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While I was doing my undergraduate degree at UBC in the late 1980’s, I experienced a debilitating depression and anxiety. I also had an eating disorder and was not coping with the stress I was under at that time.
Like most people, I had not heard about Naturopathic medicine so I was treated with medications that were not effective.
After taking the medication that was initially prescribed to alleviate depression, I swung into a psychotic manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1.
In 1994, after surviving a suicide attempt (which left me in a coma, on dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant), I finally began the healing process after reading a book called “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson. Up until this point I was living with the shame and stigma of having a mental illness and I had not accepted myself.
Since reading that book, I have spent over 25 years learning to accept and understand myself & my diagnosis with the help of many types of practitioners. I have come to realize that there are 10 steps to mental wellness and there are more natural ways to treat mental “dis-ease”.
“Dr. Bjorndal, ND presented at our online “Children’s Mental Health Conference, 2020″. She is an incredible speaker with an immense amount of knowledge. Participants left her presentation feeling empowered, hopeful, and armed with new tools and strategies to help their family live their very best life. We are so grateful that she was part of the conference.”
Tania Johnson
R.Psych, Co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology
“I attended Dr. Bjorndal’s (ND) “A roadmap to wellbeing” and was blown away by her courage to be vulnerable, her authenticity, her gentleness, and her expertise on mental health Conditions. She was relatable, easy to understand, and inspiring on so many levels. Looking forward to seeing more of her things in the future.”
Dr. Aliya Kabani
Naturopathic Doctor
Teresa Neves
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Thrive Mental Health Program
Dr. Bjorndal is a passionate and well versed speaker. She connects authentically with the audience when she speaks. She tells a deeply personal story and effectively teaches her audience about mental health. Dr. Bjorndal was the keynote speaker for our event and she helped to make it a truly successful one!
Dr. Romi Raina ND
Founder of Collaborative Education
Dr. Bjorndal is a talented and inspiring speaker. She tells a deeply personal story, connecting deeply with the audience when she speaks. In addition she is an excellent teacher, teaching complex subjects effectively to a lay audience and to a clinician audience. Dr. Bjorndal would be a great addition to any educational program for either the public or health professionals.
Dr. Terry Wahls
MD, Author, TEDx speaker, and creator of The Wahls Protocol
Listening to Dr. Chris speak was mesmerizing and honest to the core. Dr. Chris speaks with wisdom and compassion as she has lived experience that touches everyone listening. I would think that anyone and everyone present could identify with some aspect of the struggles presented. Dr. Chris has given us tools to use to assist ourselves or others we know facing similar challenges. Thank you so much Dr. Chris!
Valerie Plante
Coordinator of Edmonton Integrative Medicine Series
“Dr. Christina Bjorndal is an exceptional educator. Her passion for sharing her knowledge not only comes from her educational background but from living in the trenches of personal health challenges. This makes her teaching unique to those desiring to learn beyond the typical physiological academic format. Adding the mental and spiritual components to her presentations provides a piece commonly overlooked by others but much needed to be a complete healer.”
Ronald Grisanti D.C.
Founder Functional Medicine University
“You have been an inspiration for so many people through your participation in the Mental Health Regained public workshops in Vancouver in 2012 and 2014, and now in Toronto in 2015. Also, your talk at the August 2013 Brain Solutions was the best of the event. You are making a valuable contribution, for which I am grateful.”
Steven Carter
Former Director - Canadian Society of Orthomolecular Medicine
“I was a fellow speaker at the Brain Solutions Conference this past weekend. I never got the opportunity to congratulate you on your speech. I think it was wonderful and really enjoyed hearing your story.
I currently practice almost every suggestion you presented at the conference. Sleep, a diet of whole foods, exercise, and positive cognitive therapy are all pillars of my wellness.
It was terrific listening to you, I just wish I had the opportunity to have spoken with you after. Perhaps, we will meet in the future. If you ever give a talk in Ottawa, I’d love to show you around.”
“Just wanted to thank you so very much for the presentation that you gave at the Brain Solutions Conference on Sunday. I found it very insightful and as my friend, David, said ‘the stuff that makes for Nobel Prize recipients—brilliance. You have an ability to take a very complex subject and make it simple and elegant’. I wholeheartedly agree. Many thanks again, With warm regards.”