There are two beliefs that I know to be true: Love and Change. They are simple guiding forces.
Love: We need connection, care, community and belonging. The Harvard Study has gone on now for over 75 years, and the biggest indicator of long term health was having deep meaningful relationships. I try to build relationships with patients, but more than anything, I want you to have a quality relationship with yourself, self-love. I give you the tools to nourish your body and spirit and help release physical and emotional barriers. Sometimes this is slow work. We talk, in Chinese Medicine, about peeling back layers of an onion. Often the first layer is working on physical pain. But healing those deeper layers is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves.
“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” - Elizabeth Gilbert.
Change: All things change. No moment is the same as the last. So I try to live with gratitude for what I have now and know that any suffering will one day shift. We may sometimes feel as if we have no control over our circumstances. However, we can position ourselves to be adaptive and to manifest the types of change we want to see. We can cultivate resilience, by recognizing the areas where we tend to get stuck, our physical and energetic patterns.
Beyond my personal philosophy, here are some nuts and bolts about me:
Doctoral degree in Acupuncture with focus on integrative medicine
Practicing acupuncture in Portland for 13+ years
Taught at OCOM and NUNM - acupuncture and herbal medicine
Studied Thai massage, shiatsu and tuina - love to incorporate bodywork
Fellow with ABORM - a specialty certification in reproductive health and fertility
Trained as a birth doula and have a lot of experience with acupuncture in pregnancy and birth
Things I love to treat:
-Women’s health concerns - fertility, menstrual disorders, menopause, PMS, sexual health
-Headaches, jaw pain, neck and upper back pain
-Mental-emotional health
-Respiratory disorders and allergies
-The whole person
I live in Southwest Portland with my partner and 11 year old son, Revel. You will often find me off in the woods or up on a mountain, hiking, rock climbing or snowboarding. I also sing with the Portland Threshold Choir.
I look forward to partnering with you in health.
Wellness Philosophy
I believe in the body’s innate capacity to heal when it is balanced and in harmony with nature. Drawing from the principles of East Asian medicine, I take a comprehensive approach, addressing the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental factors that shape each individual’s health experience.
I empower patients to take an active role in their own healing journey. By understanding their body’s unique needs in relation to food, activities, and self-care practices aligned with the seasons, patients can learn to cultivate balance and optimize their health naturally.
I practice Wú Wéi Wellness, guiding individuals to align with the natural flow of life and develop sustainable habits that promote long-term well-being. The goal is to help each person tap into their body’s wisdom and make informed choices that lead to lasting wellness, self-healing, and a deeper connection to themselves.
I look forward to partnering with you in health.
Training
Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (DACM): Pacific College of Health & Science, 2023
Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc): State of Oregon, 2022
Certified in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (Dipl OM): National Commission for Certificate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2021
Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM): Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 2021
Certified in Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture, 2020
Certified in Chinese Medicine Dermatology: International Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology, 2019
Certified Yoga Instructor: 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate thru Core Power Yoga, recognized by Yoga Alliance, 2019
Certified Teacher of One Thousand Hands Buddha Qigong: Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School, 2019
Master of Science – Environmental Education (MS): Concordia University of Wisconsin, 2011
Licensed in Secondary Education – Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2002-2019
Certified in Medical Technology [MT (ASCP)]: American Society for Clinical Pathology, 1997
Bachelor of Science – Biology, Medical Technology, Chemistry (BS): University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, 1997
