
Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine Compassionate Mental Health
Portland, OR
Genuinely Integrative Medicine, Truly Individualized Care
The Buddha’s Medicine is an Ayurvedic integrative medicine practice that aims to restore health and quality of living to people from all walks of life. By blending Eastern healing approaches with modern Western scientific foundations, we treat both present health conditions and the subtle imbalances underneath them.
Meet Our Team
Medicine Specialties
Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH
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Ayurveda may well be the original lifestyle and integrative medicine discipline. Originating in India thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is a medical tradition rich in wholesome approaches to health and daily living. In fact, the very term “Ayurveda” is derived from words for life and living (ayuh) and illumined wisdom, scientific knowledge, and self-study (veda).
Dr. Matt has been a student of Ayurveda since 2009. He has studied extensively with Vaidya Vasudha Gupta of American Ayurveda.
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Integrative medicine blends evidence-based mind/body, hands-on, supplemental, and herbal therapies into a modern allopathic framework.
Dr. Matt is board-certified by the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) in integrative medicine.
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At the heart of lifestyle medicine is the understanding that elements of many western lifestyles contribute to or drive chronic illness. Lifestyle care is all about making personalized, workable, step-wise changes to daily habits to stabilize and improve those chronic conditions.
Dr. Matt is board-certified by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) in lifestyle medicine.
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Dr. Matt blends Counterstrain and Ayurvedic marma chikitsa therapies into a comprehensive hands-on style of treatment.
Counterstrain is an osteopathic technique that uses reflex diagnostics to find the sources of pain in the body. Tender points, segmental motion assessments, and traditional range of motion exam maneuvers are used to pinpoint affected tissues down to the system and structure. Gentle repositioning and targeted tissue glide are then used to release the tissues from strain, thus treating pain at its root.
Marma chikitsa is an Ayurvedic technique that utilizes established pressure points to treat pain and various types of dysfunction. Heat and topical essential oils may be utilized as pressure points are released.
Dr. Matt has received extensive training in Counterstrain Therapy through The Jones Institute.
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The scope of practice for our plant-based patients at The Buddha’s Medicine is rather complete; there is virtually nothing that we cannot treat with a plant-based approach that might be treated otherwise. Learn More
mental health therapy Specialties
Jamie Van Auken, MA, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
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Couples & Relational Therapy uses attachment theory, polyvagal theory and emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) to help partners develop the nervous system regulation and communication skills needed for lasting connection and intimacy. Healthy relationships require each person to be regulated and connected to themselves first, and that co-regulation comes from capacity and compassion - not ultimatums. This service helps each individual understand their unique regulation style and needs so they feel regulated and available to build secure attachment with their partner from a heart-full place. Special care is given to mixed neurotype relationships, where partners regulate differently and need different approaches to connection and communication.
Jamie is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment-based interventions. She brings her understanding of nervous system regulation and a unique somatic dimension to couples work.
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Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy celebrates neurological differences as natural variations of the human condition, rather than a deficits that require "fixing." This work is about supporting our clients in understanding embracing their unique neurological makeup with a strengths-based lens. Neurodivergent minds - including this with ADHD, autism, and sensory sensitivity - benefit from therapeutic support that honors how these nervous systems naturally operate rather than forcing conformity to neurotypical expectations. The focus is on developing tools that support thriving while building self-understanding and advocacy skills.
As a mother of two neurodivergent children, and a highly-sensitive person herself, Jamie brings both professional training and lived understanding to neurodiversity-affirming care. She has extensive experience supporting mixed neurotype families and relationships.
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As a mama to two neurosparkly kiddos (one with an ASD diagnosis), I know how tender caregiving concerns can be. I draw from systems theory, collaborative problem-solving, psycho-education, and Good Inside© strategies to help you hold space for your beautiful, growing children. I can support you navigating multiple systems, providers, and education structures, making sure your child has the accommodations they deserve. I've been at there too and I can help you find your footing and heart as you nurture your family.
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Identity & Parenthood Transitions is a care offering that addresses the profound reorganization of self that accompanies becoming a parent; it's all about supporting individuals through the complex emotional landscape of major life changes. Parenthood involves not just learning new skills, but undergoing a fundamental transformation that affects identity, relationships, and nervous system regulation. Our therapeutic process honors both the growth and the losses that come with this transition.
As a mother of two neuro-sparkly children, Jamie intimately understands the question "I became a parent, but what happened to me?" She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to supporting parents through identity shifts.
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Trauma & Nervous System Regulation is all about ensuring the safety of the nervous system. Trauma lives in the body and nervous system, not just in thoughts and memories. This offering makes use of somatic interventions to help the nervous system complete interrupted survival responses and restore the body's natural capacity for regulation and resilience. The work focuses on creating safety in the body first, which allows for organic processing and integration of traumatic experiences.
Jamie is trained in somatic EMDR and has extensive training in polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation. Her athletic and yoga background affords her with deep understanding of the body's capacity for both stress and recovery.
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Athletes & Former Athletes addresses the unique psychological challenges that come with athletic identity, performance pressure, perfectionism, and the often difficult transition out of competitive sports. This specialty understands the specific mental health needs of athletes, including body image concerns, performance anxiety, identity questions, and the complex relationship between athletic achievement and self-worth.
Jamie competed at the Olympic level for two decades in figure skating, bringing lived understanding to the athletic experience. She understands both the gifts and challenges that come with the elite athletic mindset and what it feels like to be in the 'now what?' phase after competition and play.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy is a modality that holds that we all contain different "parts" within us - some that protect, some that carry pain, and a core Self that holds wisdom and compassion. This evidence-based approach helps clients develop a more compassionate relationship with all aspects of themselves rather than trying to eliminate or bury difficult emotions or behaviors. IFS is particularly effective for eating disorders, relationship issues, and trauma recovery.
Jamie has completed training at the IFS Institute and integrates this approach throughout her therapeutic work. She finds IFS particularly powerful for clients seeking to understand their internal landscape with curiosity rather than judgment.
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Cycle-Breaking & Generational Healing supports individuals in interrupting patterns of trauma, dysfunction, or disconnection that have been passed down through family systems. This work involves understanding how generational patterns live in the nervous system and developing new ways of being in relationship that honor both individual authenticity and family connections. The goal is creating new possibilities not just for the individual, but for future generations.
Jamie became a therapist to be a cycle-breaker in her own family system, and is passionate about supporting others in this sacred work. She understands the courage required to do something different while honoring what came before.
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Eating Disorder & Body Image Healing addresses the complex relationship between body, identity, and nourishment through a nervous system-forward approach that goes beyond diet culture. Eating disorders are adaptive responses to emotional distress and trauma, requiring both psychological and somatic intervention for sustainable recovery. Recovery involves rebuilding trust with your body's signals while developing a peaceful, intuitive relationship with food and embodiment.
Jamie has worked in eating disorder treatment centers across NY, WA, and OR, bringing extensive personal and professional recovery experience. In addition to evidence based therapeutic models, Jamie draws from her formidable experience as a professional athlete as well as her decades of facilitating yoga and movement-based practices. Recovered herself, as a former Olympic athlete with 20+ years of yoga practice, she understands the unique challenges of body image from both an ’subjective’ and an ’objective’ experience. Jamie focuses on helping each client develop a personal relationship with their unique embodiment expression from the inside out.
We’re local to Portland, Oregon and Telehealth is available Nation-wide!
Our clinic is situated in the heart of SE Portland on beautiful Laurelhurst Park.
See us there, at your own Portland metro area home, or via Telehealth!
3310 SE Oak St,
Portland, OR 97214
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