I have skill and interest in helping people resolve the kinds of chronic, debilitating conditions that they cannot seem to find help for anywhere.
Digestive problem that just won’t go away? Menstrual problems that make every month a living hell? Auto-immune condition with no solid diagnosis? Endless series of colds, flus and allergy attacks that leave you winded and feeling broken? I have experience with helping people in these situations and many more to find lasting health and a better orientation towards their bodies and the healing process using Chinese medicine.
My primary focus is classical Chinese herbal medicine, and the study and teaching of it. I practice in a lineage that comes down through the Shanghan Lun (SHL) and Jingui Yaolue (JGYL) by way of Arnaud Versluys, PhD, LAc, and the Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine (ICEAM). The SHL and JGYL are the two classical texts of Zhang Zhongjing, written in the Eastern Han dynasty around 200 CE.
I have been studying with Dr. Versluys since 2005, as a student at National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM). During my last year, and the transition to full-time practice, ICEAM was born, and I was part of that process, in the very first cohort to take the Canonical Chinese Medicine courses. I earned my Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine there and am now pursuing Clinical Fellowship. As of 2026, I also help to coordinate ICEAM’s pulse clinics in Portland.
From the first days of my clinical practice, I utilized the principles and formulas I learned to treat my patients. For the first five years of my practice, I only rarely modified formulas, and exclusively focused my prescribing and my ongoing training on the information flowing through this lineage. Since then, I have of course learned other formulas and have even tried a few – but nothing in my experience has ever beaten the power and elegance of Zhang Zhongjing’s formulas, and the particular way that this lineage presents them.
While I do practice acupuncture, my practice is increasingly oriented towards Chinese herbs.
Herbs and acupuncture are excellent companions. Herbs are a little like getting an internal acupuncture treatment daily – they treat you over a longer period of time and in a gentle, gradual way. Acupuncture is a bit more direct, almost a “bigger dose” of the qi movement or whatever it is we are trying to accomplish, so it can really help things on their way. Both are wonderful!
Here at Watershed, along with seeing patients, I head up the Classical Chinese Medicine department, and also act as CEO, CMO and handle all things tech for our ~20 person staff. I built a three-year mentorship for new acupuncturists starting at Watershed, with an emphasis on teaching through the SHL & JGYL.
I continue to study for hundreds of hours every year, mostly through ICEAM. I am also a student of Classical Chinese, chiefly studying with Sabine Wilms, PhD. I am very much still a beginner with the language and look forward to a lifetime of deepening that practice. I’m adding a layer to that study through my engagement with Dr. Edward Neal and his Neijing Nature Based Medicine course.
I also see it as part of my job to discuss with you what’s going on in your life.
Truly holistic medicine embraces all features of a person. I’m not a counselor, of course, and I certainly don’t pry where I’m not wanted. However, often during the therapeutic relationship, issues of life, vision, hope, personal organization and occupation come up. I’m there for you as a non-judgmental ear, ready to connect you with resources, brainstorm strategies, or simply listen. While this is a rarely discussed part of Chinese medicine, I believe it is an important one.
Afraid of acupuncture?
At your first appointment, we’ll discuss what treatment options will be best for your situation. If you have a strong fear of needles, we can discuss non-insertive “acupuncture” methods, bodywork and other non-needle treatments that will be helpful. In these cases, we will mostly focus on herbal formulas & lifestyle changes, however. You do not need to do anything special to set up this kind of treatment, we’ll just discuss during your intake.
Something a little personal?
I live in Astoria, in Uniontown, and have since 2016 with my wife, Amanda Barp. We came from Portland, where we lived for 10 years, and I’ve been in Oregon since 1995, when I moved from Idaho. We have a grown daughter who lives in the Portland area attending college. We also have two cats at home who are a source of endless amusement and joy.
I am a practitioner of Zen Buddhism and attend events and meditation retreats at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR. I enjoy studying Buddhist philosophy, Classical Chinese language & history and, of course, Chinese herbal medicine. I cultivate Chinese herbs at my home, as well as in partnership with Great Vow. I also love being on the beach, in the forest, or in any natural area connecting with the animals, plants and land that make our lives possible.
Education & Training
- Dual BS degrees from OSU / Biology & Philosophy
- MSOM at National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM), with Honors
- Board certified in Acupuncture from NCCAOM/NCBAHM
- Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine (DCCM®) from ICEAM®
- Pursuing Clinical Fellowship with ICEAM
- Classical Chinese language study with Sabine Wilms, PhD
- Neijing Nature Based Medicine with Dr. Edward Neal
Professional Activities
- Co-owner, CEO and CMO of Watershed Wellness, and head of its Classical Chinese Medicine department
- Clinic Coordinator, ICEAM Portland
- Vice Chair, Philosofarian
- Previously (2009-2019) adjunct faculty at National University of Natural Medicine
- Served a year term with the Oregon Association of Acupuncturists
I am currently in-network with most insurance companies, and also accept MVAs, PIPs and worker’s compensation claims.
NOTE : Not all insurance companies cover herbs-only practice if that is your preference. Please talk to us about your insurance benefits so we can make sure things are squared away before you come in.