(re)balancing your nervous system, for a Calmer, Healthier You

Anika Mendell, M.Sc., Certified Health Coach in Montreal & Online

Certified Health Coaching

  • for midlife women suffering from a dysregulated nervous system

  • Illustration of a person with abstract lines and shapes indicating stress or confusion, surrounded by a circular border.

    for midlife women seeking simple, effective strategies to return to a state of balance

  • Illustration of a human head with clouds and lightning bolts inside, symbolizing thoughts or ideas, within a circular border.

    for women experiencing menopause-related symptoms seeking support and relief

what is a dysregulated nervous system?

Chronic stress has become the norm for so many of us. We’re constantly on the go, flooded with stimulation, and the pressure to always be busy is stronger than ever.

But our nervous system was never designed to live in constant fight-or-flight mode. Over time, this unrelenting stress can cause the nervous system to become dysregulated — stuck in overdrive or completely shut down.

When this happens, your body will send signals in the form of physical and mental symptoms: anxiety, feeling “wired but tired,” exhaustion, insomnia, mysterious aches and pains, digestive problems, or a weakened immune system. It can even contribute to hormonal shifts that make menstrual health, fertility and perimenopause more challenging.

The good news? A balanced nervous system is possible, and it’s the foundation for true health and well-being.

With the right tools and simple stress management practices, you can teach your body to spend more time in calm and recovery. This means more energy, better sleep, and a steadier mood. No matter what life throws your way.

 

ready to learn how to regulate your nervous system?

Book your free 15-minute discovery call

 Services

  • Person standing on a large rock in a mountainous landscape with green vegetation and blue sky.

    "À la Carte" Consultations

    Book consultations as you need them, to address a specific issue and determine plan that is unique to you.

  • 6 week Awakening program

    A program designed to lay the groundwork for major change in the perception and management of stress, or of another health issue, using Chinese Medicine principles to guide our work. This program includes 6 sessions. It includes homework between sessions.

  • 12 week Transformation Program

    This program is for those who want to create lasting, sustainable change. We explore various techniques and modalities to improve resiliency, and work on integrating these techniques into your everyday reality, creating new habits and patterns. I use Chinese Medicine principles to guide our work. TThis is where we have the greatest chance to create lasting change.

 

Benefits You Can Expect:

 
 

  • Balanced mood

  • Balanced HORMONES

  • More energy

  • weight loss

  • Improved digestion

  • Less anxiety

  • Improved sleep

Feel more energetic, stronger and more resilient.
 
Woman feeling calm, sleeping well, relaxed.
 
Find focus, concentration and improved memory.
 

Benefits You Can Expect:

 
 

  • Balanced mood

  • More energy

  • Improved quality of Life

  • Improved digestion

  • Less anxiety

  • Improved sleep

 
E-book cover titled '4 acupoints to calm anxiety' with botanical illustrations, by an acupuncturist and health coach.

Looking for simple and quick ways to calm anxiety?

I’ll send you a PDF with 4 easy and effective acupressure points that calm your nervous system (and can be used on children and teens, too!). 

Anika Mendell is a Certified Health Coach and Acupuncturist in Montreal.

Anika Mendell
M.Sc., Ac., Certified Health Coach

I know stress, inside and out! I was born a little bit stressed, worried, highly sensitive…and I lived in an environment where stress was normal, a part of everyday life. I spent many years going from one challenge to another, in a highly stressed state. Indeed, as a high-achieving adult, mother of three kids, stress lived in my body for a very long time, causing all sorts of aches and pains, and difficulties that got worse as time went on. I started to doubt my own physical and mental resilience. I didn’t realize that stress is NOT inevitable and that there is a different way to go through life, even during periods of intense challenge. Until one moment in time, when I decided to plunge into the most important studies of my life, to learn information and practices that would change everything for me.

My situation led me to acquire solid training and experience to satisfy my needs as a person with health challenges, as a mom of three beautiful girls, and as a healthcare provider. My Master’s Degree in Community Health (M.Sc.) at the Université de Montréal gave me training in research, health promotion and a holistic model of health. After working for six years at a National Institute for public health research, I decided to work in a clinical setting.

Clinical work  made me realize the necessity of learning how to empower people so that they can take control of their own health. For I truly believe that we all have the capacity to heal within ourselves. We must simply awaken to this possibility. This is why I decided to become a Health Coach in Montreal and online, specializing in helping people free themselves from the habit of stress, from stress as the go-to, knee-jerk reaction during life’s challenges. 

I am the person in your corner, supporting you, providing you with tools and guidance, and telling you that, YES, you CAN find your way towards better, lasting health.

 
 
 

FAQs

  • A dysregulated nervous system is when your body stays “stuck” in stress mode (fight, flight, fawn or freeze) even when there’s no danger. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, irritability, poor sleep, and digestive issues. My coaching programs focus on regulating the nervous system so you can feel calm, focused and resilient again.

  • Health Coaching is a collaborative process where I help you create sustainable lifestyle changes that support your health goals. Unlike therapy (which focuses on past experiences) or medical treatment (which diagnoses and treats illness), health coaching is future-focused and action oriented. We work on nutrition, mindset, stress management, nervous system regulation, and habit change so that you can thrive.

  • I work primarily with women in midlife, often in their late 30s to 50s, who are navigating perimenopause, hormonal shifts, stress, and fatigue. If you feel “off”, burned out, or not like yourself, this coaching is designed to help you regain clarity, balance and energy.

  • I use a mix of science-based coaching techniques and holistic approaches. This includes nervous system regulation tools, breathwork, mindfulness techniques, Motivational interviewing, positive psychology, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT, or Tapping), Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), dietary guidance based on my training in Hormonal Health, physical activity guidance, and various Chinese medicine tools such as acupressure.

  • Most clients meet with me weekly for 60-minute sessions online. It is also possible to meet in person at my clinic in Montreal. Consistency is key to seeing results, but we can adjust the frequency based on your needs and schedule.

  • Most women feel calmer and in control after just a few sessions. Deeper transformations, like steady energy, better sleep, fewer hormonal ups and downs, typically unfold over 6 to 12 weeks. My programs are designed to give you tools you can keep using long after we finish working together.

  • I offer different options to my coaching clients: Individual sessions, 6 sessions, and 10 session. Prices vary from $125 to $145 (in Canadian dollars) per session. Book a free discovery call to find out the exact price for the program that interests you. I offer insurance receipts to clients within the province of Quebec.

  • I did a Master’s Degree in Community Health at the Université de Montréal, specializing in Health Promotion. Then, I studied at the College de Rosemont in Montreal where I completed my Acupuncture studies. Finally, at the National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) where I earned my certificate in Evidence-Based Health Coaching. I have also completed thousands of hours of evidence-based post-graduate training in areas including:

    • Postgraduate training in gynecology

    • Medical training on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) with Dr. Sylvie Demers

    • Menopause coaching certification with Dr. Wendy Sweet

    • In-depth hormone training with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition

    • 3 years of acupuncture training (covering Western and Chinese physiology)

    I am also trained in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Yin Yoga .

  • Yes! Most of my coaching clients work with me online over Zoom, so you can join from anywhere in Canada or internationally. If you’re local to Montreal, in-person sessions may be available.

  • Yes! I offer a free 20-minute discovery call so that we can talk about your goals and see if coaching and my services are a good fit. This is a no-pressure conversation - simply a chance to ask questions and learn more.

  • My programs help you balance blood sugar, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support your nervous system — all of which are essential for smoother hormonal transitions. We address hot flashes, mood swings, weight changes, and energy crashes with a practical, step-by-step plan.

  • Life happens! You can reschedule your session with 24-hours’ notice. I’ll go over all the details of my cancellation and refund policy when you book.

  • My goal is to give you tools and insights you can use right away. If you feel coaching isn’t helping after the first session or two, we can discuss adjustments or a different approach. I want this to be a supportive, empowering experience for you.

Testimonials

  • “(…) I am very grateful for the treatments and listening ear, as not only did you give me hope that my anxiety would get better but you also helped me recover from several other health issues. Your gentle, holistic approach is a very big part of my healing and makes the process so much easier to handle. I am so, so grateful for your counsel and and kindness, you have truly made a big difference in my not so easy journey for the past few years.

    Thank you.”

    Elda V.

  • "Anika is (…) a competent, attentive, empathetic professional (…) She always takes the time to clearly identify our needs, to provide us with advice and to make suggestions that are complementary to our treatments. I couldn't do without her.”

    Judith L.

  • “Anika is a dedicated and committed professional. Through her empathy, her open-mindedness and her ability to listen, she is able to develop a feeling of trust and effective communication between us. At each meeting, she takes the time to validate my state of health and my needs in order to adapt to the new issues affecting my health. I have the impression that my health is important and that she wishes to contribute, to the best of her knowledge, to the improvement of my well-being.”

    Nathalie D.

  • “Anika's approach with her clients is imbued with deep respect. I particularly appreciate her listening skills and empathy, as well as her rigor in finding solutions adapted to my needs. Anika is welcoming, attentive and reassuring.”

    Melanie L.

  • “There are times in life when we feel the need to be guided to find the right path… I had the pleasure of meeting Anika a few years ago and her professional, experienced and generous support had a great impact on my health, which was at the time a little damaged by menopause among other things.

    Her understanding of overall health makes Anika a very valuable resource, which I have no hesitation recommending. Her attentiveness, availability, recommendations make her reliable, comforting, and essential.

    Anika is now the ideal health partner for me, and for all those I love.“

    Danielle P.