Steve Byers
Clinical Herbalist, IFS Practitioner

I am a Clinical Herbalist and live in Waldo County, Maine. Since the age of 10, I have been curious about the healing powers of plants. I have been in private practice as a Clinical Herbalist since 2014.  

I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS)- Practitioner. I have had the amazing opportunity to learn about IFS through my own healing work with an IFS therapist. I have completed the Foundations IFS training and IFS Level 1 training.

I have long been fascinated and intrigued by the intersection of psychology, herbal medicine, and spirituality.  Is there a medicinal plant for every disease? Can mental illness and trauma be healed? What happens if we stop pathologizing and start understanding the origins and nature of our conditions?  How do my spiritual beliefs and practices influence my health and healing? 

I offer space and presence to you through your own journey with IFS because I believe that this model offers more than just change on one level. I believe, and others have experienced, that IFS can transform not only internally but externally as well. Personal relationships and culture can shift when we do our own healing work.

I know that it can be scary to consider doing your own inner work, especially when models or people that you have worked with in the past may have not been what you hoped they would be, and possibly were even more damaging. 

I get that. IFS offers the possibility of a healing that moves at your own pace, without pushing, digging, or agendas. My practice is founded on a spirit of calm, non-judgmental support. Nurturing trust, inviting curiosity, and allowing spaciousness promote a healthy container for our time together. 

Integrative herbalism and IFS held with care offer you an especially innovative and holistic model of care. It is up to you if you would like use the time to focus on either herbal protocols, IFS coaching, or both. Generally it is helpful to pick one approach first for people new to this kind of work.

I look forward to connecting with you and am honored to be a part of your journey.

My Background:

BA Psychology from Gordon College
The beginning of my fascination with the intersections of psychology, herbal medicine, and spirituality. Gordon College is a Christian liberal arts school that encouraged me to merge my faith with my study of healing. I also worked in Cairo, Egypt for a year exploring interfaith dialogues with Coptic Christians and Muslims.

I have also worked in the mental health field supporting children and adults in residential and summer camp programs. Nature-based healing is an area of interest that is emerging in my work.

Integrative Herbalism
Since 2009, my journey into herbal medicine studies led me to meet many amazing plants, teachers, and clients. I completed trainings with Gail Faith Edwards in Maine, David Winston's Center for Herbal Studies, and the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. I integrate the models of Western herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine to understand the human health conditions. I gather information from our conversations and practice the traditional arts of nail, facial, tongue, and pulse analysis. 

Homesteading
My family and I raise chickens, ducks, and other animals, grow gardens and care for fruiting perennials on our land in Midcoast Maine.  With the intention of living more simply, celebrating meaning through meaningful work, and enjoying our relationships with each other, our neighbors, and all that we tend to on the land. We enjoy finding the joy in the new and the mundane as well as experiencing the full circle of life and death in our food and plant medicine systems. Its a good time!