Welcome Students, Healers, Scholars & Practitioners!

I am about 1.5 yrs away from getting my doctorate in health psychology and have learned a great deal so far about the benefits of health prevention initiatives, something of which the world needs and is beginning to move toward. I have not had the opportunity to network with other health psychologists, except at my school functions. My interests include behavioral nutrition, positive and transcendental therapy, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, plant medicines and entheogens, the shear joy of cooking for friends, and other health prevention modalities. The healing arts are strong in Portland, and I believe psychologists need to play a greater role in preventative and integrative medicine. Psychologists will be the modern day shamans of the future? What will it mean to be human in 50 years as we reach the technological singularity? What will the role of the health practitioner, healer, and psychologist look like in the future?

I am beginning to compile a list of alternative nutritional methods and healing techniques to help people with addiction, substance abuse, cancer, depression, anxiety, etc. I am interested in providing supplemental and alternative methods for those who have had problems with psychotropics, pain medication, and other pharmaceuticals, which can sometimes do more harm than good. I am also looking to really make this fun too. My agenda toward health prevention is serious, but I want a group that can also enjoy each other and laugh together. Perhaps a few meetings we could demonstrate the joys of nutritional and fun cooking--all of which plays into viable mental and physical health.

Whether you are a traditional psychologist, health psychologist, massage therapist, nurse, nutritionist, student, doctor, chef, a geek of sorts, spirtualist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, it is time to begin sharing ideas and networking! Also, you do not have to be local to participate. I welcome anyone from out of state, such as my colleagues or anyone else, because it is great to get a variety of perspectives--just respond to the discussion board items or email me with new ideas for new forums or topics.