Our Mission
The mission of Fernwood Holistic Health is to provide people-centered health care and wellness services, where people come before profits. We provide alternative and complementary healthcare options and wellness services that can be used alone, or in combination with conventional medicine. Your wellbeing is always our highest priority, and we aim to provide the highest quality, advanced medicine and wellness services based on science, research, and proven traditional methods. We create collaborative partnership relationships with our patients and clients, providing support, guidance, and education to empower each individual to be responsible for their health, to improve their healthcare outcomes and quality of life. Our goal for every person is radiant health and wellbeing from the inside out!
Dana Krete, ND, LAc
Dr. Krete earned her Bachelor’s in Science, with a major in psychology and double minor in biology and sociology, while completing her pre-medical education as a division 1 scholarship athlete at Eastern Michigan University. With a passionate interest in health, wellness, nutrition, and the bio-psycho-social model of health and disease, she went on to complete a 7 year post-graduate education, earning a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Masters of Acupuncture at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2009. She has practiced in Connecticut for over 10 years since completing her post graduate studies, including spending 7 years as acupuncturist at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine department. She continues to attend Integrative Medicine meetings at Middlesex where she is part of a panel helping educate Middlesex Hospital Integrative Medicine residents. As a Naturopathic Physician and licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Krete uses a multidisciplinary approach to treatment including acupuncture, Chinese and Western herbs, homeopathy, nutritional supplements, lifestyle counseling, and nutritional counseling. Staying true to the roots of both Chinese and Naturopathic medicine, every patient is treated as a whole person and as an individual. She enjoys treating patients of all ages and, as a mother of two, she is very happy to see children in her practice.
Dr. Krete has experience treating a vast array of medical conditions. She has a particular interest in treating digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances including PMS, PCOS, peri-menopause and menopause, fatigue, chronic fatigue, chronic lyme and tick born disease, mold toxicity, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, depression and insomnia, and also musculoskeletal pain including sciatica, low back and neck pain.
Dr. Krete is the founder of Fernwood Holistic Health. She was voted onto the Top Doctor list as top acupuncturist in her area in 2019.
When not practicing naturopathic medicine and acupuncture, Dr. Krete can be found spending time with her family, attending their sporting events, running with her dog Fern, or at a yoga class.
Dr. Krete is taking a limited amount of new naturopath (only) patients at this time. Please call the office to book.
Alicia DeMartin, LAc
A Connecticut native, Alicia DeMartin has been in practice for over 13 years. Alicia earned a BS from the University of Vermont in 1995 and a MS in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado in 2007. Alicia was in private practice in Eagle, Colorado for six years and has practiced in Connecticut since 2013. In her free time she enjoys reading, downhill and xc skiing, learning to sail, travel abroad and exploring New England.
Alicia has undergone advanced postgraduate training in pain management and orthopedics as well as certification in NeuroAcupuncture from the Neuroacupuncture Institute (NAI) in Santa Fe New Mexico.
NeuroAcupuncture is an advanced, evidence-based, contemporary acupuncture technique. NeuroAcupuncture integrates traditional Chinese needling methods with Western medical knowledge of neurology, neuroscience, and neurological rehabilitation. Sterile, single-use needles are placed on the scalp over corresponding regions of the brain to stimulate underlying neural pathways. The technique is well tolerated by patients, often producing remarkable results with just a few needles.
NeuroAcupuncture is very effective in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, central nervous system and psycho-emotional disorders including: PTSD, ADHD, anxiety & depression, concussion and TBI, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy, essential tremor, post-stroke recovery.
Beth Jezyk, LMT
Beth is a Licensed Massage Therapist practicing since 2001 and Graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Newington, Ct. Beth is a massage therapist who believes in the healing power of massage and holistic health. Because no two bodies are alike, Beth’s approach is specifically tailored to fit the needs of each individual client. Beth’s massage practice is heavily influenced by Ayurvedic Medicine. Ayurvedic massage is designed to create balance among the mind, body, and spirit, and help the body heal itself. Incorporating warm herb essential oils, as well as time-honored and non-traditional strokes and kneading that suit an individual’s needs.
Along with her Ayurvedic and Eastern Therapy practices, Beth also specializes in the treatment of chronic neck pain, migraines, and upper body discomfort. She incorporates a variety of Eastern Medicine techniques such as Chinese Cupping, Gua Sha, Reiki and Marma Point Therapy. Beth additionally practices; CranioSacral Therapy, Prenatal Massage and Western Herbalism. Beth envisions a modern, fair, just, and accessible healthcare system that fully integrates the wisdom and knowledge embodied in holistic approaches to physical, mental, spiritual, and community wellness. See Beth’s specific list of incredible massage therapies on our Services page.
Abby Valletta, LMT
Abby is a licensed bodyworker who graduated from the American Institute for Alternative Medicine in 2017. Her work largely consists of neuromuscular therapies, nervous system regulation and Visionary Craniosacral Work.
As a BodyMind Coach, bodyworker and movement professional, Abby has spent the last 8 years understanding the mind-body connection. She helps people speak the language of their bodies and understand how what happens outside of us, shows up inside of us. She uses intuitive touch and guidance to help you release the emotional and physical pains that are stuck within the body.
Her work looks a bit different than traditional massage but can be helpful in aiding chronic pain, unresolved trauma, hip & back problems, jaw tension, post-natal and c-section recovery and overall “stuckness” in the body.
Abby had a private practice prior to the pandemic and is excited to join the Fernwood team!
Rebecca Terry, Licensed Esthetician
Becky is a Licensed Esthetician and Aesthetic Specialist with 28 years of experience servicing the Connecticut Shoreline. She started her career as a licensed hairstylist and makeup artist decades ago, but her passion for health, wellness, and inner beauty inspired her to further her education. As a professional, she is dedicated and committed to providing each unique client with the highest integrity of services, innovative practices and superior clean and organic products to help each clients skin replenish, refresh and rejuvenate naturally. With safe, effective, and individualized therapeutic skincare and treatments such as LED Light Therapy, Micro Current Therapy, clinical peels, hydra-dermabrasion, and regular facials, her clients achieve unmatched results for all their unique skincare needs.
Becky’s career and extensive experience have given her a perfect platform to assess each individual, develop a thorough understanding of each client’s needs, and in turn educate clients on how to achieve their skincare goals, and apply the most effective treatments. Becky uses techniques that work on the cellular level, bringing deep healing, and creating balance and harmony for healthy, radiant skin. Her services at Fernwood Holistic Health help each client achieve vibrant health from the inside out!
A complimentary 15 minute consultation will be provided upon request.
Sara Jeffs, NBC-HWC, Certified Light Therapy Specialist
Sara Jeffs earned her Bachelor’s in Science degree at the University of Nottingham, UK in Physical Therapy and owned a successful Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic for eight years, treating a variety of clients with both acute and chronic conditions, including elite athletes, across a wide range of settings. In her search for holistic and non-invasive treatment, she came across Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Red Light Therapy, and its powerful healing effects and strong evidence-based research. She has specialized in this treatment method for over twelve years, and has had incredible success in reducing pain, inflammation, and improving circulation for a variety of health conditions.
Sara is also a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and has dual coaching certifications with Wellcoaches and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She collaborates closely with clients to reach their wellness goals, including stress management, emotional well-being, weight management, and navigating life changes. She is passionate about holistic health and all of its components-physical, mental, and emotional, and believes that anyone can reach their wellness goals with the right support. Other services she provides include guided meditation, mindfulness, breath work instruction, and journaling for healing and self-discovery workshops.
Outside of work, Sara loves spending time with her family and dog Obi, running, writing about mental health and healing, and going for walks at the ocean.
Sarah Rotella, LMT, Certified Frequency Specific Microcurrent Practitioner
Sarah Rotella, a licensed Manual therapist, Shamanic practitioner, medical intuitive, Energy medicine healer, and Spiritual mentor, has over 35 years of working in the fields of Spiritual Alchemy, energy, vibrational, frequency and physical healing. She holds numerous certifications in advanced studies, and is a current practicing student of Bio geometry, and informally studies German new medicine. She also keeps current with her formal, and informal studies, through ongoing forums and study groups.
Sarah’s current areas of focus and passion are calibrating the physical and spiritual wiring system through the heart-brain-somatic systems relationship. She is proficient in correlating the systems, rhythms, and structures of the physical and spiritual connections of the whole person, in response to trauma, accidents/injuries, somatic and ancestral healing. She artfully and intuitively integrates both indigenous and modern-day technologies, to unlock core wounding, allowing the innate wisdom of the being to reconnect, recalibrate, heal, and transcend, with a greater purpose to access the soul self and consciousness. She is also an experienced mentor and teacher of the alchemical process of healing, through her own lifelong journey, intuitive channeling, and current consciousness.
Sarah offers sessions in whole body and being Calibration, Holistic Reflexology, Advanced Lymphatic Drainage Techniques, and Brain-body Flow (see our Services page for more detailed information).
Sylvia Musial, Holistic Manager
Sylvia started out in the beauty and wellness industry back in 2014. After completing 600 hours and graduating from Marinello Beauty School she became a licensed esthetician in the state of Rhode Island. From there she started her career at the well known G Spa and Salon in the Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino. After a few years she wanted to grow even more into the wellness industry and expanded into front desk manager at Prive Swiss Wellness for the past 2 years.
“Dr Krete has been a big part of my journey into self discovery. While working with her I found myself eating better foods, and focusing on my own health and well being. Getting my anxiety under control has changed my life for the better, and working in a space that you feel comfortable in can do wonders to your mental health. I could not turn down the opportunity of continuing to work with Dr Krete and helping take care of her patients in her new practice. The Future Is Bright! I am looking forward to every milestone we take here at Fernwood Holistic Health.”
Our Name
How did Fernwood Holistic Health get its name?
When I began to think of a name for the business I had a few ideas, which my 11-year-old daughter promptly rejected, saying they were “boring and impersonal”. I was smart enough to realize she was right, but my creative juices weren’t providing me with any ideas I really connected with. My daughter suggested using our dog’s name in the title somehow. A few years ago our beloved golden retriever, Rosie, passed away at the age of 10. As any “dog person” will relate to, this was a difficult time for our family.
We decided to start looking for a rescue right away. We thought we’d like to use the name of a plant or botanical again for our next dog, and as we were searching we found a puppy who looked like a great match, and her name just happened to be Fern! It seemed meant to be, and we ended up adopting her at 3 months of age. Only after we adopted her, did we think of the fact that my husband’s father owned and operated a restaurant in Hartford called The Fernwood, which opened in the 1960s. When he passed away he left the restaurant to his employees, and the restaurant continues to run to this day. It seemed like another sign that Fern really was the dog for us!
We all liked the idea of Fern’s name being in the title but thought a one-word syllable didn’t have a good ring to it. I’m not sure who in the family came up with the idea for using the name Fernwood for the clinic, but we all liked the personal connection to the name. Friends and family I ran the name by, along with a few other options for the name, all unanimously connected with Fernwood. There’s love and connection in our name, and love and connection in everything we do at Fernwood Holistic Health. We’re sure you’ll feel that as a patient as we help you along your journey to health!
