Getting to Know You….

Here's our third installment of the "Getting to Know You" feature of our newsletter (our "Year of the Rabbit, Part 3" will resume next month!). This interview is with Kolleen Mitchell, one of our acupuncturists and fertility specialists. Kolleen focuses on treating the whole family--from conception through pregnancy and childbirth, including the children too, and has studied with some of the most prominent acupuncturists in the fields of fertility, pregnancy and pediatrics. Here's what Kolleen has to say about being an acupuncturist.

What made you want to become an acupuncturist?

Acupuncture came into my life through a series of amazingly transformative life events. I have always had a strong desire to seek a career in serving others. I began investigating varying healing arts i.e. art therapy and clinical psychology. I began pre- requisites for a masters program in clinical psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. During my studies I noted that there was an element of human nature not taken into consideration in all the studies and archetypes discussed. I just felt it was not all there was to understanding our true nature as human beings. A family member had been seeing an Acupuncturist who was also the founder of a large Acupuncture school in Maryland. She told him about the dilemmas I was encountering and he asked to have a meeting with me. We met and discussed what type of world we wanted to take part in creating. We discussed how Acupuncture takes into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of each person. It was after this discussion I decided the type of medicine I wanted to practice would be one addressing health concerns holistically and not discounting any aspect of our beings as more or less significant. This concept of the interconnectedness of all aspects of human beings and world around us was what truly brought me to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

What do you do to stay healthy?

To maintain my health I do cardio and weight training, meditation, yoga, supplements and most importantly eating as if my food were my medicine. I am always conscious of balance. I think knowing what parts of our lives, our diets, our minds contribute either negatively or positively to our well being is key. Being calm, present, and aware I feel is crucial to experiencing good health and a positive, meaningful life.

Who or what is your inspiration?

I am constantly inspired by the enduring human heart. Patients I encounter are all on different health journeys but are all in their own way pursuing a better, happier, healthier life. Whether one is awaiting the right time to conceive or undergoing cancer treatment each person is finding their own way through their life’s journey. I am always inspired by each of their stories.

What do you do for fun?

I think my idea of fun is spending time with my family and in particular my 4 year old. We love going to museums and I just recently introduced him to roller skating!

What do you love most about being an acupuncturist?

I love using non-invasive means to bring about results! I feel so blessed to practice this medicine and love being able to facilitate the healing of others in whatever way that manifests. It is always so amazing to see how simply using needles, herbs and other natural modalities can bring our bodies back into balance.