The origins of my practice were sparked by a personal health crisis involving chronic low back pain after a car accident. In my 20s, I was rear ended in a 6 car pile up on the freeway in Los Angeles. I had back pain that wouldn’t go away.  I went through 2 rounds of physical therapy and was still struggling. After finally getting better, I decided to go to medical school myself so that I could help others as I had been helped. 

Unfortunately, I had a major setback when I was in medical school when I developed bilateral forearm pain after a work related injury while I was working part time in film.  Suddenly it was hard to write, type, drive, cut vegetables, or even open a door knob.  I had to dictate exams and get creative on how to get things done in a way that wouldn’t be uncomfortable. I hated being dependent on other people to help me. 

Often I would think to myself, “when is this going to be better?”  What came after was not only a solution for my healing, but also an approach to help people struggling with pain, addiction and complex health challenges. My health challenges have motivated me to lean into building resilience and prevention. Especially as an older mom with young children, I want to be as strong and healthy for as long as possible.    

I left a career in the film industry to become the kind of doctor I most wanted for myself.  

Whether I am treating mental health issues like anxiety, substance use including opiate use disorder or complex multisystem illnesses that don’t easily fit into a box, I have found the traditional approach doesn’t always work. Sometimes we have to dive deeper to uncover the root cause.  

My curiosity has led me to develop an integrative medical approach that is patient focused and brings together the best of Western and alternative medicine to help patients restore and optimize their health.  I use a variety of approaches including: nutrition, supplements, mind-body approaches and functional medicine.

My Philosophy:

I enjoy collaborative relationships with my patients.  I may be an expert in medicine and integrative medicine, but my patients are experts in their lives.  By partnering together, my role is to support them and help them meet their goals not mine.