Those who have recently spent time on Bank Street in beautiful and historic Morristown may have been delighted to find a colorful doorway nestled on the corner of a standard brick building. The vivid arabesque images hint at warm sunbeams and suggest a peek through flowered vines and sweeping branches to a lush forest beyond. Unabashedly boisterous and intriguing, the entrance hints at warmth within. Especially here, on a side street blanketed with concrete facades.
Hung above the door is a simple black sign with a bright lotus flower, inviting you to ‘Be Well.’
Nearly 15 years ago, Dr. Marisa Sweeney, a board-certified registered dietitian, envisioned a place where she could devote her energy to helping others invest in their health and wellness holistically, using disciplines from around the world, both old and new. With this iconoclastic theory and an entrance to match, Marisa founded Be Well Integrative Health Services.
I recently spoke with Marisa to learn more about how she defines integrative health, the Be Well ideology, NJ VegFest, and the many ways she encourages others to invest in wellness in all its forms.
You opened your doors in 2012 – what made you take the leap into business ownership?
I was previously a dietitian in private practice for a few years and quickly realized that health is not based on diet alone. It’s multifaceted and relies on mental wellness, meaningful physical activity, and the nutritional quality of the food we eat. We have to address all the pieces universally for true wellness.
Tell me more about your team and how they support your vision for wellness.
I’m not a mental health pro or a personal trainer. I wanted to assemble a team of experts to manage and direct patient care across all aspects of wellness. So we have counselors who are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). This means they must complete supervised clinical hours to counsel patients. While we primarily focus on women’s health, we serve patients of all genders.
Women’s health is finally getting attention.
I strongly believe that women are underserved in health and wellness. With that in mind, we support our patients holistically, cater to each individual, and view them through the lens of how women experience the world.
When we discuss investments, health and wellness aren’t typically the first words that come to mind. In considering the old saying, “Health Is Wealth,” we are reminded that a sound body not only enriches our enjoyment of day-to-day experiences but also directly enables us to invest elsewhere.
Our health is a lifelong journey. Investing in the different demands of a woman’s body, during each stage of life produces positive results long-term. Dr. Sweeney says, “To truly be healthy, a multitude of mental, physical, spiritual, social, and lifestyle factors must be considered and supported for women of all ages.”
Learn more at: https://bewellihs.com/
I was previously a dietitian in private practice for a few years and quickly realized that health is not based on diet alone. It’s multifaceted.