“Trust is the most critical factor in a successful relationship between a client and health professional. You are the expert on yourself, and the most essential person when it comes to your health and well-being.”
Lesley Johnsen
Doctor of Acupuncture
Clients come to me because they’re ready for a change. They’re ready to be free from the burden of chronic pain, however it may manifest. They’re ready for freedom from feelings of depression, anxiety and addictions that may have been chasing them for their entire life. My clients want to heal. They are committed to themselves, understanding that there is no magic bullet for healing. They trust their innate wisdom telling them that what they have been doing is no longer working, and that it’s time to do the work to release the discomfort they have been feeling for years.
I began my career in mental health over 25 years ago, and have been studying and working with the effects of the emotions on the body for the past 20 years. For the past eleven years I have worked in differing capacities in various collaborative healthcare settings, including my private practice, different addiction treatment centers, Banner Medical Center, and the Mayo Clinic here in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2009, I completed two Master’s Degrees at the TAI Sophia Institute in Maryland. I received my Doctorate in Acupuncture from Pacific College of Health and Science in 2020, and as a result have been asked to collaborate and/or edit several professional papers on the use of acupuncture in evidence-based clinical trials.
I am deeply committed to deepening my own personal and professional awareness so that I can be of even greater service to the world around me. I continue to study the somatic experience of emotions, and am engaged with the beautiful work of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (also referred to as Compassionate Communication). My work is also steeped in the teachings of Dr. Gabor Maté and the transformational work of Compassionate Inquiry®. My training also includes completion of programs in Psych-K with Dr. Bruce Lipton, along with various trauma certification programs at the Arizona Trauma Institute.
As you can surmise, an acupuncture session is never just an acupuncture session. It’s about a holistic approach to healing that includes flower essences, herbal and homeopathic remedies, essential oils, nutritional consulting and so much more.
Above all, I value caring for ourselves, each other, the earth, and all of her inhabitants. I value integrity, kindness, empathy and accountability. I strive to walk my talk every day. When I choose to work with a client, it is with the wisdom that as long as there is a willingness for change, there is hope. It’s never too late to live in to a better version of ourselves.
When I work with clients, it is with the understanding that this journey is a long-term partnership, and not just a quick fix. It is with the understanding that I am committed to being fully present and utilizing my education and years of experience to best serve the unique needs of the person in front of me. Most importantly, it is with the understanding that real change comes from a commitment from the client themselves. You must be the one to say, “Yes, I’m ready to do something different, because what I’m doing is no longer serving me.” You must be the one to follow through on recommendations and the agreed upon treatment plan. You must be the one to say YES to your healthcare being the most obvious form of self-care.
Simply stated, this refers to approaching clients with the open-mindedness and compassion that all patients deserve. It assumes an understanding of the physical, social, and emotional impact of trauma on the individual, recognizing this as the possible root cause of many physical, emotional and spiritual concerns.
“The purpose of Compassionate Inquiry is to drill down to the core stories people tell themselves – to get them to see what story they are telling themselves unconsciously; what those beliefs are, where they came from; and guide them to the possibility of letting go of those stories, or letting go of the hold those stories have on them.”
Dr. Gabor Maté
“Since I began working with Lesley my life has improved dramatically. Thanks to her encouraging words, along with acupuncture, I feel much more balanced and capable of handling life’s stresses. I am calmer, less anxious, and enjoying everything so much more.”
“Thank you so much, Lesley, for the great session the other night. It totally eliminated the migraine and helped tremendously with the TMJ. I have had my nightguard adjusted and am feeling much better. I might reschedule the next appt.”
I found Lesley when I was at my wit's end with pain and depression. I had had multiple orthopedic and neurosurgeries and worked through the pandemic as a nurse practitioner. I did not realize the toll all that had taken on my body. For the last several months I have worked with Lesley and the transformation has been amazing! Part life coach, counselor, and acupuncturist, Lesley has helped me put myself back together. I am feeling a sense of well-being I have not felt for at least 3 years since my chronic pain journey began. After one acupuncture visit, I felt so open-hearted that I went directly to a friend's house and gave her the warmest hug and greeting that I have ever felt. My friend and I both needed that--magical! Look no further for a partner in your healing. Lesley is it.
“I have been in and out of acupuncture for the last few years and can tell you that Lesley is just great! She is professional, knowledgeable and truly works to help your body help itself.”
“Lesley brings tremendous insight and compassion into her treatment room. She has a deep understanding of nature and how we as people on this Earth can most ideally be intertwined within it. Her straight-forward, thought-provoking style is refreshing. There is not another practitioner that I would more strongly recommend to anyone who asked.”