Meet DeAun Nelson, ND

I am a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon.  I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Austin College in Texas and with my Doctorate of Naturopathic medicine from NCNM in 2012. I went into natural medicine after years as a massage therapist so that I could help more people. I am also a queer, fat, white woman.

My particular passion is Health at Every Size® and a weight neutral approach to health. I have seen that the best approach to health is to engage in healthy habits, not changing body size. People of all sizes and backgrounds experience ill health or disability, and every one of us deserves to be treated appropriately, regardless of our body size. Many things can be overlooked or over treated when body size is treated as a diagnosis. I focus on encouraging healthy behaviors in my patients to help them become the healthiest they can be. This absolutely includes loving and appreciating the bodies we inhabit.

My philosophy is that we are all in this together. If you have compassion and care for yourself, that compassion and care will extend to those around you. Naturopathic medicine is all about treating the whole person. In my mind, this means treating not just individuals, but communities. We all have incredible bodies that do incredible things, even when we are suffering. We live, breath, laugh, and love.

For more information on Dr. Nelson’s clinical practice and consulting/speaking work, check out her website: www.drnelsonnd.com