Dr. Sonia F. Tan, BA, BA(H), DAOM, R.Ac., R.TCM.P., is the Founder & Clinic Director of the award-winning Red Tree Wellness Inc., a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM degree-USA), a Registered Acupuncturist, and a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner.
Sonia obtained her clinical research Doctorate degree from Yo San University of TCM in Los Angeles, California, and was the recipient of the DAOM Distinction Award (for excellence in clinical research and clinical didactic work). This doctorate specialized in Integrative Medicine in Healthy Aging and Longevity. Her research was on “A novel approach to treating Allergic Rhinitis and its efficacy results.” She is also a graduate of the five year Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver. As part of the program, Sonia interned at a hospital in China: Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine – The Second Affiliate Hospital, in Hefei, Anhui, China. Sonia is one of few Certified Gold Level practitioners of the late Dr. Richard Tehfu Tan and Balance Method Acupuncture. His most advanced level courses after all Balance Method levels, were first completed by a group of 16 senior students. Sonia was among those 16. Dr. Sonia F. Tan is a Master and award-winning teacher of Balance System Acupuncture. With blessings of fellow senior students to pass on the Balance Method legacy, Dr. Sonia Tan developed and created the very first Balance Method / System Acupuncture Certificate program at an accredited public post-secondary institution – Langara College – launched in 2018. She continues this Balance System Acupuncture evolution legacy and certification through the founding of her private school, the Tan Academy of Balance Inc. The program she developed evolves Balance Acupuncture medicine into a new way of learning, competency and confidence, and she is pleased to be carrying on the dream, legacy and lineage of her late Shifu, Dr. Richard Tehfu Tan and her Grandfather, Agong Tan. She is the Founder, Director and Head Instructor of the Tan Academy of Balance Inc, and author of The Foundations of Balance Acupuncture: A Clinical Reference Manual, available in English and French from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Eastern Currents Distributing. Furthering the depth of her Chinese herbs knowledge, Dr. Sonia Tan continually studies with Master Jeffrey Yuan, John Mini LAc, and various lineages in advanced Chinese herbal medicine strategies. She has spoken at various speaking engagements, and has been a guest on numerous media shows. Dr. Sonia F. Tan is grateful to her patients, practice, and clinic honours in receiving the 2019 through to 2024 Consumer Choice Award for Best Acupuncture in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Dr. Sonia Tan began her career in health with a Bachelor’s degree in Honors Kinesiology, with a specialization in Athletic Injuries, from Western University (aka the University of Western Ontario). After her degree, Sonia worked as a Physiotherapy Assistant & Clinical Trial Coordinator at a sports medicine clinic. Prior to entering health care, Sonia worked in banking as a Commercial Account Officer, after receiving her double-major Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Sonia has also completed many adjunct and advanced therapy courses, such as Acutonics® Sound Healing, TCM Clinical Aromatherapy & Essential Oils, and Master Jeffrey Yuen & Dr. Yvonne Farrell’s Eight Extraordinary Vessels approach, that she continually uses in her practice. In addition, following in her grandfather’s footsteps and the traditional umbrella of Chinese Medicine, Sonia completed apprenticeships in Chinese Metaphysics and its application to Chinese Medicine, in the areas of Chinese Astrology, Face Reading, and Classical Feng Shui. These certifications were under various teachers and completed in 2011. She is a direct and first graduating class disciple of the late Grandmaster Dr. Richard Tehfu Tan, OMD. Sonia has also trained with, and is a Certified Feng Shui & Astrology practitioner since 2011 under Master Marlyna Los with additional training under Master Joseph Yu. Sonia is also an ongoing student of a variety of external and internal Martial Arts since 1995, and is grateful to her Shifu the late Dale Johns for her foundation, and to Laoshi Fabrice Piche for her current path of enlightenment. Sonia is currently a Level/Set 1+2 Certified Teacher of Taiji Qigong Shibashi. Sonia was also honoured to be named and be a part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Medical Team, as an On-Call Specialist (Registered Acupuncturist), and is the Co-Founder and current Co-Chair of the BC Sport Acupuncture Association (BCSAA). Sonia was also a part of the teaching faculty for four years at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, and continues to teach both privately and publicly, nationally and internationally. She thoroughly enjoys educating and inspiring about all things Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine!