Anyone who’s ever started a business has probably been told to define their “ideal client.” When I first launched my functional medicine practice, that concept felt foreign — even uncomfortable. I mean, I’m a people person. I like everyone. I find challenging personalities interesting. I didn’t want to exclude anyone. I’m here to help.
But over time, I’ve come to see that the idea of an ideal client isn’t about exclusion — it’s about connection. Quite a few of my clients genuinely feel like friends. I look forward to seeing their names on my schedule. Their wins feel like my wins (cheesy but true). I leave those visits energized and inspired. The work flows more easily when there’s mutual trust and shared curiosity.
Of course, I’m not an expert in everything — that’s part of the honesty and humility this work requires. So, in the spirit of clarity and alignment, here’s a letter to my “ideal client.” Maybe it will help both of us see if we’ll work well together.
Dear Potential Patient,
Are you curious?
Do you like to think outside the box?
Do you want to learn more about your body, your health, and what makes you thrive?
Does the idea of a holistic, collaborative approach to care appeal to you?
Would you value having someone to bounce ideas off — someone who listens deeply, brings clinical knowledge, and is just as curious as you are?
Are you interested in investigating your hormones, nutrient levels, gut health, toxin exposures, genetics, and lifestyle patterns to uncover what’s driving your symptoms?
Do you appreciate data — but also intuition?
Do you want easy communication between visits, with real responses from the person you’re entrusting with your story?
If so, we might be a good fit.
I think of myself as an optimistic realist. I believe in using everything that makes sense — whether that’s conventional medicine, functional testing, lifestyle medicine, or integrative therapies. Every treatment plan I design is highly individual.
My background reflects that mix: I started out as a public health nurse in mental health, then worked as a surgical RN before becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Holistic Primary Care and Women’s Health. Eventually, I became an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP) and founded Tendwell, where I’ve brought together all of my favorite elements of care.
I’m scrappy and practical — I’ll help streamline testing, use insurance where possible, and find ways to minimize costs without compromising care. But if you want to go all in and test everything, I’m up for that too.
If you’re searching for a functional medicine practitioner in Denver who values collaboration, curiosity, and real connection, I’d love to meet you. My goal at Tendwell is to help each person understand the “why” behind their symptoms and chart a clear path toward healing — whether that means balancing hormones, improving gut health, supporting detox pathways, or optimizing energy and mood.
Together, we’ll blend the best of functional medicine, integrative medicine, holistic wellness, and conventional science to create a care plan that truly fits your life. Because when you understand your body and feel supported, everything else starts to align.
If this approach resonates with you, I invite you to learn more or schedule a discovery call through Tendwell. Let’s see what’s possible — and get you feeling well, for good.
Make an appointment today for a free consultation to find out more.