Tara YG Welty, licensed and nationally certified acupuncturist in Parkersburg, West Virginia
 
 

Hello!
I’m often asked how I became an acupuncturist. It’s a story I call “spy doctor chef”. As a naive 17-year-old entering college, my dream was to become a spy. I spent four years studying diplomacy, history and military strategy and loved every minute of it.

I then spent the next period of my life working in the upper end of the wine and restaurant business, learning what Anthony Bourdain calls “the soft skills recruiters talk about on LinkedIn- discipline, promptness, the ability to absorb criticism, and, most important, how to read people like a book.” A co-worker saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself and suggested medicine as a path- I immediately threw myself back into school for 2 1/2 years of pre-med science.

Once I had convinced myself that I could not only enjoy, but even excel at microbiology and organic chemistry, I had to make a choice. Would I pursue a conventional medical degree or strike out for the path less taken? All roads to becoming a practitioner of any stripe are difficult and demanding. I honor my Western medical colleagues for the path they chose and am grateful that I chose acupuncture. I often tell patients that we need to use both- they have different but complementary strengths and together they can effect great change and healing.

Spy doctor chef- being an acupuncturist takes all these paths and weaves them together….gathering information, seeing patterns in seemingly disparate systems, and then choosing points carefully to craft a harmonious (palatable) treatment to address them. The ability of the human body to heal is wondrous, scientific and, at times, even magical.

Acupuncture Education
I received my diploma in acupuncture from Ongiara College of Acupuncture in Ontario, Canada in September of 2012. Prior to attending acupuncture school, I logged over 1400 hours of postgraduate acupuncture education (long story) and completed a four year apprenticeship with a senior acupuncturist. I am also a NADA Acudetox specialist, training at the Lincoln Recovery Center in the Bronx in June of 2009. In June of 2025, I became a NADA Registered Trainer.

Other Education

  • B.S.F.S. in Diplomacy and International Security, Georgetown University, 1990

  • Plant Spirit Medicine practitioner training, 1999

  • Rejuvanessence certification 9/12

  • Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner training, 2001 and Jin Shin Jyutsu Self Help Instructor training, 2008

  • Additional training in body and facial gua sha, Acuglow facial techniques and microneedling

Professional Affiliations

  • Certified Practitioner Member, AOBTA (American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia), 9/08 to present

  • Licensed acupuncture practitioner, West Virginia Board of Acupuncture, 6/13 to present

  • Licensed acupuncture practitioner, Virginia Board of Medicine, 11/23 to present

  • Diploma of Acupuncture NCBAHM (National Certification Board of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine), 1/15 to present

  • Board member, West Virginia Board of Acupuncture 3/17 to present

Teaching Experience

  • NADA RT (Registered Trainer)

  • Adjunct faculty, Ongiara College of Acupuncture 2009-2012

  • Workshop facilitator on a wide variety of topics including herbs, shamanism, and healthy living

  • Occasional and opinionated creator of 5 Elements 4 Directions on Substack