Healing begins with listening to your story (replaces small steps…)
Iris Center for Healing is your trusted choice for holistic integrative and primary care, specializing in complex chronic illness for people of all ages.
At Iris Center for Healing, we believe that the answers to your health challenges lie within your story, and that true healing occurs by empowering you to access your own healing wisdom. Our care providers listen with empathy and compassion, curiosity met with warmth, and a dedication to guiding you on a healing and restorative path to optimal wellness and improved quality of life.
Trusted Integrative & Primary Care
Backed by science, fulfilled by the art of the health practitioner.
Dr. Cara Hartz, owner and medical director of Iris Center for Healing, is a Naturopathic Primary Care Physician in Seattle, WA, with a specialty in managing complex chronic illness, with a multitude of sub-specialties. As an environmental medicine doctor, she enjoys listening to and engaging with her patients to truly know them and how they live in their world. Understanding their everyday life dynamics helps guide her to support her patients holistically in setting their health goals, achieving them, and maintaining them.
Seattle Naturopathic Doctor Cara Hartz’s focus is to identify both the triggers and obstacles involved in her patients’ health issues. This involves looking at past and current traumas, mental health, stress, sleep, age and hormone influences, digestive health, and physical environmental factors such as various toxins or infectious exposures. Any or all of these can overwhelm the human body systems and be contributors to “complex chronic illness”. It is Dr. Cara’s mission is to identify and treat these causes; her passion is the process of supporting you at overcoming health challenges and living a more optimal life.
Areas of specialty & focus
Comprehensive care across life stages, from complex chronic illness to everyday wellness and prevention.
Whole-Family Wellness
Food allergies, Hashimoto's disease, inflammatory conditions, lifestyle modifications, and nurturing support for every member of your family.
Complex & Rare Conditions
Lyme disease and co-infections, acute and long COVID illness, Autoimmune disorders, PANS, PANDAS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Dysautonomia / POTS.
Women's Health
Preconception and postpartum care, hormonal and reproductive wellness — supportive, compassionate care at every stage of womanhood.
Digestive Issues
Food sensitivities, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, SIBO & Dysbiosis — thorough investigation with a whole-body lens.
Pediatric & Adolescent
Naturopathic specialties in concerns and wellness on sports physicals, developmental support, ADD & ADHD management.
Environmental Illness
Mold toxin illness, Allergy Medicine at a molecular level, Regulation therapy, Sensitivities, Multiple chemical intolerances.
Treatments & therapies
Injection and IV therapy
(Ozone, nutrients, prolotherapy) Targeted intravenous nutrient therapy for immune support, energy, detox, and chronic illness recovery.
Mold Illness Treatment
Comprehensive protocols for mycotoxin illness, environmental detox, and recovery from mold-related health conditions.
Lyme disease & co-infections
Evidence-informed naturopathic treatment for tick-borne illness, co-infections, and post-Lyme syndrome.
Child Naturopathic Care
Gentle, effective naturopathic medicine for children — allergies, developmental support, and whole-child wellness.
Acupuncture & Pain Management
Support your body’s natural healing response through targeted acupuncture treatments.
GLP1 therapy - Microdosing & standard approach.
Personalized GLP-1 treatment plans tailored to your health and weight goals.
Photobiomodulation (light therapy) & Detoxification support
Advanced light therapy designed to support cellular repair and recovery.
Long Covid and persistent viral infections
Focused on improving energy, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.
Our naturopathic approach to chronic illness
We don’t just treat what’s present — we prepare the terrain for lasting healing. Dr. Hartz understands the underlying challenges, addresses the root causes, and establishes the body’s natural healing process through gentle botanical therapies, looking at the restoration of physical, emotional, environmental, and social imbalances.
We specialize in the most complex and hard-to-treat chronic illness and restore a complete wellness experience.
Identify Root Causes
Deep investigation into triggers, past traumas, infections, toxins, and lifestyle factors driving your illness.
Restore Balance
Gentle botanical therapies, nutrition, and targeted protocols to restore your body's natural healing terrain.
Personalized Plan
Every patient receives a custom care plan that reflects their unique biology, goals, and life circumstances.
Ongoing Partnership
We walk alongside you through the entire journey, adjusting and refining your care as you progress and heal.
Voices of healing
Real words from the patients whose lives have changed through naturopathic care.
Dr. Hartz is a magnificent provider. She provided the emergency care during one of my travels. I was left with more than just answers — she left me feeling empowered and hopeful.
After years of being told nothing was wrong, Dr. Hartz finally found the root cause. For the first time in a decade, I feel like myself again. This care is unlike anything I've ever experienced.
I brought my daughter in for chronic digestive issues. Not only did she heal — Dr. Hartz educated our whole family on how to live in a way that truly supports our bodies. Life-changing.
Why choose us as your family naturopathic physician
Holistic Solution Tailored to You
A holistic solution tuned to your health needs and wellness goals — not a generic protocol.
Proven Results in Complex Cases
Committed to naturopathic treatment combined with conventional care that has demonstrated real improvement.
New Patients Welcome
Iris Center is a trusted space for people of all ages in your family, whatever their health need.
Deeply Positive & Empathetic Doctor
You will find highly positive and empathetic care — someone who listens and actually hears you.
Environmental & Functional Medicine
Whether it's food allergy, digestive issues, women's health, or chronic illness — a comprehensive approach.
Compassionate Naturopathic Care
We are compassionate and integrative. Our goal is better health and long-lasting well-being for every patient.
Ready to begin your healing journey?
For all new patients, we are requiring a release of medical records for the past year from your primary care physician. Reach out today — we’d love to hear from you.
Book an Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
A Naturopathic Doctor in Seattle, WA addresses the root causes rather than just treating the symptoms. Individuals who would benefit from a naturopathic approach to their health issues — whether food allergies, digestive disease, women’s health concerns, allergies, pediatric or adolescent illness, or an environmental illness — can schedule virtual or in-person visits with Dr. Hartz.
How do I know that I need to see an Environmental Medicine Doctor?
If you have a serious disease, digestive or nutritional issue, cardiovascular disease, a metabolic disorder, mental health challenges, or serious illness, you can consult with Dr. Hartz. As an environmental medicine physician, she helps identify hidden environmental triggers affecting your health.
Can a Naturopathic Doctor help with Yeast Infection?
Yes. Naturopathic medicine provides effective, natural approaches for yeast and fungal overgrowth including Candida. Dr. Hartz uses botanical medicine, dietary adjustments, and targeted protocols to restore microbial balance without harmful side effects.
Does Iris Center treat Children and Seniors?
Yes! Iris Center for Healing welcomes patients of all ages — from newborns and children to seniors. Our whole-family approach means everyone in your household can receive compassionate, personalized naturopathic care under one roof.
Why use a Clinical Naturopath Doctor to treat Chronic Illness?
Clinical naturopathic physicians specialize in the complex interplay of physical, environmental, mental, and emotional factors that drive chronic illness. Rather than managing symptoms with medications alone, Dr. Hartz works to resolve the underlying imbalances — leading to more durable, sustainable health outcomes.
Can I have treatment for PANS & PANDAS?
Yes. Dr. Hartz has specialized experience with PANS and PANDAS, including the complex neurological and immune system dysregulation these conditions involve. A comprehensive, individualized treatment protocol is developed for each child, often in coordination with their primary care and specialist team.
Whole-person naturopathic medicine in Seattle, WA. Small steps today for a better quality of life tomorrow.