Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jenna Valentine.
Hi Dr. Valentine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d be stabbing people for money, I would have laughed and been slightly concerned for you. But, here I am, a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist with my own business — Valentine Care.
My pre-acupuncture life was dedicated to working with teens in the foster care and/or juvenile justice system. I was raised by a single mom and was keenly aware of how young people could fall through the cracks. My life became focused on helping the youth involved in gang activity, teen mothers, and those on the fringes of society. I left this work when I became pregnant and spent five years at home with my daughter.
Acupuncture and complementary medicine was a constant undercurrent in my life. But, there was no grand moment that sent me in this direction. It was small parts of my life that led me to my current moment: In childhood, my mother was a huge role model with her skeptical attitude toward Western medicine and she taught us to question doctors from an early age. In high school, I found Buddhism and Daoism and dove into these religious/cultural worlds. In college, I found the courage to go to my first acupuncture appointment and was hooked. It would take over a decade plus a painful divorce before I gave myself the space to envision my best future.
My love language had become nagging everyone I loved to get acupuncture because I knew how powerful it was for overall health and wellness. I realized that I could be the person who offered this magical resource to others. I was enrolled within a few months of this realization and haven’t looked back.
All of my former life experiences have shaped the type of practitioner I am today and I love that I’m able to offer a nonjudgmental healing space that includes all parts of the person: mind, body, and spirit. My clients know that I am in their corner for life and I care deeply about every single person I have the honor of working with. We laugh together, cry together, brainstorm together, shake our heads in disbelief together, and everything in between. I hope everyone reading this considers incorporating acupuncture and Chinese medicine into their lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is it unprofessional to start this answer off with LMAO?! It has most definitely not been a smooth road, but it has been the road that got me to where I am now – and I love that place.
Becoming a doctor was physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. Plus, I did this while navigating a divorce, raising a young child, working, trying to stay super fit, dating, maintaining awesome friendships and doing all the other life things like grocery shopping. There were days I felt like I was taking hit after hit and I’m proud to say that I got up every single time. I definitely have more grey hairs, but I also have more smile lines around my eyes which is my reminder that I’m navigating this bumpy road with a positive mindset and lots and lots of laughter.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Valentine Care?
Valentine Care provides acupuncture, herbs, cupping, tuina (which is a form of Asian bodywork), and cosmetic acupuncture/microneedling. There’s also intimacy coaching available for people looking to build a better relationship with themselves or their partner(s). What tends to set this business apart is the deep connection built between client and practitioner. Dr. Jenna Valentine is the owner and primary practitioner at Valentine Care and, with a last name like that, is obviously obsessed with hearts. Brand-wise, it is so fun to have hearts all over the place. When we say ‘healing with love’ we mean it and the rapport built between client and practitioner is paramount.
My hope is that readers know that this is a place that will offer you a deep space for true holistic wellness. You will be supported and cheered on. You will never be judged. All of you is welcome here. It will be serious healing, but we will make it fun. I also want readers to know that this is a safe space- all races/ethnicities, all sexual orientations, all religions are welcome with open arms. I also want readers to know that the wellness work will be a partnership: I may know more about Chinese medicine, but you know more about your body and we will work together to form a highly individualized treatment plan.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
This is such a great question. For me, success means that I was able to make other people’s lives better. I love helping people and being of service. I also feel successful when I feel free: I want to have enough money to do the things I love, I want to control my work schedule and have plenty of time for non-work things, I want to practice what I preach and live a life filled with self-care and self-love. Success means that I am living in alignment with my truest authentic self. Every morning before I open my eyes, I do a quick scan of my emotional state and then I set two intentions for how I’d like to be that day. It feels like success when I wake up almost every morning feeling deeply content with who I am in this world.
Contact Info:
- Email: valentinecarewellness@gmail.com
- Website: www.valentinecare.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/valentinecarewellness
- Facebook: facebook.com/ValentineCareWellness
Image Credits
Jarod Kennedy
