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
Douglas Babbitt
Dr. Babbtt is an honorary native of Portland , OR but grew up in Helena Montana, relocating here in 1980. Dr. Babbitt attended the University of Denver but returned to Portland in 1988 and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Portland State University in 1990.
Dr. Babbitt worked as first a sous chef then as a chef for multiple Portland area restaurants, with a focus on fresh NW cuisine including salmon, sauces with local ingredients and fresh produce.
In 1998, Dr. Babbitt was involved in a bicycle car accident sustaining injuries to his shoulder and back. Dr. Babbitt began to see a local chiropractor who was able to help him regain complete use of his shoulder and significant decrease in his back pain. After experiencing the healing qualities of chiropractic, Dr. Babbitt began his journey to becoming a chiropractor in 2000. Dr. Babbitt graduated from Western States Chiropractic College(now University of Western States) in 2006.
Dr. Babbitt has almost 14 years of clinical experience including primary care, acute injuries (car accidents, bicycle accidents) and also had his own private practice in Hillsboro OR. From 2012-2015, Dr. Babbitt worked with Oregon Weight Loss Surgery as an exercise and physical assessment doctor, evaluating and creating exercise programs tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
Dr. Babbitt is primarily a diversified manual adjustment. Dr. Babbitt uses many different techniques specific to an individuals needs including low force techniques, activator and electronic impulse adjuster. Dr. Babbitt has advanced training in Graston Technique, a specialized therapy which helps injured tissues heal properly. In March 2020, Dr. Babbitt completed training to become a certified DOT medical examiner, helping professional drivers meet their medical recertification requirements.
In his free time, Dr. Babbitt is a passionate road bicyclist and bike camper. Dr. Babbitt also enjoys hiking in the gorge and snowboarding. When not outside enjoying the great NW, Dr. B still loves cooking, practicing classical guitar and lively games of cribbage.
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.
Dawn Moeller
Dawn was first introduced to acupuncture in July 2000 by her veterinarian when her dachshund became partially paralyzed after having back surgery. Within a few months of receiving acupuncture he had made a miraculous recovery! After seeing his results and experiencing it for herself, she decided that she wanted to help other people through acupuncture.
Dawn is board-certified in Acupuncture by the National Commission for Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She earned her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, Oregon. Academic and clinical education included a solid foundation in the theories and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine that was well balanced with education in modern sciences and the biomedical understanding of the human body. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Oregon Institute of Technology/OHSU. She is fascinated with understanding how organisms and bacteria cause illness and how the body responds to these organisms to overcome diseases. Her solid science background combined with the holistic approach of Chinese medicine allows Dawn to truly get to the root of problems that stand in the way of achieving optimum health.
Dawn’s specialties include but are not limited to stress including anxiety/depression/mood disorders, digestive disorders, low back pain, allergies and headaches. Dawn is married with two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her daughters at the park, doing jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, going shopping, and taking family vacations; especially to Disneyland!
Doreen Plischke
Doreen Plischke brings an effective mix of skill, warm touch, compassion, curiosity and integrity towards her overall holistic approach. Doreen was born and raised in East Germany and enjoys working with diverse populations and concerns. She has always been naturally curious in understanding the human body and one’s innate ability to regulate and heal. Doreen loves to create a mutual relationship where both the patient and the therapist work together to enable the healing process. She believes in the role of bodywork to achieve recovery from stress, injury and trauma. Doreen strongly believes that in order to stay healthy and support healing, one must emphasize creating balance for the mind, body and soul.
Born and raised in Germany, Doreen moved to Portland in 2004 and graduated from the East West College of Healing Arts. Since 1972, the East West College has prepared graduates for successful massage careers empowering students with a deep knowledge in the art and science of massage.
As a massage therapist, Doreen specializes in a variety of modalities, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage (which is her specialty) Myofascial Release Technique, Trigger Point Therapy and cupping. She often incorporates heat and aroma Therapy in addition to light stretching (passive/active) when indicated. She creates individualized therapy sessions to relieve stress, tension, stiffness or pain to benefit individual needs. Doreen is passionate in her holistic approach and treating the whole body for optimal functionality. Call to schedule an appointment with Doreen at Therapia, she looks forward to working with you!
Joel Soto
Joel began his massage therapy journey in Puerto Rico, back in 2016, providing his services in health fairs and other educational events. His goal was all about promoting the benefits of physical medicine alongside physical therapists, chiropractors, and naturopaths. When he arrived to Oregon in 2017, he sought to apply what he had learned and continue working with healthcare providers to aid people achieve their wellness goals.
Joel utilizes Hot stones as an adjunct for some of his massages. Hot stones are a staple of his massage offerings, with good reason! These stones are generally smoothed out river rocks, and are warmed in hot water or a heater and sanitized between uses. This heat works to increase blood-flow and circulation, loosening up trigger points and decreasing soreness in the muscle. They’re best applied on tight muscles prior to deeper work to increase flexibility, but work just as well as a nice finishing touch.
Joel specializes in Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage and implements techniques from other modalities, such as Lomi-Lomi and Myofascial. In addition, he uses hot stones to accent the session, to soothe weary muscles, and allow for deeper, more thorough work.
