Our Mission
Our mission is to expand how professionals understand mental health by integrating knowledge of the body, brain, and environment.
Mental health symptoms can be influenced by many biological factors including genetics, nutrition, inflammation, and lifestyle. By educating professionals about these connections, we empower them to better support the individuals and families they serve.
Our goal is not to replace traditional mental health care—but to strengthen it with deeper understanding.
Our Approach
Our program focuses on education, curiosity, and responsible integration of whole-body health concepts into mental health practice.
Participants learn how to:
✤ Look at symptoms as clues, not just diagnoses
✤ Explore possible biological contributors to mental health
✤ Educate clients on lifestyle factors that impact mood
✤ Use testing and data to personalize care
✤ Work collaboratively with medical professionals
Mental health is not just about the brain. It is about the whole person.
The Integrative Mental Health Team
This program is taught by professionals from counseling, functional health, and integrative medicine who are passionate about helping practitioners expand their knowledge and support clients more effectively.
Valerie Meyers-Bitz,
MS, LPCC-S
Counselor Supervisor
Valerie Meyers-Bitz is the founder of the Integrative Mental Health Training Institute, a visionary educator and licensed clinical counselor known for redefining the future of mental health care. With over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, Valerie created the Institute to offer mental health professionals a deeper, more effective path to bring innovative practices into clinics.
Through her work, she is the CEO of The Kid’s Therapy Center, Co-Founder of First Responders Recovery (Non-Profit), and Founder of The Round Table; A children’s mental health association (Non-Profit). Valerie has mentored hundreds of clinicians across the country. She is also a national speaker, expert witness, and recipient of the 2024 Business Woman of the Year award from the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber.
Her innovative thinking is simple yet powerful: “to train a new generation of mental health professionals who understand the brain, body, and environment as one system”. The Training Institute will give them the tools to create lasting change.
Her passion for helping others comes across quickly. You will enjoy her lectures and supervision style in a variety of our offerings.
Dwight Franklin, MSOM, AP
Eastern Medicine Physician
Dwight Franklin, MSOM, AP is an Eastern Medicine Physician, the founder of The Franklin Family Wellness Institute, and author of "The Elementary Method - How To Solve Your Child’s ADHD Case Through Natural, Science-Backed Solutions".
He is a graduate and former Professor at the Florida College of Integrative Medicine, where he received a Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor’s of Professional Health Studies.
Over the course of his career Dwight has worked alongside both Pediatricians and Psychiatrists in developing wellness programs for common childhood health concerns through the practice of Eastern and Functional Medicine, Supplementation, Food Therapy, and Lifestyle changes.
Dwight has worked alongside numerous non-profits whose mission was in helping children of various backgrounds and circumstances and has been very blessed in being a part in positively impacting the physical and mental health of hundreds of children and their families.
Public speaking is a passion of Dwight's and he has had the opportunity to speak to medical students at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine as well as various other universities and institutions.
When not working with families who have children with ADHD, Autism, or other brain and physical health concerns, Dwight spends his time reading one book after another and supporting his home state’s basketball and football teams…The Kentucky Wildcats.
Dr. Deedra Rae Wells, ND
Integrative Medicine Strategist, Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Deedra Rae Wells, ND is an integrative medicine strategist, naturopathic physician, and CME-accredited educator with more than two decades of experience across clinical practice, product development, and professional training. She is the founder of Practice with Purpose, a platform dedicated to advancing evidence-based, genetically informed, nutrition-forward care through accessible continuing medical education. Her teaching centers on hormone health, functional lab interpretation, and the application of nutrigenomics in clinical settings—with a special focus on cognitive longevity and menopause-related care.
Dr. Wells has led educational programming for thousands of practitioners worldwide, including her leadership roles as Vice President of Product Development at Market America–SHOP.COM and Director of Clinical Education at nEI. Her work includes development of tiered membership curricula, hybrid courses, and expert consultation for complex cases referred by MDs, NDs, DCs, and functional medicine providers. A recognized voice in the evolving field of personalized medicine, Dr. Wells empowers clinicians with tools that are both scientifically rigorous and operationally realistic—bridging the gap between clinical insight and implementation.
