There are times in life where I’ve been digging my well deeper; I need to fill it back up.

Sometimes, I’ve chosen to try something new that stretches me beyond my current capacity, and I’m tired and worn. When I’m feeling this way, turn toward nature, bodywork, and time alone to help me fill my well back up.

Other times, an injury or illness sends me to others for help and guidance in the healing process. I have worked with amazing bodyworkers that have helped me tremendously in different ways.

This list of local resources are people I have seen myself or have been referred to by trusted sources. Some of these practitioners have ways you can work with them online, so please read below or visit their websites for more details.

Anne Chiaramonte, L.Ac.

Anne Chiaramonte is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with over 15 years experience. She founded Arrive Reproductive Medicine to fill a gap in women’s healthcare. Anne's approach to healing is rooted in Chinese medicine, with acupuncture and herbal medicine as her main modalities. Comprehensive lab testing, liver detox, healing the gut and nutrition all play a role in helping women to find solutions for infertility, menstrual cycle issues and mom burnout.

Anne works with her women anywhere in California via her remote telehealth services as well as in-person in her midtown Santa Cruz clinic. The cornerstone of her practice is using comprehensive blood and hormone tests (including the DUTCH test) to bridge conventional and eastern medical traditions.

Déva Cassandra, L.Ac.

Déva began her immersion in health and wellness as a child growing up in the pristine lands at the foot of Mt. Shasta. This beginning instilled a deep appreciation for the ancient lineage of knowledge and wisdom passed on through her teachers. From them, her childhood fascination with the ways of nature became her vocation.

She has created a signature, results driven, cosmetic acupuncture and facial gua sha treatment designed to bring out the vibrant beauty from within. Health is our true wealth; well-being will shine through our skin when supported.

Déva became a certified herbalist in 2013 and went on to get her masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in 2014. Since then she has continued studying and practicing to better serve her patients.

Bridget Supriya Puchalsky, LAc. CAP 

Bridget’s life’s work is in assisting others to find thriving health by utilizing her expertise in two of the most clinically relevant holistic medicine modalities: Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. Her calling to delve deep into the most effective and non-harming medicines on the planet came through years of dedicated yoga practice, and the transformation of mind-body practice has allowed her to dedicate her life to being a part of your healing process as a board licensed primary care provider.

Bridget offers acupuncture, herbal medicine, Ayurvedic coaching, and personalized seasonal cleanses. In receiving treatments with Bridget, expect to nourish your mind, body, and spirit by reducing stress, and support the nervous system. While Chinese, Ayurvedic, and herbal medicine can aid in healing of almost all acute or chronic conditions, Bridget specializes in pain management, orthopedics, sports medicine, gynecology-women’s health (menstrual cycles, fertility, prenatal/postnatal care and menopause), cancer support, and maintaining optimum health for yoga practitioners.

Manish Chandra, Ayurvedic Doctor

Growing up in Nepal, Manish was exposed to Ayurveda from an early age, creating a foundation for his deep connection to this ancient healing wisdom. He combines the traditional system of Ayurveda with modern biological system's approach to health and healing.

The Santa Cruz Ayurveda signature Gut Healing Protocol integrates yoga and pranayama based on his dedicated studentship of Yoga and Ayurveda for a holistic result. Monthly workshops on Ayurvedic Cooking (at New Leaf Market - Westside) are a local favorite with many participants joining every month. Ayurvedic Massage (Abhayanga) is offered by his team of massage therapists at Santa Cruz Ayurveda as a compliment to his consultations and programs.

Manish is recognized as an Ayurvedic Doctor by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, USA after earning a masters degree from Mount Madonna Institute, College of Ayurveda in 2012.

Talya Lutzker, CAP

Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, 500-hour certified Prajna yoga teacher, and the founder of Ayurveda Every Day with Talya - an Ayurvedic lifestyle and nourishment hub.

Since 2001, Talya’s helped women reclaim their radiance through the practice of living Ayurveda – India’s time-tested system of health and nourishment. Ayurveda treats your whole being, not just your body, with captivating secrets to long-lasting wellness and vitality. Its primary purpose is to teach you how to thrive.

Certified in Ayurveda since 2003, Talya teaches Ayurveda online and is best known for her RAD Cleanse, Ayurveda Starter School, and The Practice of Healing. She’s a celebrated yoga teacher, cookbook author, massage therapist, and Ayurvedic chef.

Gina Parisi, MS, Ayurvedic Chef & Health Counselor

As a personal chef service rooted in Ayurveda, The Ayurvedic Kitchen knows that the root of optimal health starts with digestion.

Gina offers delicious meals tailored to your specific Doshic needs. Cooked with a unique combination of spices, meals are intended to strengthen digestion and prevent dis-ease. Menus are plant based and attuned to the rhythms of nature, highlighting seasonal textures and tastes. 

The Ayurvedic Kitchen has a variety of meal options based on the support and variety you need. In addition, Gina offers Ayurvedic cooking classes, grocery store tours, and kitchen consultations to get you started on your own cooking adventure with confidence.

Gail Creeksong, CST, CMT

With roots in CranioSacral Therapy, the potent bodywork sessions Gail offers evolve from the innate wisdom within your body. Each unique session follows your personal healing trajectory, rather than adhering to a protocol or modality. 

From age 0 to 99, from head traumas to post-surgery foot issues---- there’s a session for you, here. In addition, Gail enjoys facilitating The Art of Embodied Wisdom, an experiential course in empowering the self-healer within.

Also offering sessions by phone/video--- a potent venue for conscious connection effecting healing changes.

Joelle Williams, Dipl. Psych, D.O.M.P. (Canadian)

Coming from a background of Psychology, Movement, Meditation and Indigenous Studies, Joelle brings a deep sense of listening to her practice. She strives to connect with the essential essence of her clients, releasing any blockages that may interfere with its expression. 

Comprehensive Manual Therapy is focused on how the skeleton, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue, brain and internal organs function as a holistic union, treating the cause and not just the symptoms of the underlying dysfunction or imbalance. 

The goal is to gently restore the position, mobility, and vitality in the tissues of the body and promote circulation of all its fluids. This allows better communication and regulation between the different systems of the body and helps it to return to a more natural, healthy state. 

Comprehensive Manual Therapy at Vital Health Center is based on Traditional Osteopathic Manual Therapy as taught at the Canadian College of Osteopathy.

Leanna Immel, RY & Hakomi-Graduate, Studding Counseling Psychology

With her strong dedication to community & social service values, Leanna offers virtual emotional support that blends her background in Hakomi Mindfulness-Based Somatic Psychology, yoga studies, and trauma-informed education. She is a Master’s student currently enrolled at Pacifica Graduate Institute, a depth-oriented school, studying Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Her consultations blend deep listening with compassionate patience, judgment-free support and attunement to the world around us, all designed to bring you back into balance.

Liz Vines, AMFT

Liz is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Shine A Light Counseling Center, supervised by Tim Hartnett, PhD LMFT. Inspired by a natural inclination towards introspection, Liz enjoys helping others develop or deepen their own inner process. While often working from an ecofeminist lens, she adheres to the importance of finding ways to live harmoniously with each other and the natural world. Her theoretical orientation is depth oriented and humanistic, as she believes that a strong and healthy client/therapist relationship is necessary when unpacking life situations, past traumas, attachment issues, and “stuck” emotions. Liz’s approach tends toward somatic techniques that foster an awareness of how certain emotional states manifest in one’s body. She works with her clients to help them use this awareness to learn how to move through these experiences. Liz finds that sometimes emotions shift through talking, sometimes exploring them in the body is necessary, and sometimes creativity is called for. Liz also utilizes her art training when helping clients learn to express themselves in healing ways.  

Liz enjoys working with individuals and couples of all orientations, as well as children and teens.  She feels especially passionate about issues of trauma, shyness, sexuality, and self expression.

Liz received her MA from the California Institute of Integral Studies in counseling psychology.  She also holds a dual BA in art and philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  She can be reached directly at 949-506-0546 or at elizabeth@shinealight.info.

Tom Western, LMFT

Tom Western is 30-year practicing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based out of Soquel, CA. He works with both couples and individuals in a thriving referral-based private practice. He doesn’t have a website, but you are welcome to call and see if he has any availability.

Megan Murphy-Rouse, MSc, CNS, CAP

Megan is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and Board-Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner.  Her approach to wellness combines modern science with ancient Ayurvedic wisdom.

She works with women of all ages, from anywhere in the world, online at her virtual clinic. There, she helps them identify the underlying causes of imbalance that are perpetuating dis-ease. She then employs dietary, lifestyle, nutraceutical, and/or botanical therapies to address that root cause of dysfunction so that the body can heal. 

With Megan, you can expect up-to-date, evidence-based, and compassionate Functional Medicine Nutrition care combined with practical Ayurvedic insights that will leave you empowered and supported along your journey to recovering your health.