Functional medicine is a patient-centered, science-based approach that looks beyond symptoms to uncover the root causes of illness. Instead of quick fixes, it focuses on the unique story of each person-how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and nutrition all work together to influence health.

By combining modern medical knowledge with lifestyle-based care, functional medicine creates personalized plans that restore balance and support long-term wellness. The goal is not just to help you feel better today, but to build resilience and lasting health for the future.

Yes, and it's one of the conditions I see most often at Rooted.

PCOS is frequently undertreated in conventional medicine because it's managed symptomatically rather than addressed at the root. Birth control regulates the cycle. Spironolactone manages the androgens. But neither addresses what's driving the condition in the first place.

In the majority of women with PCOS, insulin resistance is the primary underlying driver. Elevated insulin signals the ovaries to overproduce androgens, disrupts the menstrual cycle, promotes fat storage, and creates a hormonal environment that makes symptoms very difficult to resolve without addressing the metabolic piece first.

At Rooted, we evaluate and treat PCOS by looking at the full picture; insulin and metabolic function, thyroid status, cortisol patterns, and sex hormones together. This means running testing that most standard panels don't include, and building a treatment plan around what we actually find rather than what's most convenient to prescribe.

If you've been diagnosed with PCOS and feel like you've only ever been offered a band-aid, this is exactly the kind of care Rooted is built for.

We are currently offering virtual visits for patients across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. In person appointments in Old Town Alexandria are available upon request.

No, Rooted Functional Medicine is not a primary care practice. While we provide in-depth, root-cause focused care, we do not manage urgent issues, routine screenings, or general primary care needs. We encourage all patients to maintain an established relationship with a primary care provider for comprehensive healthcare.

Health coaches can be wonderful partners in accountability, motivation, and lifestyle support. However, as a Nurse Practitioner, I am a licensed medical provider with advanced training and certification in functional medicine. This means I can:

• Order and interpret both conventional and functional lab testing

• Diagnose conditions and address underlying root causes

• Prescribe medications or supplements when appropriate

• Create a medical treatment plan in addition to lifestyle guidance

In short, while health coaches focus on encouragement and lifestyle changes, my role integrates both medical expertise and functional medicine, allowing me to partner with you on a deeper, more comprehensive level of care.

Common areas include; insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid, perimenopause, hormonal dysfunction, and gut health.

Your initial consultation is 60 minutes. We’ll review your health history, current symptoms, and goals in depth, and create a plan that may include labs, nutrition, lifestyle strategies, supplements, and (when needed) medications.

We kindly ask for at least 2 days’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Because appointment times are limited and reserved just for you, missed appointments without notice will incur a $100 no show fee. This policy helps us serve all patients more effectively and keep wait times short.