Meet Dr. Paula Pilcher, ND, LMT
Dr. Paula is a compassionate and highly experienced specialist in integrative medicine, with a unique focus on mental health for youth aged 11-22. She understands that the journey from childhood to adulthood comes with special needs and challenges, and enjoys supporting and guiding her patients through this pivotal time. With over 25 years of experience working with young people, Dr. Paula brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge and empathy to her practice.
Her approach is rooted in the belief that health cannot be separated into isolated components. Mental, physical, emotional, and social health are deeply intertwined, and lasting well-being comes from addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just symptoms. ​
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Dr. Paula works closely with families, understanding that the family dynamic plays a crucial role in the well-being of young people. Her collaborative approach ensures that everyone involved in the care process is heard, supported, and empowered, and that each treatment approach is individualized to the unique needs of the patient.
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The ages of 11-22 mark a critical transition period, where young people navigate across the bridge from childhood to adulthood and begin to make their own decisions about how to balance their health and relationships. Dr. Paula is dedicated to helping them and their families through this time by offering a safe, non-judgmental space for growth and support. Her goal is to empower young individuals and their families with the tools, education, and guidance they need to succeed.
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Dr. Paula’s journey in helping teens and young adults thrive began in 1998, and since then she has touched countless lives through her
diverse experiences as well as continuing work in Empowerteen.
Why 11-22 Integrative Medicine?
Dr. Paula helps ages 11-22 balance the 4 aspects of health
1. Mental Health
State of mind, brain plasticity, cognitive functioning, problem solving, organization and attention span, self-narrative style and coping strategies for the normal stresses of life and long-term resilience. ​​
2. Physical Health
The brain, autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, immune system, lymphatic system, circulatory system and more all intertwine with the other 3 aspects of holistic health.
3. Emotional Health
Understanding, managing, and processing emotions, as well as healthy expression of emotions. Building emotional intelligence and self-awareness for a more balanced response to triggers and impulses.
4. Social Health
Quality of relationships (family, friends, and all others), communication and conflict management, boundaries and values, understanding attachment styles, and ability to use social media responsibly.
Biochemical Balance
Biochemical balance is the key to health.
Hormones, neurotransmitters, blood sugar, adrenal glands, the thyroid and feedback mechanisms all play a role in how you feel and function day-to-day.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics is an optimization of gene expression based on your unique natural hereditary coding.
Immunology
Psychoneuroimmunology looks at the role of inflammatory and infectious causes of mental-emotional imbalances.
Digestion
Digestion, gut health, and the microbiome play a vital role in absorption of nutrients needed to balance moods and maintain focus or calm.
Nutrition
Nutrition is important because it is the basic building blocks to all of health. The first medicine. Education on nutrition helps teens make healthy choices that will fit into their lives, now and beyond.
Sleep
Sleep is important because it helps teens grow, learn, and stay healthy. It allows their bodies to repair themselves and grow muscles, bones, and tissue. Sleep is also the single most important need for managing emotions.
Exercise
Exercise is important because it boosts self-esteem, body image, and Brain-derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF). It helps balance moods, process emotions, and ensures teens are physically prepared for the challenges of adulthood.
Stress Management
Stress Management is important because stress is a part of a teen's daily life; now, and for the rest of their life. Learning skills for life-long management of stress, as well as healthy coping mechanisms, is essential for wellness and resilience.
Health Service Steps
mental, physical, emotional and social health for ages 11-22
2
Initial Office Visit
The initial visit is a setting of rapport, discovery of needs, and prioritization of goals within the 4 aspects of health which are determined together. Labs will be ordered, if useful, and a baseline of health is also established.
3
F/U Visit & Maintenance
Follow-up visits will be scheduled to initiate and maintain treatment plans, help guide you on the path to reaching your goals, and provide counseling, coping and empowerment support; offered in-person or virtually.