Your First Appointment
At your first appointment, we will discuss your medical, mental, and social history as well as body systems and lifestyle habits, all of which inform the design of treatment. Together, we will explore your need for support, symptom history, how you are thriving and how you are struggling. I practice the traditional healing relationship; in their own respective roles the practitioner and client practice seeing the entire human being in bodymindspirit, recognizing the process of health and illness, and the path to restoration of lost health - with the patient empowered to act as their own Healer. One primary premise of Chinese Medicine is that the whole of the physical body is intricately and complexly connected to and informed by our experiences in life (environmental, relational, physical, the food we eat, how we sleep, move, work, travel, play, grieve, fear, love, etc), and so in each and every follow up appointment, we will also talk about life in general, how your experiences may be informing your well being and health, and how you are changing with treatment.
Chinese Medicine cultivates the art of self discovery, often healing happens on multiple levels in surprising ways. It is recommended that one receive support as often as is clinically needed to maintain the physical or personal health and growth that is desired to move through life with ease and peace. The cadence and frequency with which one continues with Acupuncture depends on the symptoms/illness that we are endeavoring to resolve, and depends also on the context (your body and life) in which those symptoms and illnesses are occurring. My goal is to help resolve dis-ease as quickly as possible, and if cure is not possible (for example, it is not possible to cure a virus), then the focus is to guide you to a healthy, stable place where we are no longer treating symptoms, but rather, preventing them - which you will learn, through Acupuncture, to do more so on your own.
I offer my clinical opinion on how we are progressing, and when I feel the patient is ready to decrease appointment frequency. That said, it is also so important that patients feel comfortable communicating their capability to continue on with treatment, and if/when they need to decrease frequency or take a break, they feel comfortable communicating that! My patients are always welcome to continue on with Acupuncture as frequently and for as long as they like, as the best reason to get Acupuncture treatment is disease prevention and in support of existing wellness. Ongoing care isn’t always possible for everyone, and so, I focus on empowering the patient to know the real Healer is within.
My Studio is privately nestled in the woods alongside Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island, in Maine. On a fundamental level, we need to feel safe in order to heal. The identity of each client entering my treatment space, and any details shared with me within that space, or in any space at any time, are considered protected health information - confidentiality and privacy is respected to the upmost degree. My discretion and committment to privacy is not restricted to the treatment room - living and working as a health care practitioner in a small community, I honor confidentiality with all folks, at all times, no matter the relationship or the setting in which we converse.
As a classically trained Chinese Medicine pracitioner (Acupuncturist and Herbalist) with 15 years of experience, I support the body in the myriad ways disharmony may present itself (see a thorough (but not exhaustive) list here) from injury and pain (acute and chronic) to hormonal dysregulation, to Autoimmune disease, and so on. However, over the years, my practice has evolved a special emphasis on chronic illness, and chronic stress, mental health and trauma.
I utilize all Acupuncture channel systems: primary, the eight extraordinary, luo, sinew, and the divergent, as well as Chinese Herbal Medicine, and nutritional therapy. I incorporate moxibustion, gua sha, cupping, acupressure and other techniques long practiced within the 5,000 year old art of Classical Chinese Acupuncture. Through these modalities, the development of self awareness contributes to the physiology of healing and the patient's ability to move beyond the management of symptoms to sustainable health. I am daily astonished by the remarkable responsivity of folks to the healing message - seemingly completely lost, ill beyond repair, in excruciating emotional or physical pain - the body does not fail to Remember health.
Scheduling Your First Appointment
To schedule your first appointment, you are welcome to text, call or email me directly. I will directly call you, and also email you to collect needed details from you prior to your first appointment, and am happy to answer any questions you may have beforehand.
I leave an additional 15 minute break between each and every appointment so the patient may comfortably come and go. The first appointment is usually 120 minutes, allowing plenty of time for the comprehensive health interview as well as your first Acupuncture treatment. Follow up appointments are 60 minutes, and aim to continue the resolution of pain, illness, and sustain balance in your body, mind, and spirit.
Payment Policies
Please contact me for Acupuncture appointment rates, which vary based on appointment type, residency, and any barriers (such as limited income) that may prevent access to sustainable care. No documentation is required to justify a request in fee reduction. Without judgment, it is my honor and ethical responsibilty to facilitate and support honesty, self-awareness, and a shared commitment to equity within a thriving healthy community.
Any diagnostics and conversation required to inform customized herbal prescriptions are folded into the Acupuncture appointment. I do not require a seperate appointment and do not charge an additional appointment cost for herbal consults, as the diagnostics that inform the two traditions can occur seamlessly within an Acupuncture appointment. I keep the cost of the herbal formulas as low as possible, without compromising quality. Skillfully writing a customized herbal formula is a significant time committment, and I adjust for the time required to compose the prescription by applying a flat percentage upcharge to the base cost of the herbal formula. No matter how complex the case or how long it takes me to write the formula, the charge is based only on the cost of herbs.
Payment methods accepted are check, cash, or electronic payments (incuding HSA and FSA cards) through Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. As a Provider, scheduled appointments are considered a lease of my time, and are reserved for the client. These appointment times are difficult, if not impossible, to fill with short notice. Therefor, policies require cancelations be made by email no less then 24 hours prior to the follow-up appointment time and no less then 48 hours prior to the intial intake appointment time. Late cancelation and no show appointments will result in a charge of the regular fee.
To schedule your first appointment, you are welcome to text, call or email me directly. I will directly call you, and also email you to collect needed details from you prior to your first appointment, and am happy to answer any questions you may have beforehand.
Insurance Policies
For those with Acupuncture coverage as part of their insurance plan, I provide the necessary documentation (Superbill with Diagnosis Codes and Procedure Codes) to submit and receive reimbursement on their own. It is important for each client to confirm the details of their insurance plan to avoid unexpected expenses.
After practicing as an in-network clinician for many years, I chose to no longer accept insurance in 2019. As a practitioner who endeavors to provide the very best and most effective care for my clients’ nuanced physical, emotional and spiritual needs, I felt continuing as an in-network practitioner with insurance companies became prohibitive of fully and effectively meeting and caring for their varied and dynamic needs.
Practicing as an out-of-network practitioner allows me to give more time, attention, and energy to each client, and I see more fruitful results of my work, and more rapid transformations. I have more freedom, authority, and flexibility to treat a variety of complex (and simple!) conditions uncovered by even those insurance plans that include coverage for Acupuncture - from allergies to insomnia, to seizures, to anxiety and depression, Autoimmune disease, respiratory infections, chronic fatigue, gut and microbiome pathologies, weight loss, substance abuse, infertility, gynocological and menopausel disharmonies - and so on.
Testimonials
"Having had chronic bronchitus infections for over a decade and being a heavy smoker, I made it through last winter with only one cold that ended quickly. I have no doubt, that this was in no small way attributed to the acupuncture and herbs I took for those 3-4 months. Further yet, my time spent in treatment with Emily has affected every aspect of my life..."
- J.R., Chronic Respiratory Infections and Smoking Cessation
"Emily helped me get pregnant!! I have been seeing Emily for just over a year now and she is fantastic. I’m not sure words could quite express how grateful I am for her. I started seeing Emily for acupuncture after 2+ years of trying to get pregnant (including unsuccessful fertility treatments), and after a few months of acupuncture with her I started ovulating regularly, which was one of my key issues (that I knew about).
Emily also opened my eyes to other potential issues that may have been impacting my ability to pregnant, which ended up being important pieces of the puzzle in my case — e.g., inflammation from food, gut health, hormone levels. She encouraged me to consider doing an anti-inflammation diet and in the process of doing that I realized that I had been eating foods, such as gluten, that I am actually intolerant to -- I have since cut them out and feel much better! She also connected me with a naturopath who helped me test and address my gut health and hormone levels, which affect fertility. At the same time, I was (separately) seeing a functional doctor who identified another hormone/thyroid-related issue that I addressed.
Once I addressed these major issues (while continuing acupuncture) I immediately got pregnant!! I am now in the 2nd trimester of my first pregnancy and am so incredibly grateful for Emily. She set me on a health-focused fertility journey that felt proactive, healthy, and empowering! There are other great acupuncturists out there too I'm sure, but I’ve talked to others who have had acupuncture and their acupuncturist strictly provided the treatments and did not offer any of the additional perspectives and guidance that Emily did. When I first started working with Emily I didn't know everything I would be getting (or what I would need). I really appreciate her wholistic approach to thinking about health. Her acupuncture treatments have also addressed other issues that have popped up for me (e.g., clearing and avoiding illnesses/colds, maintaining a healthy pregnancy during my 1st trimester). I cannot say enough good things about her. THANK YOU EMILY!!!"
- L.B., Infertility
"Emily has been treating severe arthritis in my left foot, and chronic pain associated with scoliosis in my lower back. Both conditions were chronic, for over 15 years, and very painful. I was unable to walk without pain, and had developed a limp. It was remarkable to me that after my very first treatment, there was a noticeable improvement in pain and mobility. Over the next two months the pain continued to decrease from visit to visit, now nearly non existent, and mobility increases. I had become so accustomed to pain being part of my life, and I am now moving freely, exercising, and living a full life again. I am so thankful to Emily for her work and determination, and without her I am doubtful I would be walking without pain."
- J.C, Chronic Back, Hip, and Foot Pain
"I have had gastritis and heartburn for around 8 years, I had multiple treatments but nothing made a big difference. I have been seeing Emily for around two months and I have never felt better, my heartburn is almost gone and my gastritis is getting better and better. Emily helped me to understand that food can make a big difference in every way, so not just my stomach feels better but my whole body is happy about my new habits. I highly recommend Emily, she is great!"
- J.U., Gastritus and Stress
"Emily, she is the amazing person that has stopped my migraines! I have suffered from migraines for over 20 years, tried every medicine known to man, PT, chiropractic intervention, massages, and still they were getting worse and worse. I was missing out on my life, my children's lives, I was angry, bitter, and had pretty much given up. But the 8 migraine days a month are gone now. I am off all everyday medicine for 3 months now and have only taken one migraine pill since starting treatment with Emily. IF YOU SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES... THERE IS HOPE! I can't say anything more, other than she is a miracle and has helped me earn my life back".
- L.T., Migraines
"I started seeing Emily in early in my pregnancy for acute hip pain. She sat with me, discussed all aspects of my health history, lifestyle and specific pain. The treatment itself was calming and within a few days I was relieved of the pain. I ended up seeing Emily throughout my entire pregnancy. The time she spent with me each week was the most time any of my doctors spent with me. We discussed specific pains and alignments but also discussed my overall well being. I would walk out of treatment feeling refreshed, calm and confident that I had someone looking out for my health and working with me instead of dismissing my symptoms as “normal”. I highly recommend Emily!"
L.M., Pregnancy Related Pain
"I tell everyone that I can about Emily, she is truly a born healer. I sought after acupuncture for a shoulder injury that had left me with pain for over two years. To answer the obvious, Emily resolved the pain without much trouble...the experience aside from treating the injury, however, has been one that has transformed my life. Emily taught me to look at myself through a lens I never knew even existed. Her guidance has helped me grow exponentially - body, mind and soul. I am so incredibly grateful to have found her and know that my journey with her will be one that is life-long. Thank you for all that you do, Emily!"
- M.H., Shoulder Pain and PTSD
"Acupuncture has changed the way I approach my physical health, changed my diet, lifestyle, and addictions. It has changed my outlook upon myself as a person worthy of experiencing all that life has to offer, joy and love and pain and sorrow alike. Emily has taught me much about the connection between emotions. The anger and frustration that can feel like a plague at times is also the source for creativity and expression. Understanding this has lead to an outpouring of new work and a resurgence of my artistic creativity."
- S.Y., Emotional Wellbeing
"I came to acupuncture to address some personal issues I was experiencing in my life—anxiety from strained relationships as well as some addiction issues related to alcohol that had been taking their toll on me for many years. While I go for the treatment from the needles, I also go just as much to speak with Emily and learn from her guidance, as she has a way of building on our past discussions and build my confidence in her words and wisdom (her “word needles”). That combined with the needles themselves have provided a great deal of therapy for me, as I consider myself a changed person."
- J.S., Anxiety, Addiction
"Perhaps the greatest gift of Emily's healership for me is that she sees me, unedited, unmasked, fully human. This is no small thing. I came to her recently after the birth of my daughter feeling deeply lost. I was a mess of doubts, fears, worries, and anxiety. I was crying all the time. I felt as if I were drowning at sea, as if I’d lost my heart somewhere in the process of giving birth. Emily listened intently, asked a few questions, and gave me some advice. But then she did the thing that changed the game: she took my hand, and with full presence and love, she looked into my eyes and said "I see you. I still see you in there." So simple, and so profoundly healing."
- D.F.S., Childbirth
Safety Policies
The Emily Boschert Healing Arts Center prioritizes the health and safety her patients and their communities at all times.
Learn More About Emily