Joi Thomas, LAc

Practice philosophy: Love is an extremely powerful ally in healing

What are you passionate about and why? I am extremely passionate about supporting my patients to find their "spark" and to create a life that can be fueled by joy and connection in whatever way that appears to them.

If you weren't a health care provider, what would you be? Probably either a landscape architect or a naturalist

Why did you become a provider? When did you know this was the career for you? I always wanted to be a healer, even as a little girl. I love the poetry of Chinese medicine—it encourages practitioners to be artists, and that feeds my heart.

What is something you have learned from your patients? It takes such courage to ask for help. I find that working with my patients always teaches me about the many ways that bravery can show up in people's lives everyday.

What is one of the challenges of this career you enjoy? And why? Supporting my patients in transforming their thinking beyond the mindset that their body is broken - towards understanding the many ways that their body is lovingly talking to them!

What is your personal health goal? To get better at listening to my body when it makes a request the first time!

What is the best thing you've done for your health or the best health advice you've received? During a time of deep fatigue and burnout I left the country for several years and I lived in a rural area in Central America surrounded by nature which helped restore my heart and my body.

What are you most proud of? I am extremely proud of both finding my career and how I have been able to use the wisdom of Chinese medicine to support my own internal growth. My career has helped me to be a better person, and to be more capable of holding space for each of the clients I am blessed to work with.

What are a few of your personal achievements? Raising 7 children and having a happy, healthy marriage is one of the things that I am most proud. I also feel so blessed to have supported the healing and growth of many, many folks in our community.