Integrative Medicine Physician 

Founder of the Austin Wellness Collaborative

Dr. Maltz was born and raised in Houston and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her MD and Master in Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. She completed her residency in Internal and Preventive Medicine at UTMB in 2011 and then a 2-year Integrative Medicine Fellowship at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT. Dr. Maltz has been trained in trigger point injections, meditation, spirituality, nutrition, mind-body therapies, botanicals and herbs via an intensive 1000-hour curriculum created by The University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Program founded by Dr. Andrew Weil. She completed a 300-hour Medical Acupuncture course through the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate. From 2013-2015, she lived in Albuquerque, NM, working as an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine. Dr. Maltz is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, for which she served on the Board of Directors from 2013 – 2015. Dr. Maltz’s specific interests include helping her patients improve their health through lifestyle interventions including, but not limited to, eastern medical practices, nutrition, botanicals, mind-body techniques and by decreasing environmental exposures.

She practices in downtown Austin at West Holistic Medicine and loves empowering her patients to heal. In her spare time, she enjoys connecting like-minded individuals, practicing yoga, hiking and dancing with friends.

Colleen Flynn is a Functional Nutritionist and the founder and owner of Nutritional Zest, LLC, a private nutrition practice based in Austin, Texas, where she was recently voted one of the top three nutritionists in the area by Austin Fit Magazine. She is also an instructor at Restorative Wellness Solutions, a program that bridges a multitude of functional nutrition approaches to elevate practitioners’ ability to solve the most challenging client symptom presentations.

She is a whole food and wellness enthusiast who is passionate about the body’s innate intelligence to respond to well-crafted holistic health practices. She excels in helping women and men reconnect with their bodies while empowering them to nourish themselves in an enjoyable, sustainable way, and to thrive through implementing wellness routines that suit their unique needs. Specializing in gut health, digestive disorders, energy regulation, and the mindset necessary for lasting health and habit change, Colleen utilizes the principles of functional nutrition to dig deeper into her clients’ chronic health complaints to discover the root cause and to create detailed protocols to bring them back into balance.

Colleen’s interest in holistic nutrition and her journey to become a Functional Nutritionist began with the reversal of her own health issues through various nutrition and wellness practices. What started as a personal calling evolved into a mission to empower others to take control of their own well-being.

Darshan Shah, MD, MBA, ABFM, ABIHM

Darshan Shah, MD, is a father, Ashtanga Yoga practitioner, entrepreneur, and Board Certified Family Physician who practices Integrative and Holistic Medicine in Austin, Texas.  Aside from being a diplomate of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine he is also certified in Mind-Body Medicine through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.  While in residency training in Dallas, he began practicing Ashtanga Yoga at the T Boone Pickens YMCA, under the tutelage of his wife.  Very quickly, he noticed how this helped him reduce his background anxiety level and improve his response to emotional and physical stress.  This catalyzed exploration into nonpharmacological treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression and stress.  Darshan has since found a very effective, evidence-based model through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) and shares the techniques he has learned in one-on-one, and group settings. In his personal life, the Mind-Body Skills he has developed have significantly improved his ability to be present and enjoy life, with the side effect of keeping him more healthy and happy. He believes that stress is the most important risk factor for chronic disease that we can do something about in our lives, and developing skills to reduce stress is the most important medicine we can give ourselves today.

In his private practice, Whole Health Austin, Darshan teaches patients Mind-Body Medicine techniques that increase their self-awareness and improve their response to stress.  Much of the joy he derives from his practice comes from empowering people to realize, for themselves, the beautiful innate capacity of the human body to heal and be whole.

Creativity is another important aspect of his practice style.  At times, he facilitates healing using nonpharmacologic approaches such as Low Level Light Therapy using the BioFlex Laser System.  Other times, he employs supplements, herbs, and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.  Though dietary and lifestyle changes are a mainstay of Dr. Shah’s practice, he does not shy away from technologically advanced treatments.  For example, he provides physiologic insulin infusion treatments for those with Type I and Type II Diabetes that help rapidly restore sensitivity to insulin.  Ultimately, the path chosen is patient directed and physician guided, integrating emotional, spiritual, and physical healing modalities.

Often overlooked, cultivating community is fundamental in eliminating isolation–isolation being a large contributor to stress and maladaptive behaviors.  Along these lines, Darshan collaborates with his wife, Priya Jhawar, who runs Ashtanga Yoga Austin, to create a community focused around self-awareness, wellbeing and resilience.  He also co-chairs Integrative Providers of Austin, a group that brings together physicians who are practicing Integrative and Holistic Medicine in the local area.

Lastly, with respect to his entrepreneurial adventures, Darshan is privileged to be involved in some very enjoyable ventures that align with his ideas on wellness, including the climbing gym Austin Bouldering Project (austinboulderingproject.com) and the Functional Energy Bar company, Crafted Energy (www.craftedenergy.com).

Certified Hakomi Therapist, Ecotherapist, Energy Medicine and Embodiment Practitioner

@ Embody Wellness

Deirdre S. Allen is a body-centered mindfulness-based psychotherapist, energy medicine practitioner, embodied feminine movement facilitator, budding herbalist & ecotherapist, and a lifetime devotee and steward of Mama Earth. Her lifetime of learning and experiences have helped her evolve practices that help others heal their emotional wounds in order to live to their soul’s fullest expression.

As a Certified Hakomi Therapist, Deirdre offers a potent alternative to traditional talk therapy. While she blends many therapeutic and intuitive practices, her primary modality is Hakomi, a mindfulness-based somatic approach to emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Hakomi works primarily with body awareness, in particular, the ways in which our emotions show up as physical sensations.

Deirdre guides her clients into their own body, heart, and mind to unwind stuck memories and emotions, and teaches them how to meet their present moment experience with attentive compassion. Deirdre also incorporates nature-based therapy, energy healing, embodied feminine movement, and herbalism into her work with clients by weaving in connection to the natural world.

Deirdre considers her relationship to Earth a sacred and spiritual practice that she hopes to inspire in others. She is passionate about helping her clients connect to the natural world. We are part of the natural world and being in relationship with natural beings helps us to see our inner wisdom.

Currently offering virtual individual Hakomi sessions to foster self-soothing and calming connection in these challenging times.

Full spectrum doula @ Your Journey with J

Whether a first birth or last, I truly believe that birth is a journey and something that should be supported along the way with a doula. My goal is to shift the way we think about birth and replace fear with education and empowerment – while centering BIPOC, single, and LGBTQIA+ people. It is my training from Re+Birth Equity, Birthing Advocacy, and DONA International, as well as years of working with families in various capacities and personal lived experience that allows me to provide comprehensive and culturally inclusive support. Birthwork is my social justice work. I provide in person and virtual doula offerings that include prenatal education, planning, birth & postpartum support, and more. My model of support differs from many doulas, in that I join you on the journey to and through birth and foster a longer term relationship – typically 4-6 months.

In addition to my independent doula work, I am a programming and community engagement volunteer with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman, Prenatal PIP squeaks facilitator with Partners in Parenting, and member of Suenos Sin Fronteras Birth Network and National Black Doula Association. I’m currently further developing my skill set and knowledge by choosing to go beyond training and pursuing full spectrum doula certification, child birth educator certification, and 200 YTT. Winter of 2020 full spectrum support will be availible to include fertility, abortion, and berevement doula support. I support all reproductive choices and believe every person has the right to bodily autonomy.