Our Practitioners
Dr. Darren Schmidt
Founder of The Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor. Dr. Schmidt’s purpose is to bankrupt pharmaceutical companies by getting many people well. He has learned the mechanism of chronic disease, well known prior to 1960 but forgotten in modern times, due to his own health crisis from black mold exposure in 2016. He reads old medical and nutrition textbooks from 1910 to 1960, when almost all research was Feeding Studies. Combined with new nutrition information, the old textbooks hold the secrets to preventing and reversing the major chronic health problems of today.
Kerry Cradit
Kerry is our nutritionist. She has her B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science. Kerry worked at The University of Michigan Health System and saw that by the time most people were hospitalized with chronic problems it was too late for nutrition to help. She came to the office in 2006 as a patient with her own health concerns. Her experience as a patient showed her there are nutritional alternatives to medications. It is her desire to help people with health problems find solutions. Kerry completed Ulan Nutritional Systems Advanced Clinical Training in Nutrition Response Testing℠ and she is a Certified Stott Pilates Instructor. She has helped hundreds of patients over the years to improve their health.
Dr. Amanda Childress
Dr. Amanda is our Holistic Pharmacist. After seeing the limitations and often dangerous side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, she now helps people heal their bodies as mother nature intended; with whole food supplements, herbs and a balanced diet. She has helped many individuals safely wean off prescription medications.
Dr. Taghride “Taggy” Bensaïd
Dr. Bensaïd is our Board Certified Traditional Naturopathic Doctor. She grew up with a passion to help people, she volunteered with various NGOs and she was on her way to join medical school. After spending time in different departments of the hospital, she realized there must be another way to get people better.
Since then, she never ceased to learn and seek education about healthcare, while being Dr. Schmidt assistant since 2014.
She now sees her own patients and helps people all over the world improve their health.
Mikaela Cradit
Mikaela started her journey at the Nutritional Healing Center in 2018 as a front desk employee. Recognizing the profound impact of nutrition on health, she transitioned to become Dr. Schmidt’s assistant in 2019. Inspired to deepen her knowledge and empower others, Mikaela pursued education at Trinity School of Natural Health, completing her certification as a health coach in 2020. In 2023, she furthered her expertise by obtaining her Natural Health Practitioner certification. Currently enrolled at Trinity, Mikaela is dedicated to becoming a naturopath, driven by her passion to help individuals enhance their overall well-being through personalized dietary approaches, targeted supplementation, and muscle testing techniques.
Vanessa Cicciarelli
Vanessa is a licensed acupuncturist with a master’s in Oriental Science, who works with clients virtually via phone or video. Combining the principles of root cause medicine and ancient Chinese medical practices, she helps her patients address hidden infections and imbalances. Using both ancient and modern tools, Vanessa aims to keep her clients healthy and content throughout their lives. She is deeply passionate about guiding clients through the physical and emotional aspects of their health journeys, serving as a living testament that a healthy and thriving life awaits on the other side of chronic illness.
Dr. Kaila Piekarski
Dr. Kaila Piekarski, a certified Naturopathic Doctor, is passionate about wellness through real food and natural living. Her commitment to holistic health is deeply personal—after struggling with autoimmune-like symptoms, infertility, weight gain, and depression, she turned to nutrition for healing. Through an animal-based diet and key lifestyle changes, she balanced her hormones, reduced inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity, and regained her well-being.
With over a decade of experience in holistic nutrition and muscle response testing, Kaila now helps others reclaim their health. Her firsthand experience fuels her dedication to guiding clients on their own healing journeys. She also embraces real food beyond her practice, enjoying gardening, visiting farmer’s markets, and creating nourishing meals.
Dr. Sherry Yale
Dr. Yale believes we are meant to be strong, healthy, and vibrant throughout our long lives — and she lives that philosophy personally. Drug and vaccine-free by choice, she has navigated serious injuries, including a fractured skull, torn meniscus, and major foot surgery, without medication, trusting her body’s natural healing capabilities each time. She gave birth to all four of her children at home, completely naturally, and raised them vaccine and medication-free.
Her path to chiropractic began at age 15, when a chance visit with her mother sparked a lifelong passion for natural healing. She graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1989 and went on to become certified in Applied Kinesiology (ICAK), Activator Methods, Nutrition Response Testing, Quantum Nutrition Testing, Herbology, and Iridology. She believes that the closer we stay to nature, the greater our likelihood of aging with grace, viability, and joy — and she has built her practice around that belief, serving clients of all ages from prenatal onward.
Crystal Gordy
Crystal’s health journey began in 2019 after being diagnosed with stage 3 cervical dysplasia and undergoing surgery that led to complications like nerve damage, pelvic pain, and hormonal imbalances. After seeking holistic care, Crystal experienced a complete turnaround, healing her body with whole food supplements, dietary changes, and alternative therapies. Inspired by her transformation, she became a Certified Natural Health Practitioner in 2024 and later expanded her expertise by becoming a Certified Holistic Pet Coach, combining her passion for natural health with a love for animals. She also volunteers at Foxes Journey Sanctuary and enjoys spending time with her three pets.
