My Philosophy

When it comes to healthcare for women in midlife, there is no single solution that works for everyone. My approach is grounded in evidence, clinical judgment, and respect for your individual experience.

Whether I am providing hormone therapy, weight loss treatments, or health coaching services, these principles guide how I care for patients.

1. You are beautiful just the way you are. The treatments I prescribe and recommend are designed to improve your well-being and health outcomes; I want you to feel better! I’ll help you define your health goals, and together we will work toward achieving them.
2. Health outcomes come before aesthetics or trends. You will have your own personal goals, and I respect those. My guiding priority is always your health—both now and in the future—including metabolic health, cardiovascular health, bone health, and overall well-being.
3. Not feeling well is a valid reason to seek care. If something feels off—your energy, sleep, mood, weight, or overall sense of well-being—you deserve thoughtful evaluation. My role is to help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and to guide you through your options.
4. Hormone therapy requires nuance and honesty. There are evidence-based guidelines for hormone therapy, but the data is not perfect or complete for every decision. My responsibility is to explain what we know, what we don’t know, and how that information applies to you, so you can make informed choices with confidence.
5. Perimenopause is not a catch-all explanation. Women in perimenopause often experience symptoms that are dismissed, especially when initial lab work appears normal. It is essential to investigate symptoms carefully and rule out other causes before attributing them to hormonal changes. Hormone therapy may help—but it is not always the answer.
6. You deserve transparency about risks and benefits. There are only a few absolute contraindications to hormone therapy. You deserve clear, balanced conversations about the risks and benefits of treatment as well as the potential consequences of not treating, so decisions are based on knowledge rather than fear.
7. Evidence guides treatment whenever possible. When quality data exists, I use it. I prefer FDA-approved, bioidentical hormone therapies and FDA-approved weight loss medications when appropriate. In select situations, compounded (non–FDA-approved) formulations may be reasonable and are considered carefully. I do not use hormone pellets.
8. Lifestyle change is foundational—but difficult. Sustainable improvements in health usually require changes in nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management. These changes are challenging to initiate and maintain, which is why support and accountability—such as working with a health coach—can make a meaningful difference.
9. Care should be collaborative and individualized. My goal is to help you become the healthiest version of yourself through shared decision-making, evidence-informed care, and respect for your values. This is your body and your health, and your care should reflect that.

At Awaken Women’s Health, we provide individualized women’s health care for patients seeking thoughtful, evidence-informed support through perimenopause, menopause, and midlife health changes. Now seeing patients in Gig Harbor, Washington or by telehealth in WA and UT.

👉 Learn more about working together or schedule a visit at Awaken Women’s Health.