MEET THE PRACTITIONER
Holly C. Berman, EAMP, MSOM, Owner
I am a natural born healer: I began by doing bodywork on my family as a child and graduated from massage school when I was 21 years old. My entire adult career has been in the healing arts, starting out as a massage therapist and eventually learning and practicing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I have been practicing Acupuncture and Oriental medicine for 25 years and most enjoy working with patients holistically, involving the body-mind-spirit, some lifestyle and dietary changes, if appropriate, and personal growth. I have practiced in a wide variety of settings, including starting, operating and eventually selling my own clinic, as a member of one of the oldest continuously running healing arts cooperatives in the country, in a low cost community clinic, on cruise ships all over the world and for other gifted practitioners. I incorporate several styles of natural and Oriental medicine into my practice, meeting the patient and their symptoms in the moment with whichever techniques will be most helpful. The acupuncture techniques I use include 5 Element, Traditional Chinese medicine and Balance Method; I also use Chinese herbs and some Naturopathic medicine. In addition to my private practice, I work as a clinical supervisor and instructor in Bastyr University's Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine program.
I graduated from Southwest Acupuncture College's Santa Fe, NM campus in 1998 with a Master's of Science degree in Oriental Medicine. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, (History and Philosophy), from the University of Florida and a Certificate of Graduation from the Florida School of Massage/Florida Institute of Natural Health. I recently completed two years of study with Lonny Jarrett, an internationally recognized practitioner, author, scholar and teacher of East Asian medicine. Lonny's course focuses on 5 Element acupuncture, advanced pulse diagnosis, meditation and personal growth. In 2024, I will continue my studies of 5 Element acupuncture with the Worsley Institute.
In addition to higher education and many years experience practicing Oriental medicine, I have a lot of life experience and wisdom I bring to my practice. I am a breast cancer survivor and have lived with chronic illness. In 2001, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and in 2006 with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Since then, I have researched and experimented with many different treatments, therapeutic diets, herbs, supplements, lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and personal growth, all to improve my health. I have 30 hours in advanced education in treating autoimmune disorders with Chinese medicine and have helped hundreds of patients with chronic health issues and various autoimmune disorders manage their conditions and improve their health.
I also specialize in adjunct oncology care, fertility, (natural and IUI/IVF support), pregnancy and post partum complications. I have 55 hours in advanced education in treating both female and male infertility and 20 hours in Acupuncture during pregnancy. I am also skilled and experienced in treating any type of pain, acute or chronic, including neck and back pain, headaches and migraines, painful menses and sports injuries and in the management of stress related disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, digestive issues and eating disorders.
I have traveled and worked with patients and colleagues from all over the world and explored natural healing techniques from many different cultures. I have had the privilege of spending several months in India, including some time in ashrams. I have been happy to call western Washington home for 18 years, 7 on Orcas island and 11 in Seattle. In my free time, I enjoy caring for myself and my family, practicing meditation, yoga and pilates, experimenting in the kitchen, walking, cycling, reading, sea kayaking, camping, board games and creating "wearable therapy" in the form of Therapeutic Gemstone Jewelry.
