Dr. Camille Hougardy

Hi, I’m Dr. Camille

My goal is to support my patients so they can wake up each day feeling present, excited, and resilient, and go to bed with a sense that their life has been fully lived.

I specialize in helping people who want to understand and support the natural wisdom of their bodies. I work best with patients who prioritize long-term health over short-term symptom management and value the establishment of healthy habits.

As someone who can be a perfectionist at times, I strongly believe in the cultivation of self-compassion and gentleness with one’s self, as a necessity for well-being.

My favorite conditions to treat are:

• Anxiety and depression
• Allergies
• Insomnia
• Digestive issues
• Migraines
• Thyroid conditions

Dr. Camille also provides biofeedback.

Fun things about me:

In my free time, I enjoy crocheting and spending time outdoors, ideally in my garden or on a kayak. I love the water but I’m a terrible swimmer so the kayak is a happy medium.

I grew up in a family of avid card players. Cribbage is my favorite, I have a cribbage board on (almost) every table in my house!

My cats, Roy and Perry, hold a large piece of my heart.

I can’t put down a good book once I’ve started it. I’ve been known to stay up all night reading.

Educational Background

I attended the University of Portland and earned a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. I received my doctorate in naturopathic medicine and masters in acupuncture at Bastyr University.

While at Bastyr, I took additional training in biofeedback and craniosacral therapy. I have also received extra education in trigger point acupuncture and 5 element acupuncture.

My Story

My passion for naturopathic medicine and acupuncture is rooted in the understanding that humans are complex, multifaceted, and intimately connected with nature and I believe their healthcare should embrace and support these qualities.

Our relationship to our bodies and ourselves naturally evolves as we go through life. It can be challenging to navigate these changes without support, as they can leave us feeling discouraged and anxious about the future and our health.

I know how that feels.

In my sophomore year of high school I tore a ligament in my knee playing soccer. I vividly remember the orthopedic surgeon telling me that if I wanted any hope of not developing osteoarthritis in my 30s, my soccer career was over.

I was heartbroken and felt lost, like a large part of my identity was gone with just a few nonchalant words.

My confidence in myself was shaken because I’d never had to question my body’s ability to do the things I wanted it to.

Through the recovery process, I felt discouraged and struggled to hold compassion for myself.

I was impatient and wanted to get back to my life. I had no idea what to expect in terms of healing as this was the first major health concern I’d had and the doctors gave me very little guidance.

I started physical therapy and noticed that after a few months my knee function improved and I felt stronger and more aware of my body than I had before the surgery.

In a sense, I felt better than I had before the injury because I understood more about myself and I started to seriously consider a career in healthcare.

To get experience in the field I worked for a care facility that provided services for adults with disabilities.

I became very close to my clients over time, and through building those relationships I learned the value of time and connection in medicine.

I also witnessed the shortcomings of the allopathic medical system—patients feeling unheard, doctors neglecting follow-up care.

I also witnessed the shortcomings of the allopathic medical system – patients constantly felt unheard and rushed through their appointments. If their concern had been deemed “fine” by a doctor, they weren’t allowed follow up care.

I felt frustrated and let down by how the healthcare system treated people I cared about and I recognized the impact that I could potentially have as a doctor with a different perspective.

I went back to school in the fall of my junior year focused on becoming one of those doctors.

However, a microbiology class exposed the profit-driven influence of Big Pharma in our healthcare system and that crushed the last piece of me that wanted to work in conventional medicine. I just couldn’t stomach the way the system was rigged for profit over people at every turn.

In the midst of feeling lost about my career choice I ended up googling naturopathic medicine on the recommendation of a family member (I’m totally serious) and I had an epiphany.

THIS was the medicine I was looking for. I could learn to provide compassionate, personalized care for my patients and work within a system that allowed me to do that.

All of these experiences culminated in my decision to attend Bastyr University where I studied Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture.