Provider Spotlight: Shelese Pratt, ND
by Clinical Consulting Team
Dr. Shelese Pratt is a Naturopathic physician and an expert in neurology and complex medical conditions relating to metabolic disease. She uses functional medicine and her expertise in biochemistry (methylation) and physiology to help her patients get to the root cause of their symptoms through a strategic approach including nutrition (diet and nutritional supplements), botanicals, environmental medicine, classical homeopathy, and hydrotherapy.
She’s best known for her breakthrough results with complex cases like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Cerebral Palsy, PVL, Global Development Delay, Angelman Syndrome, learning difficulties (ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia), sensory processing disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, digestive system disorders/disease, endocrine disorders, autoimmune disease, and mood disorders.
DUTCH: What inspired you to become a healthcare practitioner?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: I decided to become a doctor after years of searching for quality health care. I know what it feels like to be sick and my providers couldn’t help me. I had life-threatening asthma in my early 20’s and recovered my health with naturopathic medicine. I want to serve those patients who are not able to get the health care they seek in a restrictive system.
DUTCH: What is your training?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: I studied naturopathic medicine and built my clinic with the ultimate goal of improving patient’s health and quality of life. I graduated in 2004 from the National University of Natural Medicine. I became a Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) doctor in 2008 and specialized in using functional medicine to treat my patients.
DUTCH: Describe your medical background/ practice?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: My practice and clinic are focused on neurology and complex medical conditions relating to metabolic disease. I use functional medicine and my expertise in biochemistry (methylation) and physiology to help my patients get to the root cause of their symptoms through a strategic approach. The modalities (tools of my practice) I use in my practice are nutrition (diet and nutritional supplements), botanicals, environmental medicine, classical homeopathy, and hydrotherapy.
DUTCH: What other functional testing do you use in your practice?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: Other tests I use in my practice are Great Plains Labs Organic Acid Testing (OAT), MycoTOX, and GPL-TOX. I use Diagnostic Solutions GI Map. I use Strategene for genetic analysis. I use SpectraCell for intracellular nutrient levels. I also use Oura ring data with the DUTCH test to offer more specific recommendations for circadian rhythms. I use the TRI-test by Quicksilver labs for mercury testing.
DUTCH: How have you incorporated DUTCH Testing into your practice?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: I have really been able to get much more specific about my hormonal recommendations since using the DUTCH test. No other hormone test has this level of understanding around these hormone-related metabolic pathways. I love DUTCH and use it on many of my patients!
DUTCH: What are the changes you have seen in your patients and practice since incorporating the DUTCH Test
Dr. Shelese Pratt: I’ve been fortunate to have used the DUTCH test for years. I have much more specific recommendations to offer when I cross reference all the hormones together along with other data. I see patterns and can offer a strategic approach to treating complex metabolic pathways to restore health.
DUTCH: Where do you see functional/ integrative medicine 20 years from now?
Dr. Shelese Pratt: In 20 years, I hope that we have more specific data to support individualized medicine. Who knows, maybe AI will help us see more patterns to get to the root of disease. I hope we all still have a job!
DUTCH: What do you like to do outside of work
Dr. Shelese Pratt: I love to hike, ski, and be in nature with my family. I have 2 adorable dogs, a husband, and 5 wonderful children to keep me busy when I’m not working or speaking.
