About

Heliotrope Healing Arts LLC was founded by Karen R. Peterson ND, LAc, Dipl. Ac.  Dr. Peterson (she/her) has been a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in the state of Oregon since 2013.  She is currently a licensed naturopathic doctor in the state of New Mexico.  She is also a nationally certified Diplomat of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is a licensed acupuncturist in both Oregon and Colorado.  

Dr. Peterson graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2013 with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a masters in acupuncture.  Before attending medical school, she worked her way through massage school completing a certificate in massage therapy at Oregon School of Massage.  Dr. Peterson completed her undergraduate education at Mills College (now known as the Mills Institute at Northeastern University) in Oakland, California.  She holds a bachelor of arts degree in biology with a minor in music and special emphasis in studio art (photography).    

Back when medical school was just a dream, Dr. Peterson worked in the agriculture/ nursery industry both in private and public sectors.  She studied western herbs with Cascade Anderson-Gellar as well as others and volunteered at the Breitenbush Herbal Conference.  She continues to study herbs from all traditions.  

Dr. Peterson grew up in rural Oregon- a descendant of five generations of Oregon farmers/ trades people and the first from that side of the family to go to college.  Dr. Peterson became a Master Gardener in her home state of Oregon in 1998.  She continues the agricultural traditions of her family today by promoting access to locally grown, healthy food, and sustainable food systems.  Currently, Dr. Peterson grows as much food as she can on the Taos Plateau using only water harvested from the sky. 

During her years in private practice, Dr. Peterson has volunteered countless hours to the Returning Veterans Project- offering acupuncture services to veterans of the OEF and OIF missions and their families. Dr. Peterson has offered and continues to offer trauma-informed care to all.  She loves helping adults who have been deemed as having "complex" health issues.  Dr. Peterson helps folks to keep moving!  She excels at treating chronic pain and allergies.  

Dr. Peterson has dedicated many years of her life to careers and interests that combine the arts and sciences.  To her, the two are not mutually exclusive.  In addition to practicing healing arts, she manages the hospitality side of a residency program for artists and scientists in Taos County called WOWArtSci. The program offers a peaceful, quiet place for artists and scientists to escape the day-to-day in order to take their next project to the next level.  

Dr. Peterson lives in Carson, New Mexico with her partner, two cats, Miga the Wonder Dog, and so. many. plants. 

Training and History

Licenses and Certificates

• New Mexico- Naturopathic Doctor (License #2023-0024)

• Oregon- Naturopathic Doctor (License #2017), Licensed Acupuncturist (License #AC164788)

• Colorado- Licensed Acupuncturist (License #ACU0002826)

• NCCAOM Diplomat of Acupuncture (ID #153328)

Specific Medical Training

• Graduate of Mills College- Bachelor of Arts in Biology

• Post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies- Portland State University- anatomy/physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, physics, medical ethics

• Graduate of Oregon School of Massage- specialized in deep tissue bodywork, trigger point work, and structural integration. This training ultimately led to pursuing training in Sotai, acupuncture, and trigger point therapy with filiform needles. Dr. Peterson began learning Sotai while under the mentorship of Robert Quinn DAOM, LAc in 2012. She has been utilizing this very effective modality ever since.  

• Chiropractic Assistant training- past licensed Chiropractic Assistant in the state of Washington

• Graduate of National College of Natural Medicine (now DBA NUNM)- Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND), Masters of Acupuncture (MAc). Naturopathic medical intern and acupuncturist at Portland area community clinics including Outside In and Hooper Detox facility.

• Private Practice- Green Thumb Natural Medicine LLC, Portland, Oregon

• Locum tenens- Corvallis Natural Health, Corvallis, Oregon; All Naturopathic, Beaverton, Oregon

• Returning Veterans Project- volunteer provider of no-cost services to veterans of the OEF and OIF missions and their families

• Acupuncturists Without Borders- Healing Community Trauma Training- specialized trauma-informed training for providers working in community-based clinics and disaster settings 

• Genomics Training with Paul Anderson ND- specific training in utilizing SNP profiles for patients and their impacts on mental health, nutrition, and allergies