Colleen Gerson, Herbalist, FMCHC, NBCHWC

Colleen is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and Herbalist. She’s also part owner, Herbal Formulator and Wellness Educator for FORIA, helping co-create high quality botanical intimacy and wellness products, educational content and events. She was asked to contribute to the Models Do Eat Cookbook published by Benbella, with her Happy Belly chapter focused on deeply nourishing and healing recipes for digestive and hormone balance.

With almost 20 years studying and working in Integrative/Functional Medicine and Nutrition, and her feet rooted in the wise woman tradition of healing, plants, and intuition, she offers a unique and comprehensive tapestry of support. Weaving the wisdom of nature and intuition with innovative science, Colleen guides clients through their challenges and blocks to create a lifestyle and terrain that invites healing, gratitude, and greater resilience to modern life.

Colleen lives with her husband and daughter, animals and plants, in Northern California. She coaches clients in person or via phone/video, and holds women’s circles and workshops.

I’ve had so many teachers over the years, and am especially grateful for: my daughter and my devoted husband who inspire me daily, my dad Dr. Mark Baxter for opening me to this healing path, Dr. Aviva Romm (Functional Medicine MD, midwife, herbalist), Marysia Miernowska (School of the Sacred Wild), Dr. Jeffrey Bland (father of Functional Medicine), Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Natasha McBride (Gut and Psychology Syndrome), Ethan Russo (leading cannabis researcher), Stephen Buhner (Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm), the plants and my clients, keeping me humbly learning and exploring always. Thank you.

Seminars and Certifications Include:

(Bolded are the certifications/titles)

Neurotransmitters & Brain, Apex Labs, Dr. Detis Kharrazian, 2005

FirstLineTherapy Lifestyle Educator Certification, Metagenics, 2005

The Future of the Clinic, Metagenics, Dr. Jeffrey Bland 

Nutrigenomic Therapies For Autoimmune, Metagenics, Dr. Thomas O’Bryan

Reviving Emotional & Cognitive Health, Metagenics, Dr. Robert Rakowski

Mastering the Thyroid, Apex Labs, Dr. Detis Kharrazian

Treating Cancer as a Chronic Disease, Institute of Functional Medicine, 2011 

Gluten Intolerance, NuMedica, Dr. Thomas O’Bryan

Advanced Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, A4M, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe 

Clinical Breakthroughs: Toxicity, Metagenics, 2012

Infections in the 21st Century, Institute of Functional Medicine AIC, 2012

Illuminating the Energy Spectrum, Institute of Functional Medicine AIC, 2013

Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Institute of Functional Medicine AIC, 2014

Omics Revolution: Nature and Nurture, Institute of Functional Medicine AIC, 2015

Bulletproof Biohacking Conference, 2014, 2015, 2016

Whole Detox: How to Thrive in a Toxic World Through Nutrition and Lifestyle, Metagenics, Dr. Deanna Minich and Dr. Tricia Paulson, 2016

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors: Innovative Movement and Restorative Strategies to Optimize Patient Outcomes, Institute of Functional Medicine AIC, 2016

Solving the Mystery of Chronic Lyme Disease and Co-Infections, Dr. Richard Horowitz, Xymogen, Sept 2016

Integrative Approach to Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: 4A Disorders (Autism, ADHD, Asthma, Allergies), Dr. Kenneth Bock, Xymogen, Sept 2016

Functional Medicine for Depressive Disorder: Advances in the Treatment Paradigm, Dr. Robert Hedaya, Cleveland Clinic, Sept 2016

Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach, FMCA, 2016

National Board Certified- Health and Wellness Coach, NBC-HWC, International Consortium of Health and Wellness Coaching and the National Board of Medical Examiners, 2017

Firing up Libido with Passion Plants, Dr. Lise Alschuler, ND, F.A.B.N.O., Gaia Herbs, 2018

Rethinking Autoimmunity: Advancing the Treatment Paradigm for Autoimmune Disease, May 31-June 2 2018, Institute of Functional Medicine Annual International Conference, 2018

Folk Herbalist Apprenticeship and Certification, The Gaia School of Healing & Earth Education, 1 Year Sacred Plant Medicine Apprenticeship 2018-2019 

New Understandings of the Endocannabinoid System and Women’s Health, Dr. Felice Gersh, ZRT Laboratory, Sept 2019

Women in Pain: Non-pharmaceutical approaches to Healing and Thriving, Dr. Aviva Romm (master herbalist, midwife, Functional Medicine MD, author of many books, mentor), Sept 2019

Herbal Educator Certification, Herbal Medicine for Women with Dr. Aviva Romm, 2 Year Apprenticeship, 2021-2023

 
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