Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dr. Shawna Eischens of Hope and Healing Naturopathic

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Shawna Eischens and have shared our conversation below.

Shawna, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Naturopathic medicine is often misunderstood, and I can see why. Growing up in the Midwest immersed in the conventional medical culture, I hadn’t even heard the term “naturopathic” until I was in my late 20’s. Our beliefs and opinions are created by our experiences, therefore, people’s thoughts about this term vary greatly. Some may fondly associate their wise and loving Grandma carefully selecting herbal or homeopathic remedies while applying hot and cold wraps to help you overcome a childhood illness. Others may think of a tie-dye and crystal wearing hippie peddling mysterious elixirs, fairy dust, and a vegan lifestyle while demonizing anything allopathic.

The truth is, naturopathic physicians, like myself, graduate from four-year accredited naturopathic medical schools, pass national board and state jurisprudence exams, with a scope of medicine that varies by state. With a full scope of practice in Arizona, I’m able to offer acupuncture, perform blood draws or injections, prescribe medications or order imaging studies when needed, and provide treatment recommendations ranging from diet and lifestyle suggestions to hands on joint or soft tissue manipulation. If I were to move back to Minnesota or an unlicensed state, my scope would be severely limited and restricted, which can understandably confuse the general public.

Titles can be confusing as well as I can legally state that I am a Naturopathic Doctor, Naturopathic Physician, Naturopathic Medical Doctor, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, N.M.D., or N.D. in Arizona. In unlicensed states, those without any medical training from accredited medical schools may complete basic online education and use the title of Naturopathic Doctor or Doctor of Naturopathy, which adds to the confusion for consumers.

I am passionate about practicing our medicine as it was intended:
• To address the root causes of symptoms or imbalances vs. suppressing symptoms with supplements or medications.
• To stimulate the patient’s ability to heal from within by supporting weakened systems, addressing deficiencies, reducing toxic exposure (physical or emotional), and resolving physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances.

I think it’s often assumed that naturopathic physicians use “natural” products and are anti-drugs or surgery. If the underlying causes are truly addressed, supplements are used to correct deficiencies, support weakened systems, and promote the body’s ability to heal itself. Supplements were not designed to suppress symptoms as they are the body’s way of signaling an imbalance.

Ha, I guess there may be a lot that is misunderstood about this profession, but I’m happy to educate about the misconceptions as this medicine has changed my life in profound ways and I’m forever grateful!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As the owner and Naturopathic Physician at Hope and Healing Naturopathic, I feel blessed to have the best job in the world. As our name implies, we have the privilege of offering HOPE to those who have previously felt discouraged, dismissed, or disconnected.

Hope for healing.

Hope to feel like themselves again.

Hope to realize that they have the power to heal within themselves, and just need some guidance and support to get there.

And hope that they are absolutely worthy¬—of love, self-acceptance, and vibrant health!

This is truly what it’s all about, and it brings me immense joy to help offer hope and healing to people. As a person who previously struggled with perfectionism, addictions, and believing lies that I was unlovable, unfixable, and unworthy, it is my greatest joy to help others overcome the false beliefs they may carry deep within their subconscious.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my mid 20’s, I took a solo trip to several countries, beginning in Costa Rica providing massage therapy alongside chiropractors for people in impoverished communities. I met some of the kindest and appreciative people—many of whom walked hours to see us for care. Some had severe physical concerns that had never been addressed by a medical professional.
On one of our days off, we visited a family whose home consisted of a mud floor, broken tin roof, small stove, and cardboard planks, with a chicken tied to a rope and a swing hanging from a nearby tree. The children were playing outdoors laughing and smiling, seemingly unaffected by, or perhaps unaware of their limited resources.
Thinking of my nieces and nephews back home, I was overwhelmed with emotion and stepped into the nearby field where no one could see me break down in tears.
I cried for the disparity I witnessed, for how little some people lived on. I cried with shame for the privilege and comfort I had taken for granted. I cried at the simple joy shown on the children’s faces—how content they were with so little, and how rare, yet beautiful that was to witness.
That experience rocked me. It changed my perspective that abundance has very little to do with material possessions or a bank account balance—and everything to do with perspective and gratitude.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Fortunately, I’ve committed to my own healing and reached a place where I can look at past “wounds” with gratitude, as they have led me to a life with more compassion, acceptance, and love. When my dad left our family in the middle of the night when I was young, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on me later. I thought I was “fine” because my mom was my biggest cheerleader, my safe space, and a steadfast source of love. Although at times I was a (regretfully) sassy punk towards her, losing her to cancer when I was 24 years old was the biggest loss of my life.

I thought I had grieved, but in reality, I excelled at numbing, distracting, suppressing, and avoiding the pain of her absence. I indulged myself with excessive work, exercise, alcohol, food, and socializing. Beneath it all, I was dealing with depression, anxiety, addictive and self-harming behaviors, and deep feelings of inadequacy.

I now understand that avoiding emotions doesn’t work. It only creates a recipe for future disaster. A decade later, the floodgates of suppressed emotion burst open on my birthday during my 3rd year of medical school. I couldn’t stop crying on this day that was typically a joyous celebration. It was obvious that it was finally necessary to deal with my past pain and loss.

At the time, I was broke, busy, and desperate, so I went to our (free) school therapist. I was honest with her that I wasn’t a fan of talk therapy due to past experiences. She suggested a technique that she was learning called NET – Neuro Emotional Technique, which she thought might be a better option for me.

I was skeptical from the start. I doubted the muscle testing and applied kinesiology aspect, the unique NET process itself, and even the practitioner, who admitted she was still learning. Because it didn’t make logical or scientific sense to my analytical mind, I held the limiting belief that it couldn’t be real or effective. Looking back, I laugh at how stubborn I was, and I now have compassion for patients who feel the same way.

Despite my doubts, I was intrigued enough to try. I invested in a session with a local practitioner who was very experienced, and I was impressed by the positive results—even though I didn’t fully understand or believe in the process.

Fast forward to today, and my life is completely different thanks to healing unprocessed emotion and trauma through NET. I have resolved all of my previous phobias, including needles, others vomiting, driving, and public speaking. I feel confident in my imperfect self and recognize that I am both lovable and worthy. Most importantly, I no longer feel the need to numb, distract, suppress, or run from my emotions and insecurities.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Ah, this is my world—and it can feel disheartening that society seems to be drawn to the latest or sexiest shortcut, biohack, diet, or supplement in hope of a miracle with minimal effort or time. The truth is: there is no such thing.

We—our body, mind, soul/spirit— are the miracle! The most powerful “biohack” is trusting and working with your body’s brilliant ability to heal itself! This is foundational and real, even though it may not be a sexy gadget, fad diet, or trending on social media.

Fueling your body with clean water and nutrient rich food, avoiding toxic people, chemicals, and thoughts, supporting your detox pathways, taking time to move, rest, play, breathe, feel, pray, sleep, and spend time in nature and with those you love is the most powerful medicine of all.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
In nature, surrounded by water. I’m not picky (although it doesn’t bring me peace when it’s 110 degrees and sunny in Phoenix) whether I’m walking along an ocean beach, swimming in a lake, kayaking on a river, doing an outdoor cold plunge, or listening to a trickling stream. Being in or near water is definitely my happy place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://itsmytimetoheal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandhealingnaturopathic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeandhealingnaturopathic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGnTcAqDPNjsFgsSWCk0IPQ

Image Credits
Alexxis Grant – Timeless Vision Media