Turtle, Susanna Niveen Farahat, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Oregon. Prior to pursuing a career in natural medicine, Turtle studied Sociology at Bryn Mawr College and worked as an environmental and peace educator for young people. In 2014, Turtle completed their Master’s of Science in East Asian Medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine. After being licensed, Turtle spent a year in residency at NUNM, and continues to teach there as a member of the adjunct faculty. Turtle feels honored to have been in practice at Seven Circles Natural Medicine for nine years, until the clinic’s closure in late 2024. They are delighted to be joining the Be Well team.

Turtle is grateful for so many wonderful teachers in their life! Their practice is strongly influenced by the teachings of the Shen-Hammer pulse lineage and the Jian jing gong qigong lineage, and their studies of interpersonal neurobiology as taught by Bonnie Badenoch. Turtle initially studied craniosacral therapy at Moving Mountain Institute, and currently studies biodynamic craniosacral therapy at the Colorado School of Energy Studies. 

• Gentle acupuncture 
• Qigong 
• Craniosacral
• Herbology 

Turtle practices medicine largely because they delight in hearing people’s stories and supporting others to live rich, engaged lives. Turtle believes that natural medicine offers us the chance to renegotiate our responses to life’s challenges, and to see health and dis-ease as parts of the human experience. In addition to gentle acupuncture, Turtle uses bodywork, Chinese herbs, and qigong in their practice. Turtle believes that each needle, each herb, each moment that we spend in contact, has the power to facilitate the restoration of balance within, and to help us move toward greater wholeness. 

When Turtle isn’t in clinic, they are practicing qigong, sharing time with their beloveds, singing with Portland’s Threshold Singers, participating in the SWANA community, reading YA fiction, and being outdoors as much as possible.