About Anne
For me, acupuncture has been a wonderful intersection of my worlds of interest, though there were a variety of roads that led to this particular intersection. In the past, I've advised students in the UC system, worked as a Park Ranger in Colorado, and led active travel trips in Yosemite and Napa/Sonoma. These work incarnations may seem far afield, but what they have offered me is the opportunity to be of service, to do work that is meaningful, and to maintain a close connection with the natural world. This common thread and the experiences gained have all, in their own unique ways, prepared me for the role as healer.
My interest in acupuncture began with my own profound experience as a first time patient in Santa Barbara. The changes I experienced in my own health and wellbeing were beyond what I expected. This piqued my curiosity. After asking what my first practitioner noted as 'a lot of questions', I delved in to the books she offered. I wanted to understand. How could putting a skinny little needle in those particular spots make such a difference? This reading, research and my great personal experience as a patient led me to graduate study. I wanted to learn and share what had been such a positive thing in my own life.
From California, I moved to Maryland to earn my Master's degree in Acupuncture. I attended TAI Sophia Institute, where the training was primarily in Five Element Acupuncture which is an ancient form of the art of acupuncture rooted in Taoist philosophy. After completing my Masters I went on to study for two more years at American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. At ACTCM, I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, which in spite of it's name, is a more modern form of acupuncture. I've also had the opportunity to study with one of the top herbalists in the U.S, Thea Elijah, as well as two of the foremost women's health & fertility specialists in the Bay Area, Dr. Lifang Liang and Terri Schwaderer, L.Ac.
I am licensed by the State of California Acupuncture Board and am certified by the National Certification for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as a Diplomate in Acupuncture.
My Focus and Philosophy
As a general practitioner, I have worked with my clients on a wide variety of issues, in particular women's health and fertility, pain issues, and constitutional style treatments using Five Element Traditional Acupuncture. This style can be particularly useful with mental or emotional concerns as well as wellness and preventative care.
I have real faith in the ability of the human body and spirit to thrive, grow and heal. Through the years with patients, I've seen my work with Chinese medicine offer an effective, gentle way to help patients access this strength.