About Us
Dr. Christine Louden is a licensed Naturopathic physician and has been helping patients improve their health since 2001. Her practice is inclusive to all people looking for a trusted counsel and coach for their healing journey.
Dr. Louden’s specialties include:
• Women's health issues including menopause, PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis
• Natural, drug-free treatments for mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, and insomnia
• Preventative medicine for chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and hypertension
• Therapeutic fasting for the chronic diseases listed above as well as autoimmune diseases
In her practice, Dr. Louden adheres to the naturopathic philosophy of focusing on treating the underlying cause of disease symptoms and the belief that the body has an innate capacity to heal itself and restore health. Using the patient’s health history, physical exam and laboratory testing, Dr. Louden seeks to identify the deficiencies and factors that disrupt the body’s inherent balance. Based on the findings, she develops a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient utilizing natural medicine protocols.
Dr. Louden received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. She is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor, a member of both the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Connecticut Society of Naturopathic Physicians, and is an Integrative Medicine for Mental Health trained provider.
Dr. Louden lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children. She enjoys nature and the outdoors, staying fit and competing in triathlons, marathons, ultra marathons and trail running races.
Dr. Sharon Hunter, a licensed Naturopathic physician who has practiced in West Hartford, CT for over 17 years, is an expert in addressing health concerns through natural approaches, taking into account your entire health history, and finding connections that may exist between seemingly unrelated health concerns. Working at your own pace, she applies the best of traditional and more current science based approaches to health, focusing heavily on such foundations of health as diet, exercise, hydration, toxicity/detoxification, sleep, nutrition, and healthy gut microbiome.
If you are frustrated by lack of progress with your health; if you wish to explore a different approach your health or want to reduce your need for medications; or you prefer to explore natural treatments, you are a good candidate for naturopathic medicine.
Dr. Hunter's specialties include:
Hormonal Issues
• Hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Diabetes
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Irregular menstrual periods/amenorrhea
• Menopausal symptoms
Gastrointestinal Problems (GI)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• Chronic constipation
• Dysbiosis
Complex Health Syndromes
• Autoimmune disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Mitochrondrial dysfunction
• Immune dysfunction/chronic infections
Dr. Hunter earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association. She was previously a co-editor of the AANPs Clinical Support Network. Prior to becoming a naturopathic physician, Dr. Hunter did training and outreach for CONNSACS, which is now the Connecticut Coalition to End Sexual Violence. She also worked for several years for the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, NY.
Dr. Elisheva Neffinger is a licensed naturopathic physician who is passionate about helping patients along their wellness journey. As a doctor, Dr. Neffinger believes that patient education is the most important tool to inspire positive change and create a foundation for lifelong health.
Dr. Neffinger's specialties include:
• Women's health
• Dermatology and acne
• Mold illness
• Identification and assessment of ticks and their risk
• Facilitates Metabolic Health Program at Bloom Natural Health
Dr. Neffinger graduated with honors from the University of Bridgeport, where she earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. She served as student-body president and co-founded an annual initiative to provide female exams and testing to underserved women in the area. She is board-certified and has an active physician’s license in the state of Connecticut. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Dr. Neffinger is a native of Western Massachusetts and received her undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst, where she studied Sustainable Food and Farming in addition to her pre-med studies. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a nurse aide in a hospice, and also spent three years working with tick-borne diseases at the Laboratory of Medical Zoology.
Dr. Neffinger lives in West Hartford. In her free time Dr. Neffinger loves to get outdoors, exercise, cook, travel, and try new foods. She is excited to be a part of Bloom Natural Health and work with a group of outstanding practitioners.