About Dr. Katie
I love being called Dr. Katie.
And many friends call me that even outside the office!
I practice Integrative Medicine, combining traditional Western medicine with evidence-based complementary modalities. I help patients heal naturally with acupuncture, mind-body medicine, botanical medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization. My practice is at Wellness Insights in Darien, Connecticut.
Originally from the farmlands of northwest Ohio, I saw Family Medicine modeled from a young age. My mentors practiced the biopsychosocial model of patient care, emphasizing the harmony of the mind, body, and spirit. I went on to attend the University of Michigan, where my world was opened up to combining business and medicine.
I continued my studies back in Ohio at Wright State University, where I graduated with my M.D. and M.B.A. I wanted a change of pace for residency and decided to experience urban Family Medicine at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian, where I honed my leadership skills as Chief Resident.
Residency was a tough time of life for me. The hours were long, and my self-care was lacking. In hindsight, I was not eating well, moving enough, sleeping enough, or attending to my spiritual self.
After injuring my knee running a half marathon, I found that I could no longer run without pain. This basically ended my super-efficient workout of jogging around the reservoir in Central Park. I began to search for exercise alternatives.
That’s when I truly found yoga. I had done yoga in college, but this experience was different. I figured out how to slow my busy mind by focusing on my breath and movement. I started packing my lunch and taking more care with my nutrition. And then my personal Family Medicine doctor recommended I receive acupuncture for stress management and my desire to become pregnant.
Lying on the acupuncture table I thought, “I have to figure out a way to share this experience with my patients!” I had found my professional passion!
Following my fellowship in Integrative Medicine, I joined the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness in Stamford, and then opened my private practice in Darien called Wellness Insights.
In my current roles, I am a champion of women’s health. My areas of interest include holistic approaches to perimenopause, fertility, pregnancy-related conditions, and pain management for a variety of conditions from migraine headaches to irritable bowel syndrome. I treat the whole patient: mind, body and spirit.
I practice what I preach. For my own wellbeing, I practice yoga and meditation regularly. I take time every day to move my body. I am an avid cook and enjoy experimenting with plant-forward cuisine. Most of all, I love being with other people who bring me joy, especially my husband and two sons.
Work with Me
I am accepting new Wellness Insights clients for my unique spin on integrative wellness doctoring.
Experience
2022-present Founder and Medical Director of Wellness Insights, a collaborative for healing in Darien, CT
2012- 2022 Integrative Medicine Physician at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness at Stamford Hospital, CT
Director of the Chronic Pelvic Pain Program
Chair of the Physician Leadership Academy Book Club
2012 - present Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian
Education
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center: medical acupuncture training
Stamford Hospital and University of Arizona: Integrative Medicine fellowship
Columbia University/New York Presbyterian: Family Medicine residency, Chief Resident
Wright State University: combined M.D./M.B.A. program
University of Michigan: Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
Board Certification and Licensing
Board certified in Family Medicine
Licensed in acupuncture
Books
Plants First: A Physician’s Guide to Wellness Through a Plant-Forward Diet by Dr. Katie Takayasu
Contributed chapter to The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia by Shelby Harris, PsyD
Awards
Stamford Hospital’s peer-nominated Physician of the Quarter in 2017
Doctor of Distinction Female Trailblazer by the Fairfield County Business Journal in May 2018
Community involvement
Mothers for Others, board memeber
Darien Fire Foundation, board member
Media Appearances
CPTV (PBS Hartford, CT) “Life Lessons: Cancer Today and Beyond” October 2019
The views expressed on this website are mine and not reflective of affiliated external parties. Information presented here is meant as a resource, not for diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. I encourage you to see your health care professionals to discuss your health.
Explore the Dr. Katie Approach
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Integrative Medicine
Combine mainstream & evidence-based complementary medicine with a balanced lifestyle.
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Food
What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
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Movement
Gentle exercise is a key to successful stress management. 20-30 minutes per day can be as effective as medication.
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Rest
Sleep recharges and heals us. Make time for adequate rest and see almost every area of your life better.
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Spirituality
All of us have an innate need to be connected our Inner Self. Learn about Dr. Katie's philosophy on attending to the Self.
