As a child, I was endlessly curious about how things worked—especially devices like radios or televisions. I didn’t just want to see what they did; I wanted to know what was going on inside that made them function. That same curiosity has never left me. Now, instead of gadgets, my fascination lies with the human body.
In medical school, I was taught the human body one organ system at a time. It was awe-inspiring to learn how enzymes, neurotransmitters, and receptor pathways all seamlessly interact to keep us alive and (usually) well. But even then, I couldn’t shake a deeper question: What truly makes the body work—beyond the physical?
That question led me into the fields of chemistry, cellular biology, and eventually naturopathic medicine. It led me here—to the intersection of mind, emotions, and cancer wellness.
Beyond the Genome: You Are More Than Your Genes
For decades, we believed our genes dictated our fate. You either inherited “good” or “bad” health, and that was that. But the discovery of epigenetics shifted the narrative. We now understand that the cellular environment—the terrain in which our DNA expresses itself—is just as influential as the genes themselves.
And what shapes that environment?
Yes, food. Yes, toxins. Yes, inflammation.
But also: thoughts. beliefs. emotions. trauma. hope.
Each of our estimated 37 trillion cells is not isolated from our life experiences. The inner cytoplasm—made up of 60% water and filled with life-sustaining organelles—is constantly responding to internal signals from our mental and emotional state.
Trauma Leaves a Cellular Imprint
In the late 1990s, researchers began to explore the impact of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) on long-term health outcomes. The CDC’s ACE Study drew direct links between early emotional trauma and chronic adult illnesses—including autoimmune disease, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. These experiences literally shape the architecture of our nervous system, our immune responses, our hormonal balance.
What this means is that our biography becomes our biology. The unresolved pain of childhood, the constant stress of adult life, the internalized fear of a cancer diagnosis—they all leave a cellular imprint.
And yet, mental and emotional health remains siloed in our current medical system. Rarely does an oncologist consult with a therapist. Seldom do primary care doctors work in tandem with behavioral health providers. As patients, we’re expected to treat these realms as separate, even when we know intuitively that they are anything but.
Putting the Puzzle Back Together
Integrative oncology asks a different question: What if healing isn’t just about the tumor, but about the terrain in which it grew?
As naturopathic doctors, we are trained not only in organ systems, diagnostics, and evidence-based treatment—but also in counseling, behavioral science, and whole-person care. We sit with our patients long enough to uncover not just what hurts, but why. And more importantly—what might still be unhealed.
We’ve seen again and again: when someone begins to process long-held grief, or release toxic shame, or rekindle self-worth—their entire physiology shifts. Hormones regulate. Inflammation drops. The immune system becomes more robust. Hope returns.
This isn’t magic. It’s medicine.
Addressing the Mind and Emotions is Not Optional—It’s Foundational
Especially in cancer care, addressing the emotional terrain is not a luxury—it’s essential. Fear, overwhelm, and past trauma can become obstacles to healing. When we ignore them, we’re treating only part of the person. But when we invite these unseen wounds into the light, true transformation becomes possible—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally.
This is why the Cancer Wellness Experience exists. To help you reclaim your power, your clarity, and your wholeness. We don’t promise a cure. But we do offer something that’s been missing for too long: a space where every part of you is welcome—including your mind and emotions.
Because you are not just a diagnosis. You are a whole human being. And every part of you deserves care.
