About Me (Short Version Story)
“You will always battle depression and anxiety" AND “You have a permanent neurotransmitter imbalance causing your mental illness and you will need to be on medications for the rest of your life.”
These are direct quotes that I heard from my doctors, starting when I was 15 years old. I believed these narratives until I was able to get to the root cause of my physical and mental health issues. I was prescribed a myriad of psychiatric medications for 18 years to treat severe depression, OCD, ADHD, and anxiety. Additionally, I was prescribed opiate pain medications for years following a bicycle accident which resulted in fractured vertebrae and a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Hence, getting off medications* was nothing short of a miracle for me. I have now been medication free for over a decade.* I healed my mental health and am in remission from my autoimmune disease (celiac) through:
Nutrition (nutrient rich/whole foods)
Improving my sleep, regulating my circadian rhythms
Yoga/Meditation
Meaningful physical activity
Deepening connections/community
Supplements, natural medicine*
Throughout my own healing journey, I was on many different healing diets, such as Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS) and Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). I was able to reintroduce many foods and now I am on a general Paleo diet that includes sustainably raised meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and fruit.
The road to recovery, in my case, was difficult, isolating, and yet, as rewarding as anything could be. As a result of my suffering, I emerged as a better version of myself, with greater empathy and connection to understand what many people are going through silently in the world. I look forward to supporting you through making healing changes in your own life through the power of nutrient rich foods and other integrative approaches. My hope is that in sharing my story, I can save you time and suffering in your personal journey.
(For Longer Version story, click here)
About me (Credentials)
I am a Certified International Health Coach (CIHC) with training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition*, where I studied a numerous dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. I have been a Registered Nurse (RN) for 13 years and completed my Master’s degree (MA) in Counseling Psychology (2006) through Naropa University. My educational/professional experience has given me thousands of hours of training, working with people in various states of mind. More importantly, I emerged from a very tumultuous and low place (see My Story) and gained passion and vigor to dedicate myself to helping others in similar predicaments. My primary interests are with mental health, gut healing, and protracted medication withdrawal* effects.
*DISCLAIMER: I do not and will not ever recommend that you stop taking any prescription medications. I am not a doctor and I will not diagnose or treat. The information in my story and on this website should NOT be interpreted as medical advice, professional diagnosis, or treatment to you or to any other individual. This information is not intended as substitution for medical care or treatment. Always consult your primary care physician before trying out any new therapies or changing your diet.