We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carrie Tanenbaum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carrie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an anecdote or story from your schooling/training that you feel illustrates what the overall experience was like?

In 1983 I left my home in Los Angeles to attend collage at the University of Colorado, Boulder which, as it turned out, was the perfect place for me to plant the seeds of my future career. At CU I majored in psychology, one of the best psychology and neuroscience programs in the nation and the icing on the cake was that Boulder is also one of the most beautiful places in the country. The majestic little town is nestled on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains where
everywhere you look people are active, healthy and outdoorsy. Being from southern California I didn’t even mind the snowy winters…they were magical to me. During my 4 years in Boulder I spent as much time as possible in nature…hiking, biking, backpacking, cross country skiing and often just watching weather patterns develop over the continental divide from the deck of my home. I became a naturalist and as my graduation neared it became clear to me where my passions lied. Influenced by my studies in psychology I was fascinated by the mind-body connection. I was also interested in the relationship between the human body and nature. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the health sciences, but going to medical school didn’t feel quite right for me. I decided that the next chapter in my life should be spent in Asia, where Buddhism (the study of the mind) and Taoism (the study of the natural world) are the influential philosophies of the people. I wasn’t religious, but I was drawn to delve into Asian culture and perhaps find a “traditional” medical system to study. I bought a one-way ticket to India and began my search there. Over the next two years I spent time in India, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka studying, meditating, trekking in the Himalayas and immersing myself in the wisdom of the East.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

A clinic in Sri Lanka was the starting point of my exploration into Traditional Chinese medicine. My days at the clinic were spent observing my professors treat patients with acupuncture and at night I attended classes and studied. It was an amazing introduction into this sophisticated medical system that integrates body, mind and the natural world together into a scientific method of healing. I loved learning Traditional Chinese medicine (and still do.)

At the time I didn’t know that there were opportunities to study Chinese medicine in the U.S. (there were actually very few at that time), but upon my return to Los Angeles I found Yo San University where I enrolled and completed my Master’s degree. Once I graduated from the rigorous 4-year program I returned to Asia, this time to China, to hone my clinical skills.

I’ve been in private practice now for almost 30 years. I continue to learn and grow….refining my diagnostic skills and treatment methodologies, which include acupuncture, cupping, massage, herbal medicine and nutrition/lifestyle counseling. I stay grounded by practicing yoga and meditation, cooking healthy meals, hiking and cycling and spending as much time as possible in nature. My Chinese medicine training has sharpened my senses to notice the similarities in the microcosm (human body) and macrocosm (universe). The microcosm-macrocosm analogy is central to Traditional Chinese physiology. Truths about the universe can be applied to the body…and vise versa. I often have “ah-ha moments” regarding a client’s health while hiking in the local mountains observing seasonal changes, plant life and weather patterns.

My goal as a practitioner is to help my patients create balance in their body, mind and spirit because doing so enhances their resistance to disease and allows them to lead healthy vibrant lives. I often help people navigate through a particular health crisis, but I also have many patients who seek treatment preventatively. It gives me great joy to be a part of someone’s healing journey.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My practice has been built almost solely on client referrals. I’ve rarely used social media or other forms of marketing. For me building solid relationships with my patients has been the best way to grow my practice. I put a lot of care and effort into nurturing my relationships and as a result many of my patients have been with me for over 20 years. It makes me so happy when they refer their friends and/or family members. It’s a reflection on the trust that we’ve built. I may not be able to “cure” everyone’s disease, but I am always present and sincere with my clients and they know this.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Honestly, I enjoy being a doctor much more than being a businesswoman. Unfortunately, this is a common sentiment for many holistic practitioners as well. Many of us go into our field because we just want to help people. There isn’t much time spent on business training in most healing arts programs. The reality though is that business skills are necessary in order to create and sustain a successful holistic medical practice. Some of the things I’ve learned over the years are: to set clear boundaries with clients, to establish protocols/office policies, to create systems for myself so that my time is well managed and to foster clear communication with my clients. I don’t have any employees so it’s important for me to utilize as much automation as I can…for instance I have an online scheduling program which saves me a lot of time going back and forth with my patients when making or changing appointments. I also use a bookkeeping program which saves me time with tax preparation and it keeps track of my inventory of herbs and supplements. Utilizing specific technology really helps to free up my time so that I can focus on the thing I love…practicing medicine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carrietanenbaum.com/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/carrie-tanenbaum-lac-los-angeles

Image Credits

Kristina Sado