Naturopathic Wisdom

Marlo Payne Thurman, PhD, began her career in 1992 as a private practice school psychologist. Through the years she has held positions with various group homes, mental health centers, hospital clinics, and schools in conjunction with providing assessment, advocacy, consultation, and counseling services in her practice to thousands of clients. For ten years she also owned and ran a special needs private school that made national headlines for successfully serving twice-exceptional students. Then, during the worst years of her own wellness journey, she returned to school and received her PhD in Special Education. Her first book, Autism is the Future, came out of that course of study. After receiving her PhD, she helped to design an autism certificate program and taught university classes at the University of Northern Colorado. She is now the President and Board Chair of the U.S. Autism Association. Always dividing her time between her private practice work, continuing education, and various charity endeavors, Marlo made the decision to pursue a final degree in the field of naturopathic medicine. This book is the culmination of that degree, as it combines her history, her personal wellness journey, and her remarkable insights as both an educator and mental health practitioner. Marlo lives in Colorado where she is an avid outdoor enthusiast and gardener.

Preface
Chapter 1: Why Today's Kids Need Naturopathy
The Rise in Learning, Mental Health, and Behavior Disorders
Changes Across the Past 50 Years
Chapter 2: My Story
Growing Up in Rural America in the 70’s and 80’s
The Path Towards Poor Health
Trauma and Too Much Prescription Medication
Finding Alternative Treatments
The Division of Mind and Body in the Treatment of Illness
The Road Back to Health and Wellness
Shared Experiences
Chapter 3: Research Methods and Perspectives
The Role of the Researcher in Auto-Ethnography
The Researcher’s Lens and Perspectives
Chapter 4: What Exactly is Naturopathy?
Primary Elements in Naturopathy
The Spiritual Nature of the Naturopathic Practitioner
Core Principles of Practice for the Medically Trained Naturopathic Doctor
Chapter 5: The History of Modern-Day Naturopathy
The Birthplace of Modern-Day Naturopathy
Medicine in the 1800’s
Changing Times and the Germ Theory of Medicine
The Rising Powers of the American Medical Association
Medical and Mental Health Horrors of the 1900’s Under the AMA
The Ever-Swinging Pendulum
Chapter 6: Health and Wellness in Today's Youth
Positive Changes in Mental Health and Education in the Past 50 Years
Recent Trends that Concern Me
The Rise in Psychotropic Medications and Possible Long-Term Repercussions
Mental Health Diagnoses Used as a Reason to Not Treat Physical Symptoms
Today’s Kids are Not the Same Kids
Chapter 7: Choosing a Naturopathic Practitioner
State-Based Differences in Licensing for the Naturopathic Doctor
Training, Certification, and Licensing Differences
Should All Naturopaths Go to Medical School?
Know Your States Rules When Choosing a Naturopathic Practitioner
Chapter 8: Children Need to Move
Movement As a Necessity for a Healthy Mind-Body
Interface Research on Movement, Mental Health, and Learning
A Call to Get Kids Moving
Chapter 9: Safe, Sensible Sunshine
Sunshine Exposure in My Childhood
Sun Exposure: What the Research Tells Us
Is Sunscreen Really That Safe?
Recommendations for Safe Sun and UV Light Exposure
Chapter 10: Breath Responses and the Air We Breathe
Breathing and Air-Borne Chemical Sensitivities
Breath Work and Teaching Kids to Breathe
Chapter 11: The Need for Restful Sleep
The Effects of Lost Sleep in Children and Teens
Case Study, the Boy Who Didn’t Sleep
Recommendations to Improve Sleep
Chapter 12: Forest Bathing
The Research on Shinrin-Yoku
Naturopathic Views on Spending Time in Nature
Chapter 13: The Healing Properties of Plants
The Chemistry of Essential Oils
Why Essential Oils are Beneficial to Humans
The Importance of High Quality, Therapeutic Grade Oils
The Safety of Essential Oils for Children
Plant-Based Medicines and Psychopharmacology
Whole Herbs as Medicine
Recommendations for Using Herbs with Children
Medical Cannabinoid
Considering Homeopathy?
Homeopathy’s History and Principles
My Views and Recommendations on Homeopathy
My Homeopathy Story
Chapter 14: Bathing and Water Therapies
Hydrotherapy Through the Ages
Clinical Studies on the Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Water Therapy and My Physical Rehabilitation
Recommendations for Water-Based Therapies for Kids
Chapter 15: Touch, Massage and Accupressure for Kids
Safe Touch and Touch Permission
The Use of Acupressure and Massage in a School Setting
Historical Perspectives and Methodologies in Massage and Acupressure
The Research Supporting These Techniques
Massage Therapy for Kids
Acupressure for Children and Teens
Chapter 16: Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Children Are Not Little Adults When It Comes to Food
Taste Preference is Acquired Over Time
Sugar and Fast-Delivery Carbohydrates Are Addictive
Food Access, Food Sensitivities, and Food Control
Parents Want to Feed Their Children Healthy Food
The USDA Food Pyramid
Healthy Eating Can Be Confusing
Healthy Eating Habits that We Can All Agree On
Children Learn Good Eating Habits from Their Parents
Choice and Food Access
Special Considerations for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Eating Healthy Is Challenging
Chapter 17: Commonsense Recommendations for Serious Mental Health Crises
My Mental Health Crises and Lessons Shared
Final Considerations…
References