Brown woman with a big smile, black hair, wearing gold earrings, white shirt, and a patterned cloth coat with pink, yellow, orange, and grays. There is a blurred out fence and trees in the background.

The Chronic Illness Doula

Welcome to a space for rest, ease, and deep healing. Here, we move at the pace of our own bodies, honoring our rhythms and needs without pressure, and always with care. 

Learn to feel:

In every version of yourself, you are resilient, empowered and safe within your body.

Brown woman with a big smile, black hair, gold earrings, white shirt, and vest coat in gray, orange, pink, and yellows. She is in mid-laugh. Background is a blurry fence and trees.

About Me

My name is Celine Barrica. I practice East Asian & Indigenous Filipino Medicine. I am a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, and East Asian dietary specialist. I use a holistic approach to help empower and encourage folks to advocate for themselves and their needs.

My practice focuses on addressing autoimmune conditions and chronic illness from a trauma-informed lens and disabled-practitioner perspective. I came into healing work first as a patient, and along with experiencing my own chronic illness journey, I understand the difficulties navigating the health system—and the emotional, mental, and physical struggles involved. Working with me will help you to better understand what you need to thrive and improve the quality of your life.

When I’m not working, I’m enjoying time with my loved ones, reading into the night, making music and art, playing in nature, and baking up a storm!

Work with me

Private One-on-One Sessions

Chronic Illness Coaching

For individuals with chronic illness and autoimmune conditions willing to commit to their healing from a place of compassion and ease while also facing into the deep challenges associated with life changes.

Through bi-weekly virtual sessions, we will delve deep into support systems and health advocacy, food, and lifestyle. Then, we’ll start looking at changes to implement, (optional) lab testing, at-home activities, and more to see what resonates with you.

Dietary Consultations

Food is medicine and no diet is one size fits all. Get your lifetime diet guidelines from an ancient wisdom explained in modern context. I will provide you your own version of “genetic testing” by analyzing your Ba Zi, a form of Chinese Metaphysics, that uses your birth chart to establish your unique Korean Sasang constitution and other factors that may be impacting your health. I will provide you everything you need to know for healthy eating to your fullest potential.

“I have never felt more seen, heard and understood for all my complexities and contradictions in a medical setting than when working with Celine. Celine has been instrumental in building my confidence to navigate traditional medical systems to get my needs met as a disabled person who has had so many bad experiences in the past. Since she herself has experience navigating healthcare systems as a chronically ill person, her support and advice feels so personal and is so practically accessible to me... ”

-SM

Multiple diverse hands on a tree stump in a blurred out forest background.

The Hearth Collective

Community Offerings

Join Inclusive Online Meetups for chronically-ill folks. I offer sliding-scale online meetups and center BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) folks and other marginalized identities.

Our online casual meetups emphasize community, play, fun, and activities while we navigate our wins and challenges. Some examples may be to do art, read a book together, vision board, etc.

Patient Appreciation

  • “I have been diagnosed with several debilitating degenerative diseases. Since a cure isn’t possible I’ve put together a team of health professionals to manage my pain and maintain as much functionality as I can. That’s where Celine comes in; I’ve been seeing her for quite some time now and she has been extraordinary. Her knowledge, skill and empathy have helped me to maintain levels of mobility and strength that I hadn’t thought possible. Starting with the initial appointment what struck me was how present Celine was. She listened and really heard me. This high level of communication has never faltered. Her demeanor and counsel have helped me maintain a positive attitude through what has been a very trying time. The profound sense of gratitude I feel for Celine and what she has done for me seems to compound the results from the therapy I’ve received from her…an amazing process. Thank you."

    -L.R.

  • “Having an open dialog with Celine throughout the process was key to finding myself more open and having a natural sense of progress both during and after the appointment. I have had sessions with other practitioners in other venues where I come out disappointed, only to realize that I wasn't adding my own value to the situation by communicating when something wasn't working or was going against my needs or comfort zone. What makes this practice, and specifically the appointments with Celine beneficial for me include several aspects. General attitude: her levels of exuberance, sensitivity, and care are astronomically high, and this is very, very valuable when working with such a vulnerable space as the human body. Bedside manner: she is open with her intent, and shares valuable technique details to both ease the process and also open up opportunities for exploration in ways that may be beneficial and not previously attempted. Her instructions and guidance for recovery are key (even if I sometimes outright disobeyed them, because coffee) and I would advise you to pay attention. She knows the impact of her work. If you're seeking careful and thoughtful work, and aren't afraid to open up to techniques you may not be familiar with, Celine will provide with care and compassion.”

    -D.C.

  • “My 20+ years of living with an accomplished integrative bodywork specialist and my personal healer, has allowed me the perspective to recognize a professional of the healing arts at the highest level.  My search for a replacement healer has led me to countless examples of mediocre massage therapy.  Finding the right person adept in this specialized vocation is one thing, trusting them with your body and personal well-being is harder.  That search ended when I met Celine almost 5 years ago and we started our practitioner/client relationship and more importantly, friendship.  Whether through acupuncture, bodywork, or consultation for Chinese herbal remedies, Celine Barrica has proven my trust in her capable and healing hands is safe and well-placed.”

    -G.E.

  • “Celine is such an incredible healer. I first had the very good fortune of receiving her healing work as a massage therapist a few months after my son was born. Throughout the years I have seen Celine at least once a month for migraine management, neck tension, and stress relief. More recently I transitioned to seeing Celine primarily for acupuncture and have seen even more improvement with migraine symptoms. I consider myself lucky to be a regular of Celine’s healing work, she is a truly gifted healer and wonderful human being!”

    -D.S.

  • “Celine is a true healer. Her knowledge of the body is powerful and her connection to the spirit is essential. Once I said that I needed a shaman to do a spiritual detox. Celine responded, "You don't need a shaman! You know exactly what you need." She is right about everything. Just being in her presence is healing. I can't recommend Celina Barrica highly enough.”

    -JF

Follow me on Instagram @Celinebarricalac

Blog Post Titled, "Birth of the Chronic Illness Doula." Body text reads, "I just turned 18 years old, staring up at my ceiling, lying in bed sick yet again...with what I now know to be the first of many autoimmune conditions I would be diagnosed with
The title reads, "Testimonial." The body text reads "My brain fog and fatigue are almlost entirely gone in the 9 months since I started working with Celine. No health based intervention of any kind has helped me eradicate these struggles."
6-8 yr old girl in a red and white lion's king outfit. She is doing a silly dance in her backyard filled with grass, a fence, and concrete in the background.
Phoenix Helix Podcast featuring four people. Their faces are displayed with the names, "Celine Barrica, Amelie March, Jamie Nicole, and Ivonne Villafane-Mauquer"
Brown woman wearing red lipstick, a big smile, black hair, blue scrubs. Background is a brown wooden divider with a monstera.