Dr. Michelle Haloossim 
DACM MPH LAc

As the child of Iranian immigrants, I witnessed the harsh impact of the forced migration on my family. Perhaps most significantly, was the psychological and physical deterioration of my grandfather, Aziz, who immigrated to Los Angeles from Iran in 1978. At 71, he had no English speaking skills and could not acculturate to his new home. He experienced a role reversal from being head of a household, to feeling like a child cared for by others. His behavior become erratic and his health drastically declined. I would later learn that he was suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as the result of psychological trauma induced by the forced migration.

My initial reaction was fear. What happened to my grandfather? Was the cultural construction of gender roles in Iran what shaped the course of his disease? Was the onset of illness a result of his traumatic experiences? Or perhaps, was there something inherent in his biology made him vulnerable to these experiences? These questions inspired an endless search for answers through academic and professional work.

At Emory University, I focused my coursework in Medical Anthropology, which specifically addresses how culture and environment shape our understanding of wellness and disease. I went on to get my Masters in Public Health at Columbia University where I developed an interest in Psychiatric Epigenetics and worked under the mentorship of Dr. Karestan Koenen in the Department of Epidemiology. During my time at Columbia, I co-authored several academic articles exploring the interaction of our environment and epigenetic structure in impacting our risk of mental illness, particularly PTSD. 

After pursuing a career in academia, a series of unexpected circumstances guided me to the office of Dr. Elliot Ivanhoe, where I first encountered Classical Five Element Acupuncture, changing the course of my life. I had been dealing with depression and anxiety for many years, trying everything such as conventional talk therapy and psychopharmacological intervention. With the support of this medicine, I was able to safely taper off my anti-depressant medication. For the first time in years, I experienced emotional and physical integrity in my body and mind and began to nourish my spirit. I knew I needed to dedicate my life to this medicine and to helping others find this embodied harmony as well.

I went back to school. I received my Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperors College in Santa Monica, California, which included the study of Acupuncture and an in depth curriculum in Chinese Herbal medicine. In my last year of clinical internship, I started the year long training program in Classical Five Element Acupuncture at the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture under the leadership of Neil Gumenick, Mary McCollough and Dr. Elliot Ivanhoe. 

I later received my Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. 

Classical Chinese Medicine asserts that the building block of the universe is qi, the essential life force. Qi is held in your cells, the air you breathe and the food you eat. There are two forms of qi, pre-natal and post-natal. Pre-natal qi refers to all the physical and emotional features that are inherited from your ancestors. Post-natal qi represents all the of the elements that are introduced post-birth, such as your environment, culture and emotional trauma. The interaction of pre- and post- natal qi defines your place in the world. In this vein, Chinese Medicine has held the concept of epigenetics long before it was acknowledged by modern science.

At the heart of Chinese Medicine is the understanding that the physical, emotional and genetic narratives passed down through the generations interact with those of your present reality. These interactions impact the organization of qi within the mind and body; producing physical disease and limited states of consciousness. Classical Five Element Acupuncture reorganizes qi, creating expanded levels of consciousness and reducing physical disease at the cellular level. My work allows me to seamlessly blend my previous academic and professional experience with the deep esoteric wisdom of the Classics. The result is an innovative, compassionate practice which seeks to bring you back to yourself. 

Since completing my studies, I have opened my private practice in Santa Monica while trading time in London, UK to continue my Classical Five Element Training. I opened a small practice in London and return periodically to train small groups of acupuncture students.

Education and Training

Medical Anthropology, French, BA, Emory University

Sociomedical Sciences, MPH, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine, MTOM, Emperor's College

Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, DACM, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine 

Classical Five Element Acupuncture Certification, Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture

Disaster Relief Acupuncture Certification, Acupuncturists Without Borders

Esoteric Acupuncture Certification, Level 1 & 2, Dr. Mikio Sankey