I am a lymphedema-certified occupational therapist currently practicing at Inova Alexandria Hospital.
I completed my lymphedema therapy certification at Klose Training and Consulting in 2011. Since then, I have treated arm, leg, trunk, breast, and head and neck lymphedema as well as lipedema.
I am passionate about working with those affected by cancer. My lymphedema specialty affords me the opportunity to do the practice regularly.
I am also excited about the possibilities that a holistic lifestyle offers to people with chronic illness. As a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach (FMCHC), I have chosen to focus on guiding and supporting people who are healing from cancer.
My determination to become a health coach came after a conversation with a breast cancer patient who I was seeing for therapy after lumpectomy and radiation. I remember the moment when the patient turned to me mid-exercise and asked if I would be her health coach. This was a few years ago. While I had been interested in holistic health for some time, I lacked the training to coach someone effectively. I politely told her that I could not coach her and referred her to other professionals who may be able to offer the type of guidance she was seeking. She was not the only person who encouraged me to pursue coaching. Over the years, I met others with cancer who were seeking to add alternative therapies to their treatment.
I spent a few years researching different programs before I committed to the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. I can now confidently say “Yes” to people who are seeking help to either transition to a healthy lifestyle or who know what they should be doing to improve their health and decrease their risk of cancer recurrence but are not doing it yet.
I developed Holistic Advantage, LLC to provide gut health, breast health, and cancer recovery coaching.
For lymphedema services at Inova Alexandria Hospital:
(703)504-3535
Alexandria, Virginia
For health coaching:
[email protected]
holisticadvantage.net
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