ABOUT US
Supporting Caregivers,
First Responders
& Community Members
Healing Opportunities is a non-profit organization committed to facilitating NADA ear acupuncture treatment to assist in periods of transition, crisis and disaster relief. This protocol helps to reduce the negative health effects of stress and trauma. We focus on the often underserved population of caregivers, from health care providers to non-profit workers.
The fundamental concept of our Care for Caregivers program is to provide loving care for the caregivers in our community; a group of individuals and professionals who are overworked, and who continue to be in need of care themselves due to their focus on the patient, family member or the local community that they serve.
OUR MISSION
To promote health within Santa Barbara County by facilitating NADA ear acupuncture treatment to reduce the negative effects of stress and trauma for caregivers, first responders, healthcare professionals and community members in need.
OUR HISTORY
THEN
Founded in 2001 by Joann Tall and Scott Blossom, Healing Opportunities responded to what had emerged as a dire need for caregivers in our community, and took service to the homes of terminally ill patients, providing acupuncture care for patients and their caregivers. The signature program, Compassionate Care for Caregivers provided a multi-disciplinary application of functional medicine modalities, with services offered in Acupuncture, Acupressure, Yoga, Qi Gong, Reiki, Massage, Tuina, as well as practices for moving through bereavement, and more.
Practitioners worked in a variety of settings with the goal of alleviating stress and medical difficulties experienced by caregivers during, and because of the care they extend to others. Settings included patients’ homes, clinics, or a locale best-suited to the caregiver in need, where services were provided free of charge for caregivers, patients, staff, family and friends. A few organizations who benefitted from the service offerings of Healing Opportunities, were Hospice of Santa Barbara, Visiting Nurses of VNHC, Cottage Hospital, and the Santa Barbara Cancer Center, and more.
Recipient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and demand for service affirmed the need, as daily log entries recorded the emotional and physical benefits that improved overall well-being for those who received care.
NOW
The fundamental concept of Compassionate Care for Caregivers, was just that – to provide loving medical care for the caregivers in our community; a group of individuals and professionals who are still overworked, and who continue to often be in desperate need of care themselves due to their focus on the patient, family member or loved-one.
The positive impact of caring for caregivers is immeasurable and we recognize that the need is greater than ever, so we endeavor again to generate compassionate care within the realms of our current offerings at Healing Opportunities.
Our ongoing efforts as a non profit service organization will build upon our history, strengthening the Santa Barbara community through holistic healing and collaboration with other organizations.
Leadership
LeAnne is a licensed acupuncturist with a private practice in Santa Barbara, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Chinese Medicine and has been working in the healthcare field since 2006, She has served Healing Opportunities as a member and officer of the Board of Directors since 2007. With a passion for bringing wellness and health education to the community, LeAnne owns and operates Grasshopper Education, an online health education company. Bringing her background in wellness and education to the forefront in her role as president of Healing Opportunities, LeAnne focuses on increasing the accessibility and visibility of acupuncture and wellness in the broader community.
Committed to mind, body balance and integrative approaches to health, Kimberley brings a strong nonprofit acumen to her leadership of Healing Opportunities. In prior roles, she empowered youth through wilderness education, created and led youth yoga programs, and developed curricula, episodic scripts, and programs for health education. She attended Western State College of CO and Portland State University (BA English), where her entry into the nonprofit sector began with Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro. She progressed to nonprofit development, and leadership roles with various youth advocacy and health promoting organizations, including United Boys & Girls Clubs of SB County, Girls, Inc. of Greater SB, Bragg Health Institute, and more.
With a desire to support broader application of the NADA protocol, to promote its efficacy, and to increase accessibility to its stress reduction benefits, Kimberley looks forward to growing outreach and programs at Healing Opportunities that will uplift our community.
Board of Directors
Yvonne is a Certified Financial Planner offering her expertise to Healing Opportunities as Treasurer. Having served other charitable organizations in the same role, she brings nonprofit experience and knowledge to the mission of Healing Opportunities, proud to represent an organization that she views as highly valued in the Santa Barbara community.
As a Certified Financial Planner, Yvonne has worked with families to create successful long term financial game plans to achieve economic freedom and greater peace of mind. In this process, she works to promote appropriate investment solutions, estate and tax planning strategies, children’s education and multigenerational planning, insurance analysis, long term care planning and cashflow management. She takes a very comprehensive approach in assisting in the lives of her clients.
Yvonne graduated with a Psychology degree from UC Santa Barbara in 1990 and currently lives in the Santa Ynez Valley. She has worked for Mercer Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm since 1993.
A U.S. Air Force Veteran, Julia is a proponent of natural health and natural lifestyle choices. Her commitment to integrative health is a driving force in her life, and important to her support for the mission of Healing Opportunities.
A Michigan native, her military service took her to Charleston, SC, Incirlik Turkey A.B., and the island of Terceira in the Azores, with subsequent travels taking her around the globe. During this time, she earned her Masters in Business Administration, and is currently the PTA Vice President for Goleta Family School, and teaches in the Goleta Union School District, while raising her two adventurous daughters. Julia looks forward to the positive community involvement she can generate through her service to Healing Opportunities.
A Michigan native, her military service took her to Charleston, SC, Incirlik Turkey A.B., and the island of Terceira in the Azores, with subsequent travels taking her around the globe. During this time, she earned her Masters in Business Administration, and is currently the PTA Vice President for Goleta Family School, and teaches in the Goleta Union School District, while raising her two adventurous daughters. Julia looks forward to the positive community involvement she can generate through her service to Healing Opportunities.
Ruth provides a wealth of information and is a guiding force on the board at Healing Opportunities. Deeply involved in advocacy for NADA protocol ear acupuncture, she is a past president of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association and remains active with the organization. As a Registered Trainer for NADA, she has taught and trained the NADA protocol nationally and internationally. In 1988 Ruth was instrumental in founding Project Recovery, an addictions treatment program, originally NADA Protocol, based in Santa Barbara.
Ruth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a practicing psychotherapist since completing her Masters in Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley in 1967. She was also awarded a PhD in Human and Organizational Development with an emphasis on non-profit management from Fielding University.
With early clinical experience in child and adult protection services, her work has been focused on macro and micro systemic interventions and trauma treatment including EMDR and other integrative modalities such as mediation and hypnosis.
Dr. Guier is a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon working in San Francisco and Santa Barbara; privileged to do orthopedic surgery at California Pacific Medical Centers, as well as directing FastTrack Orthopedics, an orthopedic walk-in clinic at Orthopedic Institute of Santa Barbara.
A graduate of McGill University Medical School in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Guier’s credentials include a history in orthopedic surgery in Montreal, San Francisco, and Jackson, Wyoming, including physician and surgeon to the French National Ski Team, following a Sports Trauma fellowship in Lyon, France.
Dr. Guier has held appointments on numerous boards and committees, and is the recipient of various honors and awards. He offers his years of experience as a medical professional and his worldly perspectives to is position on the Board of Directors for Healing Opportunities.
Advisory Board
Scott Blossom is a licensed practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) specializing in acupuncture, lifestyle/diet therapy, and Chinese herbology. Scott has also studied closely with Dr. Robert Svoboda over the last eight years to incorporate Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle therapies into his work. Scott’s approach to yoga practice is based on his studies with hatha yoga master Zhander Remete who founded the Shadow School of Yoga.
A renowned thought leader and educator known for his depth and mastery of traditional Hatha Yoga. Both a clinician and a teacher, Scott’s passion for helping and healing people centers around empowering students and clients to listen deeply to their own inner guidance system.
Scott is co-founder of Healing Opportunities, along with Joanne Tall, L.Ac., and continues his support of the mission of caring for caregivers and the community through his role as Advisor.
A renowned thought leader and educator known for his depth and mastery of traditional Hatha Yoga. Both a clinician and a teacher, Scott’s passion for helping and healing people centers around empowering students and clients to listen deeply to their own inner guidance system.
Scott is co-founder of Healing Opportunities, along with Joanne Tall, L.Ac., and continues his support of the mission of caring for caregivers and the community through his role as Advisor.
Joann started her life's work in the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 1972, and became a licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in 1979, earning her Doctorate of Oriental Medicine in 1983.
She was the Director of the Santa Barbara Branch Campus of California Acupuncture College from 1981 to 1986, and co-founded and operated the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine from 1986 until its closure in 2007. During that time, she and fellow acupuncturist, Scott Blossom responded to a present need in the community to provide much needed care for caregivers, and they co-created Healing Opportunities and its Compassionate Care for Caregivers model.
This original program informs the organization's mission today; and retains her passion to provide integrative medicine to those in need.
Joann is constantly amazed and thrilled to see the progress of Oriental Medicine in our country and in the world. Now, more than ever, all of the integrative modalities bring unique and powerful medicine to heal mind, body and spirit. Healing Opportunities continues to pave the way with introduction and integration of the NADA ear acupuncture protocol along with many other forms of integrative healing for our community.
She was the Director of the Santa Barbara Branch Campus of California Acupuncture College from 1981 to 1986, and co-founded and operated the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine from 1986 until its closure in 2007. During that time, she and fellow acupuncturist, Scott Blossom responded to a present need in the community to provide much needed care for caregivers, and they co-created Healing Opportunities and its Compassionate Care for Caregivers model.
This original program informs the organization's mission today; and retains her passion to provide integrative medicine to those in need.
Joann is constantly amazed and thrilled to see the progress of Oriental Medicine in our country and in the world. Now, more than ever, all of the integrative modalities bring unique and powerful medicine to heal mind, body and spirit. Healing Opportunities continues to pave the way with introduction and integration of the NADA ear acupuncture protocol along with many other forms of integrative healing for our community.
A native of Santa Barbara, Rob Croteau, has served for several years on the Advisory Board for Healing Opportunities. Rob offers his knowledge of Business, Corporate and Transactional Law to support the mission and outreach of Healing Opportunities.
A devoted yoga practitioner and scholar of Cultural Anthropology Diyana values the role of traditional healing practices, non-duality, and eastern medicine. In prior roles with Boys & Girls Clubs, Planned Parenthood and other human service providers, she implemented evidence based teenage pregnancy prevention models, advanced health education, and led continual program improvement. A graduate of UCSB (‘95) and Fielding Graduate University (‘17), Diyana has taught locally as an adjunct instructor (SBCC and Antioch), trained nonprofit staff in fundraising, and volunteered to enhance the community. Diyana looks forward to applying these skills and her training to elevate Healing Opportunities’ work and support its leaders.
Jackie is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher, offering her aptitude in health and wellness to support Healing Opportunities. She began her journey as a wellness practitioner in 1999, completing a massage therapy program at The School of Healing Arts in San Diego, including substantial coursework in eastern medicine and philosophy, influencing her pursuit of acupuncture. She earned her Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine in 2006, allowing for study abroad at TCM School of Wanzhou in Chongqing, China, where she worked closely with local hospital doctors. Jackie held a private practice in Santa Barbara from 2006 to 2012, volunteering with Hospice of Santa Barbara and Food from the Heart. After traveling the world for several years, as an on-board cruise line acupuncturist, Jackie decided to return to land and found her way to back to Santa Barbara, where she again holds a private practice and offers her time and support to Healing Opportunities.
Rachil has an eclectic approach to healing. She is trained in clinical nutrition, holding a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine, which includes: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Constitutional Dietary Training, Shiatsu, Cupping Tai Qi and Qi Gong (energetic healing.) Rachil enjoys helping people heal themselves naturally. Through educating her patients she empowers them to access their bodies’ own healing powers: promoting health and preventing disease.
Founder of The Sage Center for Health: consisting of a private a practice as well as a corporate wellness program, Ms. Vincent is dedicated to creating awareness and access to integrative medicine in our community. Having lived in Santa Barbara for over 20 years, she has directly contributed and guided the efforts of Healing Opportunities since its inception in 2001, where she proudly served as President of the Board for many years, and served as Executive Director in 2021. Her legacy of pride and service will continue in her support for the Healing Opportunities' mission as a member of the Advisory Board.
Kathleen is a UCLA trained physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is also trained in Medical Acupuncture, Yoga therapy, Mindfulness, Guided Imagery and Reiki. She combines these areas of interest in her private practice East West Medicine of Santa Barbara where she uses medical acupuncture for pain management, orthopedic and neurological issues, stress reduction and wellness. A larger passion of Dr. Zisser is to bring many of these healing modalities into the hospital setting to provide truly integrated medical care that can address all of the complex needs of the hospitalized patient. She joined the board of Healing Opportunities in November 2013.
Our Team
Danelly is an integral part of Healing Opportunities, supporting operations for the organization from Indio, California, She is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, with a degree in Communication, where she assisted in research dedicated to analyzing support that young language brokers receive. With her knowledge of organizational software and systems, as well as her experience in social media and marketing, she brings a myriad of talents and savvy to the team as Operations Coordinator. Danelly looks forward to applying all of her skills at Healing Opportunities, where she is contributing daily to the advancement of the organization's mission.
Bio coming soon...
Amanda Kirk was born and raised in Santa Barbara. As a local artist and active member of the community, she brings years of experience in visual development, graphic design and marketing to support the mission of Healing Opportunities. Amanda's extensive experience in the behavioral health field, and her first hand experience to the benefits of acupuncture enhance her role as Healing Opportunities' Visuals and Social Media Assistant.
Acupuncturists, Volunteers, Interns, other team members
Previous Interns
Internship Opportunities Available Now
Riley is the Communications and Public Relations intern at Healing Opportunities. Originally from Orange County, California, Riley is a recent graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara with Bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Global Studies. Her experiences with the Jane Goodall Institute and completing a social marketing project for Just Communities in Santa Barbara have fueled her passion for helping people and the environment, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Volunteering for organizations such as Worldhealer’s UCSB Global Awareness Club in Santa Barbara and One Voice in Los Angeles have also allowed her to give back to the communities she loves.
Emely is the Administrative and Events Intern for Healing Opportunities. She is a Salvadoran American who enjoys reading and drawing in her free time. She is a fourth-year transfer student at UC Santa Barbara, who is majoring in Communication. In the near future, she hopes to publish her own children’s book and start a nonprofit that provides more art programs in schools for children living in low-income communities.
Rozi is the Social Media and Fundraising Intern for Healing Opportunities. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a junior transfer at University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Communication. She hopes to pursue her ultimate educational goal of earning a PHD and becoming a Communication professor or working as a social media coordinator for Disney.
Partnerships
