Naturopathic Treatments

Clinical Nutrition

A Personalized Approach to Food & Health

Many people assume that nutritional counseling is all about weight loss. While it can be, I don’t believe that health and weight are synonymous. You can be thin and unhealthy, or fat and healthy, or anywhere in between. Health is never just a number on a scale.

I also recognize that in some cases, dietary changes can cause more stress than they relieve. That’s why my approach is about optimizing your nutrition in a way that works for you—whether that means improving nutrient balance, identifying food sensitivities, or supporting your overall health goals.

What Does Clinical Nutrition Address?

  • Quality of food
  • Quantity of food
  • Balance of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates)
  • Balance of micronutrients (selenium, calcium, zinc, etc.)
  • Food sensitivities & allergies
  • Chronic conditions impacted by nutrition (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis)
  • Personal health goals & dietary habits

When Should You Consider Dietary Changes?

Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances can contribute to fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, and more. We also know that food choices can play a role in chronic conditions such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. But sometimes, what you have been told is a "healthy" diet isn't actually healthy for you as an individual.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. I work with each patient to assess their unique dietary needs, values, and goals to create a plan that helps them feel their best.

How I Approach Nutrition in My Practice

Unlike many practitioners who simply suggest dietary changes, I focus on how to make those changes work in real life. This can include:

  • Reviewing your current diet and giving feedback on how it might or might not be aligned with what your health goals are
  • Creating meal plans and recipes tailored to your needs
  • Making specific product recommendations
  • Helping you navigate grocery shopping—including in-person store visits to learn how to read labels and choose foods that align with your goals (note: this service is not covered by insurance!)

Supplements and herbal medicine

Taking supplements as part of your health plan.

I know that most people don’t want to take handfuls of supplements every day—and I don’t want that for my patients either. My goal is to help you take only what’s truly necessary, saving you both money and effort.

That said, this is an area where I have extensive training, and I can guide you toward supplements that are backed by research and/or have been used effectively in various cultures for centuries. I will ensure that you’re not spending money on unproven or unethical treatments. My goal is to help you make informed, effective choices—without unnecessary extras.

Stress Management and Counseling

The Impact of Stress on Your Health

Stress has a profound effect on both the body and mind. It can trigger emotional and physical symptoms that derail even the healthiest person. Sometimes, seemingly unrelated symptoms—like fatigue, digestive issues, or chronic pain—can be significantly eased by addressing stress more effectively.

We often think of stress as the “big” life events—losing a job, moving, or relationship changes. But stress comes in many forms, and its cumulative impact can be just as powerful. Factors like diet, lifestyle, relationships, environment, insufficient exercise or rest, financial strain, and chronic pain can all contribute. The key is identifying which stressors are unavoidable and which can be improved with the right tools and support.

I work with patients to assess the unique stressors in their lives and develop personalized strategies to manage them.

(Shameless plug ahead!) In 2019, I published a book with Sounds True called Overcoming Overwhelm. If you're a prospective patient, I encourage you to check it out—it provides insight into my approach, along with a step-by-step process to clarify your health and life goals and create a roadmap to achieving them.

Hormonal & Reproductive Health

I have a special interest in hormonal and reproductive health and can address a wide range of concerns, including menstrual difficulties such as heavy or irregular bleeding, PCOS, PMS, perimenopause and menopause, endometriosis, chronic yeast or BV, some sexually transmitted infections, hormone replacement therapy, birth control, and osteoporosis.

Because each person's hormonal health is unique, treatment plans must be personalized. For instance, menopause and hormone-related care should be based on an individual’s risk factors for osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer, their current symptoms, as well as their personal values regarding conventional or natural treatment options.

I can discuss and prescribe a wide range of treatment options, from nutrition and herbal remedies to natural or conventional hormone replacement therapy. You will never be pressured into a treatment that you don’t feel comfortable with.

Still have questions? Check out the FAQ page, or contact us and we'll be happy to help you however we can.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

acupuncture photoChinese Medical Theory

Acupuncture is a 5,000 year old ancient Chinese healing art wherein fine needles are inserted into specific points in the body.

From a Chinese medical perspective the theory is that the body has an energy force running (known as Qi, roughly pronounced Chee) that travels through the body along “meridians” (specific pathways). Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. These pathways can become unbalanced - causing illness. The effect of the acupuncture needles is to restore the balance of the patient’s energy and thereby improve overall health.

The Science of Acupuncture

Although we do understand part of how acupuncture works, we have yet to be able to explain it all from a Western scientific perspective. For instance, we do know that acupuncture decreases pain and increases healing by increasing blood flow (and therefore anti-inflammatory chemicals) to the areas where needles are inserted. But we also know that acupuncture often works very well for conditions that aren't causing physical pain such as insomnia, PMS, mild anxiety and depression, generalized fatigue and more. In these cases we use Chinese medical theory to diagnose and treat patients.

You may hear your acupuncturist mentioning organ systems such as liver, kidney, or spleen when discussing the cause of your symptoms. It is important to understand that she is not talking about your actual organ, but the organ pattern within Chinese medical theory.

Acupuncture shouldn't hurt.

I believe that acupuncture treatments shouldn't be painful. They should be restful and relaxing. When the needle is inserted, you may feel nothing, or a sensation akin to a minor insect bite that usually subsides within a few seconds after insertion.  After the needle is inserted sensations vary widely depending upon the person and the location of the needle, as well as the particular imbalance you are experiencing.  It can vary from no feeling at all (in most cases) to mild aching or warmth. If there is any discomfort we remove the needle immediately.

Acupuncture Treats Myriad Health Conditions

Acupuncture is effective at curing various diseases, some of which are resistant to conventional methods of treatment. In the U.S., acupuncture is most commonly associated with treating pain (it is even used as an anesthetic agent for some surgical procedures). But acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions, acute and chronic, mental and physical. In addition to being free from side effects commonly encountered in drug therapy, acupuncture is simple, safe, and effective.

One of the things that people love about acupuncture is how relaxed they feel after a treatment. Often this sense of relaxation will last long after the session, even spilling out into your day to day.

For more information about acupuncture with me, see What to Expect.

Masters of Science

In the State of Oregon, acupuncturists must either graduate from an accredited acupuncture program, or must already have at least 5 years of clinical acupuncture experience. After meeting this criteria, they must then get NCCAOM certification in acupuncture to practice in the State of Oregon. I graduated from acupuncture school at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001!