Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Shusterman.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I discovered my interest in medicine while watching “Mystery Diagnosis” on the Discovery Channel. 🙂 From then on, I was very supported to pursue this interest through my school district Frisco ISD and the CATE (Career and Technology Education) center, where I was able to become CNA and EKG certified before I even graduated high school! I am very grateful for those early learning opportunities to get me a head-start in the world of health care. I went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin, studying Anthropology and completing my requirements to apply to conventional medical school. While at UT Austin, I worked for the Office of Sustainability in the Green Corps, where we grew organic produce to be served in the dining halls, as well as, founding UT’s first on-campus farmer’s market. This was the time I really connected with the beauty of nature by getting my hands in the soil and witnessing the incredible process of growing food from seed to skillet!
As I also began to learn more about the challenges within the modern health care paradigm, I started searching for something that felt more aligned with my belief system. My search brought me to naturopathic medicine programs, where I really fell in love with the philosophy and principles of the profession. Treating the whole person, addressing the root cause of disease, doctor as teacher, and working with our innate intelligence to heal are principles that deeply resonated within me as my true calling in medicine. Discovering so many less-invasive and natural alternatives to healing was like opening a door into a whole new world for me! Licensed naturopathic medical programs provide training as primary care physicians with the foundation of nature cure. Within the four year program, we learn the conventional diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatments, as well as, nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, IV therapy, hydrotherapy, and physical medicine. I have a nearly limitless toolkit when it comes to helping a person heal! Since returning back home from Portland, Oregon, where I received my Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree, I have opened my private practice: Asteri Healing Arts. I enjoy working with everyone of all ages and concerns, however my practice is mostly focused on hormones and metabolism, mental health, and dermatological issues. My mission is to offer a truly unique service that recognizes a person’s individuality. By working with natural medicines, I believe we can connect back to the healing power within us and guide our bodies back to health.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Becoming a healer or any person that helps others, there is the big pressure to ensure you are always on the top of your game, practice what you preach, and have the right answers. Mindful self-compassion is key for protecting ourselves from self-sabotage, negative self-talk, or just being too hard on ourselves. Stress reduction will always be a challenge in today’s society, but it’s really worth it. We can only operate at our highest level if we give ourselves space and time to breathe, prioritize our needs, and have fun! I have been really moved and inspired by BTS and their “Love Yourself” album series to really help me find that self-love. By coming to that place of loving myself no matter if I stumbled over my words, made a mistake, or didn’t know the perfect solution, I can allow myself to just be human, laugh and grow with the process.
We’ve been impressed with Asteri Healing Arts, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Asteri Healing Arts is my solo naturopathic private practice where I support those looking for more options and answers for their health concerns no matter age, gender identity, or condition! I believe that names are very symbolic and I wanted to make sure the name of my practice held meaning to my clients and me. The name Asteri comes from the Greek word “Asteri,” meaning star. One of the largest flowering plant families in the world is the Asteraceae family, which houses so many of our favorite herbal allies, including Chamomile. Dandelion, Echinacea, Arnica, and Calendula. Often these flowers look like pointed stars 🙂 I chose “Healing Arts” because I never want to get too tunnel-visioned into one way of healing. We are so lucky to be able to call upon diverse healing traditions to help us come back to homeostasis. I am always learning about various healing modalities to expand my ever-growing “healing tool-kit” including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, sound healing, medical astrology, the list can go on and on.
Through my studies in Anthropology, I realized how complex human interaction is between each other and our environment. On top of that, every person has a unique body and story, so what may work for one person may not have the same results for someone else. My profession definitely keeps me on my toes! It is my mission to empower my clients to feel deserving of optimal health that encompasses their mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. I know it may sound cheesy, but I truly want my clients to feel like STARS, radiating light and wanderlust for life. When we feel good, we are able to discover and fulfill our life purpose, as well as, cultivate positive relationships in our lives. A healthy lifestyle and feeling well is essential to achieving our goals and dreams. No matter what your health concerns are, I love finding connections through listening to your story and interpreting your body’s messages (aka symptoms) to find common threads to lead us to the best explanations of “how you got here” and “where to go from here”.
I offer extensive 75-minute consultations where we discuss your full health history, lifestyle, and goals. I listen intently to your story because you know your body best! My job is to use my science, medicine, and intuitive brain to make connections and make the healing process as smooth as possible. We put a holistic health plan together based on your preferences, financial ability, and commitment to the process. My favorite part of my job is formulating custom herbal tinctures and mixing them in my office so my clients can start incorporating herbs into their life right then! As a holistic herbalist, I view herbs in terms of their actions and energetic effect on body tissues through pattern differentiation. Put simply, by determining if your body is expressing more hot/cold, dry/damp, or tense/relaxed symptoms, I can choose specific plants with similar or opposing effects to correct and restore balance in the organ systems. My practice is greatly influenced by the works of Matthew Wood, Sajah Popham, and former NUNM professor Dr. Paul Kalnins.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love getting positive feedback from my clients! Some cases are more challenging and require a lot more patience and investigation, but it’s so worth it! Especially for those who have tried many other options and have been dealing with these issues long-term. It is incredibly satisfying to be a missing link for people and help them reframe aspects about their story to find deeper meaning in their struggles. Music and being in nature also make me very happy. 🙂
Pricing:
- Current Special: $50 off first visit. $150/75 minutes. Follow-up visits: $140
Contact Info:
- Email:Â dr.nicoleshustermannd@gmail.com
- Website:Â dallasnaturaldoc.com
- Instagram:Â asteri.healingarts
- Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/AsteriHealingArts/
Image Credits:
Jenny’s Lens, Chelsey Antony
