When I faced my own life-threatening illnesses, I was profoundly grateful for the gifts of modern medicine. Without it, I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t be here today. With its strengths in evidence-based care, advanced technologies, and specialized disciplines, our conventional healthcare system proves itself essential for emergencies, surgeries, and serious conditions.
But when I began experiencing day-to-day fatigue, mood fluctuations, brain fog, and body pain—symptoms that didn’t clearly “fit” diagnostic criteria for obvious disease—even as a medical provider myself, I wasn’t sure where to turn.
Feeling Invisible in Conventional Care
Like so many others simply struggling to feel “well,” I left brief appointments in conventional medical spaces feeling like a number. I felt lost in the shuffle of overworked providers whose training emphasized pharmaceuticals or weight loss over whole-person care.
The Appeal of Functional Medicine
In my search to feel seen and heard, I found my way into functional medicine. Its core philosophy is to treat the root cause rather than just the symptoms, to consider the whole individual instead of reducing them to a diagnosis. The idea was alluring.
After my first 60-minute appointment, I felt excited to dig deep into the dysfunction and finally find answers for why I was so drained. I invested the time and money for an extensive battery of questionnaires, diagnostics, and lab tests, believing that if I could uncover the root problem, I could “fix” myself.
The results were staggering: I was told I had markers for chronic inflammation, cerebrospinal fluid stasis, food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis, possible exposure to toxins or parasites, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and more. I left with a 10+ page plan outlining elimination diets, cleanses, supplements, hormone replacement, and exercises to try.
What wasn’t listed, though, was the immense sense of overwhelm I carried out the door—or the emerging belief that I was fundamentally broken, perhaps beyond repair. The search for healing had itself become a source of stress.
Turning to a New Lens: Trauma and Health
Still searching for answers, I found my way to the work of Dr. Gabor Maté, whose approach emphasizes the deep interconnectedness of trauma, relationships, and health. Through this lens, I realized what had been missing from all the “analyses” I’d pursued: an understanding of how my lived experiences had shaped my body and well-being.
I began to see how emotions had become trapped in my body, how my openness and empathy had eroded my boundaries, and how my long-standing refrain of being “too much but not enough” fueled chronic stress and people-pleasing. These patterns deepened my sense of disconnection and isolation.
Perhaps the most empowering insight from Dr. Maté’s work is that while these dynamics may contribute to illness, when processed and integrated, they can also build resilience and open the door to healing.
Integrative Healthcare: The Missing Link
In my work with clients today, I am passionate about considering all dimensions of health—physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual—in a way that feels manageable, realistic, and valuable to the person in front of me.
Understanding the why behind abnormal labs, chronic pain, mood changes, anxiety, insomnia, or fatigue allows us to make intentional decisions about how to heal. It’s not conventional medicine, and it’s not strictly functional—it’s integrative. And it’s rooted in the understanding that:
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Without tending to our energetic and spiritual well-being, physical and mental recovery may remain incomplete.
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Biomarkers provide useful information, but they don’t always point to something that needs to be “fixed” with a protocol.
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Any healing plan must align with the actual circumstances of our lives if it’s to be sustainable.
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Self-compassion and healing negative core beliefs are not optional—they’re essential for supporting our immune and nervous systems.
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Societal expectations deserve to be questioned, especially when they conflict with our own needs and values.
Redefining Health Empowerment
True health empowerment comes not from perfect protocols, but from informed choices, compassionate care, and the deep knowing that our bodies —and our experiences—deserve to be honored – no matter what model of medicine we may choose.
For a truly integrative perspective on your mental wellbeing, learn more about Jen Milau’s approach here.
