What to Expect
QUALITY MEDICINE
I complete a minimum of 35 hours of continuing medical education including a minimum of 10 pharmacology hours annually to maintain my medical license. I spend many additional hours in case review with colleagues and in self study, further developing my expertise in herbalism, nutrition and energy medicine practices.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
I help patients once serious conditions have been ruled out, and help make diagnoses for those “mystery” illnesses, which often times are what we call a functional imbalance, meaning there is no known disease process underlying the symptoms but rather, the symptoms are due to inflammation or an adrenal imbalance. Depending on the symptoms and concerns, I order labs and imaging if this has not already been done elsewhere. I often refer patients back to their primary care doctors and/or to specialists with specific information on what to ask for, to rule out serious conditions or to manage complex cases. Once we are clear that we are dealing with a functional issue, we can explore the alternatives to pharmaceuticals and work on nutrition, lifestyle, and energy work to address the root cause of imbalance.
ATTENTION
Full-hour appointments, to allow appropriate time for true listening, allowing me to get the whole picture and for you to be heard, and for us to collaboratively craft your treatment plan and outline our schedule for reaching goals.
FOCUS
I bring a laser-focus to your needs and desires for your health journey and a dedication to bring you back to your goals should distractions or avoidance occur. I am committed to the patients who are committed to their health journey.
PATIENCE
Healing is a process. Naturopathic medicine has as one of its core tenets that its practitioners will remain dedicated to finding and removing obstacles to cure rather than simply treating the symptoms. This takes time. There are many ways to alleviate suffering from symptoms as we continue diving deep to the root cause, so patience does not mean a lack of symptom relief, but instead that imbalance is not fully corrected until the root cause is uncovered and corrected.
COMPASSION
Everyone is doing their best. If healing were easy, there would be no disease, wars, conflict or destruction on our planet. I bring compassion for your unique situation. I’ve seen a lot and have experienced much myself, so whatever it is, I probably get it! I willingly hold space for it, and you are not alone in your journey. I am humbled to hear and honor your unique story including possibly a dark side that may feel difficult to bring to light. For me, this is a sacred calling and I take your trust in me seriously.
INTEGRITY
I have worked hard over the past two decades to align my medical skills with my core values of honesty, clear communication, healthy boundaries, responsibility, follow-through and compassion. I’ve done my own healing work and continue to practice self-care with gentle discipline.
EMPOWERMENT
Everyone is responsible for their own health and part of healing is owning this responsibility. I am in your corner to help you make informed decisions, to help you to understand and process what other healthcare professionals have advised, and to make sense of diagnoses, complex terminology, lab results, standards and numbers. I will educate on what I have learned on my 20+ year healing journey and make recommendations for your individual situation. I am your guide and your coach, and together, we will create a treatment plan that works for you.
SAFETY
A safe space to unpack layers of dis-ease to get to the core of what is blocking your whole, radiant health. In 2015-2016, I completed a certificate program in Trauma-Informed Services through the Graduate School of Counseling at Portland State University, so that I could better meet the needs of patients whose histories include trauma, which truthfully, is most of us in one way or another. I work hard to create a safe container for you to embark or continue on your healing journey.