Dr. COLLEEN COLLEEN

As a child (growing up on a small farm in Middleport, New York, I'd had a deeply spiritual connection with nature and an intuitive sense of energy. My early adult life became "practical."  I worked in office management and bookkeeping.  In 1998,  because of an inner desire to help others heal, I knew that I wanted to return to school to study medicine.   I planned on attending "regular" medical school, however, once I became aware of Naturopathic Medicine, I knew that I had found a way to connect my love of nature and energy healing, into a way of healing that I believed in.  I also wanted to add the science aspect of Naturopathic medicine to the knowledge that I had gained from my intuitive energy studies.  So, in 1999, I started my Naturopathic training at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Phoenix and then, a year later, I transferred to Bastyr University in Seattle Washington to continue towards my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.

Four demanding and satisfying years later, I had learned not only about biochemistry, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, gastroenterology and gynecology, but I had also learned how to effectively use natural therapies such as herbs, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, therapeutic massage, homeopathy and nutrition.

After graduating from Bastyr with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and passing the national Naturopathic Medical boards, I began a two year Bastyr-sponsored Naturopathic family practice residency at Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic in Billings, MT.

Once my residency was completed, I opened my own Naturopathic clinic in Miles City, MT, Medicine Root Natural Health Clinic.  Because of my continuing interest in a holistic approach to medicine, along with a strong interest in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, in 2008, I moved to Denver, Colorado to pursue a three-year Master's degree program in Traditional Chinese Medicine at CSTCM.  While studying Chinese Medicine, I provided Naturopathic services in Arvada, Littleton and in Westminster, CO.  As I completed my acupuncture training, I also trained to be a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. In Colorado,  while studying hypnosis, and acupuncture, the intuitive healer within me started finding a space and a balance next to the evidence-based Naturopathic Doctor that I had become.

Once I graduated with a Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I continued to practice Naturopathic medicine and acupuncture in Westminster, CO.  An opportunity presented itself for me to work in an integrative pain clinic in Kalispell, MT. In 2015, I joined The Montana Center for Wellness and Pain Management as part of their integrative medicine team.  The Montana Center (part of the Kalispell Regional Medical System) employed me as part of the health care team that included MD's and PA’s specializing in pain management, along with clinicians practicing Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage, Counseling and Physical Therapy.  As a Naturopathic Doctor and acupuncturist, the time spent at The Montana Center helped me fine tune my approach to treating chronic pain and inflammation, especially helping those suffering from headaches, migraines and chronic joint and muscle pain.  At this time, I also became an associate of the  Naturopathic Medicine Institute, and began deeply studying and incorporating Vitalistic Naturopathic Philosophy and medicine into my practice in order to continue to help healing occur at the deeper levels.