My Story

 
IMG_0723 copy.jpg

Dr. Jeffrey Kehoe is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and acupuncturist in Kirkland, WA, who advocates for the most natural, least invasive means to maintaining optimal health. He understands that each person is unique and requires a different approach dependent in part on their goals and values. This could be as simple as providing nutritional education or supportive therapy for an acute condition. However, it could also entail a more involved, integrated approach to identify the roadblocks to change and then create and commit to a plan to restore health.

In His Words:

I was sick for a long time, and I didn’t have the answers. I didn’t know where to begin, or who to ask for help. Extreme anxiety pulling me from the ground. Deep bouts of depression that felt like I was sinking underground. Using food as a coping mechanism only to have my binge-eating episodes lead to profound guilt and shame after the dopamine wore off. Heavy drinking making me unrecognizable in pictures and life. This culminated in multiple suicide attempts to stop the pain and suffering 20 years ago. I felt broken, damaged, and unfixable. I was lost and uncertain of my purpose in life.

Then, in early 2010, I walked away virtually unscathed from a serious car accident. My back was officially against the wall. This profound experience was an inflection point as well as my bottom. It was everything I needed, and I am grateful nobody was hurt.

Fortunately, it encouraged me to take a closer look at how I was living my life and ultimately led to long-term sobriety. While this was the most important change I needed to make for my health at that time, I quickly realized it really had nothing to do with alcohol in the bigger picture. In good times or bad, the alcohol was just a symptom for the unhappiness with my spiritual, mental, and physical condition.

Once I was more firmly rooted in recovery, I was ready to look closely at these aspects of my life. There was no magic pill a doctor could prescribe for my disease. I began to focus on areas of need such as nutrition, sleep, movement, self-care, spirituality, and more.  Simple concepts but not always easy to incorporate in our lives for a variety of reasons. Change is not easy, and I’ve been there time and time again. 

This shift launched me towards a greater calling in how I could share my experience, strength, and hope with others. There was a desire to be a catalyst for change and help others take advantage of those moments of synchronicity just as others helped me. Truthfully, I stumbled across naturopathic medicine by accident, but I’m not so sure there are coincidences in life anymore. Once at school, personal and professional experiences ultimately led me to acupuncture and Chinese medicine as well.

I love to teach and empower my patients so they feel more confident in taking control of their health. And I always incorporate the nervous system and discussions around the mind-body connection. This is critical because if we always feel like we’re running from a bear, or our body is operating that way without us knowing, we will always be out of balance. From a Chinese medicine perspective, our Yin and Yang will be out of balance. Whichever lens we’re using, we certainly won’t be in a state to promote healing.

My purpose is to guide others towards a balanced nervous system as a means to support mental, cardiovascular, digestive, and reproductive health. I am particularly passionate about treating addiction, anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, digestive issues, irregular/painful cycles, and infertility. For the last three years, I have been focusing more on fertility support whether it’s natural conception, IUI, or IVF.

Training:

Dr. Kehoe completed his medical training at Bastyr University in the greater Seattle area where he earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) and Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MSAOM). He holds a B.A. in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University. He is also a certified Yin Yoga instructor.

Professional Licenses:

  • Naturopathic Doctor: WA

  • Acupuncture: WA, NCCAOM (national board)

Memberships & Certifications:

  • American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

  • Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (WANP)

  • Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)

  • TCM Psychiatry/Shen Disturbance Certification (American Institute of Mental Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Pronouns: he/him/his