New Integrative Medicine Practice Opens In Darien

DARIEN, CT — Wellness Insights, a collaboratively run private practice which aims to provide a patient-centered approach to wellness, has opened up in Darien at 745 Post Road.

Elected officials and members of the community gathered at the new business on Wednesday morning for an official ribbon-cutting. The practice opened its doors on Dec. 5.

The practice, which is owned by Dr. Katie Takayasu, a Darien resident, features nine health care professionals who offer:

• Integrative medicine
• Acupuncture
• Pediatric allergy consulting & food allergy prevention
• Energy healing
• Psychotherapy
• Health & wellness coaching
• Massage therapy
• Craniosacral therapy
• Pilates & core strength movement
• Guided meditation

Recognizing that one solution does not fit all, Takayasu said patients can receive a deeper level of care and connection.

"The whole idea is that you have a curated group of providers from many different backgrounds... to bring all of those people together under one roof so that when someone arrives, they really feel like they're being taken care of from top to bottom, and that they don't have to feel like another number or a cog in the wheel of a system," Takayasu said. "They'll have the opportunity for individualized, thoughtful care."

Takayasu is an MD and board-certified in family medicine with fellowship training in integrative medicine. She's the author of "Plants First: A Physician's Guide to Wellness Through a Plant-Forward Diet." She is also a speaker in the holistic health space.

Takayasu said she's excited to finally work in Darien — the town she calls home.

"Opening my own business in Darien where I live just means so much. My connection to the community is so much greater. I really feel like I'm doing good work in the community to bring health care providers and patients together who want an integrative, more holistic type of care," she said.

First Selectman Monica McNally was on-hand for Wednesday's ribbon-cutting.

"I think this is a terrific development for the town. I think this type of wellness offering will be very well-received by our residents. It's just terrific to see new people coming in," McNally said.

Darien Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kesti Aysseh was also in attendance to officially welcome the new business.

"The Chamber is always ready, and willing and happy to welcome new brick and mortars," Aysseh said. "I think wellness and insight into wellness, just like the title of Dr. Katie's business says, is where we're heading with our health. To have a leading doctor in our own community is really beneficial, and we're happy she chose Darien to run her business out of."

The collaborative at Wellness Insights is a fee-for-service model that is out-of-network with insurance.s Many patients are able to be reimbursed for services by submitting a "superbill" (an invoice with specific insurance coding) to their insurance provider.

In addition to Takayasu, the practice includes: Maria Allen, LMT; Hilary Clark, MT; Heather Dickinson, LCSW; Courtney Evans, NBC-HWC; Caitlin Gallagher, LCSW; Meaghan Hetherington, LCSW; Kristin Hueur Li, LCSW; and Julie Sweeney, MD.

For more information on Wellness Insights, go to their website and follow the practice on Instagram.

For more on Takayasu, follow her on Instagram and check out her personal website.