Dr. Destia Skinner, N.D., CST
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor / Certified CranioSacral Therapist

Dr. Destia began her undergraduate education at the University of Washington where she received extensive training in Zoology and Biology. After receiving her B.S. in Molecular Biology, she worked as a clinical research coordinator in asthma research and as a public school teacher.

As her passion for health and healing ignited, she continued her educational journey by attending Bastyr University, one of the foremost institutions for Naturopathic medical education, where she received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. She has further focused her education in Craniosacral technique, natural pregnancy and childbirth, nutrition, and homeopathy. She incorporates all aspects of naturopathic medicine to create a holistic view of health for the individual person.

She currently has a clinical Naturopathic practice with her husband, Bryan, and is a certified Craniosacral instructor through Integrated Bodywork Institute. Teaching cranial technique is a passion that allows her to train other members of the medical community and empower individuals in their own healing process.

Dr. Destia is gifted in naturopathic women’s healthcare including the common complaints faced during the pregnancy, postpartum periods and menopause. She also has a genuine love for working with children of any age in order to prevent illness and promote optimal health.

Dr. Destia is a member of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Dr. Bryan Skinner, N.D.
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor / Homeopath / Certified BioSET Practitioner

Dr. Bryan began his undergraduate education at the University of Washington where he became increasingly interested in the fields of emotional and mental illness, personality, motivation, and their relationship with individual biochemical composition. He later graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Psychology.

Through his own personal struggle with illness, he began to understand the limitations of western medicine and started to seek alternatives in healthcare. This is when he first became familiar with the philosophy of naturopathic medicine and how vastly it differed from the western medical approach to illness. This difference in philosophy motivated and inspired him to attend Bastyr University where he later received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.

Dr. Bryan has had extensive post graduate education in Homeopathy by attending several trainings with Louis Klein FS Hom, Dr. Jan Scholten MD, and Dr. Rajan Sankaran MD. He is also a certified BioSET practitioner, which combines the principles of NAET with state-of-the-art computerized organ and allergy assessments.

Dr. Bryan has a passion for solving complicated cases. He is extremely gifted at translating complex patient stories into creative therapeutic avenues in order to find each patient relief from the causes of their illness. He has a wealth of knowledge that he draws upon to simplify and add clarity to complex cases. His passion for learning increased after graduating from medical school and he welcomes each patient as a chance to learn something new. He focuses in classical homeopathy, Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), BioSET (food and environmental allergy testing and elimination), and heavy metal and environmental toxicity evaluation and toxicity.

Dr. Bryan is a member of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Jennifer Lee Cohen, L.Ac., DNBAO
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist / Certified NAET and BioSET Practitioner

Jennifer attended the University of California at Berkeley where she studied Molecular and Cell Biology. She majored in Genetics and worked as a research associate at the UCSF Mount Zion Cancer Center studying adaptation and cell cycle. It was during this time that she became interested in integrative and complementary medicine, as the laboratory next door to where she worked was studying the anti cancer properties of Chinese medicinal herbs and teas. The anachronism of boiling ancient 2000 year old herbs in a state of the art modern lab was striking.

Jennifer moved to Santa Cruz to attend Five Branches Institute where she received her 3200 hour master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is licensed as an acupuncturist and herbalist both nationally and by the state of California. Jennifer is also a Diplomate of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics, which is an extra 300 hour program through the Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles designed to bridge the gap between acupuncturists and western doctors.

Jennifer is a certified NAET practitioner. NAET is gentle yet effective allergy detection and elimination technique developed by Dr. Devi Nambudripad. She is also a certified BioSET practitioner, which combines the fundamentals of NAET allergy elimination with state-of-the-art computerized meridian and sensitivity assessments.

Currently, Jennifer is attending Five Braches Institute where she is undergoing a 3 year program in order to attain her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Sarah Fink, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Herbalist / Certified NAET practitioner

Sarah Fink began her undergraduate education at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she majored in American Studies, and developed interest in Community Medicine and the process of individual empowerment through health.

Through her subsequent travels in South America she was inspired by the knowledge rural villagers had regarding the influence of lifestyle, nutrition, and local herbs in relation to their health. This appreciation guided Sarah to the field of Chinese Medicine, which she experienced to be an effective, intimate, and non-invasive healing method.

Upon her return, Sarah moved to San Francisco to attend the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine where she received her four year graduate degree. She is licensed in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbalism both nationally and by the State of California. She has worked in a wide array of clinical settings including The Women’s Community Health Clinic, The Haight Ashbury Clinic (the HIV program), the Henry Oloff Recovery Center, the Survivor Empowerment Program, and the Community Auricular Clinic.

Following the centuries old Chinese medical tradition of apprenticeship, Sarah’s practice has been guided by her many years as an intern for a variety of esteemed practitioners, both in the United States and China.
Sarah is well trained to treat a variety of conditions. She specializes in Fertility, Women’s Health, and Pain Management. She is certified by the National Association for Detoxification Acupuncture. She is a certified NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) practitioner. She is also a Certified Massage Therapist in Tui Na Massage. Sarah continues to pursue additional training in Pregnancy and Pediatrics to expand her expertise in the care of children.

Sarah is adept at pulse diagnosis and uses acupuncture, cupping, massage, moxibustion, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and Traditional Chinese herbs in her treatments. She brings passion and commitment to her practice and feels deeply honored to be part of each of her patient’s journey toward optimal health.

Dr. Cynthia Sholes, Ph.D., MdH
Certified Medical Hypnotherapist

Dr. Cynthia Sholes coaches people to help them achieve optimal health, vitality and longevity. She is available for individual appointments as well as talks, classes and workshops. She received certification in Medical Hypnotherapy from the Palo Alto School of Hypnotherapy and her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California at San Francisco. She was the science editor for the book, From Here to Longevity by Dr. Mitra Ray. Cynthia is a member of American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists and has been published in their journal, Hypnotherapy Today. Cynthia is the mother of two lovely girls and loves the mysteries of the ocean. If you would like more information on Dr. Sholes please visit her website at www.mindwaveinstitute.com. She can be contacted directly at (650)704-1252 or stellarhealth@yahoo.com.