Exploring the Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health and How Gut Health Impacts Overall Well-Being - A Practical Guide to Healing from the Inside Out

Dr. Stephenie Riley is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Truckee, CA. She began her medical career in the conventional approach to healing, graduating from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Engineering and spending nearly a decade designing medical devices. Then her passion for optimal health and less invasive approaches led her back to graduate school in 1999 to pursue her Naturopathic Doctorate. It was a combination of her experience in the classical medical industry combined with a desire to understand the healing powers of alternative medicine that inspired her to explore healthcare from a different perspective. She graduated from Bastyr University in 2004. Dr. Riley strives to find the root cause of dis-ease, not simply treating symptoms. Her passion for environmental medicine is very evident in her focus on daily lifestyle and dietary habits.

Workshop Preview

Concerns over dietary benefits vs adverse effects of food are nearly universal. Information regarding diets, supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamin needs and the impact of medication on the gut biome are highly sought after but are often confusing and conflicting. Concerns are increasing about the adverse effects of diet & nutrition, drugs, and environmental contaminants and their impact on epigenetics. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting diet is a factor in psychological disorders. This workshop will take a broad look at this field and discuss the role of diet as an adjunct to mental and physical health management.

The workshop will be led by a distinguished panel of experts, including Doctors of Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, and Naturopathic medicine. Their collective knowledge and experience will guide us in exploring the impact of psychotropic drugs, antibiotics, pre- and pro-biotics, and diet on the gut microbiome, with a specific focus on its role in depression and mental health.

Through this workshop, you will gain practical insights into how specific tests can help identify and treat disruptions in the gut microbiome. We will also delve into the effects of different diets, including Ayurvedic diets, on mental and physical health, equipping you with valuable knowledge for your personal health journey.

As part of this unique workshop, you will have the opportunity to actively engage in relaxation techniques for the mind, diaphragm, and abdominal organs. This experiential, guided component will enhance your understanding and application of these techniques, contributing to your overall mind and body health.