I discovered Naturopathic Medicine through my own dance with illness as a
child and young woman. I was raised in a supportive and loving family just
outside of New York City, while facing constant battles with illnesses and
worsening dis-ease. Although I loved and respected my physicians, I was
always struck by my lack of participation in the process of my health &
wellbeing. I realized I was never given the tools to practice health or be
an active participant in my own healing!
Undergraduate & Graduate Studies
I took my first steps in becoming a naturopathic physician at Cornell
University where I graduated with a bachelor's degree in pre-medical studies
in Human Biology, Health & Society. Though, I didn't completely understand
Naturopathic Medicine at that point, I was intrigued. So I moved to Seattle
and enrolled in the Bastyr University graduate studies program in
Spirituality, Health & Medicine. During that year I worked at the Center for
Aids Research at the University of Washington as a disease intervention
specialist and research coordinator for various studies. And, in the course
of my studies, my exposure to naturopathic physicians, the integrative
science-based nature of the medicine and the foundation of it's
philosophy intensified.
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
The following year, I enrolled in naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University. While I studied the medical science, plethora of treatment
modalities and naturopathic philosophies, I was simultaneously engaged in a different kind of medical education. I came to clearly understand
naturopathic medicine not only as the doctor but also from the perspective of a patient. I bring to my practice the experience of having found my own
health through naturopathy and other alternative treatment modalities. The late Dr. William Mitchell, my Naturopathic Doctor, empowered me by
presenting me with options, alternatives, information and guidance. He taught me that the best doctors are those who serve as teachers, and that my body had the ability to heal itself. The trick was that I needed the tools to achieve them. My tools range from herbs, nutrition, homeopathy, physical
manipulation, supplementation, awakening one's spirit as well as pharmaceuticals and surgery. These principles, along with the medical science, are what guides my own medical practice today.
I am honored to be a board certified Naturopathic Physician and Licensed
Midwife specializing in full spectrum primary care with a clinical focus in
women's health, preconception care, detoxification, chronic illness,
autoimmune disorders and pediatrics. I use my knowledge in conventional
medical sciences, diagnosis and treatment to offer a complementary and
alternative approach to healing, wellness and preventative practices.The
philosophy of my practice is based upon the Naturopathic Principles and
therapeutic order as listed below. I am a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Washington Association of
Naturopathic Physicians and the New York Association of
Naturopathic Physicians.
Licensed Midwife
My enthusiasm for midwifery grew out of my appreciation of birth as a normal
life process and my experiences of watching hundreds of mothers be empowered
by their births safely at home or in out-of-hospital birth centers. Although
I am not currently attending births I work as a strong advocate on behalf
midwives all over the world. I am a member of Midwifery Association of Washington State, and Midwives Alliance of North
America. For more information about what midwives do
please check out Citizens for Midwifery
I love living in the Seattle with my amazing husband Justin and our dog Nyoki, cooking & eating local seasonal foods from Farmer's markets, spending time with wonderful friends, traveling, hiking, kayaking and celebrating
music.
Naturopathic Principles
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing
process of living systems. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing
process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic physician's
role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and
removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of
a healthy internal and external environment.
Find The Cause (Tolle Causam)
Every illness has an underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle,
diet or habits of the individual. A naturopathic physician is trained to
find and remove the underlying cause of a disease.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances which
minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply the least possible force or
intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health. Whenever
possible the suppression of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally
interferes with the healing process.
Treat The Whole Person
Health or disease comes from a complex interaction of mental, emotional,
spiritual, physical, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other
factors. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person, taking these
factors into account.
Preventive Medicine
The naturopathic approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from
developing into more serious diseases. Patients are taught the principles
with which to live a healthy life and by following these principles, they
can prevent major illnesses.
Wellness
Establishing and maintaining optimum health and balance. Wellness is a state
of being healthy, characterized by positive emotion, thought, and action.
Wellness is inherent in everyone no matter what dis-ease(s) are being
experienced. If wellness is really recognized and experienced by an
individual, it will more quickly heal a given dis-ease than direct treatment
of the dis-ease alone.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize
self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Naturopathic Therapeutic Order
Stimulate the Vis Medicatrix Naturae? (Other names for "Vis" include "qi", "prana", "life force")
This is the force that moves us towards health; it is the essence that invigoratesus. Some modalities that we utilize to stimulate the "Vis"
include hydrotherapy, exercise, yoga, mediation, craniosacral therapy, energy medicine and homeopathy.
Tonify Weakened Systems
Specific organs and body systems are sometimes over/underexpressed by people differently, for example some patients may have a hyper and hypo-stimulated
immune system, nervous system, endocrine system, and cardiovascular system, etc....
Correct Structural Integrity
Disease may affect all systems if the communication pathways are compromised by spinal and nervous systems mal-alignment.
Prescribe specific, pathology based, natural substances
This is often necessary in more advanced pathology, however, this is done
while addressing the underlying imbalance. When patients are in severe distress
or pain, and they need relief immediately, naturopathic physicians may
prescribe medicines, which allow for symptom palliation.
Pharmacological Agents for Pathology?
"To everything there is a season." There are many situations that warrant conventional medical treatments and therapies. In these cases, naturopaths
utilize allopathic medicine as a subset to our modalities.
Surgery, Suppressive drugs, radiation and chemotherapy
These interventions save lives and help many, many patients to live longer, happier, healthier lives. As Dr. John Bastyr said towards the end of his
retirement, "Do what works." In my experience I have seen many patients continue to lead healthy lives thanks to these interventions.
