Episode 58: Canteris Anne Hartley and Family Practice

What is it like to work with the same family through pregnancy, childhood, the teenage years and beyond? In this episode of the Homeopathy247 Podcast, Mary Greensmith speaks with experienced homeopath Canteris Anne Hartley, who has spent more than 23 years working with children and families from her practice on Vancouver Island, Canada. Canteris shares what drew her to homeopathy, why pediatric and family practice became such an important part of her work and how she gets to know each child as an individual. From Patient to Homeopath Canteris first discovered homeopathy during her own health journey. After exploring several complementary approaches, she visited a homeopath and became fascinated by the experience. That curiosity eventually led her to complete four years of homeopathic training in Vancouver and later undertake further postgraduate study. More than two decades later, she says the learning has never stopped. A Family Practice Across the Generations Children and families have been central to Canteris's practice from the beginning. Early in her career, referrals from midwives brought her into contact with pregnant women, babies and new families. Over the years, she has continued working with some families as their babies grew into children and teenagers. She also sees adults and has experience supporting people receiving palliative and end of life care. Homeopathy should not replace appropriate maternity, pediatric, palliative or medical care. Treating Every Child as an Individual Canteris explains that she doesn't assume two children need the same approach simply because they have the same diagnosis or live in the same family. She looks at how each child responds to people, situations and their environment. Their likes, dislikes, personality, emotions and individual way of expressing symptoms can all become part of the homeopathic case. What Happens During a Child's Consultation? A consultation with a child can look very different from one with an adult. Canteris doesn't necessarily expect children to sit quietly for an hour. She lets them move around, play and gradually become comfortable. Often, children eventually begin talking about themselves in ways their parents weren't expecting. For Canteris, observing the child can sometimes provide just as much information as asking direct questions. The Advantage of Online Consultations Video consultations have added another interesting dimension to family practice. Children can remain in their own homes, show Canteris their toys, dress up in costumes or simply move around naturally. These small behaviours may help her understand their personality and family dynamics more clearly. Looking Beyond the Diagnosis Canteris doesn't have one particular diagnosis she prefers working with. What interests her is discovering the individual behind the diagnosis. Two people with the same condition may present very differently, which is why individualized medicine and detailed observation are central to her approach. A Lifetime of Homeopathy Education Canteris initially trained in classical homeopathy and continued her education through advanced courses, seminars and extensive study of materia medica and repertory. She describes homeopathy as a profession where learning never really finishes. Learning About Coughs Canteris also runs a community focused on homeopathy and coughs. She explains why coughs can be surprisingly complicated from a homeopathic perspective, with many possible remedy pictures depending on the sound, timing, triggers and accompanying symptoms. Persistent coughs, breathing difficulties, chest pain, high fever or concerning symptoms in children require appropriate medical assessment. Key Takeaways Canteris has practised homeopathy for more than 23 years. Children and families have always been a major part of her practice. She has worked with some families across several developmental stages. Every child is approached as an individual. Observation can be especially valuable during pediatric consultations. Online consultations allow children to behave naturally at home. The diagnosis is only one part of the homeopathic case. Canteris continues studying and teaching homeopathy after more than two decades in practice. Appropriate medical, pediatric, maternity and palliative care remain important. Visit Canteris' website: https://coasthomeopathy.com/ Join the Homeopathy for Coughs Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeopathyforcoughs Check out our free homeopathic webinars: https://homeopathy247.com/homeopathic-webinars/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. 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