Weight Inclusive Health Care for All

THE FAT NATUROPATH

HAES Naturopath in Portland, Oregon

All of us are strong and resilient, even if we don’t always feel like we are.

I believe you deserve support that recognizes both your struggles and your strengths. My role as your naturopathic doctor is to support you and help you navigate your very real complex health concerns with compassion, curiosity, and respect.

Health looks different for each of us. Some aspects of our health are within our influence. Others are not.

Together, we’ll focus on what can be supported, strengthened, and nourished, while honoring the realities you live with every day.

Schedule an Appointment

An Inclusive, Non-Judgmental Space
to Heal

My philosophy is one of inclusivity.

We live in a complex, often stressful society, and for those who do not fit society’s narrow definition of “normal,” an added layer of stress often compounds the physical burden.

My approach starts with a Health At Every Size® (HAES®) perspective. That means I don’t prescribe weight loss as a treatment. Instead, we’ll work together to focus on nervous system regulation, symptom relief, and long-term well-being, without shame or judgment.

Our work together may look like:

  • Supporting you in conversations with other providers

  • Helping you advocate for yourself in medical settings

  • Recognizing and addressing medical trauma or anxiety

  • Creating a space where your lived experience is believed

A Whole-Person, Whole-Life Approach

Your health does not exist in isolation — it lives within your body, your history, your stress load, your community, and the systems that shape your access to care.

Naturopathic medicine allows us to support the body’s innate capacity for healing while honoring your lived reality. We look at patterns, not just symptoms. We build steadiness, not just short-term fixes. And we move at a pace that respects your nervous system.

Your care may include:

  • A comprehensive health evaluation

  • Thoughtful lab testing when appropriate

  • Nutritional and lifestyle support (without shame or rigidity)

  • Nervous system regulation strategies

  • Collaborative care with other providers

  • Body-based insight informed by my 15+ years in massage therapy

If you are looking for care that honors your lived experience, recognizes systemic challenges, supports complex or chronic conditions, practices from a Health At Every Size® framework, and creates a truly non-judgmental space, I would be honored to work with you.

About DeAun Nelson, ND 

I received my undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and my Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine (formerly National College of Natural Medicine).

Before becoming a naturopathic doctor, I practiced massage therapy for over 15 years — an experience that deeply shaped how I understand the body, chronic pain, and the nervous system.

I am honored to serve my patients and my community. This work is both a privilege and a responsibility

  • “My ability to self advocate increases day by day, thanks to the work I’ve done with Dr. Nelson. I feel seen and understood in our discussions. Her insight into the issues I raise is always thoughtful, compassionate, and on point. Her advice has positively influenced both my physical and mental health, and I am excited to continue learning from her."

    —N.K.