Health and healing are relational

Dr. Annette Sacksteder
(she/her)

Meet Dr. Sacksteder

Dr. Annette Sacksteder has actively worked with and supported people in the healing process for decades. Her wisdom, vast knowledge base and wide range of skills has been honed through twelve years as a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, five years in the substance abuse field and over three decades of active leading and teaching in peer counseling. She is deeply committed to her own health. Her work as a physician is informed by her personal experience of diabetes prevention, emotional healing, and the transformation of her relationship with food and body image.

Working Together

Working with patients is a collaborative process: good minds working together to develop practical and effective solutions to health care needs.

You are the expert of your own body. You have lived in your body for a lifetime! I recognize and honor your knowing and expertise. Health and healing are relational and, in my experience, our work together is most effective when explored in the context of family, work, and community systems. I recognize the impact of childhood trauma, oppression and internalized oppression on an individual's health and access to resources. I have the experience, knowledge and flexibility to navigate the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing integrated with the science and physiology of health. As a member of your health team, I bring all my resources, training, intuition, creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills to our time together.

These are big times that we live in, and our flexible, rested and creative minds and hearts are needed. I look forward to working together to develop the care that meets your health care goals.You are worthy and deserving.

Education & Training

Dr. Annette Sacksteder, ND, EAMP graduated from the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) where she earned a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine. She is licensed as a Naturopathic Physician and East Asian Medicine Practitioner (EAMP) in Washington. Dr. Sacksteder completed a 2-year residency at the Institute of Complementary Medicine under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Eileen Stretch.

Prior to her medical education, Dr. Sacksteder earned a Bachelor of Arts in Women Studies from the University of Washington and gained extensive experience in community organizing and social justice work. She then worked in the substance abuse field in Hawaii becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). These experiences richly inform her work as a physician, giving depth to her intuitive understanding of the multitude of factors that can impact an individual’s health.

Dr. Sacksteder is a member of Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Washington Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Association.

She received the 2013 Seattle Met Top Doctor award for acupuncture. Rainbow Natural Health Clinic received the 2023 award for The Best Naturopathic Services in Seattle.

My Commitment

I am committed to social justice and the elimination of all oppression.

My leadership and organizing in peer counseling is focused on eliminating racism, LBGTQ liberation, ending antisemitism and the climate emergency. I am currently teaching a fundamentals class in peer counseling theory.

I have a deep love and respect for the wonder of life and am committed to supporting my patients to discover their own sense of wonder and wellbeing. I am grateful to be alive in these times. A day which includes walking, dance and song; a day that includes nurturing and connecting to plants; a day that includes connecting with patients, loved ones and self; a day that includes speaking out against oppression and for liberation; a day that includes preparing, sharing and eating beautiful nourishing food; a day in connection with spirit and the universe...these are days I am grateful for and days well spent.

What Patients Are Saying

I've been seeing Dr Sacksteder for over two years for general health and acupuncture and absolutely love her. She is knowledgeable, really, really cares, and will go above and beyond for her patients.

V.C.
Amazing. She's literally saved my life multiple times. She listens, spends plenty of time with her patients, isn't afraid to do research to get to the bottom of confusing problems, and most importantly, actually *knows* more than me about my conditions, which is something that many medically complex people have a hard time finding in a practitioner.

B., Long-term patient
Dr. Sacksteder worked with my son to help him through a rough period of medical issues. She spent 1.5 hrs with him on the first visit, obtaining his medical/mental history to guide her in the right direction to treat my son's aliments. Dr. Sacksteder's caring and nurturing demeanor along with her scientific and holistic approach to treatment was a blessing.

S.B.
Dr. S is extremely thorough and thinks outside the box! I appreciate her professionalism and expertise!

Long-term patient
Recommend. She's fantastic and worth the visit.

Patient
Dr. S is highly skilled at partnering with patients to facilitate healing. Her holistic approach including body, mind, emotions, and spirit have been very effective in my treatments.

Anonymous Patient