Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Barnett.
Tara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first began receiving acupuncture as a teenager. It was partly for slight scoliosis and partly for personal and spiritual development. I had been studying many different views of spirituality and psychology at the time and it was another way to access deeper dimensions of the self for personal growth and healing.
In 2002, I had a bad car accident that changed my life, after completing a 30 mile backpacking trip on the Ozark Trail. On the drive home, a deer ran in front of my car; I swerved to miss it and hit a cliff wall at 70mph and was ejected from the vehicle. I ended up with a TBI and physical damage to my body that forced me to be bedridden for a couple of months, followed by years of healing. This changed my perspective on life forever, motivating me to make the most of every moment. I received acupuncture as part of my healing process. As I recovered, I noticed how integral acupuncture had become as a part of my healing and growth; it was like a missing puzzle piece in my life. I had always known I wanted to be in the healing arts, but had not yet decided the best direction. At the time, I was doing home health care, doula work, nannying and working at a Montessori school. My dream at the time was to find a traditional ‘curandero’ medicine healer in Central America and study with them. I had always wished for a society with elders that one could follow in the footsteps of, such as in indigenous cultures or apprenticeships of long ago. My acupuncturist at that time was one of the most amazing miracle workers and healers I had ever met, Dr. Kim Fite. She offered me an apprenticeship with her to become an acupuncturist. Of course I jumped at the opportunity and spent the next 8 years working closely with her, sitting for my national board exams and achieving my acupuncture license in the 5th year. I have now been in practice for 15 years and am very passionate about providing compassionate, quality care for our community. I love treating everything from pain and fertility issues to stress and personal/spiritual healing and growth. I have recently taken up studies with Lonny Jarrett, L.Ac and am grateful to be able to continue learning how to best dedicate my life to being the doctor and the medicine. I am currently a single mom with two wonderful daughters who keep me on my toes and continue teaching me about life, love and the joy of shared experiences.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were definitely some bumps and struggles on the road. I had a number of health issues when I began the apprenticeship, including a very recent ectopic pregnancy; I was losing quite a bit of blood for the first few months of my studies. I was also still recovering from my car accident and learning how to live life in a new way, coming to terms with my injuries. It was quite an experience and sometimes a challenge working on healing myself while learning how to heal others! Near the end of the apprenticeship, I separated from and divorced my husband of 10 years. Starting a new life on my own while also starting my own business had its difficulties, but I do feel like it has made me a stronger person and I have great appreciation for what I have come through to get to where I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hawthorn Health Acupuncture and Bodywork?
As an acupuncturist, I have worked as an independent contractor with a number of alternative healthcare businesses. I currently work at Hawthorn Health with another acupuncturist and a massage therapist on staff. Our office is located right next to a forest and the MKT trail, which provides an element of peace and connection to nature upon arrival and departure. I provide acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutritional and lifestyle support, emotional integrative and spirit healing work as well as energetic healing treatments. I tend to treat almost everything, but I do specialize in the treatment of pain, fertility, facial rejuvenation and emotional/spirit healing. I believe I am the only acupuncturist in town that offers facial rejuvenation and who provides a focus on esoteric/emotional/spiritual healing and growth. There are a few counselors, MD’s and Chiropractors that I share clients with and we refer to each other regularly. I am very proud of the care, compassion and effectiveness of our treatments and the range of ailments that we offer support for. We are all very dedicated to providing quality care to our community. We are always excited to continue learning and developing as practitioners, allowing us to stay on the leading edge of compassionate and effective healing modalities and care.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Change is a constant. The cultivation of Qi is a lifelong practice. The most important thing I’ve learned is to listen with my heart; always working to stay in tune with the energies around me, continuing to develop myself as a person and a healer, expanding with humility and love. Being dedicated to this practice is a journey and way of life, in and of itself. Finding joy wherever we can and learning from the hardships is a foundational tenet that I carry with me.
Pricing:
- 125 First Vist
- 90 Acupuncture with Reiki
- 80 Follow up Acupuncture treatments
Contact Info:
- Website: acu4health.wordpress.com and hawthornhealthmo.com
