Tel: (239) 433-5995 15971 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers 33908 AHA@AHolisticApproachCenter.com
Team Page
Sarah Adams
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Functional Medicine Practitioner, Genetic DNA Testing
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Sarah is a Family Nurse Practitioner who shifted to Functional Medicine.
Her career started at the bedside caring for acutely and chronically ill patients. Then, her daughter became very ill at the age of 2. They were able to get her out of acute crisis mode, but the medical community had very few answers as to how and why she got so sick, or how to support her health moving forward.
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So, Sarah began searching for answers herself. The journey was murky and she felt alone for several years—until she found functional medicine (or it found her!). Thus, her daughter became her first functional medicine patient and is still her daily inspiration.
She would have never discovered her daughter’s unique ‘how’ and ‘why’ had she not ventured beyond the conventional model. A functional medicine approach took the guess work out of navigating her health and wellness, empowering Sarah to support her daughter's health in a customized fashion and change their family's diet and lifestyle choices for the better. She began to apply the same approach to others, tailoring it to their uniqueness.
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She is happy to report that her daughter is healthy and thriving.
Now, she works with highly motivated individuals who are ready to take their health into their own hands with a more holistic approach by helping people manage and reverse chronic health issues using genetic and other laboratory data to customize diet, lifestyle, and supplement interventions.
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Nika Bocharova
DPT, AP
Acupuncturist, Concierge Physical Therapy
Active Release Technique - ART®
Trigger Point/Sports Acupuncture
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Originally from Stavropol, Russia. Nika moved to Fort Myers in 2002. She has over 10 years of experience. Nika is passionate about injury free lifestyle and training, and believes it can be achieved by taking care of one’s body before it gets hurt.
She is proficient in identifying biomechanical flaws that may lead to over use injury. She works diligently on establishing a maintenance regiment so that patients are able to continue participating in their favorite activities. She puts big emphasis on acquiring new treatment techniques and modalities. Acupuncture and acupuncture point injection therapy are newer additions to her vast repertoire of skills.
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Nika is proficient at pain relief and continues to focus on modalities that improve the patients’ quality of life, including treating the most common ailments and reducing the symptoms of many difficult diseases.
A.R.T. ® is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system and movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be quickly and permanently resolved with A.R.T.®. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Click here to view more on Our Services page.
Active Release Technique® is a corner stone of the diagnostic and treatment methodology, followed by remedial program of stretching and strengthening.
Trigger point / sports targeted acupuncture blends the holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the specificity of Western Sports Medicine protocols. She treats with a broad perspective and a wide range of treatment tools, including acupuncture, soft tissue manipulation manual techniques, corrective exercises, and herbal therapy.
The following are used to assess the patient:
1. Orthopedic Evaluation - 2. Postural assessment - 3. Traditional Chinese Medicine
The patient will often be given corrective exercises to help with the effectiveness of the treatment. The goal of all intervention is to stimulate healing, correct postural disparities, improve the health of the entire system to support the body’s progression back to health and well-being.
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Annette Byman
Clinically Certified Thermography Technician
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Originally from North Dakota, Annette practiced as a periodontal therapist in many states for over 25 years, is married and they have 3 adult sons.
Annette's Holistic Wellness journey began in the early 90’s when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, one of the youngest to be diagnosed at that time. Traditional medicine did not provide the end result she was looking for, so her journey of looking for natural methods to heal herself began. She became fascinated with the human body and the connection between what we eat, put on our skin, focus our thoughts on, and more. She came to realize everything is connected to actually have the overall health we desire.
Annette became particularly intrigued with the psychology of color, how it affects us and how important it is that we surround ourselves with certain colors which studies show offers a health benefit. As a result, she became certified as a Color and Style Analyst.
Her experience in the dental field taught her the importance of prevention. Her yearly Breast Thermography Scan piqued her interest, but when she decided to get a full body Thermography scan, she came to realize how incredibly specific Thermography can be.
The desire to help others experience the benefits of Thermography grew, and she became a Clinically Certified Thermography Technician. She is passionate about helping both men and women realize there is an FDA approved, diagnostic tool that is painless, contactless and radiation free that can help detect disease at incredible early stages. She wants people to know, the earlier you can detect disease, the better chance of reversing it.
With breast cancer rates increasing, her main passion is education, specifically for women between the ages of 25 and 40, as the types of breast cancer occurring within this age group are often found to be aggressive.
Annette is an avid baker, loves gardening, is an intense MahJong player, belongs to a few philanthropic organizations and volunteers in a variety of ways. As touched on above, she is extremely intrigued with the complexity of the human body and you can often find her taking a variety of classes and training courses. Her favorite place to travel is back to Omaha to spend time with her two granddaughters and grand-dog.
Cindy Carfore
Founder & Director of A Holistic Approach Center
QEST (QE), Reiki Master, Clinically Certified Thermography Technician
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She is the Founder and Director of AHA! A Holistic Approach Center.
Like many of us, she was first deeply transformed herself by the resounding wholeness that holistic healing can provide.
Cindy suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for15 years, and during that time her mother Luella also became ill with cancer. A trip to Colorado in late 2000 proved to be one of the most pivotal and transformational growth points of her life. She discovered Quantum Energetics Structured Therapy (QEST), and was deeply impacted by the profound improvement this energy healing created to alleviate her illness. So moved, she returned to Colorado to learn and receive QEST sessions, every 6 weeks for 18 months, and ultimately became a QEST Practitioner herself. She then knew she desired to cultivate a space that offers others alternative, holistic options on their wellness or healing journeys.
Cindy has earned her:
- Bachelor of Science & Medical Technology (ASCP) from Western Michigan University
- QE Practitioner Certification from the Quantum Energetics Institute
- Masters of Natural Health from Clayton College
- Doctorate in Naturopathy from Clayton College
Peggy Day
Front Desk
A retired nurse, she moved to Fort Myers in 2014 and loves her community and surroundings. When she is not working the front desk, she is thoroughly enjoying life. She say she “feels lucky to have found AHA!” and has been with us since 2015.
(We feel lucky to have found her too!)
Lynn Epstein
Front Desk​
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She joined the AHA! team in September on 2019 and is works full time on the front desk. She relocated to Fort Myers from Long Island in 2017 and is the mother of two daughters, and the proud Grandmother of a Grandson.
She enjoys the Florida lifestyle of boats, water and being outdoors!
Cristina Jackson
RN
I.V. Therapy
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Cristina embodies the spirit of healthy living and is passionate about finding health through natural ways that harmonize with the body’s natural systems. As a Registered Nurse, with a unique background in travel nursing across various nationwide hospital systems, she’s witnessed the transformative power of nutrients and minerals in shaping our health.
She dove into I.V. Therapy out of a passion to support people’s wellness-focused journeys. Whether someone’s battling chemotherapy side effects, striving for high-level performance as an athlete, needing hydration, wanting an immunity boost or simply prioritizing proactive health measures, I.V. Therapy is an incredible resource and asset.
Cristina believes in empowering your body to heal and thrive through IV solutions.
At A Holistic Approach, she is all set to be your partner in wellness, guiding you through the incredible options and benefits of IV Therapy. Her commitment to supporting you is always clear, ensuring you receive the utmost care and expertise.
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Karen Lauchlan
LMT, CLT, RN
Craniosacral & Massage Therapist (MA 85827)
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She is trained in sports and chair massage, acupressure, myo-fascial release, and CranialSacral Therapy. She is also certified in Lymphedema Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage.
Originally from Scotland, Karen is also an RN. She has passed all five levels of the
Upledger Institute’s Cranial Sacral Program and was a Teacher’s Assistant for a year.
She has also received her Lymphedema Therapy Certificate.
Renee Moore
Front Desk​
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After many exciting careers (Texas cattle ranch, modelling & acting in NYC, Europe & LA, working on Wall St, dental practice administrator in NC), she joined AHA in 2017.
Now happily semi-retired, she says’ she “gets to play at AHA with this amazing group of kind & talented teachers, healers & therapists.” She is a devoted mom to her rescue dog 'Malibu,' loves dancing and chasing live music all-around SWFL.
Joey Raines
LMT
Chronic Pain Specialist, Massage Therapist (MA91967)
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Over the years, he has trained extensively in the US and abroad with some of the most prominent experts in the field of manual therapy, pain neuroscience and Qigong.
Joey reflects some of the world’s most effective healing methods, ancient and modern. With over 25 years of experience, he offers advanced holistic techniques to accommodate those seeking to overcome the physical and emotional demands of today’s complex society without the use of drugs.
He specializes in treating acute and chronic pain conditions such as TMJ (jaw) disorders, back, shoulder and neck pain, SI joint dysfunction, and trauma-induced pains like those seen in motor vehicle accidents. Joey uses a unique healing approach to reduce or eliminate pain by rebalancing the autonomic nervous system, the system that regulates stress and relaxation. This approach allows for consistently good long-lasting results in a short period of time resulting in fewer visits.
He is also an expert in addressing the underlying stress or emotional factors
that so often contribute to chronic pain and headaches.
Dorothy Rodwell
LMFT
Holistic Mental Health Practitioner
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Having studied both traditional and non-traditional approaches to psychotherapy, Dorothy now favors the newer, brief therapy methods such as Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT) and Bioacoustical Utilization Device (BAUD).
Dorothy’s education includes Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction; Certified Practitioner in Clinical Hypnosis w/ Rapid Trauma Resolution; MS Adult Education, Florida International University; MS MFT, St. Thomas University;
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Robin Ross, MD
QHHT, Hypnosis
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Robin brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to helping individuals achieve wellness. Her journey into hypnotherapy began in high school when her mother successfully used hypnosis to quit smoking, a transformational experience that inspired Robin to further explore the power of the mind.
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After completing her medical training at the University of Connecticut, Robin spent many years practicing medicine in various capacities, including serving as the president of Robin’s Nest Assisted Living and as a Hospice Physician Director. Throughout her career, Robin has remained dedicated to compassionate listening and meeting her clients where they are in their lives.
Robin is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with specialized certifications through the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. Additionally, she is a Level 2 Practitioner for Past-Life Regression through Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT).
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Her Level 2 Certification places her as one of a very few who have achieved this level globally.
Robin's expertise allows her to offer a range of support, tailored to individual needs:
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Weight Loss: Achieve permanent weight loss and embrace a
new healthy lifestyle with 6-8 sessions. -
Smoking Cessation: Become a permanent ex-smoker in just 2-3 sessions.
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Anxiety and Fears: Take control of your fears, anxieties, and phobias with a few sessions.
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Pain Management: Naturally reduce pain and discomfort with personalized sessions.
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QHHT Past-Life Regression: Explore past lives and gain profound insights
with a single in-person session.
Alva Ways
Transformational Breath
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Alva Marie Ristevski is an internationally recognized expert on conscious breathing and is Lee County's only certified and practicing Transformational Breath Facilitator. She is fluent in the anatomy of the breath and assists her clients in learning and executing proper breathing technique, because, when we begin to breath better we begin to live better. It is simple and yet profound. Whether your personal battle is physical, emotional or spiritual, Transformational Breath is here to help everyone.
Alva Marie has helped thousands across the US and Central America achieve
quick and lasting personal transformations. She is also mentor to many students across
the US who are working on gaining their certification as breath facilitators.
Alva has lived, practiced, and been dedicated to
this work here in SWFL since 2012.