Jessica French, L.Ac., co-owner

Jessica is knowledgeable in treating a variety of conditions—from pain to fertility to sleep and digestive disorders. Her primary passion lies in treating emotional health, fertility and postpartum care and providing support for those going through cancer care. Her training includes studying integrative oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and she has especially enjoyed her experience working with patients at local hospitals including St. Francis Medical Center in Shakopee, Regions Hospital in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota Medical Center—Riverside and Journey Center locations.

Jessica is always seeking out new ways to better serve her patients’ needs and has studied the use of essential oils in acupuncture treatments with Tiffany Carole. Whether you’re seeking recovery from an acute injury, chronic illness or for preventative support, Jessica uses the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help the body overcome disease and to restore overall health.

Matt French, L.Ac., Co-Owner

Matt is passionate about promoting healthy individuals and healthy communities. He enjoys sharing the healing modalities of acupuncture and herbal medicine and is ready to meet you wherever you may be on your healing journey. Matt loves treating all types of conditions and is especially interested in chronic pain management (including migraines), mental health, fertility support, addiction/recovery, skin conditions and cancer support.

Matt earned a Masters Degree in Acupuncture at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN and a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Southern California. His clinical experience includes St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, the University of Minnesota Medical Center—Riverside and Journey Center locations, the Integrative Clinic of Minnesota and the Salvation Army in Minneapolis.

When he’s not in the clinic, you can find Matt playing guitar and singing with various bands in the Twin Cities or spending time with his wife and daughter.

Nancy Bierma, L.AC.

Nancy loves practicing Chinese Medicine, learns something from every patient and appreciates the opportunity to share in their healing journey. She specializes in improving the health of children and adults. She is passionate about parent education and providing holistic health care for children.

Nancy is licensed by the Minnesota Medical Board and has been practicing acupuncture and herbal medicine since 1998. She graduated from Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies with a degree in Chinese Medicine and Herbology and has her Masters degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. In addition to private practice she is on the faculty of Northwestern Health Sciences University and has worked as a clinical supervisor in their teaching clinic since 2002.

Nancy plays piano and is a professional jazz musician. She earned a BME degree in music from Drake University. She has many years of experience playing jazz, teaching creative music and piano. Nancy is an artist, cat lover and grandmother to four wonderful humans.

Christian Fetsch, L.Ac.

Christian received a Master of Sciences in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. After graduating, he lived in Tianjin, China with his wife for a year and a half where he studied stroke treatment, women's health, men's health, pediatric asthma, etc. at the Number One Teaching Hospital affiliated with the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Christian has been practicing in Minnesota since 2004. He was among the first practitioners in the nation to sit for the American Board for Oriental Reproductive Medicine’s first exam, and was Minnesota’s first Fellow. He is nationally certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine as a NCCAOM Diplomate in Oriental Medicine.

Christian has been an Associate Clinical Faculty member at Northwestern Health Sciences University since 2015, with experience teaching acupuncture and herbal medicine to interns in the outpatient setting in the two NWHSU on-campus clinics, and the inpatient setting at M Health Fairview Riverside hospital in the orthopedics, medical/surgical, antepartum and postpartum units.

Christian is involved in the acupuncture and Oriental Medicine community in the Twin Cities area, with a special emphasis on domestic medicinal herb production. He has been a member of the Medicinal Herb Network since 2004 and has co-authored studies related to assessing herbal quality using a Food Science technique called Quantitative Descriptive Sensory Analysis (QDA).

Christian enjoys canoeing in the Boundary Waters whenever he can and enjoys biking, hiking, gardening and spending time with his wife Molly, son Henry, daughter Isla, and dogs Penny and Bootsy Rufus.

Lawrence Waechter, L.Ac.

Through his clinical experience, Lawrence understands how much stress can adversely affect the quality of life and that stress is a major contributor for chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, depression, anxiety and neck/back pain. Using Traditional Chinese Medicine, Craniosacral Therapy and Qi Gong, Lawrence empowers his patients to relieve the effects stress has on the individual, which manifests differently in each person. He also has a passion for helping people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, to manage their symptoms, and improve their overall health.

When not healing, Lawrence enjoys walking in nature, table-top gaming, cooking, reading, writing and karaoke.

Jennifer Labalestra, Reiki Master

Jennifer started her Reiki journey in early 2018, mastering levels 1, 2 and master teacher level. She previously worked in the corporate world for eleven years before becoming a stay at home mom. During this time, she discovered the healing potential of Reiki. Jennifer believes that Reiki offers a complete balance of the mind, body and soul. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means Universal Life Force. This practice can relax tense muscles, speed up digestion, stabilize blood pressure, relieve pain and treat depression.  

RAY NEIL, LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST

Ray is from North Carolina and a graduate of Center Point Massage & Shiatsu Therapy School. She is specially trained in therapeutic deep tissue, trigger point therapy, prenatal, Swedish relaxation and Thai Yoga massage. Her integrated approach is a combination of Eastern and Western therapeutic techniques and passive stretches.

Ray has an intuitive touch, creating a unique session for each person. She has learned the art of listening to the muscle tissue, helping to relieve pain and tension in the body. Each session allows you to feel more open and loose encouraging an elongated posture, fluid range of motion, and overall feeling of balance and connectedness.

Ray is passionate about wellness and helping people find harmony in body + mind. She believes in bodywork for all people because every person deserves a space for healing and to feel good! Outside of bodywork, Ray enjoys being outdoors gardening, biking, camping and exploring the Twin Cities she now calls home.

Erin McCabe, L.Ac.

Erin is an acupuncturist with a passion for promoting the body's natural healing process. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, Erin has a background as a nursing assistant with experience in nursing home settings, assisted living facility, memory care and a long term acute care hospital for traumatic brain injuries. She enjoys adapting to the values, needs, and desires of people in a clinical setting. While studying acupuncture at Northwestern Health Sciences University, Erin benefitted from training at onsite clinics as well as off-campus locations, including Woodwinds Hospital and Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Erin has done training through Acupuncturists Without Borders, which allowed her to serve to serve our St. Paul/Minneapolis community in the summer of 2020.

When not practicing acupuncture, Erin loves to spend time outdoors whether that be gardening, hiking, kayaking or just taking the dogs for a walk. She also enjoys yoga, meditation, and the ability to slow down and restore.

Kaitlen Brennan, L.Ac.

Kaitlen is an acupuncturist, licensed by the State of Minnesota Medical Board and earned her Master’s in Chinese Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT 200) and a 50-hour certified Yin yoga instructor.

Kaitlen provides a mindful and holistic approach to her treatments meeting you where you are at in every stage of life. Specializing in women's health with individualized support through life’s transitions, including adolescence, pregnancy and menopause, as well as emotional health and stress management. Kaitlen is also certified in Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture that treats both the face and the underlying causes of aging. Kaitlen’s foundation of care includes incorporating tools and guidance on lifestyle, food and herbal therapy, breathwork and meditation.

With a genuine and sincere approach to health we will work together to bring forward your optimal self in mind, body and spirit! In her spare time Kaitlen enjoys cooking with the seasons, hiking in the woods, playing in water and gardening.

Kailee Carlson, L.Ac., RN

Kailee started her healthcare career working as a Registered Nurse at various hospitals and long-term care facilities in Hawaii, Washington, and Minnesota. While working as an RN in Minnesota, she worked alongside licensed acupuncturists and watched her patients’ pain and anxiety decrease significantly after acupuncture treatments. There, she saw how eastern and western medicine could be integrated to provide the ultimate care for her patients. Kailee's goal is to shift the focus from "sick" care to "health" care and to empower her patients to live up to their full potential by providing the necessary tools for them to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

At Northwestern Health Sciences University, she graduated valedictorian as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine with a Sports Emphasis. Her acupuncture training includes clinicals at facilities such as Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Courage Kenney Rehabilitation Center, St. Francis Medical Center, Fairview Riverside, Woodwinds Hospital, and Masonic Children's Hospital. Due to her training and personal experience, she especially enjoys working with patients with musculoskeletal issues, acute and chronic pain, and mental health.

Kailee finds joy in running trail ultra-marathons, being outdoors, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and witnessing the tremendous effects acupuncture has on her patients.

Krista Vidal, Licensed Massage Therapist

Krista is a graduate of CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School. Her massage style is a blend of intuitive therapeutic work with overall relaxation and stress reduction. She specializes in Swedish, trigger point, prenatal, and therapeutic massage. Krista creates a grounded environment that invites healing, relaxation, and connection. She chose massage therapy to create a unique healing experience and help people feel their best. In her free time, she loves to hike with her husband, son and dog Ollie, practice yoga, and hang out at her coffee shop.

Sarah Lavaque, L.Ac.,Licensed Massage Therapist

Sarah received her Associate in Applied Science in Massage Therapy and Bodywork from Globe College in 2005. She is board certified in massage therapy and bodywork and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Her modalities include sports massage, deep tissue massage, Neuromuscular techniques, pre- and post-natal, relaxation techniques the John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release technique, Myofascial mobilization, MFR 1 & 2 and unwinding and rebounding techniques, and the Mattes Technique for Isolated stretching. Sarah has had the privilege of working alongside other practitioners in various environments including hospitals, chiropractic clinics, and a medical spa.

Sarah is also a Licensed Acupuncturist, graduating with honors from Northwestern Health Sciences University with her Masters Degree in Acupuncture. Her acupuncture training includes clinicals at facilities such as Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Center, Woodwinds Hospital and La Clinica in West Saint Paul. Due to her training and professional experience, she especially enjoys collaborating with patients with musculoskeletal issues, acute and chronic pain and supporting their overall quality of life.

Sarah has been an Adjunct Clinical Faculty member at Northwestern Health Sciences University since 2021, with experience teaching massage techniques to interns at multiple on-and off-campus clinic sites. She enjoys teaching and empowering her students and her patients in a way that they feel seen, heard and supported. Sarah is enthusiastic about partnering with each of her patients to meet them where they are on their healing journey. Her goal is to offer a safe, comfortable environment for her patients to unwind and heal in their own way. When not practicing massage, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, connecting with nature, working out, and continuing to learn both professionally and personally.

Katie Koranda, Spiritual Director | Coming Fall 2024

“Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.” — Rilke

Katie is the founder of Juniper House Spiritual Direction & Healing Space, where she specializes in journeying with people experiencing loss. Katie believes grief is sacred, and that by inhabiting the uninhabitable, we can find comfort, peace, and maybe even a little meaning. 

A spiritual director, or companion, is someone who accompanies you as you live life’s questions. Spiritual directors create a safe space for you to be seen, heard, and to explore your deepest longings, questions, and feelings with someone trained in the history of the practice, as well Eastern spirituality, humanism, the arts, somatic and trauma-informed practices, contemplative practices, and ethical guidelines. 

Katie is completing a certificate in spiritual direction from United Theological Seminary and will begin taking clients this fall. Email contact@crocushillacupuncture.com to be added to the waitlist.