(647) 901 7297
TORONTO INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CENTRE
Health · Acupuncturist · Medical Center
TCM Online Mentorship
Gaining confidence for new and experienced practitioners
Now you have graduated, now what?
Who are you as a practitioner?
How do you start, build and maintain your practice?
Are you looking for ongoing support?
Setting up a new practice, or entering the professional world of an Acupuncturist or TCM Practitioner can be overwhelming for a new practitioner. We will guide you through this first crucial stage, answering questions, providing resources, and fostering the community of the profession.
Meet your mentor
Dylan Kirk
R.Ac, R.TCMP,
MSc (Acupuncture, China), B.Med (China)
Dylan Kirk is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, internal cultivation, and academic leadership. As a child, Dylan was influenced by living at a Yoga ashram: immersed in meditation, nature, holistic healing, and communal living. This early exposure shaped his lifelong commitment to integration—of self-cultivation and service, tradition and modernity, personal growth and professional rigor. In 1998 Dylan began intensive training under Sifu Chik Qadir Mason, immersing himself in Chinese internal martial and healing arts—including gongfu, qigong, tuina, daoyin, and classical healing arts. He went on to study Traditional Chinese Medicine formally at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (OCTCM) in Toronto, then completed both a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master’s in Acupuncture focusing on integrative medicine at Henan University of TCM in China. His post-graduate work includes studies in Jingfang with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux and Neuro-meridian acupuncture with Dr. Poney Chiang. Dylan’s clinical practice is rooted in the internal principles of neijia (internal cultivation) and shaped by years of treating pain, injuries, neurological conditions, and complex internal disorders. He collaborates closely with chiropractors and RMTs and integrates acupuncture, qigong therapy, manual techniques, and herbal medicine. He often works with the extraordinary meridians and emphasizes not just symptom relief but in systemic shifts in both body and spirit. His practice in herbal medicine draws from classical traditions and is tailored for modern patients in Canada—a “classical-meets-practical” approach he uses to address a wide range of internal medicine cases. As a mentor, Dylan brings deep compassion, clarity, and structure to support new practitioners. He has worked with countless students and graduates and understands the real-world challenges they face—clinical uncertainty, business overwhelm, and regulatory confusion. While he doesn't claim to be a specialist in any one domain, his wide-ranging experience in teaching, clinic supervision, regulatory frameworks, business operations, and community-building offers new practitioners a strong and well-rounded foundation.
Mentorship Outline
WEEK ONE. INTRODUCTION: "NOW WHAT?" Clarifying your identity and path as a new practitioner Transitioning from student to clinician Who are you as a practitioner? Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 20, or 30 years? Branding, mission, and vision. Values-based practice and lifestyle alignment. Exploring practice models: solo, collaborative, mobile, integrative. Ethical marketing and authentic visibility. Side Hustles and alternative income streams. Exercise: Branding WEEK TWO STARTING LOGISTICS Setting up the essentials of a sustainable business. Business types (sole proprietor vs incorporation), contracts (employment, rental, collaboration), insurance (PLI, CGL), legal basics, Tax, HST, bookkeeping, and accounting tools. Startup costs and financial planning. Exercise: Elevator/ Escalator Pitch. Resources: book keeping sheet, Contract templates. WEEK THREE CLINICAL OPERATIONS Creating flow, clarity, and structure in your patient care. Scheduling and booking systems. Patient communication and consent. Referrals and integrative care collaboration. Treatment planning and goal setting. Charting standards, templates, and strategies. Time management in clinic and daily workflow. HCAI, WSIB. Resources: Chart Templates, Consent Templates, Outcome Measures, Insurance Forms WEEK FOUR DIAGNOSIS AND CASE STUDIES Sharpening your clinical thinking and diagnostic skills. Pattern differentiation and diagnostic clarity. Linking symptoms to diagnosis. Communicating diagnoses to patients. Case studies in internal medicine and diagnostic process. Q & A and case studies from Mentees WEEK FIVE TREATMENT STRATEGIES AND APPLICATION Theory into confident clinical skills. Acupuncture techniques for pain, injury, and neurological issues. Use of extraordinary meridians and qigong-based insights. Treatment efficacy and evaluating outcomes. Case studies in manual and structural treatment. Q & A and case studies from Mentees WEEK SIX COMPLEXITY,REFLECTION AND INTEGRATION Real-world mentorship for what textbooks don’t teach. Difficult scenarios and ethical decision-making. Safety, boundaries, and scope challenges. Advanced case discussions. Reflecting on growth and practitioner identity. Integration, next steps, and continued mentorship options. Q & A and case studies from Mentees
Application
2025-2026 intake application open:
August 1st -October 1st 2025
Duration:
November 1st 2025 - February 6th 2026
Live Zoom Sessions:
Nov. 7th, Nov. 21st, Dec. 5th, Jan. 9th, Jan. 23rd, Feb. 6th
Friday 12.00-14.00 EST
Eligible for:
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Licensed or certified acupuncture practitioner (or pending licensure)
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Recent graduate or transitioning into independent practice
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Commitment to professional growth and clinical development
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Willingness to engage respectfully and consistently
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Contact via email for inquiries.
Cost:
$200 CAD
(Spots are limited. Make sure to complete your payment to secure your place.)