If you’re looking for affordable acupuncture, herbal medicine, or holistic nutrition services in Victoria, Pacific Rim College’s Student Clinic offers a unique option in the heart of downtown.
Located at PRC’s Market Square campus, the Student Clinic is a supervised teaching clinic where members of the public receive care from advanced-level students working under the supervision of licensed practitioners, or from licensed practitioners while students observe and learn.
Appointments are available in Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Western herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and holistic doula care.
For patients and clients, it’s an opportunity to access thoughtful, supervised natural health care at an affordable cost. For students, every appointment is part of the hands-on clinical education that prepares them to become confident practitioners.
Here’s what you can expect when you visit.
What Is Pacific Rim College’s Student Clinic?
The Pacific Rim College Student Clinic is located on campus at:
#229–560 Johnson Street
Victoria, British Columbia
The clinic operates as both a public wellness clinic and an important part of the education students receive at Pacific Rim College.
Depending on the service and stage of training, care may be provided in one of two ways:
- An advanced-level student conducts the consultation or treatment under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.
- A licensed practitioner provides care while students observe and participate in the learning process.
Students provide more than 7,000 treatments each year through the Student Clinic, including community acupuncture.
This real-world clinical experience is central to education at PRC. Students in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Western Herbal Medicine, and Holistic Nutrition begin developing clinical skills early in their studies and progress toward increasingly independent clinical practice as their training advances.
Rather than learning only from textbooks, lectures, or hypothetical case studies, students work with real people, real health histories, and real clinical situations under professional supervision.
[Learn more about clinical training at Pacific Rim College.]
Student Clinic Services
The PRC Student Clinic offers several different types of appointments.
| Service | What to Expect | Typical First Visit | Fee |
| Acupuncture | Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment followed by acupuncture treatment | Approximately 90 minutes | $40 |
| Chinese Herbal Medicine | Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and individualized herbal recommendations. Formulations can be made on site in our dispensary | Varies | Confirm when booking |
| Western Herbal Medicine | Comprehensive health assessment and personalized herbal recommendations | Approximately 90 minutes | Consultation is by donation; herbs are additional |
| Holistic Nutrition | Detailed exploration of diet, lifestyle, health history, and nutrition goals | Approximately 90 minutes | Consultation is by donation |
| Holistic Doula | Support related to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care | Varies | By donation |
| Community Acupuncture | Acupuncture offered in a community clinic environment | Approximately 45–60 minutes | By donation |
Current services, appointment times, and fees can change, so please confirm the details shown when booking.
Western herbal medicine and holistic nutrition consultations are also available online by Zoom, making these services accessible beyond Victoria.
[View current PRC Clinical Services.]
How to Book an Appointment
Booking your first appointment is simple.
Visit the Pacific Rim College Student Clinic booking page on JaneApp, choose the service that best matches your needs, select an available appointment time, and complete the required intake forms.
For your first in-person visit, plan to arrive approximately 10–15 minutes early.
The Student Clinic is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Check the booking calendar for current availability.
If you’re unsure which service to choose, a free Western herbal medicine or holistic nutrition consultation can be an excellent place to start.
What Happens During Your First Visit?
Your experience will vary depending on the service you book, but most first appointments follow a similar process.
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Health History and Intake
Your practitioner will begin by getting to know you and understanding what brought you to the clinic.
You may discuss:
- Your primary health concerns and goals
- Your health history
- Current medications and supplements
- Sleep and stress
- Digestion
- Diet and daily routines
- Previous treatments
- Relevant diagnoses
- Lifestyle and wellness goals
Some questions may be detailed because the goal is to understand your health from a broad perspective rather than focusing only on a single symptom or concern.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions and explain what you hope to get from your appointment.
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Assessment
Your assessment will depend on the type of appointment.
An acupuncture or Chinese medicine consultation incorporates assessment methods based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
A Western herbal medicine consultation explores your health history, current concerns, body systems, lifestyle, and other factors that may help the practitioner develop an individualized herbal approach.
A holistic nutrition consultation looks closely at food, eating patterns, lifestyle, digestion, energy, and your personal nutrition goals.
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Student and Supervisor Consultation
One of the unique aspects of a teaching clinic is the opportunity for students to discuss cases with experienced practitioners.
During your appointment, the student may consult with the supervising practitioner about their assessment, clinical reasoning, or potential treatment options.
The supervisor may also participate directly in the appointment.
For patients, this provides another level of clinical oversight. For students, it is an invaluable opportunity to learn how experienced practitioners approach real clinical situations.
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Treatment or Recommendations
What happens next depends on the service you have booked.
For an acupuncture appointment, your assessment may be followed by acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, and many people find the treatment relaxing.
For Western herbal medicine, you may receive an individualized herbal recommendation or prescription. PRC’s on-campus herbal dispensary gives patients access to a wide selection of organic herbs and preparations.
For holistic nutrition, recommendations may include food choices, meal planning, dietary strategies, lifestyle suggestions, or other practical approaches to support your goals.
You are encouraged to ask questions throughout the appointment and participate actively in decisions about your care.
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Follow-Up Planning
Before you leave, your practitioner will discuss possible next steps.
Depending on your goals, this might include another appointment, things to monitor between visits, adjustments to your treatment plan, or additional recommendations.
What Should You Bring to Your Appointment?
A little preparation can help you get more out of your first visit.
Consider bringing:
- A list of medications and supplements you currently take
- Recent lab work or relevant medical information, if available
- A list of questions you’d like to discuss
- Notes about your primary health goals or concerns
For acupuncture, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to your arms and legs, and try to eat something light beforehand rather than arriving very hungry or very full.
For an online herbal medicine or nutrition appointment, find a quiet, private location with a reliable internet connection where you can speak comfortably with your practitioner.
More Than a Student Clinic: Where PRC Students Become Practitioners
The Student Clinic isn’t simply a place where PRC students complete required hours. It’s where classroom knowledge becomes clinical experience.
Working with real patients helps students learn how to take a comprehensive health history, communicate effectively, assess complex cases, develop treatment plans, adapt their approach, and build the confidence required to work professionally.
A textbook can teach the principles of herbal medicine, nutrition, or acupuncture. A classroom can provide theory and demonstrations.
But becoming a practitioner also requires learning how to sit across from another person, listen carefully, ask the right questions, think critically, and translate knowledge into an individualized approach.
That’s why hands-on clinical education is such an important part of studying at Pacific Rim College.
PRC’s clinical training supports students in programs including:
- Diploma of Acupuncture
- Diploma of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
- Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Diploma of Phytotherapy
- Diploma of Holistic Nutrition
- Holistic Doula Certificate
Students may also have opportunities to participate in PRC’s Clinical Externship Program, gaining additional supervised experience in approved facilities in Victoria and beyond.
For phytotherapy students, PRC’s physical herbal dispensary adds another dimension to this training by providing experience working with herbs and herbal preparations in a real clinical environment.
[Explore Clinical Training at Pacific Rim College.]
Interested in Studying Natural Health at PRC?
If visiting the Student Clinic has made you curious about becoming a practitioner yourself, you can explore PRC’s professional training programs in:
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Study Traditional Chinese Medicine and develop extensive hands-on acupuncture and clinical experience.
[Explore Acupuncture Programs.]
Western Herbal Medicine / Phytotherapy
Learn traditional and contemporary approaches to Western herbal medicine while developing practical clinical and dispensary skills.
[Explore the Diploma of Phytotherapy.]
Holistic Nutrition
Study nutrition through a comprehensive holistic lens while developing the skills to work with clients in a professional setting.
[Explore the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition.]
Pacific Rim College is a designated private training institution in British Columbia and holds Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation. Please refer to individual program pages for current admission, regulatory, and StudentAid BC information.
Looking for Ongoing Care?
For people interested in receiving regular services through the Student Clinic, Pacific Rim College also offers WellPlan, a monthly wellness plan providing access to acupuncture, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and community acupuncture services.
There is currently a waitlist for WellPlan.
[Learn more about WellPlan and join the waitlist.]
Can’t Visit the Clinic in Victoria?
You may still be able to access PRC services.
Western herbal medicine and holistic nutrition consultations are available online by Zoom.
PRC also provides a Practitioner Directory and Doula Finder, helping people connect with Pacific Rim College graduates and practitioners in their own communities.
[Explore PRC Clinical Services and Practitioner Resources.]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Student Clinic appointment cost?
Western herbal medicine and holistic nutrition consultations are currently free, with herbal remedies purchased separately if desired. Acupuncture is currently listed at $40, while community acupuncture and doula appointments are offered by donation.
Fees and services can change, so check the booking page for current information.
How long is my first appointment?
Most initial appointments are approximately 90 minutes. Community acupuncture appointments are generally 45–60 minutes. Follow-up appointments may be shorter.
Do students treat patients on their own?
Advanced-level students provide care under the supervision of licensed practitioners. In some clinic settings, licensed practitioners provide the treatment while students observe and learn.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine. Experiences vary, but many people find acupuncture treatments relaxing. You can always tell your practitioner if you are uncomfortable at any point.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with the Pacific Rim College Student Clinic.
Can I have an appointment online?
Yes. Western herbal medicine and holistic nutrition consultations are available by Zoom.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Information discussed as part of your appointment is handled confidentially.
What if I don’t know which service to book?
Consider starting with a free Western herbal medicine or holistic nutrition consultation. You can discuss your goals and determine what type of support may be appropriate.
Is the Student Clinic an emergency medical service?
No. PRC’s Student Clinic provides non-emergency services. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Ready to Visit the Pacific Rim College Student Clinic?
Whether you’re interested in acupuncture, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, or simply exploring new ways to support your health, the Pacific Rim College Student Clinic provides access to affordable care while supporting the education of future practitioners.
Looking for care?
[Book an appointment at the Pacific Rim College Student Clinic.]
Thinking about becoming a practitioner?
[Explore Pacific Rim College’s programs in Acupuncture, Western Herbal Medicine, Holistic Nutrition, and Holistic Doula training.]
Every appointment at the Student Clinic is part of something bigger: providing care to the community while giving the next generation of practitioners the hands-on experience they need to build meaningful careers in natural health.