Dr. Tara Stoop’s passion for healthy living led her to pursue a career in medicine. After scouring the curriculums of countless conventional medical schools she was discouraged by the lack of training in nutrition and wellness, facets she considers to be the foundations of a healthy life. Upon discovering naturopathic medicine she immediately felt aligned with the philosophy. It made intuitive sense to her that a doctor should focus on identifying and treating the cause of a disease and not only the symptoms; that every aspect of a person’s life, from sleep habits to stress levels, effects their health and must be addressed; and that diet and lifestyle changes are integral to bringing the body into balance.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Stoop strongly believes that education is the core component of her success with her patients. Once patients understand the way their bodies function and the impact their choices have on their wellness, they can more easily implement healthy changes. She strives to help her patients shift their habits in a sustainable manner. Some people can make big changes fairly quickly and some people need time for each small shift. Either way, Dr. Stoop finds the best approach is to take it at the pace that feels most practical for her patients, and she develops highly individualized treatment plans around each patient’s needs.

Dr. Stoop previously taught Clinical Gynecology and Western Pathology Review at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington and her Bachelors degree from UC Berkeley, where she majored in both Molecular & Cell Biology and Integrative Biology. Dr. Stoop is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the California Naturopathic Doctors Association.