I came to the field of nutrition from alternative agriculture research, when I realized I had a passion for connecting people to food more directly than research. During my studies in nutritional counseling at Bastyr University, the traditional healing arts of Chinese medicine intrigued me. The comprehensive scope and complex diagnostic capabilities of Chinese medicine best explained my observations and clinical experiences. 

Since 2004, I have used both western nutrition and Chinese medicine in support of my clients’ health goals. I understand that rather than stating “I know how to fix you”, the advanced practitioner identifies where to focus in order to elicit the most suitable next step(s). Additionally, I have seen that lasting, effective changes in habits are most often a result of compassionate self-awareness and conscious attention to motives.  

During my years in clinical practice, I have witnessed the impact of dietary interventions on the ability to focus and take action, for strengthening “willpower”, for reducing insomnia, and alleviating prolonged fatigue. These symptoms are often associated with depression, anxiety and ADHD. I work with clients to improve metabolic health (which includes conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and PCOS). I support optimal inflammatory balance and immune resiliency as well as hormone health. Effective stress management is critical to good health outcomes, and I start by focusing on physiologic stress factors. Additionally, I am passionate about supporting clients in their quest for sustainable weight loss – supporting the complex physiology of weight and metabolism as well as helping with mindset and developing a more peaceful relationship with food (and the scale!) 

Whenever possible, I enjoy being outdoors! While it’s easy to find places to be outside in the Pacific Northwest, my favorite places are in the garden right outside my door, or anywhere my mountain bike will take me. When weather isn’t as permitted, I can be found inside knitting and spinning. I have visions of bringing a small, travel-sized spinning wheel on my mountain bike for a mountain vista filled spinning session!

I have always enjoyed helping people. My extensive customer service experience has brought me a lot of joy as I help people solve problems.  Since coming to work at The Metabolic Institute, I love that I can use that experience to help people get to the root of their health problems through functional medicine.  While I am still learning a lot about functional medicine myself, I love that it provides the basic foundation for getting back to the basics of a natural, toxin-free diet and lifestyle. This is something that I am striving for in my personal and family life.

I have a BS in business administration/finance and another in agroecology. I have been a Navy wife, am a mother to two wonderful teens, and have an energetic rescue dog. We love to spend time together as a family and particularly enjoy spending time at our property in the country. My dream is to move to this property and raise as much of our own food as possible.

My relationship with The Metabolic Institute began many years ago as a patient. This allows me to relate to our patients with each interaction, as they search for answers to their health questions. I’ve always thought of Functional Medicine as a bridge, connecting the most valuable aspects of conventional and homeopathic approaches. It’s science with a heart, where every symptom is addressed and each patient is treated individually. When patients reach out to us for help, it’s an honor to connect with them, knowing that for many, they have been through a lot before they ever find us.