Aleisha Anderson, L.Ac, Clinic Director
Aleisha Anderson is a certified Acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner specializing in the treatment of mental and emotional health.
Acupuncture is a modality that can successfully work with an individual's body to relieve the symptoms of illness and prevent them from returning. Aleisha has over seven years of experience working with a wide variety of health conditions. Over that period of time, she has successfully treated chronic health issues, women's health complaints, chronic pain, digestive issues, sleep disorders, auto-immune disease, chronic stress symptoms, neurological issues, migraines, and general preventative health management.
Aleisha specializes in TCM for Mental Wellness.
Overcoming depression and postpartum depression in the past, Aleisha made a conscious decision to specialize her TCM practice on mental healthcare. What is important for her, is helping individuals find the help they need and providing effective therapies for overcoming the weight and controlling nature of mental health symptoms.
As an experienced TCM Acupuncturist, Aleisha spent several years practicing at an outpatient psychotherapy and recovery center prior to opening Mke MindBody Wellness. Aleisha has extensive experience working with psychiatrists and counselors on patient wellness plans and ongoing psychiatric support. Some of her collaborative work includes: support for talk therapy, relieving medication side effect symptoms, assisting in medication tapers, and supporting the withdrawal process for individuals suffering from addiction.
Amanda Gawrysz, L.Ac, MSOM, Dipl. OM
Amanda graduated Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL, with a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine which includes acupuncture, modalities, and herbal medicine.
Amanda was a very athletic child and teenager committed to numerous physically demanding activities such as competitive horseback riding, dancing, and skiing. Amanda danced ballet for 18 years in the Chicago area where she was born and raised. During her last year of ballet training with the highly prestigious San Francisco Ballet School she decided to leave the ballet world and pursue other things. She soon enrolled into Marquette University here in Milwaukee where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She continued her education and graduated with her Oriental Medicine degree in Illinois.
Amanda’s father is a family physician and board certified in anti-aging practicing in the Chicagoland area. Amanda grew up around the Western perspective of medicine as well as the importance of nutrition and supplementation. Amanda had the opportunity to work as admin assistant and social media manager at her father’s medical clinic. After graduating with her masters, Amanda began practicing acupuncture at her father’s clinic. She recently moved back to Milwaukee to pursue her career and establish a life here. Amanda is bilingual in Polish and she grew up with a strong tie to the Polish American medical community in Chicago.
Among her areas of interest within the acupuncture field are working with athletes and dancers, facial rejuvenation, as well as, mental health. Amanda personally utilized acupuncture during her years in ballet which introduced her to the field and the numerous benefits it has to offer.
Having been misdiagnosed with depression, ADHD, and anxiety for 8 years and eventually being diagnosed and continually battling chronic Lyme disease, Amanda is committed to relieving physical and emotional pain and suffering in her patients. She knows first hand the frustration of trying to find medical answers to these conditions and can relate to the bizarre symptoms that tear her patients lives apart. Severe illness changed her life and the way she practices therapy. Disabling pain opened her up to a world she never knew possible. Lyme was a vehicle for the physical and spiritual healing that she was so desperate for in her early thirties. This is her intention for you.
After being around numerous doctors and different medical practices, she knew her path was in medicine but with a holistic approach. She is sensitive and emotionally in tune with her patients and believes that everyone can be healed if they believe they can be and are committed to regaining their health.
Rachel Carlin, LMT, Massage Therapy
Rachel Carlin is a licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Wisconsin and formerly Colorado. She graduated from the Colorado School of Healing Arts. Her modalities include Swedish, Hot Stone, Neuromuscular, Deep Tissue and Sports Massage. She is dedicated to a life of learning and continuing to educate and grow as a healer. Rachel’s massage style is naturally comforting and relaxing with a healing touch curated to each individual’s needs and wants.
Before becoming a licensed massage therapist, Rachel was working in the restaurant industry for over a decade. During this time, she turned to massage therapy to help the ailments that came from working on her feet. She felt first-hand the benefits of massage, including better range of motion of her joints, muscle tension relief, clarity of mind and feeling re-centered in her body. She believes everyone can benefit from the healing properties of massage therapy.
“For over 10 years I have been working in the service industry. What I have enjoyed most about working in restaurants has been providing comfort and relaxation to my guests during their dining experience. This is what I am passionate about in my profession as a Licensed Massage Therapist: caring for and understanding the needs of my clients. This starts with creating a safe space, listening to your needs, and curating a massage specific to your wants. I’m here for you, to provide a healing touch and relaxation.” -
Aidan White, Meditation + Mindfulness Teacher
Aidan’s journey with meditation started like many others. He was searching for ways to cope with his daily anxiety, relieve stress and to help with his occasional depression symptoms. He soon found himself practicing daily using a few different apps and started to notice the profound benefits pretty early on.
After about 5 years of practicing daily off and on, Aidan decided to explore different ways of meditation and became enthralled by all the possibilities of what meditation could offer. Seeing the potential benefits, Aidan decided that he wanted to, not only enhance his own meditation practice, but to bring what he knows to other people. After completing his certification training through The School of Positive Transformation, Aidan was put on yet another path of his journey, one that started 6 years ago.
Aidan likes to keep his approach intuitive and simple. He truly believes that anybody can successfully learn how to meditate with the right guidance and instruction. If you've had trouble in the past with keeping a regular routine or becoming frustrated with how your practice is going, having a certified teacher will allow you to realign yourself with what meditation should feel like. Soon you will be able to experience the wonderful benefits that come from a consistent, consciousness shifting practice.
Aidan is available for 30-minute guided meditation sessions, either in-person sessions (one-on-one) on Mondays. He is also available on other days for virtual sessions.
Alisyn Benkowski, Reiki and Sound Vibrational Therapy
Alisyn Benkowski holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and is currently pursuing her masters degree in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine.
Before venturing into the world of Acupuncture, Alisyn had already established herself as a multifaceted individual. She is a dedicated sound healer, an experienced yoga teacher, a nature enthusiast, a loving wife, and a devoted mother. Through her exploration of these various passions, Alisyn has undergone a profound transformation, breaking free from pain, fear, and anxiety, and setting her on a path towards a more positive and purposeful life.
In 2013, Alisyn faced a pivotal moment when she fractured her T-8 vertebra during gymnastics practice. It was during this challenging time that she discovered yoga, a practice that not only aided in her physical recovery but also ignited her passion for sound healing. Yoga became a sanctuary for her, initiating an inner transformation that radiated outward, positively impacting others.
Alisyn's journey continued with her achievement of a 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in 2014, followed by a specialization in children's yoga in 2017. In 2018, she graduated from UWM with her Kinesiology degree. Committed to her own growth and holistic wellness, she also holds a certification in Vibrational Sound Therapy and Reiki. She has a strong passion for continuous learning and is committed to exploring new avenues for personal growth, always seeking to expand her knowledge as a lifelong student.
Alisyn believes deeply in the power of movement to nurture the physical body, while sound healing and reiki provides an avenue to explore the depths of emotional well-being. Her life's purpose is to guide others on their path to discovering inner peace, helping them blossom from within, and supporting them in harmonizing their body and spirit. Alisyn is an inspiring advocate for wellness and healing, encouraging all she encounters to embrace their own potential for well-being.
Sarah Valiquette, LMT, NCBTMB, Massage Therapist
Sarah Valiquette is a nationally board certified NCBTMB and Wisconsin state licensed massage therapist and body worker since 2007. Sarah practices a variety of techniques including relaxation, deep tissue and prenatal massage. She has a passion for energy body work and extensive experience in sports and therapeutic massage modalities. Her personal style of massage includes myofascia release, chakra balancing, and trigger point therapy. She believes that the potential of human touch to heal is endless and that massage plays a vital role in one's self care. Her approach is gentle but firm with a therapeutic touch. She takes the time to pay attention with her eyes, ears, and hands to tailor an individual care plan to one's specific needs.
Ali McClure, Administrative Assistant, Billing Expert
Ali holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Ali has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, finding solace and joy in activities such as rock climbing, biking, and hiking. As the administrative assistant at MKE Mindbody Wellness, she plays a pivotal role as one of the first friendly faces visitors encounter when they walk through the door.
Ali's personal health journey led her to discover alternative approaches to managing her conditions. After being diagnosed with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis, she found limited relief through conventional Western medicine. Frustrated by the repetitive options that offered little improvement, Ali turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which opened doors to previously unimaginable relief.
Witnessing the transformative power of acupuncture and other TCM techniques in enhancing people's lives inspired Ali to work for MKE Mindbody Wellness. She draws daily inspiration from the journeys of individuals who have found healing and well-being through alternative medicine.
Maddie Orfield, Administrative Assistant, Writer
Maddie has a BFA in graphic design from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is an administrative assistant at the clinic, where she greets patients, helps schedule appointments, and researches and writes for the clinic’s blog. Outside of her work at MKE MindBody Wellness, Maddie enjoys gardening, knitting, and making the Mala meditation necklaces that are sold in-house at the clinic.
Maddie connects with MKE MindBody Wellness through her personal health experiences. Following a mono diagnosis in high school and a family member’s adverse reaction to an antibiotic, Maddie dedicated a lot of time to researching and practicing alternative medicines and lifestyles to traditional Western health practices. She’s adapted “food as medicine” and other alternative solutions that have helped strengthen her body and mind.
The time she’s spent so far working at the clinic has also provided numerous learning opportunities. She enjoys discovering new things about alternative approaches to wellness through other people’s experiences. To her, the journey of one’s health is fascinating, and she appreciates the interconnection between mind, body, and emotions.
Jonathan Anderson, Director of Operations
Jonathan Anderson is the head of business operations. He has a Bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master's of Oriental Medicine degree. Jonathan has led a successful business career while studying traditional Chinese medicine. The experiences he gained as an accountant and Chief Operating Officer for a financial services company provide him with a unique perspective of corporate infrastructure and culture.
Jonathan is the head of Mke MindBody Wellness' Corporate Wellness programs. Using his background in human resources and upper management, he works with companies to customize wellness programs that suit the work environment.
Jonathan has always been interested in food as medicine and is passionate about helping people find the right resources for better health.