Hello, I’m Dr. Kelly (she/her). I’m a licensed naturopathic physician focused on weight-neutral primary care and eating disorder medical management and recovery. I work with adults and adolescents ages 15 and older, of all genders.
When patients step into my office, I want them to feel safe, knowing their lived experience and body autonomy are respected. My style is gentle, empathetic, and direct.
Kelly Bowen, ND
Weight-Neutral Primary Care & Eating Disorder Recovery
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN IN BALLARD, SEATTLE
Dr. Kelly Bowen, ND
WEIGHT-NEUTRAL PRIMARY CARE & EATING DISORDER RECOVERY • BALLARD, SEATTLE
Hello, I’m Dr. Kelly. I’m a licensed naturopathic physician offering weight-neutral primary care and eating disorder recovery support for people of all genders, ages 15 and older.
My style is gentle, empathetic, and direct. When you step into my office, I want you to feel safe, knowing your lived experience and body autonomy are respected.
Meet Dr. Kelly Bowen
I was inspired to become a naturopath by the ND I saw in my teen years. Each time I went to her clinic, I learned more about the intricacy of my body and how to better care for myself. Now, as a physician, I get to support my patients in better understanding, accepting, and caring for their bodies.
I am here to work with people who are ready to take steps—small or large—to better care for themselves, and thus their families, communities, and the world!
I especially enjoy working with:
Teens and young adults in eating disorder prevention and recovery.
Parents of teens with disordered eating who are starting to unpack their own challenges around food and body image to better help their children heal.
People seeking weight-neutral care after experiencing traumatic or weight-biased care.
Teens and adults, especially neurodivergent folks, recognizing the burden that chronic stress, perfectionism, and burnout are placing on their lives and health.
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I have strong feelings and lots of thoughts to share about the ideas that shape my practice. If you have questions, feel free to ask them in our first visit or book a 15-minute get-to-know-me call!
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Working from a Health At Every Size (HAES) perspective has taught me that un-learning is just as important as learning. There are so many harmful food rules, fad diets, and Diet Culture myths out there. Helping folks identify and challenge those limiting beliefs is an important part of my work.
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It is important to acknowledge the factors, both supportive and damaging, that have shaped us. Your past experiences are relevant to how we choose to move forward. We can take time to find an option that feels safe and workable.
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Your social, financial, and mental/emotional resources matter. You don’t exist in a vacuum, and neither do our treatment options. While it would be nice to always use the most natural tool available, sometimes those treatments aren’t practical. I am always happy to talk about what feels workable for you without pressure from me to choose a certain option.
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Each neurotype brings areas of strength and challenge. It impacts how we interact in medical visits, how we track symptoms and share them with a doctor, and which treatment plans may or may not work for us.
As a person with ADHD married to a person with Autism, I like to talk very frankly about the different needs each person might have. I have lived experiences and resources to share for those interested.
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Oppression affects our bodies and minds in enormous and measurable ways. Folks with multiple oppressed identities face overlapping barriers to care, and that needs to be acknowledged.
Sometimes there are things we can do in a medical visit to help address those stressors and barriers, but the work also extends outside the doctor’s office. It is a job for all of us to engage with.
Areas of Clinical Focus
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I provide primary care within a Health At Every Size model for people of all genders, ages 15 and older. I especially enjoy working with people seeking a body-affirming approach after experiencing weight-biased or traumatic care.
Primary care means we see a lot of everything. My experience includes blood sugar management and diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid concerns, digestive problems, and autoimmune illness.
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I work with teens and adults in eating disorder prevention and recovery. Helping people identify and challenge harmful food rules, fad diets, and limiting beliefs about their bodies is an important part of my work.
I also enjoy working with parents who are unpacking their own challenges around food and body image to better support their children’s recovery.
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I work with teens and adults, especially neurodivergent folks, who are recognizing the effects of chronic stress, perfectionism, and burnout on their health.
My treatment tools include stress management, mindbody approaches, and basic mental health medication prescribing when appropriate. We can talk frankly about your needs and what feels workable in your life.
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My primary care experience includes hormonal concerns such as PMS and PCOS. We consider your concerns alongside your overall health, resources, and preferences when choosing a treatment plan.
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My clinical interests include cervical changes and HPV-positive Pap results. These concerns require appropriate follow-up, and we can discuss your questions and next steps alongside recommended cervical screening and gynecologic care.
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I offer physical medicine and bodywork as part of my approach to musculoskeletal pain. My treatment tools include craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point injection therapy.
Your comfort and past experiences matter when deciding whether a hands-on treatment feels right for you.
Background, Credentials, & Clinical Experience
Before studying at Bastyr University, I completed a self-designed Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Theology, and Spanish at Seattle Pacific University.
After graduating, I traveled to Nicaragua for a two-month internship with Natural Doctors International, where I witnessed naturopathic medicine being practiced in a setting with limited resources.
I completed five years of naturopathic medical education at Bastyr University, followed by a two-year supervised residency at One Connection Healthcare. I continued at OCH as an associate physician.
My additional training includes visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy, and trigger point injection therapy. I also speak at local middle schools about eating disorder education and prevention and complete more than 30 hours of continuing education each year.
Licensure:
Washington License #: NT60981334
What Working With Dr. Kelly Looks Like
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01. Making Space for Your Experience
I want you to feel safe knowing that your lived experience and body autonomy are respected. Your past experiences are relevant to how we choose to move forward.
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02. Talking About What Is Workable
Your social, financial, and mental/emotional resources matter. We can talk openly about your options and what feels practical, without pressure from me to choose a certain treatment.
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03. Choosing Tools Together
My treatment tools include botanical medicine, gentle nutrition, stress management, mindbody approaches, medication management, and bodywork. We work together to choose an approach that fits your needs.
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04. Taking Steps at Your Pace
I am here to support steps both small and large. We can take time to find an option that feels safe and workable, with room for questions and honest conversations along the way.
Care Access & Availability
I work with adults and adolescents ages 15 and older, of all genders.
Visit our scheduling page for appointments. If you would like to ask about a 15-minute get-to-know-me call, current availability, or insurance coverage, please contact the front desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I work with adults and adolescents ages 15 and older, of all genders.
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I practice within the Health At Every Size model. Part of my work is helping people identify and challenge harmful food rules, fad diets, and limiting beliefs about their bodies. I want your lived experience and body autonomy to be respected in our work together.
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Yes. I offer weight-neutral primary care and eating disorder medical management and recovery support. I also work with parents who want to examine their own relationship with food and body image to better support their children.
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Absolutely. I like to talk frankly about different needs, including how we communicate in appointments, track symptoms, and choose treatment plans. I have lived experiences and resources to share for those interested.
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Yes. My treatment tools include craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point injection therapy. We can discuss whether a hands-on approach feels appropriate and comfortable for you.
Explore Related Services
What Keeps Me Joyful
While so beautiful, this work is often intense and challenging. Outside of the community and support I have in my OCH colleagues, I rely heavily on my partner and my wonderfully quirky and blessedly local friends and family to keep me grounded.
Shared food, team sports, and a good book—or episode of TNG!—go a long way toward making the world a little brighter.
Work with Dr. Kelly |
Work with Dr. Kelly |
Schedule With Dr. Kelly
If you would like my support and collaboration on this phase of your health journey, reach out! Let’s get started.
