About

Heliotrope Healing Arts was founded by Karen R. Peterson ND, LAc, Dipl. Ac.    She is a semi-retired creative who has spent a lifetime in service.

Dr. Peterson (aka Dr. KP) graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2013 with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a masters in acupuncture.  Before attending medical school, she worked her way through massage school completing a certificate in massage therapy at Oregon School of Massage.  Dr. Peterson completed her undergraduate education at Mills College (now known as the Mills Institute at Northeastern University) in Oakland, California.  She holds a bachelor of arts degree in biology with a minor in music and special emphasis in studio art (photography).    

Dr. Peterson grew up in rural Oregon- a descendant of five generations of Oregon farmers/ trades people and the first from that side of the family to go to college.  Dr. Peterson became a Master Gardener in her home state of Oregon in 1998.  She worked in the horticultural field for nearly a decade before starting medical school.  She continues the agricultural traditions of her family today by promoting access to locally grown, healthy food, and sustainable food systems.  Currently, Dr. Peterson grows as much food as she can on the Taos Plateau using only water harvested from the sky. 

During her years in private practice, Dr. Peterson has volunteered countless hours to the Returning Veterans Project- offering acupuncture services to veterans of the OEF and OIF missions and their families.  She is passionate about helping folks work through trauma by employing the combination of creative arts along with medical intervention.

Dr. Peterson has dedicated many years of her life to careers and interests that combine the arts and sciences.  To her, the two are not mutually exclusive.  She currently helps out with a residency program for artists and scientists in Taos County called WOWArtSci. The program offers a peaceful, quiet place for artists and scientists to escape the day-to-day in order to take their next project to the next level.  Like most creatives in the area, she is inspired by the land she currently calls home.  Dr. KP is currently working in film photography, lamp making, fiber arts/ knitting, and Western and Chinese herbal medicine making.  She also roasts coffee and continues to play music.  

Dr. Peterson lives in Carson, New Mexico with her partner, Kitonga the senior cat, Miga the Wonder Dog, and so. many. plants.