Nurturing Spirit Acupuncture Healing ~ Growth ~ Vitality

Kate Quinn Stewart, M.Ac.

“Nurturing Spirit” Reflects Both Who I Am and What I Do

It is my mission to provide thoughtful and caring support to each and every one of my patients as they travel the path of healing and growth. As we work together to nurture body, mind, and spirit, my patients begin to flourish in all aspects of their lives.  I love this work and the experience of helping the wonderful people who come through my door.  When you come to see me, you are guaranteed to receive the benefits of my enthusiasm, my expertise gained through years of practice, my dedication to crafting truly individualized treatments, and lots of personal attention.

I Have Over 25 Years Experience in the Healing Arts

After graduating college with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Art History, I moved to Tucson, AZ to pursue a professional certification in massage therapy from the Desert Institute for the Healing Arts. I then returned to Virginia and began practicing therapeutic massage.

I Was in Love with Acupuncture from My Very First Session

In May of 2001 I received my first acupuncture treatment from a friend who was in school and needed patients to complete her student clinic requirement.  Though I didn’t have any particular expectations of the treatment, I was amazed by how much it improved my allergies, my sugar cravings, and my overall sense of peace and well-being. Put simply, I was hooked. In fact, I was so impressed with the effectiveness of the treatment that within three months I was enrolled at Tai Sophia Institute of the Healing Arts.

In March of 2005 I earned my Master of Acupuncture degree. After receiving my national certification and state license, I began my acupuncture practice. Ever since then I have had the best job in the entire world. In acupuncture I have found a truly holistic and interdisciplinary practice that allows me to nurture all aspects of my patients’ health – body, mind, and spirit.

My Informal Training in Health Care Started Much Earlier

My father is a cardiologist with an unusually holistic perspective.  From an early age, I can recall him telling me that prescriptions and procedures were only a small part of what determined his patients' outcomes.  He emphasized that their inner vitality, sense of purpose, and attitude, as well as the quality of their relationships were all critical parts of the prognosis. In addition, his unfailing compassion and kindness to all made him a much beloved physician. Every day I remember my father's focus on caring for each patient as a whole person and aim to create a warm, safe, and respectful space for my patients to heal on all levels.

My Childhood Experience Gave Me a Window onto Serious Illness

When I was in elementary school, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.  Over the next twelve years, there were scans, doctors’ visits, surgeries, medications, chemotherapy, and radiation, all with their attendant side-effects. Again, and from the other side, I saw the importance of having a trusting relationship with one’s health team.  I learned how much the words and attitude of a practitioner can mean to a patient in the vulnerable space of asking for help. Having witnessed my mother’s experience, I am grateful to be able to offer my patients acupuncture treatments that support their healing and even help to reduce the side effects of their other medical treatments.

Education and Certifications

• Nationally Certified Acupuncturist, NCBAHM (formerly called NCCAOM)
  
  
• Licensed Acupuncturist
  Washington, DC & Virginia
  
  
• Master of Acupuncture Degree, Tai Sophia Institute
  (later the Maryland University of Integrative Health and most recently incorporated in to Notre Dame of Maryland School of Integrative Health)
  
  
• Certificate in Massage Therapy, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts
  
  
• B.A. in Psychology and Art History

Areas of Specialty

• Acupuncture for stress, anxiety, and depression
  
  
• Addressing PTSD with acupuncture
  
  
• Acupuncture for fertility and prenatal care
  
  
• Acupuncture for cancer patients
  
  
• Teaching acupressure, breathing practices, stress reduction techniques, and Chinese medicine-based self-care in person and online via Virtual Wellness Sessions.
  
  
• Breath - Body - Mind Techniques for stress reduction
  
  
• Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist - acupuncture for recovery from addicitons