We are Holistic Health Associates

Ryan strives to help his patients move forward in health and life, creating an ever evolving, energetic, and gratifying existence. He received a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Maryland, and studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, NM, where he obtained a Masters of Science degree in Oriental Medicine and completed an apprenticeship in acupuncture and herbology. He then completed a two-year integration course with prominent author and acupuncturist, Lonny Jarrett, Classical Chinese Medicine with Jeffrey Yuen and is currently studying Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, an intricate system with a lineage tracing back to the Ming Dynasty.

Ryan is co-founder and Director of Holistic Health Associates, a health facility located in downtown Frederick integrating many aspects of health and wellness and has presented topics including: acupuncture, stress management, nutrition, and meditation for organizations such as Frederick County Bank, Head Start, Statefarm, The Wellness Center, and the Arc of Frederick County. In addition, Ryan serves as co-professor of advanced practice management for the PhD program at Maryland University of Integrative Health and sits on the board of directors for the Contemporary Oriental Medicine Foundation.

Ryan enjoys teaching, counseling and working with his patients to increase awareness in all aspects of their lives, improving their mental and physical well-being, engaging them to live up to their highest potentials.

Ryan started practicing in December 2003, and co-founded HHA in June 2005.

Priscilla was born in Baltimore, MD where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Towson University. After focusing on science of the mind, she became interested in the mind-body connection which lead her to Traditional Chinese Medicine, where she received her Masters at the Colorado School of TCM. She also studied Five Element Acupuncture which focuses on mental/ emotional aspects of healing. With the combination of Five Element Acupuncture, her degree in psychology, and TCM, Priscilla has a unique ability to treat patients with a broader understanding of the mind-body connection. Her clinical experience ranges from women's health to psycho emotional disorders to pain management.

Priscilla has traveled to over 20 countries in the past 3 years working as an acupuncturist at sea aboard cruise ships, helping hundreds of people along the way. She is excited to be settling back to her home state of Maryland, and coming aboard the wellness team at HHA.

Priscilla started practicing in 2007 and joined HHA in July 2012.

Caitlin is a Maryland native, who is dedicated to working within the community to support a better understanding of health and wellness. From a young age, Caitlin has been very passionate about helping others to achieve wellness without the use of medication. This passion led her to study psychology at Salisbury University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with a minor in business administration. An acupuncture patient herself since the age of 12, she became increasingly interested in the holistic approach acupuncture had to offer. She earned her Master’s in Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health, formerly the Tai Sophia Institute, in Laurel, Maryland.

With this strong foundation in 5 Element Acupuncture, Caitlin has continued to study TCM, 6 Division, and auricular traditions. She places a strong focus on mental health in her practice, treating a wide variety of issues from anxiety and depression, to working with women’s health and pain management, migraines and digestive disorders. Caitlin’s pro-bono work with veterans and active duty military has also led her to work regularly with PTSD.

Caitlin is very excited to join the Holistic Health team, and continue her work in the Frederick community, which she has called home since 2006. 

Caitlin has been practicing since 2011, and joined HHA in November 2013. 

Frank graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, with a Masters Degree in Political Science. After his undergraduate degree, Frank decided he wanted to dedicate his work to helping people, motivated by that, he graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in NY, earned NADA Certification from Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx and studied in China and Tibet. Frank has been practicing acupuncture since 1998, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine and western Acupuncture such as Battlefield Acupuncture, a program developed by the U.S. Air Force to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield. 

Frank has studied martial arts since childhood, and currently teaches Taichi, KungFu, Qigong and Meditation. In his studies in China, Frank was one of the few westerners to be accepted into the ancient lineage of Laoszu, which includes many of the greatest masters of acupuncture, herbalism and martial arts spanning more than 1,000 years . 

As a practitioner, Frank seeks to balance and communicate the east and western sciences to empower patients in their knowledge and understanding of health and wellness.

Frank began practicing in 1998, and joins HHA January 2016. 

K.J. realized her interest in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine while dealing with her own health issues when traditional Western methods had failed to help her. From an early age she sought a holistic approach to medicine. She believes in individualized treatment, and found that Eastern medicine provides such treatment, either as a standalone therapy or combined with Western methods. She attended AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, TX receiving her Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.She was hired immediately after graduation to The Texas Center of Reproductive Acupuncture, where she worked closely with reproductive endocrinologists from within a fertility center, providing women and their partners with herbal formulas and acupuncture during both assisted and non-assisted fertility methods. She also opened her own practice in San Antonio, Texas where she treated fertility, insomnia, digestive issues, allergies, and pediatrics, among other issues with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

K.J. moved to Frederick from Texas in 2017 with her husband and two sons due to a military transfer and they are excited to make Maryland their new home. She is also thrilled to be a part of the Holistic Health Associates team and to help educate the community of the benefits of acupuncture and holistic healing and wellness.

K.J. started practicing in 2014 and joined HHA in 2017.

Stephanie has always been fascinated by the Mind-Body connection, so she began the practice and exploration of yoga, dance, and meditation at the age of 18, which contributed to her understanding and experience.  She then went on to earn her Master of Acupuncture degree from Maryland University of Integrative Health, formerly the Tai Sophia Institute, in Laurel, Maryland. Her training provided a strong foundation in the Five-Element Acupuncture style and philosophy. Stephanie is also completing the Doctor of Acupuncture program at MUIH, with a focus on Integrative Health.

She enjoys teaching and working with her patients to facilitate self-awareness, mindfulness, and improved mental, emotional, and physical well-being. She approaches treatments in a holistic manner, treating the whole person, while simultaneously helping to decrease pain, illness, and anxiety.

Stephanie lives life as a vast and creative adventure, and her journey has taken her from the countryside of Frederick County, Maryland to the vistas of Big Sur, California and the quaint cities of Germany, where she lived abroad for 4 years while she was serving as a foreign language analyst in the U.S. Army. Ever curious, her broad spectrum of life experiences has led her on an endless journey of learning, travel, and exploration of new cultures and ideas.

When not with us here at HHA, Stephanie loves adventuring and relaxing with her partner and their daughter, gardening, singing and writing music, and enjoying the beauty of the forest.

Stephanie began practicing in 2016, and joined Holistic Health Associates in July 2019.

Erica became a Massage Therapist with one goal in mind: to soothe & heal as many people in the local community as possible. She hopes to help take you out of your everyday routine, melt away stress, and soothe aching muscles to keep your mind, body, and spirit happy and healthy.

Erica graduated from Central Maryland School of Massage and is a lifelong Frederick resident. She specializes in slow, relaxing, Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue. She hopes to expand her knowledge to include other modalities while with us here at HHA.

When not with us here at HHA, you can find Erica at home reading a book, gardening, playing video games or with her two pet rats Bella and Pearl. Favorite quote: "And though she be but little, she is fierce!" - W. Shakespeare

Erica began practicing in June of 2016, and joins HHA May of 2017.

Modalities: Deep Tissue Massage, Fertility Massage, Prenatal Massage, Sports Massage & Swedish Massage.

Dru is Nationally Board Certified in therapeutic massage with NCBMTB and is licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania. She is also a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Dru enjoys helping to create balance and harmony for each client as they receive massage. Through relaxation with Swedish massage, deep tissue techniques and therapeutic modalities, Dru focuses on providing quality, individualized massages for each person. Additional massage training includes Lymph Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Prenatal Massage and Integrated Positional Therapy.

Dru holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and is a 2009 graduate of Synergy Healing Arts Center & Massage School. Other interests include Yoga, exercise, piano and reading. She joined HHA in July 2019.

Modalities: Deep Tissue Massage, Prenatal Massage, Swedish Massage, Cranio-Sacral & Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

Amanda is a dual licensed massage therapist in Maryland and Pennsylvania.  She started her therapeutic journey in 2015 when she became a Reiki practitioner.  Once started on that path, she knew she wanted to learn more on the mind/body connection and how that relates to the healing process.  Over the past 5 years, she has been apprenticing with other Reiki masters and veteran massage therapists to hone her skills to offer healing for mind, body, and spirit.  In August, 2019, she officially became a massage therapist after gradutating from Chambersburg Beauty School.  Amanda specializes in sports massage, prenatal, basic reflexology and therapeutic massage.  She has extensive experience with clients with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and lifelong traumas.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son Skyler, and spending time in nature surrounded by friends.  She also enjoys reading and exploring new modalities of healing.  She also loves cooking, plant medicine, bonfires and sound healing.

Modalities: Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Prenatal Massage, Reiki, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Drainage Massage. 

Kara is a licensed massage therapist in Maryland who has been practicing massage for almost 14 years!  Her journey to becoming a massage therapist is not a traditional one, as she spent her young life wanting to teach music.  She says, "My journey with massage has literally not been my intention, but has changed my life, my presence, my mindset to others and myself, and has been quite a gift that I wasn't looking for."  Kara graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage in 2006.

Kara's mission for people it to reach that feeling of "Ahhh - I needed that" after a massage service.  She says, "greater awareness brings greater healing.  Focusing on what i have to offer in helping that wellbeing process is where I aim.  Working with Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial techniques help initiate that step forward.  Moving is a gift and I take pleasure in assisting customers to be able to do it better!"

She still loves both listening to and playing music.  When she is not working, you can often find her at sporting events, volunteering, or out on family adventures.  She loves people and serving others and is excited to be on the HHA team!  

Kara began practicing in 2006 and joined HHA in 2020.

Amber is a 2006 graduate of Towson University and a 2012 graduate of McDaniel College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications and her Master’s degree in guidance counseling. Amber first came to HHA in 2006 as a summer job, home from college. After undergrad, she worked for Verizon Wireless for four years. This is where she learned that the corporate business world was not for her and what she really wanted to do was make a difference in people’s lives. This is how she chose to study counseling in graduate school.

Since coming back to HHA she has progressed from front desk associate to Office Manager and loves being a part of the HHA family. She is passionate about helping others and loves that her job allows her to work closely with a wide range of people every day. Since coming back to HHA in the fall of 2012, Amber has become much more interested in the mind/body, clean eating, and learning how to live a healthier lifestyle. She enjoys cooking, relaxing with yoga, reading, and spending time with her family and friends, and her dog Roo.

Lauren has always lived in Maryland and moved to Frederick in 2008 with her husband and two children. New to the area, she fell in love with Frederick's charming appeal and beautiful landscape with its proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. She has maintained a passion for caring deeply for the wellbeing of others throughout her life. Through her motherhood journey, she discovered that a more holistic approach to life better suited her lifestyle and aligned with her beliefs.

Lauren has a background in community organization as well as medical billing and practices. She is a certified yoga instructor and understands the deep importance of maintaining a healthy connection between the mind and body.

Lauren is very excited to join all the wonderful minds at HHA and looks forward to a bright future of company growth and development. In her free time, Lauren enjoys laughing with her family, reading, cooking and anything involving animals or the outdoors.

Lauren joined HHA in November 2018

Originally from Potomac, MD, Stacey moved to Frederick in 2007. She has spent the last 15 years working in the insurance industry handling many different tasks from Relationship Management to Licensing, but most recently Marketing and Sales. Taking her experience, love for helping people and “making things pretty”, she joined HHA as the Marketing Manager and instantly felt at home.

Stacey came to HHA with very little knowledge of holistic health but an immense interest in learning. In a short time she has already learned a lot but realizes it is just the tip of the iceberg.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, going camping at their campsite on the lake, and watching her daughter play softball. You can also find her enjoying a great movie night with the family or friends, going on mini-adventures, or walking her dog Willow around.

Stacey joined HHA in October 2018.

Amanda started working in administration at HHA in August of 2014. Coming from a background of food service and warehouse work, the culture and values she found in the holistic health field were a breath of fresh air. In May of 2017, she took a brief hiatus to Arizona and worked as Assistant to the Dean of Instruction at a Community College. But she quickly grew tired of the brown desert landscapes and returned to where she belongs (Frederick/HHA) in October of 2018.

Amanda believes her place in life is to support others. This ranges from friends and family, to professional colleagues and clients. She even plays support characters in video games. She loves to see the people around her succeed and is always willing to lend a hand or an idea to see a task or project through to the end. Everyone needs a little help (or mana) sometimes, and it fulfills her to provide it in any way she can.

Outside of work, Amanda spends time taking pictures in the woods and sharing her love of mother nature with her sons, Damien (human) and Alfy (canine). Otherwise she enjoys reading, watching The Office on repeat and crafting with her family.

Amanda joined HHA in August 2014.

Kim is a native to Frederick County, and grew up in Burkittsville.  She currently lives in Frederick with her husband, son and 2 cats. She is a certified billing specialist that has worked in the medical billing industry for 18 years. In that time, she grew tired of the Western Medicine approach to helping patients and the financial burden those practices left on their patients. As a person with fibromyalgia herself, Kim understands the financial burden conventional medicine can be when treating an unconventional disorder.  This is why she is happy to be working for HHA, which utilizes a holistic approach to patient treatment that is not invasive or burdensome in any way for patients.  

In her spare time, Kim enjoys spending time with friends and family. She finds ways to escape any time possible, and enjoys the calming effects the waves bring her.  She loves all animals and visiting as many zoo's as possible, especially the baby otters.

Sara is a Hood College graduate excited to reconnect with the City of Frederick. As an aspiring social worker, she is interested in learning more about how holistic models of health and therapeutic care can heal and empower individuals and communities. She is thrilled to be a part of the HHA family and excited to bring her own brand of quirkiness to a table filled with so many caring and dedicated people.

As an introvert, Sara thrives on quiet time at home and cooking with her significant other. When she isn't “hermit-ing”, she loves potluck game nights with friends and going on adventures to coffee shops or walking trails. She is currently attempting to learn how to knit.

She joined the team in December of 2015 and is looking forward to a New Year of growing in health, knowledge, and friendships!

Kim grew up in Maryland. She comes from a background in retail and customer service. She first came to HHA in January 2018 as a client because she was seeking a natural healing approach rather than more traditional medicine. Kim has experienced the positive benefits of acupuncture and regularly discusses it with others. That is how she knew she wanted to be a part of the HHA team. She enjoys working at HHA because she feels at home in the family environment. 

Kim enjoys working with children as a Children’s Ministry Director. She hopes to one day pursue a career in teaching. In her spare time Kim enjoys the company of her friends and family and her German Shepherd Zeus.  

Kim joined HHA March 2018. 

Although Natalie's roots are in central Maryland, she has spent a year living in California, several months working outdoors in northern Idaho, and has crisscrossed the country a few times, visiting nearly every state in the lower 48.  After living rustically off the grid for some time, she slowly found her way back home.  Her interest in herbal medicine and natural living brought her to HHA, and with a long background in customer service, Natalie enjoys meeting new people and making connections with whomever she crosses paths with in life!  Having spent time in some of the country's most beautiful and remote locations, nothing makes her more fulfilled than hiking into the mountains and capturing the grace of nature with her camera.

Natalie originally joined HHA in September 2018 and after a brief hiatus, she rejoined us in October 2019.

Kirsten is currently a student pursuing an environmental degree with hopes for improving and reinforcing the human connection with nature.  Born and raised in Maryland, Kirsten likes to spend her time with friends and family and travels as much as possible.  With a love of nature and a passion to build a better relationship with our natural world, Kirsten understands and practices the homeopathic approach to physical and mental wellness.  

Kirsten joined HHA in August of 2019 and is a proud member of the team!