My practice was born out of countless late-night conversations with girlfriends about hormones and wacky periods. In my early 20s, several close friends were struggling with irregular cycles and found little support from conventional medicine. Having experienced the benefits of Chinese medicine for my own health, I wondered if it could help them too. The answer, I soon discovered, was a resounding yes.

During my third year of acupuncture school, two pivotal moments shaped my path. The landmark Paulus study showed that acupuncture could significantly improve pregnancy rates when used alongside IVF, and Chinese medicine quickly became a sought-after support for fertility. It was exciting to see results firsthand in the school’s clinic. Around the same time, the Women’s Health Initiative halted the largest trial on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, leaving many women anxious and unsure how to manage their symptoms. Many of these women came to our clinic seeking help through acupuncture and Chinese medicine and found a great deal of relief. Witnessing these clinical successes, I knew I had found my calling in reproductive health.

I began my studies at UCLA in anthropology and biology and received my master’s degree in acupuncture and herbology from Emperor’s College in Los Angeles in 2004. I’m a Fellow of the Acupuncture Board of Reproductive Medicine (FABORM) and a Fertility Support Trained practitioner, with advanced Functional Medicine training from the Kharrazian Institute. I’m a lifelong learner at heart. Each year, I study with leading experts around the world in acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and Functional Medicine.

My practice in Santa Cruz is dedicated to bridging a gap in healthcare. I believe patients want to understand why they’re not feeling well, and that they can feel better than they’ve been told. I believe that feeling seen is integral to healing. I love being a cheerleader for my patients, and I am hopeful for each and every patient I work with!