Restore Balance, Resilience & Vitality with Root-Cause Whole-Person Care in NYC
At Simplicity Health Associates in West Village, Dr. Ivy Branin, ND, and Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND, provide compassionate, evidence-based integrative medicine. We look beyond isolated symptoms to evaluate how stress, sleep architecture, gut-brain signaling, circadian biology, and environmental factors influence your physical and emotional well-being—empowering adults, adolescents, and children to thrive naturally. Explore our whole-body protocols or learn about our connected women's hormone services and digestive health care.
Authored and clinically reviewed by Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND (Graduate of National University of Natural Medicine) and Dr. Ivy Branin, ND (Graduate of Bastyr University).
The Root-Cause Difference: Whole-Person Integrative Medicine
Conventional medicine often compartmentalizes the body into separate specialties—referring insomnia to a sleep specialist, anxiety to a psychiatrist, fatigue to an endocrinologist, and skin issues to a dermatologist. However, the human body functions as a single, unified ecosystem.
When chronic psychological stress triggers elevated adrenal cortisol, it disrupts sleep architecture, weakens intestinal mucosal barriers, alters thyroid hormone conversion, and triggers systemic skin flare-ups. Masking symptoms with temporary sedatives or stimulant prescriptions fails to resolve the underlying biological breakdown.
At Simplicity Health Associates, we bridge the gap between rigorous diagnostic testing and natural therapeutics. We evaluate the nervous system, endocrine pathways, metabolic function, and environmental exposures simultaneously to restore true physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium.
Accredited Clinical Leadership & Credentials
As licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) trained at accredited medical doctorates—Bastyr University and the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM)—our integrative medicine protocols merge modern neurobiology with time-tested botanical and lifestyle therapeutics. We are active professional members of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP) and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).
Our Advanced Diagnostic & Functional Testing
To pinpoint the exact biological mechanisms behind chronic exhaustion, mood changes, sleep disturbances, or immune dysfunction, we order targeted functional diagnostics:
Adrenal & Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm Testing (DUTCH / Salivary Panels): Measures free cortisol and cortisone output across 4 key points of the day to evaluate HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis dysfunction, morning cortisol awakening response (CAR), and burnout.
Organic Acids Testing (OAT): Evaluates cellular mitochondrial energy production, neurotransmitter turnover (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine metabolites), vitamin cofactors, and detoxification capacity.
Comprehensive Micronutrient & Heavy Metal Screen: Screening cellular levels of key neuro-protective minerals (magnesium, zinc, selenium, lithium orotate), active B vitamins, vitamin D3, and toxic environmental burdens.
Comprehensive Thyroid, Metabolic & Inflammatory Panels: Measuring full thyroid panels (Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO/Tg antibodies), fasting insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine.
Conditions We Treat & Specialized Protocols
Insomnia & Sleep Architecture Restoration
Resolving difficulty falling asleep, middle-of-the-night waking, early morning anxiety, and unrefreshing sleep by addressing nighttime cortisol spikes, melatonin synthesis deficits, neurotransmitter imbalances, and circadian disruption without habit-forming sleep medications.
Targeted Support: Sleep-Onset Insomnia, Sleep Maintenance Insomnia, Circadian Rhythm Disruption, Post-Stress Sleep Fragmentation.
Anxiety, Depression & Stress Resilience (Gut-Brain Axis)
Restoring emotional equilibrium and cognitive clarity by targeting the gut-brain axis, vagus nerve signaling, neuroinflammation, and nutrient cofactors essential for serotonin and GABA synthesis.
Targeted Support: Generalized Anxiety, Chronic Stress Burnout, Dysthymia, Mood Oscillations, Brain Fog, Panic Sensitivity.
Chronic Fatigue, HPA Axis Dysfunction & Adrenal Burnout
Rebuilding cellular mitochondrial energy production, balancing diurnal cortisol curves, and supporting recovery from prolonged occupational, emotional, or post-viral exhaustion.
Targeted Support: HPA Axis Dysfunction ("Adrenal Fatigue"), Post-Viral Fatigue, Executive Burnout, Cellular Mitochondrial Sluggishness.
Pediatric & Adolescent Naturopathic Care
Providing gentle, safe, and natural healthcare tailored to infants, children, and teenagers. Led by Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND, our pediatric protocols address digestive issues, food allergies, eczema, adolescent hormonal acne, focus challenges, and sleep habits with evidence-based natural solutions.
Targeted Support: Pediatric Digestion, Food Sensitivities, Eczema, Adolescent Acne, Stress & Focus Support, Immune Resilience.
Environmental Detoxification & Metabolic Resets
Supporting hepatic Phase I/II detoxification pathways and cellular clearing to mitigate the impact of environmental toxins, heavy metals, mold/mycotoxin exposure, and dietary overload. Explore our structured metabolic jumpstart protocols.
Targeted Support: Mycotoxin/Mold Exposure, Environmental Chemical Load, Heavy Metal Burden, Metabolic Reset.
Immune Modulation & Autoimmune Support
Downregulating systemic auto-antibodies and inflammatory cytokine activity while optimizing barrier defenses to help individuals with autoimmune conditions (Hashimoto's, rheumatoid trends, psoriasis) achieve long-term remission and vitality.
Targeted Support: Autoimmune Disease Co-Management, Frequent Infections, Seasonal Allergies, Histamine Reactivity.
Fullscript Supplement Protocols
Looking for professional-grade, physician-curated supplement support? Dr. Ivy has created targeted protocol collections available directly through our secure Fullscript online dispensary. Supplement collections below reflect practitioner formulations. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before initiating new dietary supplements.
Sleep & Nervous System Protocols
Stress & Sleep Restoration Protocol: High-potency magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, phosphatidylserine, and gentle nervine herbs (passionflower, skullcap) to calm night racing thoughts.
Adrenal Burnout & HPA Axis Recovery: Adaptogenic botanicals (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Eleuthero) and B-complex cofactors engineered to normalize daily cortisol rhythms.
Daily Foundations & General Wellness Protocols
Dr. Ivy’s Daily Supplements & Favorite Greens: Core daily multivitamin, essential minerals, phytonutrient greens, and antioxidant foundations for daily cellular energy and vitality.
Everyday Women's Health & Wellness: Targeted daily micronutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and neuro-protective antioxidants engineered to support lifelong female health.
Travel Essentials Protocol: Curated immune support, gut barrier stabilizers, and adaptogenic formulas designed to prevent illness, digestive disruption, and fatigue during travel.
Pediatric & Family Health Protocols
Pediatric Gut & Immune Support: Gentle spore probiotics, liquid vitamin D3/K2 drops, zinc, and bioflavonoids formulated specifically for children and teens.
Vitamin D Drops For Babies: Pure, gentle liquid Vitamin D3 drops calibrated for infants and newborns to support early skeletal development, immune programming, and optimal growth.
Simplicity Everyday Family Wellness: Core multivitamin, omega-3, and immune foundations for daily vitality.
Patient Success Stories
Patient reviews reflect personal experiences and do not constitute a guarantee of identical clinical results. Individual results may vary based on health history, compliance, and individual physiological factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Integrative naturopathic medicine combines modern medical diagnostic science with evidence-based natural therapies to evaluate and treat the whole person rather than suppressing isolated symptoms.
Key differences include:
Root-Cause Focus: Investigating underlying drivers—such as nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, HPA axis dysfunction, and environmental burdens—rather than prescribing symptom-masking drugs.
Personalized Therapeutics: Utilizing clinical nutrition, targeted botanical medicine, lifestyle modifications, and functional lab orders tailored to your unique biochemical blueprint.
Longer Consultation Time: Initial visits span 60 to 70 minutes, allowing for deep investigation into medical history, lifestyle factors, and stress dynamics.
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Naturopathic sleep protocols target the exact biochemical and circadian imbalances preventing restful sleep. Steps include:
Cortisol Curve Normalization: Using adrenal adaptogens and phosphatidylserine to lower elevated evening cortisol spikes that cause racing thoughts at bedtime.
Neurotransmitter Cofactors: Prescribing active Vitamin B6, magnesium glycinate, and L-theanine to optimize endogenous melatonin and GABA synthesis.
Circadian Alignment: Implementing light therapy, sleep hygiene, and meal timing strategies to reset the central suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) biological clock.
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Naturopathic management of anxiety focuses on the gut-brain axis and neuro-endocrine regulation:
Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Regulation: Calming visceral hypersensitivity through mind-body practices, biofeedback breathing, and nervine botanicals (Passiflora, Melissa officinalis).
Balancing Neuroinflammation: Repairing intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") to prevent bacterial endotoxins from entering circulation and crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Nutrient Optimization: Replenishing stress-depleted nutrients including magnesium, B-complex vitamins, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
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Yes, naturopathic medicine is extraordinarily gentle, safe, and effective for infants, children, and teenagers. At Simplicity Health Associates, Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND, specializes in pediatric health, providing gentle protocols for digestive complaints, food intolerances, eczema, adolescent hormonal acne, sleep struggles, and immune system resilience. All pediatric doses are strictly calibrated to age, weight, and clinical guidelines.
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HPA Axis Dysfunction (commonly referred to as "Adrenal Fatigue") describes a breakdown in communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands resulting from prolonged stress.
Diagnosis: Evaluated using 4-point diurnal salivary or urinary free cortisol and cortisone testing (such as the DUTCH test) to map your exact daily stress curve.
Symptoms: Morning exhaustion despite 8 hours of sleep, 3 PM energy crashes, salt or sugar cravings, unrefreshing sleep, and feeling "wired but tired" at night.
Treatment: Rebuilding adrenal reserve with adaptogenic herbs, mineral replenishment, mitochondrial cofactors, and circadian restructuring.
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Over 90% of the body's serotonin and a significant portion of GABA are produced in the digestive tract. The gut microbiome communicates continuously with the brain via the vagus nerve, immune cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Intestinal dysbiosis, SIBO, or leaky gut trigger systemic neuroinflammation, resulting in anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, and low mood.
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We operate as a self-pay, out-of-network practice to provide individualized, root-cause care without the constraints of insurance company mandates. We provide itemized superbills upon request, which you can submit to your insurance carrier for potential out-of-network reimbursement. You can also use HSA/FSA funds for your consultations, recommended lab tests, and recommended supplements.
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Both practitioners are accredited Naturopathic Doctors who collaborate closely:
Book with Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND: Ideal for insomnia and sleep restoration, anxiety, gut-brain health, pediatric/adolescent care, primary health intake, or if you wish to start with a Free 15-Minute Roadmap Call.
Book with Dr. Ivy Branin, ND: Ideal for chronic exhaustion associated with complex hormonal conditions (menopause, thyroid disease, PCOS), preconception/fertility, and long-standing autoimmune issues.
Ready to Restore Your Mind, Body & Vitality from the Root Cause?
Take the first step toward lasting energy, restful sleep, emotional balance, and whole-body vitality. Book an initial consultation with Dr. Ivy Branin, ND, or Dr. Pauline Hoang, ND, at our West Village practice in NYC or virtually from anywhere in the world.
In-person consultations available at our NYC office. Virtual telemedicine consultations are available for patients across New York State and globally.