Hi, I’m Cass!

I’m the owner of Health Haven Naturopathy & I am a fully qualified practicing naturopath, medicinal herbalist & clinical nutritionist.  My passion for a naturopathic career was born from my own health struggles with gut issues, chronic fatigue & mould toxicity. 

Health Haven as a business came to fruition in 2014, as a way to help others suffering with the health conditions that I had already conquered.  I have completed additional post graduate study into gut health & digestive illness; autism treatment & recovery; and treatment of chronic illnesses.

In 2020, in response to the pandemic (& to ensure my business would still be viable after it) I moved Health Haven from my clinic in Oxenford, to my property in Tallai. In this location I offer both In-Person & Telehealth consultations & facilitate my workshops and group programs.  Post pandemic I look forward to taking Health Haven back to a commercial clinic setting again. 

Through recovery from my personal health struggles I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to be comprehensive, truly holistic and thorough in planning treatments for chronic diseases.  I believe in individual tailored treatments, that is why no two clients receive the same treatment plan – each person is different and requires a different path to healing.  There is no ‘magic pill’ when it comes to chronic health conditions, it takes time and effort to get well.   The good news is, I’ve done it before for countless others before you – I know how to get you there too.

Prior to being a naturopath I spent almost 15 years in corporate marketing and business management, working for some of the most dynamic companies in the country. I had the pleasure of managing the marketing for companies including McDonald’s, Melbourne Airport and Vodafone.  As much as I loved this career and the fast paced lifestyle it came with – it was during this time I got sick, really sick. 

Gut issues took hold, I couldn’t eat without feeling ill, experiencing excruciating cramps, nausea, hot sweats and a “quick exit” of what I had eaten (one way or the other).  I couldn’t leave the house without knowing where pubic toilets were, my weight dropped to 37kg and my social life disappeared.  All could eat at this point was pumpkin, and it had to be pureed.  I was so sick I’d fall asleep while digesting it.  My life was miserable.

I guess looking back, my poor health at this time wasn’t I total surprise.  I was the kid that was always sick and lived on antibiotics, having my tonsils out at age 6.  I always had hayfever, running eyes and sneezed my way through boxes of tissues weekly.  As a 13 year old I had to sleep in a bed that was literally wrapped in plastic, as the dust mites would have me waking up with blood noses (try sleeping on a pillow in a garbage bag in a Qld summer, it’s not fun..).  I remember the nights as a teenager being up sick with stomach cramps and diarrhoea, when the rest of my family was fine (spaghetti bolognaise never went down well).  I couldn’t go on the sports oval at school without my eyes swelling up from the grasses; I couldn’t participate in school swimming as the chlorine would set off an asthma attack.

At age 15 I was given a course of “allergy desensitising injections” in the hopes my allergies would improve. Unfortunately it just got worse and with my first injection I experienced my first anaphylaxis – absolutely terrifying! The year long course of these injections caused massive headaches and migraines, every single day.  I had multiple scans (drs thought I had a brain tumour), but when none were found, my parents were told I was a hypochondriac!   At 18 I caught EBV and spent a month off school sick, followed by chronic fatigue in my first years of uni.  At 22 I had a serious infection of pneumonia which triggered the migraines again.  Then at 23 the gut issues took hold; and I was exposed to mould, developing mould toxicity symptoms on top of my already long list of issues.  This is when I began seeking out alternative medicine & naturopathy.

It took about 4 years but I eventually found the combination of practitioners & treatments to get me on the path to wellness. I never managed to stay there long, but they were on the right track.  That is when I decided to study naturopathy for myself.

It was in my first year of study I made the (foolish) decision to have a pelvic mesh operation, and about 4 weeks after this op while still recovering, I contracted Ross River Fever.  So at the age of 35, with two kids under two, and one year into a naturopathy degree, I was battling my second round of severe poor health and chronic fatigue.  Today I proudly stand in support of my pelvic mesh sisters and do all I can to help them through the pain & trauma of their injury.

So when I say I have experienced poor health in my life, I really mean it!  The good news is though, I’ve been there and know what you’re going through. I also know how to help.  So welcome; I can’t wait to support you through healing!