Since 1999, I’ve been working with women to improve their health, with a special focus on hormone health, endocrinology, and gut health. I have an extensive background in botanical and herbal medicine, in addition to my naturopathic medical training. I chose the path of naturopathic medicine because I wanted to treat root causes, rather than symptoms, and create deeper relationships with my clients — whole-health partnerships that address the needs of the mind, body, and spirit. I love empowering my clients by giving them the tools and information they need to make impactful health decisions, each and every day!
I know that naturopathic medicine is a powerful tool for mending the damage left behind by conventional cancer treatments, because it helped through my own treatment and recovery.
My Story
In June of 2020, I found a lump in my left breast. It was a weird time: we were all home, the world was shut down, and I didn’t even know when I’d be able to get in for a mammogram. It wasn’t until August that I was able to schedule my mammogram and ultrasound… which, of course, came back abnormal.
Before I started treatment, I reached out to a Naturopathic Doctor who specialized in oncology, as well as an acupuncturist. I underwent a lumpectomy, followed by chemo and radiation. Throughout my treatment, the diet, supplement, and self-care regimens recommended by my conventional and integrative oncology team helped me to stay functional and balanced, avoid some of the more common side effects (like mouth sores, nausea, and neuropathy), and heal more quickly, while building on my expertise in women’s health.
I t was profoundly challenging, but much better than it could have been.
Once I came to the end of radiation, I was given a certificate for completing my treatment and cheerfully sent on my way. I was thrilled to be coming out cancer-free. But even though my team was waving goodbye, that wasn’t the end of my cancer story.
When you are diagnosed with cancer, it can feel like you’ve hopped onto a bus — your team will tote you around, take you to all of the stops, and make sure that you’re cared for — but when you’ve finished treatment, they drop you off, close the door, and drive away. You’re left standing in a place you’ve never been, with a body that you no longer know, and you feel terrible. You aren’t provided with a set program to help you orient you back to yourself… or to heal from the damage caused by your treatment.
I created the Thriving Survivors programs to fill this void.
Thriving Survivors helps you write your powerful new beginning.
Your health journey isn't over once your treatment ends. It includes your recovery from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. We can’t have ourselves back exactly the way we were before cancer — we bring our life experiences with us and it helps build who we are now and in the future. But we can still be awesome, feel awesome, and live in a way that makes us feel proud and whole!
During my recovery, I leaned into my naturopathic training and decades of experience with patients and did exhaustive research on how natural therapies can help to reduce side effects, speed up healing, restore health and wellness, and lower the risk of recurrence. All of the tools and guidelines included in the Thriving Survivors programs are based on research, data, and clinical experience. I’ve used them throughout my own health journey and to help my clients recover from their cancer treatments.
Right after my diagnosis, I remember receiving a text from an acquaintance who was a breast cancer survivor, which simply stated: “I am here.” It was such a deep reassurance to know that she understood how I was feeling. That’s why community plays a key role in the Thriving Survivors experience, through our private online group — we must always remember that we are not alone.
I passionately believe that you deserve to heal with more comfort, dignity, and peace — and get back to living the beautiful, active, and joyful life that you love. As Lizzo would say,
“I t’s about
d *mn time! ”
My Credentials
Naturopathic Doctors must complete standard premedical college courses, plus a 4 to 5 year naturopathic medical degree. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado in 1998. I went on to receive my Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2003, and completed a two-year residency in Anchorage, Alaska. I established my current clinic, the Golden Naturopathic Clinic LLC in 2006 to provide holistic care to my community.
In addition to standard medical education, we also study the philosophy of treating patients holistically and learn about a variety of natural therapeutics, including nutrition, botanical medicine, the use of natural substances, and hands-on therapies. In order to deepen my understanding of natural medicine, I also attended the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and received training in craniosacral therapy.