Unmasking Bre
Hi, I’m Bre or Breanna (she/they). I live and practice on the unceded territories of the lək̓ ʷəŋən peoples, also known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. I came to acupuncture not as a calling, but as a lifeline. In my early twenties, I entered what would become a long and often isolating stretch of illness — years of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and trying to survive with complex conditions no one could quite name. Like many, I had to become my own advocate: researching, navigating fragmented care, and trying to piece things together on my own.
In 2009, I was lucky enough to experience community acupuncture at Six Degrees in Toronto, Ontario and for the first time, I felt seen. The care they offered was financially and physically accessible, consistent, and built on mutual respect — and it changed the course of my life. Acupuncture has supported me on my journey ever since, and it’s been a long-held dream to pay that care forward.
As a recent graduate of Pacific Rim College’s Diploma of Acupuncture program with 500+ clinical hours of direct patient care, I’m currently offering cupping sessions at Heart & Hands while preparing to write my licensing exams in October. I’m also deepening my studies in Neuroacupuncture, Balance System acupuncture, and trauma informed approaches to care.
And here are my answers to a few interview questions to make this a bit more relevant to the times we are in:
My go-to activities to pass the time during quarantine:
In late 2019, my health took a turn and I became bed-bound, so I was already kind of quarantining before the pandemic began. During that time, I got involved in online communities, offering support and advocacy for other spoonies.
Once the pandemic hit, I was sewing masks, reading SARS research, and working on electronic remixes with friends in the US and UK. We even did a livestream show together, which was a rare bright spot. I spent a lot of time with my partner and dog, started planning our garden, and found comfort in nostalgic video games like Stardew Valley, Donkey Kong Country, and Yoshi’s Island.
When the documentary Fantastic Fungi came out, I became fascinated by the magic of the Agarikon mushroom and the way mycelial networks mirrored what I was learning about the body, community, and healing. Around that time, I also started making tinctures like Reishi, Chaga, Mullein, and Pau d’Arco, and dove deeper into herbal medicine, especially the writings of Stephen Buhner on Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD and immune support.
I also began seeing an amazing Chinese medicine herbalist who helped me a lot. As my body started to shift and stabilize a bit, I found myself returning to the medicine with even more curiosity. I kept buying TCM books and became completely immersed. I fell in love with its depth, its worldview, and its potency.
An intention for the world in this time of uncertainty:
Oppressive systems thrive on overwhelm. They depend on the belief that we’re too tired or too small to make a difference. My intention is to focus on what’s within reach: the local, the relational, the tangible. For those of us living with chronic illness or limited capacity, “action” might look like sharing a resource, witnessing someone’s story, or choosing rest over doomscrolling. And when we do have the ability, showing up in small, local ways can be powerful.
As Dean Spade writes, “The only thing that keeps those in power in that position is the
illusion of our powerlessness.” Even a small gesture, offered with care, can ripple
outward. In a world that asks us to disconnect or burn out, staying connected through
rest, care, and presence is its own form of resistance.
Things you are grateful for (in no particular order):
My current ability level/health
Good friends, family, community
Living in this beautiful city
Having a roof over my head and food in my fridge
Feeling connected and inspired by Chinese medicine
Acupuncture is important at this time because…
The world around us reflects what’s happening within. The stagnation, depletion, and imbalance we see in our environment often echo in our bodies too. When we slow down, soften into rest, and gently support the healthy movement of Qi (vital energy), we’re not just tending to ourselves, we’re participating in the quiet work of restoring harmony within, which ripples outward and affects the world around us.
Causes that you support during this time:
The Backpack Project (Victoria, BC) – A grassroots mutual-aid initiative offering essential supplies, dignity, and solidarity to unhoused community members.
Good Night Out Victoria – Advocating for safer nights out through education, policy, and community accountability in nightlife spaces.
Peers Victoria Resources Society – A peer-led, non-judgmental organization that supports current and former sex workers through harm reduction, outreach, and advocacy.
Migrant Rights Network (Canada) – A cross-country alliance fighting for justice, status, and dignity for all migrants, regardless of documentation.
When this is all over, I’d like to…
Move through the world with a little less vigilance and a little more carefree spontaneity.
