Katie has a passion for health and people; she works with helping people create sustainable health for themselves and for their families. Treatments use combined approach to health: mental and emotional wellness, helping people manage the challenges they face daily. Nutrition and mental health impact us all, families, parents, children, and individuals. HartsSpace is a place where understanding and healing can happen from the inside out!

Training /Approach

Katie’s academic background began at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science and Theater.

Years later, after many personal adventures and life experiences, she obtained a Master’s degree from Bastyr University, MSNCHP, in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology.

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Katie’s training encompasses a mind, body, spirit approach to mental health and nutrition. She believes that the power of nutrition and therapy can heal a person. Her background and passions have driven her to create a clinic where a person may grow using their own intuition and cultivating healing from a place within their own resources. She sees people as their own expert and uses techniques and tools to help people to better understand and create the change they desire.  Her unique approaches have helped many create sustainable change. Children also find a friendly space for healing, and a place to be seen using play. 

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Her goal is to make a mark on the health and nutrition climate working with patients to find better ways to manage their bodies, minds and spirits. She strongly believes that our systems and our beings are connected, and we cannot fully treat our wellness without taking into account all the aspects of a person's life!

For this reason she chose to create a practice model combining Functional Medicine Nutrition and Mental Health. This was the beginning of HartsSpace. Since 2008, she has seen a need for a farther-reaching approach for patients. In addition to one-on-one provider support, there is a deep missing need for interconnection with people and their health pursuits. We can do better when we are seen, heard, and accepted on our journeys; we thrive in community and also weather the struggles better.  

In 2022, in collaboration, HartsSpace launched Live Well, Eat Well and Be Well a FREE accountability group for wellness, and its add-on components of trainings, retreats, provider and peer support.

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"I vision the world and the people in the world like plants. What was put on this earth is here to nourish us mentally and emotionally. When we find the proper balance of nutrients to thrive, mental and emotional wellness and mindful approaches to balance we sustain ourselves we are in full bloom. Children too can blossom when given the nutrients and tools for success. Sustainable health is the key to future generations of better health.”

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• Expert Nutritionist and Mental Health Therapist - Katie is a specialist in both nutrition and mental health therapy, offering a comprehensive approach to healing that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit.

• Harnessing the Power of Nutrition and Therapy: Katie firmly believes in the transformative potential of combining nutrition and therapy, advocating for their synergistic effects in promoting overall well-being.

• Empowering Self-Healing: Katie facilitates a space where individuals tap into their intuition and inner resources to cultivate their own growth and healing, recognizing that true healing comes from within.

• Client-Centered Approach, (Psychodynamic and CBT skills)  Katie sees each person as their own expert, guiding them with techniques and tools to understand themselves better and facilitate the change they desire.

• Catalyst for Sustainable Change and Better Health:  Through her unique methodologies, Katie has empowered many to create lasting changes in their lives, fostering long-term wellness.

• Transformating the Health and Nutrition Landscape: Katie's mission is to revolutionize the health and nutrition landscape, partnering with patients, providers and teams to discover effective ways to manage their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

• Interconnected Wellness Advocacy: Recognizing the intricate connection between systems and beings, Katie emphasizes the importance of addressing all aspects of a person's life for comprehensive wellness.

• Community Building and Group Support: Katie assists individuals in finding community and support through groups, retreats, and holistic approaches that cater to the whole person they are.

•  Navigating Eating Confusion: Katie helps individuals navigate the complexities of eating, including chronic health conditions, metabolic problems, performance nutrition, and nutrition for longevity and stress management.

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Functional Nutritionist and Mind-Body Health Specialist

Michelle Benson is a certified nutritionist, functional medicine nutritionist, and mind-body eating coach who is passionate about helping individuals discover personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies that align with their unique needs and goals. She specializes in supporting metabolism and body composition shifts, optimizing blood sugar regulation, and tailoring nutrition for exercise, fitness, mood, and brain health. She also has a particular interest in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum wellness, and family nutrition.

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With a deep appreciation for biochemistry, neurobiology, and individual differences, Michelle integrates functional medicine principles with a compassionate understanding of eating psychology. She considers each patient’s unique biochemistry, history, current stressors, and preferences to craft plans that empower rather than restrict. Michelle’s one-on-one sessions—offered both in-person and virtually—provide a collaborative space for exploring these facets, while her group programs, workshops, and retreats create community-driven opportunities for learning and growth.

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Michelle is committed to making wellness accessible and sustainable. She facilitates local Walk and Talks to encourage connection and movement, leads workshops to demystify nutrition science, and helps organize retreats that foster self-discovery and holistic healing. Her approach combines evidence-based strategies with personalized care, ensuring that each client receives actionable insights and support tailored to their individual journey.

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After earning her Eating Psychology Certification in 2014, Michelle pursued advanced studies to deepen her expertise. She completed her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States in 2022. This foundation, coupled with over a decade of experience in the nutrition and wellness field, has shaped her practice at HartsSpace, where she has been a dedicated team member since 2013.

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Michelle’s areas of focus include:

• Metabolism and Body Composition: Supporting individuals in enhancing muscle health, metabolic flexibility, and overall energy through tailored diet and exercise strategies.

• Blood Sugar Regulation and Metabolic Health: Using functional medicine approaches to improve lab markers, increase energy, and stabilize moods.

• Mood and Brain Health: Addressing neurotransmitter imbalances with neuro-nutrient therapy and dietary interventions to support mental clarity and emotional resilience.

• Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Nutrition: Guiding women through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery with personalized care.

• Eating Psychology and Food Behaviors: Helping clients understand their relationship with food and transform eating behaviors, such as emotional or compulsive eating, through mind-body nutrition techniques.

• Family Nutrition: Empowering families to cultivate healthy eating habits and enjoy balanced, nourishing meals.

• Group and Community Support: Creating spaces for connection, accountability, and shared learning through group programs, workshops, and retreats.​

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“My mission is to foster a healthy dialogue between the mind and body by addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of health. In today’s world of conflicting nutrition advice and increasing stress, it’s easy to lose sight of how to truly nurture ourselves. I aim to guide individuals toward nourishment and balance, helping them feel energized, clear-minded, and authentically connected to their best selves.”

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Whether through one-on-one coaching, group support, or community events, Michelle is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to thrive in body and mind.

Functional Nutritionist and Women’s Health Expert,
specializing in hormone balance and disordered eating.