Whole-person, trauma-informed, and grounded in science — without shame.
Weight Management at Empowered Health DPC
If you are here, you may be feeling frustrated, hopeful, skeptical, tired of dieting, or simply ready for something different. Wherever you are in your journey, you are welcome here.
My approach to weight management is medical, compassionate, and body-neutral. That means we focus on improving your health, function, and quality of life — not chasing a number on the scale or trying to “fix” your body.
My Philosophy
Health at Every Size — With Clinical Nuance
You deserve respectful, equitable care at any body size.
We strive to:
Use people-first, non-stigmatizing language
Address internalized weight bias and healthcare trauma
Focus on behaviors that improve metabolic health, strength, stamina, sleep, and mental well-being
Do not equate thinness with health
At the same time, if excess adiposity is contributing to conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, joint pain, or hypertension, we address that medically — without blame.
Body Neutral > Body Positive
You do not have to love your body to care for it.
Body neutrality means:
Your worth is not determined by your weight.
Your body is not a project — it is the vehicle through which you live your life.
We focus on what your body can do and how it feels, not how it looks.
Obesity Is a Chronic Medical Condition — Not a Character Flaw
Weight regulation is influenced by genetics, neurobiology, hormones, environment, stress, sleep, medications, and lived experience. Willpower alone is not the driver.
As a Double-Boarded Physician, I follow evidence-based principles in evaluation and treatment:
Comprehensive medical evaluation
Assessment of obesity-related complications
Individualized treatment planning
Lifestyle, medication, and when appropriate, referral for procedural options
Long-term follow-up and chronic disease care
The goal is health optimization, not perfection.
Trauma-Informed Weight Care
Many people living in larger bodies have experienced:
Weight stigma or medical dismissal
Bullying or weight-based teasing
Disordered eating patterns
Chronic stress
Adverse childhood experiences
Cycles of restriction and regain
These experiences affect physiology, stress hormones, eating behaviors, and trust in healthcare.
In our visits, I practice trauma-informed care:
I ask permission before discussing weight.
We move at your pace.
We shift from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What has your body been through?”
We avoid rigid or punitive plans.
We prioritize psychological safety.
If weight conversations have felt harmful in the past, we will do this differently.
A Personal Commitment
I am continually learning and working to improve my practice style. Trauma-informed, weight-inclusive care is not a checklist — it is an ongoing commitment.
If I ever miss the mark, use language that does not feel right, or overlook something important to you, I ask for grace and welcome your feedback. Your lived experience matters, and it helps me grow as a physician.
This is collaborative care — and I am honored to walk alongside you in it.
What We Actually Work On
Your plan may include a combination of:
Metabolic assessment: labs, medication review, sleep, stress physiology
Nutrition support focused on sustainability, not crash dieting
Strength and movement tailored to your ability and preferences
Sleep optimization
Stress regulation strategies
Behavioral tools when appropriate
Medication management for obesity when indicated
Coordination of care with therapists or specialists if needed
We define success by improvements in labs, mobility, stamina, pain, energy, confidence in self-care, and long-term sustainability.
Weight change may occur. Sometimes it is significant. Sometimes modest. Sometimes not at first. Health improvements can still happen.
If weight reduction is one of your goals, we approach it medically and strategically — not emotionally.
We assess biological drivers, discuss realistic expectations, use shared decision-making, consider pharmacotherapy when appropriate, and plan for long-term maintenance from the beginning.
Even modest weight reduction can improve metabolic health. But we never reduce your entire health story to a percentage.
The First Visit
Your first visit is a conversation — not a commitment to any specific path.
We will:
Review your weight and health history (only to the extent you are comfortable)
Discuss prior experiences — what helped, what harmed, what felt sustainable
Screen for medical, metabolic, hormonal, medication-related, and psychological contributors
Clarify your personal goals (which may or may not include weight loss)
Explore treatment options at a pace that feels safe and collaborative
You are always in control of the conversation.
If there are parts of the visit you would prefer to skip — such as being weighed, discussing specific numbers, reviewing past dieting history, or exploring certain topics — you may opt out. We can revisit anything later, or not at all.
You are invited to tell me:
How you would like weight to be discussed (or if you would prefer we focus elsewhere)
Whether you want a weight-centric, weight-neutral, or mixed approach
What language feels respectful to you
What your priorities are right now
What has felt stigmatizing or supportive in past healthcare experiences
This is shared decision-making in practice. We build the plan together.
Some patients want a structured, goal-oriented roadmap.
Some want gradual metabolic optimization without scale focus.
Some want to stabilize weight and improve strength, labs, and energy.
Some are exploring medication and want detailed education before deciding.
All of these are valid.
You will leave the visit with a personalized plan that reflects your readiness, your goals, and your lived experience — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. If at any point your goals change, your plan can change too.