About Dr. Katie

I love being called Dr. Katie.

And many friends call me that even outside the office!

I practice Integrative Medicine, combining traditional Western medicine with evidence-based complementary modalities. I help patients heal naturally with acupuncture, mind-body medicine, botanical medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization. My practice is at Wellness Insights in Darien, Connecticut.

Originally from the farmlands of northwest Ohio, I saw Family Medicine modeled from a young age. My mentors practiced the biopsychosocial model of patient care, emphasizing the harmony of the mind, body, and spirit. I went on to attend the University of Michigan, where my world was opened up to combining business and medicine. 

I continued my studies back in Ohio at Wright State University, where I graduated with my M.D. and M.B.A. I wanted a change of pace for residency and decided to experience urban Family Medicine at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian, where I honed my leadership skills as Chief Resident.

Residency was a tough time of life for me. The hours were long, and my self-care was lacking. In hindsight, I was not eating well, moving enough, sleeping enough, or attending to my spiritual self.

After injuring my knee running a half marathon, I found that I could no longer run without pain. This basically ended my super-efficient workout of jogging around the reservoir in Central Park. I began to search for exercise alternatives.

That’s when I truly found yoga. I had done yoga in college, but this experience was different. I figured out how to slow my busy mind by focusing on my breath and movement. I started packing my lunch and taking more care with my nutrition. And then my personal Family Medicine doctor recommended I receive acupuncture for stress management and my desire to become pregnant.

Lying on the acupuncture table I thought, “I have to figure out a way to share this experience with my patients!” I had found my professional passion!

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Following my fellowship in Integrative Medicine, I joined the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness in Stamford, and then opened my private practice in Darien called Wellness Insights.

In my current roles, I am a champion of women’s health. My areas of interest include holistic approaches to perimenopause, fertility, pregnancy-related conditions, and pain management for a variety of conditions from migraine headaches to irritable bowel syndrome. I treat the whole patient: mind, body and spirit.

I practice what I preach. For my own wellbeing, I practice yoga and meditation regularly. I take time every day to move my body. I am an avid cook and enjoy experimenting with plant-forward cuisine. Most of all, I love being with other people who bring me joy, especially my husband and two sons.

Work with Me

I am accepting new Wellness Insights clients for my unique spin on integrative wellness doctoring.

Experience

2022-present Founder and Medical Director of Wellness Insights, a collaborative for healing in Darien, CT

2012- 2022 Integrative Medicine Physician at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness at Stamford Hospital, CT

  • Director of the Chronic Pelvic Pain Program

  • Chair of the Physician Leadership Academy Book Club

2012 - present Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian

Education

  • State University of New York Downstate Medical Center: medical acupuncture training

  • Stamford Hospital and University of Arizona: Integrative Medicine fellowship

  • Columbia University/New York Presbyterian: Family Medicine residency, Chief Resident

  • Wright State University: combined M.D./M.B.A. program

  • University of Michigan: Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

Board Certification and Licensing

  • Board certified in Family Medicine

  • Licensed in acupuncture

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Books

  • Plants First: A Physician’s Guide to Wellness Through a Plant-Forward Diet by Dr. Katie Takayasu

  • Contributed chapter to The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia by Shelby Harris, PsyD

Awards

  • Stamford Hospital’s peer-nominated Physician of the Quarter in 2017

  • Doctor of Distinction Female Trailblazer by the Fairfield County Business Journal in May 2018

Community involvement

  • Mothers for Others, board memeber

  • Darien Fire Foundation, board member

Media Appearances

The views expressed on this website are mine and not reflective of affiliated external parties. Information presented here is meant as a resource, not for diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. I encourage you to see your health care professionals to discuss your health.

Explore the Dr. Katie Approach

  • Integrative Medicine

    Combine mainstream & evidence-based complementary medicine with a balanced lifestyle.

    A Wellness Lifestyle →

  • Food

    What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

    Food Philosophy →

  • Movement

    Gentle exercise is a key to successful stress management. 20-30 minutes per day can be as effective as medication.

    Manage Stress →

  • Rest

    Sleep recharges and heals us. Make time for adequate rest and see almost every area of your life better.

    Sleep Well →

  • Spirituality

    All of us have an innate need to be connected our Inner Self. Learn about Dr. Katie's philosophy on attending to the Self.

    Go inward →