue in Ottawa, or virtual anywhere in Ontario. You pay after each visit. There are no packages or prepayment.
For deeper support
Steady: At Home in Your Body
A 6-month one-to-one program with Dr. Jada that combines Somatic Experiencing with naturopathic care. It’s for women whose nervous system, mental health or trauma history is affecting their physical health. In person in Ottawa or virtual.
If you're in crisis
If you are thinking about suicide or feel unsafe, call or text 9-8-8 (the Suicide Crisis Helpline, open 24 hours a day across Canada), or go to your nearest emergency department. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Booking an appointment with us is not a crisis service.
Questions people ask us
Does naturopathic care replace therapy or medication?
No. It sits alongside them. We focus on sleep, nutrition, physical health and nervous system support, and we’re happy to coordinate with your therapist or doctor.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is a body-based approach to stress and trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine. Sessions focus on noticing sensations, breath and small movements, and on building your capacity to feel steady, rather than going over painful events in detail.
Can I come in for postpartum anxiety or depression?
Yes, alongside your doctor or midwife. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call or text 9-8-8 or go to the emergency department right away.
Can I have a virtual appointment?
Yes. Dr. Jada sees patients in person in Ottawa and virtually anywhere in Ontario, and somatic work can be done by video.
What does a first visit cost?
The first visit is 75 minutes and costs $295. Follow-ups are $125 for 30 minutes, $185 for 45 minutes or $225 for 60 minutes. You pay after each visit, and there are no packages to buy. Many extended health plans include naturopathic care, so it’s worth checking yours.
Who you'll see
Dr. Jada MacLeod, ND
Naturopathic doctor for 17 years and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. In person in Ottawa and virtual.
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This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Your care plan depends on your own history and assessment.