From early childhood, Dr. Peterson felt a calling to the healing arts born out of great concern for the wellbeing of people and the environment. In her young adulthood, she studied Yoga, Shiatsu, Organic Farming, holistic nutrition, and many other natural healing modalities. She received a Certificate of Clinical Herbalism from Southwest School of Botanical Medicine in 1998, and a Certificate of Massage Therapy with an additional Certificate in Clinical Bodywork from Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1999. She practiced massage and consulted with people about how they could utilize herbal medicines in their healing for 7 years. She then decided to pursue her doctorate in naturopathic medicine so that she could provide more comprehensive healthcare to those around her.  She graduated from National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM) with her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine in 2011, and completed a residency with NCNM in 2012.  After residency, she built a private practice in a rural area of Washington State and practiced there for 8 years. 

Dr. Peterson is currently a full-time faculty member at NUNM, teaching the core botanical medicine curriculum and select topics in clinical nutrition and neurology.  She also serves as an attending physician in the NUNM teaching clinic. She is passionate about utilizing natural medicine modalities in a holistic approach to healthcare, encompassing all aspects of a complex and sacred human life.

Dr. Peterson lives with her 3 amazing children in Stevenson, Washington. When not working, she loves to enjoy nature with her children, dance, sing, and wildcraft herbal medicines. She also coaches youth soccer, volunteers to promote the arts, and works with an organization that serves homeless people in downtown Portland.