Hi! I’m Dr. Kathleen Cannon.
I’m a licensed naturopathic physician in the State of CT.
I love sharing health and wellness insights – connect with me on Instagram @DrKathleenCannon, through my blog (link above) and by signing up for my newsletter (sign up below).
My road to becoming a doctor was unconventional…
I found natural medicine when I needed healing myself. After college, I worked for several years in a high-stress job without the tools to effectively manage stress or its impact. My lifestyle was imbalanced with long working hours, a long daily commute and enjoying the New York nightlife scene more often than not. This unhealthy lifestyle took a toll and I developed mysterious symptoms that, after a year of tests and biopsies, were diagnosed as a rare form of cancer.
Hearing that diagnosis was like a call to action – I was unwilling to accept it. That morning, I called out of work, went through a box of tissues and then somehow managed to get it together enough to call for the recommended appointments. I saw several excellent oncologists at the big New York hospitals, but was told that my only option at the time was steroid treatment. I was grateful to have seen multiple oncologists, but I refused to keep suppressing symptoms with steroids while not actually treating the disease. I believed there had to be a way to actually heal.
From that place of fear and a deep desire to heal, I researched: I read countless studies, books, stories and anecdotes. I overhauled my diet, began using specific herbs and spices, adjusted my exercise habits, made an adjustment to my commute, cut way back on the New York nightlife scene and – probably the greatest change of all – experienced a huge perspective shift, which brought more mindfulness and gratitude practices into my life. After several months of these changes, my symptoms disappeared. As a matter of course, I continued to see two of the oncologists; after a couple more years, they finally told me that they couldn’t explain it, but I didn’t need to keep coming in. Happiness.
After witnessing the power of my ability to heal myself with what I had learned, coupled with my gigantic perspective shift, I wanted to work in healthcare. I ended up leaving my job, working at a nutrition school and spending two years completing pre-medical studies prior to attending naturopathic medical school, which is a four-year in-residence program.
Much has changed in my life since then. I’ve come to learn that the things that challenge us in life are opportunities for deep growth. I continue to be grateful for this path. I feel both honored and humbled to be able to empower others to improve their health and wellness.
~Dr. KC
The long version:
(in case that wasn’t enough reading)
Kathleen Cannon, ND is a naturopathic physician licensed by the State of Connecticut. She practices at Wellness Insights in Darien, CT. She previously ran a private practice in southeastern CT for five years.
Dr. KC earned her naturopathic medical degree from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, a rigorous four-year in-residence naturopathic medical school.
In addition, Dr. KC has trained in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. She is also certified in HeartMath with biofeedback for stress management. Dr. KC is a lifelong learner and regularly engages in continuing education opportunities to further her knowledge base and expertise.
As part of her medical school education, Dr. KC worked in various medical clinic settings with patients. In addition to the school’s naturopathic clinic, Dr. KC worked at community clinics in the greater Bridgeport area providing free medical care to patients, including an HIV/AIDS clinic and an addiction recovery facility. She has special training in homeopathic medicine, having completed several specialty homeopathy clinical rotations and advanced study/training programs. Dr. KC worked at the Center of Excellence in Generative Medicine, where she also served as a post-graduate resident and teaching assistant.
Prior to naturopathic medical school, Dr. KC completed pre-medical post-baccalaureate studies at Hunter College of the City University of New York. She holds a certification in health coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is Reiki Level II certified. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Connecticut College, majoring in English and philosophy. During college, she attended the Business Bridge Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Dr. KC is on Board of Directors of the CT Naturopathic Physicians Association, where she serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary and as the Membership Chair. She is also on the Board of CARE for People with Chronic and Invisible Illness and is a member of the non-profit Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk.