Integrative,
patient-focused care
A collaborative approach
Our team offers a collaborative approach to foster health and well being for our patients. Whether you are seeing one practitioner or multiple practitioners and services, we look forward to helping you reach your health and wellness goals.
Practitioners
Rachel Herbst
With a passion for chiropractic care starting at a young age, Dr. Rachel Herbst wants to share her enthusiasm with others. For years she has worked alongside chiropractors and massage therapists to earn her Doctorate of Chiropractic from the University of Western States in Portland Oregon. Her focus is on gentle manipulation using a variety of adjusting styles including “instrument assisted” and “drop table”. Along with adjustments, Dr. Rachel focuses on soft tissue structures using modalities such as assisted stretching, cupping, IASTM, light myofascial release, and more. She is also well versed in craniosacral therapy through the Upledger Institute. Craniosacral has given her another approach to chiropractic which helps deliver a gentle and therapeutic treatment.
Dr. Rachel takes a holistic approach and provides resources to patients giving them guidance to enhance their everyday life. She is most known for her caring personality and light yet effective approach.
As a native to Oregon, Dr. Rachel loves to explore the outdoors with her husband by kayaking, walking, and cycling or curled up in a warm blanket with her dog and cat.
Elizabeth Wolf
Liz began her journey with Chinese medicine after witnessing many loved ones battle cancer in the early 2000’s. She saw firsthand the toll that Chemotherapy and Radiation had on their bodies and sought alternatives to ease their pain and discomfort.
In 2008, inspired to provide new perspectives on health, Liz left her job as a Photographer to embrace her love of care-taking and natural medicine. She moved to Portland, Oregon to study Chinese Medicine.
Graduating with honors from the National University of Natural Medicine, Liz received a Masters degree in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In addition to Acupuncture and herbs, she focused on dietary therapy and cranial-sacral therapy. Liz specializes in mood disorders, digestive disorders, women’s health, and chronic pain.
As a former competitive gymnast and dancer Liz is instilled with an appreciation for the human body and movement. Combining this appreciation with her passion for addressing emotional and spiritual needs, she uses a delicate system of pulse diagnosis, palpation, medical history, and symptom diagnosis to create an inclusive treatment plan. Beyond treatment, Liz encourages her patients to take charge of their own health and happiness.
When she is not treating patients, Liz enjoys camping with her husband and two kids in their Westfalia, experimenting in the kitchen, dancing, and exploring the Oregon forests.
Tara Nikzi
Tara Nikzi began her journey with Chinese Medicine when she was introduced to the healing art as a patient at the age of 12 after a car accident. She is the founder of Therapia Wellness Clinic and is a nationally certified acupuncturist and is licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners. A Portland Native, she envisioned and opened Therapia in early 2011. Tara’s specialties include acute and chronic pain relief (including headaches, joint pain, and arthritis), gastrointestinal problems, anxiety and mood disorders, and dermatological conditions. She has received specialized training in acute trauma as well as sports injury rehabilitation.
While Tara enjoys working with patients on a variety of issues, she has a long-standing interest in acupuncture’s ability to enhance fertility naturally. Tara has been working with fertility clinics in Portland for over 10 years, adding acupuncture benefits to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program as well.
Tara has extensive knowledge of classical Chinese herbalism and studied the application of Chinese herbs for modern illnesses with leading scholars in China. Today, she integrates her knowledge of Western and Eastern herbal pharmacology to holistically treat patients and enhance the positive effects of acupuncture. She is also well adept to coach patients with diet and lifestyle recommendations to support health and wellness through everyday practices and choices.
An experienced and dedicated acupuncturist, Tara is known for her soothing manner, gentle needling approach, and effective treatments. Outside of the clinic she enjoys gardening, bird watching, taiji, Qi gong, as well as snowboarding on Mt. Hood.
Helen Johannesen, L.Ac., MSTOM
Helen first encountered Chinese medical ideas and attitudes while studying abroad in China during college. Morning Tai Chi along with other regular supportive care, such as massage, acupuncture and Chinese herbs helped many of the people she met maintain an active, fulfilling lifestyle well beyond what she expected at home in the US. With a BS in both biology and humanities, the holistic approach of Chinese Medicine is a perfect fit for Helen. Helen has been a licensed acupuncturist for over 13 years. Chinese Medicine’s balanced, holistic approach helps achieve and maintain optimal health whether you struggle with chronic ailments or recent injuries, or simply want to increase your overall level of balance and wellness.
Although she considers herself a general practitioner and enjoys helping with a variety of injuries and ailments, Helen has several areas of extra interest: pregnancy, along with hormonal balance for healthy cycles, fertility, post-partum, and menopause, anxiety and depression, gastrointestinal health, muscle pain and soreness, headaches and sinus trouble, and vertigo.
Ashley Franklin
Ashley embarked on her massage journey in 2009 when a simple shoulder rub inspired her to pursue a career in massage therapy. During her time as a student, she discovered a passion for rehabilitation care and set to work with chiropractors after graduating in 2013. Throughout her years in practice, Ashley has added several modalities to her massage tool belt and performs Swedish, Deep Tissue, Cupping, Active & Passive stretching techniques and her specialty Ashiatsu. Ashley’s massage techniques are solely based on a patient’s individual needs and treats them with an intuitive and therapeutic approach to give the best possible results.
When she’s not in the massage room, Ashley enjoys kayaking, cycling, swimming, snowshoeing, puzzles, cribbage and playing with her Corgi Abbey.
License # 19861
CA License # 5966
James Wetherell
James Wetherell’s interest in massage started after he was in a traumatic car accident in 2015. He received a year of massage and chiropractic treatment, and felt inspired to help people in the same way that his practitioners helped him in his healing and recovery. The results he experienced were so outstanding, that it encouraged him to push forward into massage training and practice.
James’ massage journey began at the Oregon School of Massage in Portland, Oregon. He is now very excited to practice massage at Therapia Wellness Clinic. James Wetherell specializes in Swedish massage techniques, trigger point therapy and therapeutic deep tissue massage. James’ goal is to provide clients with the recovery, rehabilitation and relaxation that they need. James focuses on each client with a clinical approach and he is passionate to support them in their wellness goals and to help each client feel better both mentally and physically.
License #26209
CA License #9260
Jim Anderson
My journey to the field of massage started with sports and recovering from competitions, events and training. I have been fascinated with expediting recovery from all types of sports and outdoor activities through massage treatments. The results for myself and clients have been amazing and driven me to the amazing field of massage therapy.
I have been working with professional athletes for several years in North America and Europe, but you don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from all the benefits of massage. I am excited to be part of the Therapia Wellness Clinic team to help you feel better, move faster and recover from any injuries. I provide clients with a unique and custom healing session with every treatment. My practice revolves around rehabilitation, treatment of pain and recovery by using modalities such as Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point massage. I work in conjunction and collaborate with fellow Therapia practitioners to help clients achieve the best results for their optimal health and well-being.
Additionally, I work with professional cycling teams (Hagens Berman-Axeon and Alpecin-Fenix
License #26107
