Dr. Evangelynn Honegger completed her doctoral and undergraduate training at Bastyr University in Seattle. She holds a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a board-certified naturopathic primary care physician and licensed acupuncturist. Dr. Honegger also completed a one-year CNME-accredited residency at a pediatric and family medicine practice. She founded TRUEcare Integrative Medicine in 2019.
What led you to become a Naturopathic doctor?
My integrative medicine practitioner origin story came from my path of trial and error in my healing. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition at a young age which threw my family into navigating all areas of medicine to balance my health. My mom was always researching and happened upon Bastyr University, and that connection opened our eyes to integrating the best of both worlds of conventional and naturopathic medicine. We found an incredible naturopathic physician. When I was 12, I was already clued into whole-person, mind, body medicine, a systems-based, root cause approach to health and healing.
Through my health journey, I learned that my symptoms were simply my body’s way of telling me something was wrong and that I needed to find balance. She helped my family interpret labs in a functional medicine way and taught me that our bodies are resilient and can heal when given the right tools. This experience allowed me to see that we have much to gain and learn from our health journeys. It also showed me that the best recipe for wellness is prevention and finding a team of skilled functional medicine practitioners to work with.
Can you help us understand the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and a Medical Doctor?
Yes! Naturopathic doctors are trained in primary care. However, states may have different scopes of practice. I’m grateful to practice in WA state where we can act as primary care physicians - basically, anything your general practitioner or family medicine doc can do NDs can do in WA state. NDs are well suited to work in primary care and focus on chronic disease treatment and preventative and acute primary care.
Allopathic medical doctors (MDs) are trained in conventional methods of treatment that may not focus on the root causes of dis-ease or illness and symptoms of imbalance in our bodies. Some can have additional functional medicine training, an ever-growing field. Often, symptoms are the main guidepost versus naturopathic doctors who focus on finding the root cause and the why behind symptoms and imbalances.
MDs and NDs require at least four years of doctorate-level training from an accredited medical school with additional specialty training and residencies. They hold medical licenses and have passed state board exams in which they practice.
NDs often provide integrative primary care to focus on the underlying root of symptoms, which leads to individualized treatment plans that educate, engage, and empower patients on their health journey. NDs prioritize less invasive procedures and therapies first. We can order diagnostic tests and imaging, send referrals, and prescribe medications when needed. We also take a multi-system approach and have an extensive tool bag of modalities to call on (physical medicine like manual and orthopedic manipulations, pharmacology, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, advanced functional medicine nutrition principles, mental health, environmental medicine, gastroenterology, IV therapies, pediatrics, primary care, etc.)
It’s essential to have a provider who helps meet your unique health goals, works in advocating for all areas of your health, and empowers a patient to reach those goals.
You hold a Master's degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. How do you use acupuncture and other Eastern modalities to support your patients?
Correct. I am a dual-licensed provider, integrating both Naturopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modalities and philosophies into my work. It goes both ways: I may be doing a focused acupuncture and bodywork treatment with a patient, but I will also call on my extra training in physical medicine modalities - manual therapy, somato-emotional release techniques, and other therapies alongside acupuncture and cupping therapy. I also always check how someone supports their anti-inflammatory pathways to help optimize healing and recovery. I often incorporate TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and a food-first approach using whole foods as medicine. Eastern medicine allows an entirely different lens in approaching care and diagnoses, and blending the best of both worlds is pretty awesome. I never just wear my ND or acupuncture/TCM hat. Integrating these approaches helps me fully support my patients.
You also practice cupping. Can you please help us understand cupping and how you use it to support patients’ health and healing?
Cupping is one of the most incredible therapies. I liken it to the reverse of a deep tissue massage; it helps soften and pull compressed, tight layers apart, enhancing blood flow to those tight, sticky areas where that flow was stagnant.
I tend to use traditional fire cupping, where I can place them on a patient’s body and let them sit (stationary cupping) or move the cups around after applying oil (running cupping.) The benefits are vast: It enhances relaxation and recovery and supports detox and the immune system. As a result, cupping improves blood circulation and lymphatic system function to lessen pain, decrease inflammation, increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension, help with pain relief, and boost immunity.
I always tell my patients that if I could get cupping daily, I would! I’m one of cupping’s biggest fans, as are most of my patients. ( :
There is a mental health care crisis in this country. Are you seeing this in your practice?
Yes! I always prioritize a mental health check-in at every visit. The pandemic, and its impact on our stress resiliency, have increased awareness of the importance of mental health and shown us how mental health impacts our physical wellness. I see it across all ages, from my little ones to the adults I work with. It’s been hard seeing how my little ones have suffered.
How do you help your patients improve their mental health and well-being?
I look for things that contribute to a person’s stress, such as sleep quality, nutrition, and gut health. Gut Health = Mental Health, so balancing the microbiome terrain is always the place I start when trying to optimize a patient’s mood and mental health. Finding nervous system supports that give a gentle hug and rebalance an overtaxed immune system also helps moderate the stress response in one’s body and can improve physical symptoms.
What are the most important things a person can do for health and longevity?
Consistency in the small things, has a significant health benefit. It might sound cliche, but those everyday wellness habits are deposits into your wellness bank. They add up!
Here are some of my favorite health habits:
Create a healthy gut microbiome and diversify dietary (plant) fiber.
Invest in relationships that nourish you and build meaningful connections within your community.
Find a daily movement routine that brings joy, and stick to it.
Create a daily gratitude practice.
Prioritizing sleep. I will preach Vitamin S as one of our non-negotiable health habits from every rooftop, any chance I get!
How can someone find a Naturopathic doctor in their area?
AANP - American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
This resource provides contact details for AANP members who have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school recognized by the US Department of Education, passed a national competency exam, and hold a license in a jurisdiction. It is not an exhaustive list of all naturopathic doctors.
Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Thank you Dr. Honegger for taking the time to talk with us about naturopathic medicine, mental health + wellness