Holistic lifestyle medicine from the comfort of your own home.
Dr. Benjamin and Susanna Alter blend Naturopathic Medicine with Spiritual Psychology to provide a holistic healing experience for the whole family.
After falling from my skateboard and landing in the emergency room at age 12, I knew I was going to be a doctor. Despite the pain, I was amazed by the physical mechanics of healing. 10 years later, another broken wrist led to further healing and transformation. After flying over the handlebars of my mountain bike, my right hand was immobilized for 2 months. My right-hand dominant, left-brained, scientific and analytical self was suddenly struck with creative inspiration. Still on course to be a doctor, my path took a drastic turn.
Upon completion of my degree in human physiology from The University of Arizona, I moved abroad to Hungary to work on a research project investigating brain cancer genomics. While away, frequent illness led to great self-awareness. I realized it wasn't food or water that was making me sick, nor any other pathogen. A stroke of insight led me to discovery that it something much deeper – I felt homesick. I began a daily meditation and centering practice. Through taking dominion over thoughts and inner experiences I was able to shift my outer experience. Amazed by this experience of the mind-body connection, my course to become a healer was forever changed.
Upon returning to the US, I began a Master’s of Arts in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. Through deep inner work of identifying, owning, loving and forgiving all aspects and experiences, a new definition for healing was formed. This ever-present transformation continues to mold my day-to-day life, while also intimately informing my approach to medicine. Since entering into the field of Naturopathic Medicine, I have been devoted to the preservation of traditional healing modalities that call upon the body’s innate self-healing ability. I believe that each individual is truly their own healer. My role is to provide support as a teacher, also offering the most gentle and effective medicines as possible.
When not with patients or keeping up to speed with the latest health trends, I love staying active in any number of ways. Whether cycling, doing yoga, hiking, or jumping around in his daily high intensity interval training, he loves to nourish his most with mindful movement. I work to balance my energetic ways with more restorative activities such as writing and a daily meditation practice. We mustn’t overlook my most profound joy, spending time with my beloved partner Susanna, an emerging Naturopathic Doctor herself. We enjoy getting dirty in any organic garden, preparing plant-based cuisine, and doing anything outdoors. We believe our relationship itself also presents the grounds for immense healing, growth, and loving.
