Practitioners

Gloria Jackson, M.D.

With her background in the Spiritual, Psychological and Medical Arts, Dr Jackson is uniquely qualified in the Healing Arts & Integrative Medicine.  She has been featured on radio, video & television throughout the U.S. and abroad.   Dr. Jackson, who was recently named to the Wisconsin Leadership Council for Minority Health,  is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, has taught at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Cardinal Stritch University.  An alumni of Oberlin College and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; she did her Internship/Residency, University of California San Francisco.  She has consulted in Integral Medicine and Energy for 29 years and has studied with Healers around the world - traveling to Taiwan, West Africa, Egypt and the West Indies to learn the cultural healing traditions that preceded modern western medicine.  In 1985, she founded the nonprofit, The Foundation for the Healing Arts, where she continues to assist people in improving the quality of their lives through health and nutritional consultation. Energy and Vibrational Healing with voice are added tools used by this singer / songwriter through energy work and live performance. Her healing expertise incorporates energy, acupressure and electro-acupuncture, and focuses on eliminating environmental toxins, chronic pain, mysterious and unusual illnesses and mind/body/spirit healing.

Malite - My Face Organic Facials 

For the past eleven years Malite, a licensed skin care specialist and graduate of the Athelier Aesthetique in New York City, has plied her craft as an aesthetician in prominent spas and resorts. Living in Maui, Hawaii for many years gave her great experience in healing, which she incorporates into all her facials. Malite has a highly regarded reputation and her knowledge, experience and love for skin is what makes her facials stand out. You can also check out her reviews on Yelp.

Yolanda Vazquez-Yoga Instructor and Body Worker

Yolanda (Pritam Hari Kaur) is a certified lyengar teacher devoted to yoga for 38 years. She is a  Nationally Certified bodyworker with advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy, brain and spinal cord restrictions, and autonomic nervous system balance. Her teaching is warm, attentive, and very "hands-on", providing a clear inner experience of connectedness, alignment, and flow. With asana as her lifelong path, her yoga studies now include Kundalini Meditation, reading the Gurmukhi language, and Gurbani Kirtan: prayers, mantras, and sound practices of the Sikh Raj yogis. As a healer, she is sought after for her visionary approach, gifted hands, and high level of skill. Blending CranioSacral, SomatoEmotional, and Heart Centered therapies, her work is gentle and radically transformative. Her office, Quite Mind Healing Sanctuary, is at Piedmont Yoga, where she also hosts Yoga for a Cause, all-level classes by donation for world peace. YFAC has raised $58,000 in 10 years of yoga and kirtan events, for 108 non-profits worldwide. Yolanda also teaches privately here at The Gertonson Institute: A Creating Wellness Center and at Oakland Yoga Studio.

Christine T. Newell, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CH

Christine T. Newell is a licensed acupuncturist since 1995 and a National Acupuncture Diplomate, herbalist. She provides integrated health care, and by taking advantage of both Eastern and Western approaches, Christine works with people to help navigate the maze of health care options to implement a treatment plan that will be most effective in achieving optimal health. Along with classical Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture and herbal medicine, Christine provides dietary counseling and nutritional supplementation. Christine is also a Da Yin Qi Gong Instructor, Clinic Supervisor at the Acupuncture Integrated Medicine College, Certified Reiki Master and Teacher, and a Self Massage Acupressure for Self Healing instructure at Kaiser in Vallejo. She holds a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Science, Oakland, CA.

Betsy Lowenne Reagan, L.Ac. and herbalist

Betsy practices classical Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Included in treatments is discussion of practices the patient can implement. Betsy is a pharmacist at Spring Wind Herbs and teaches at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. In California, acupuncturists are primary care physicians 0 in short, acupuncturists treat meany kinds of problems.

Thauna Abrin, N.D.

Thauna Abrin, N.D. is a naturopathic doctor who recently relocated from Honolulu, Hawaii to practice in both Albany and Walnut Creek. Dr. Abrin worked as a medical and surgical assistant in the field of womenês health before receiving her N.D. degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. There, she specialized in womenês health and pediatrics. At NCNM, Dr. Abrin took advanced training in herbal medicine, homeopathy, and obstetrics, receiving her Obstetrics Certificate in 2002.  Dr. Abrin has developed a special interest in treating women and children with conditions caused by environmental toxins. She believes that naturopathic medicine and detoxification can both prevent and treat ADD, autism, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders and gynecological disorders.  Dr. Abrin utilizes nutrition and lifestyle counseling, herbs, Biotherapeutic drainage from Belgium, and craniosacral therapy to bring people back to the state of optimal health. She plans to teach classes at the Creating Harmony Institute on herbal first aid for the family, ADD & autism, anti-aging and genetic testing for disease prevention. 

Sydney Metrick, PhD.-Hypnotherapist and Life Coach

Sydney Metrick is a certified clinical hypnotherapist. She has a masters' degree in counseling psychology, a doctorate in expressive arts therapy, and has successfully been working with transition and transformation for many years. She is also the author of three books.

Diana Koshland, Certified Massage Therapist

Diana Koshland is a certified massage therapist with 500 hours of training from NHI in Emeryville in Swedish massage, pregnancy massage and Shiatsu. She also does cranio- sacral energy balancing to help reduce stress in the neck, back, head and nervous system. She does a soothing and relaxing massage using long flowing strokes to ease pain and tension in the muscles. She has been doing massage therapy for 20 years and utilizes intuitive and nurturing touch to help calm and energize body, mind and spirit.

Michiko Saka Scott, Certified Massage Therapist

Michiko Saka Scott graduated in 2004 from the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville. She has been practicing massage therapy privately for in-home services as well as at Kaiser Permanente. In part of her community outreach, she attends events such as Kaser Permanente Women's Health Event where she performed chair massages as well as "Healing in the Heart of Richmond' which was held by Stand! Against Domestic Violence. Michiko was one of the speakers and held a work shop on how she over came traumatic experiences through different healing techniques with massage therapy being the focus. She strongly believes that therapeutic massage therapy can facilitate both physical and emotional trauma. The main focus of her massage therapy is to understand the clients physical and emotional needs. This is an essential concept for massage therapist to be able to facilitate the healing. Michiko clients have said she is very intuitive to there needs. Her #1 goal is to show you show you how effective therapeutic massage therapy can help you relax and rejuvenate your body and soul. Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu.