Alisa Vitti Founder and Director Laughing Sage Wellness Group

Alisa Answers All Your Questions

How did you become an expert on women’s hormonal health?

The defining moment for me came 7 years ago, when I decided to go on the pill. I was suffering from a hormonal imbalance called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. At my worst, I weighed 200 pounds, I had severe cystic acne, I was deeply depressed, and I had my period only about three times a year. It was quite traumatic.

I didn’t even know what I had for quite awhile. Doctor after doctor suggested that maybe I had a slow thyroid, or an endocrine problem, or a candida infection, but all their tests came back inconclusive. I finally diagnosed myself with PCOS after tremendous research on my own. And that’s when I was hit with even worse news: PCOS is considered incurable by Western medicine.

The one thing my doctors agreed on was that I should start taking oral contraceptives. They all believed that artificially regulating my hormone levels would reduce my unpleasant symptoms—even though they didn’t know what the cause was. The pill never felt like the right option to me. But after saying no, repeatedly, and not getting any other answers, I realized I had to take a scientific, experimental approach to my situation. I had to admit that, having never tried the pill, I didn’t know how it would affect me. So I went ahead and tried it.

Less than two weeks later, I knew my original intuition to say “no” was absolutely right. I was having ocular migraines, which caused me to lose my vision temporarily, in addition to the searing migraine pain, fluctuating body temperature, and heart arrhythmia. I realized that my body was not reacting to the artificial hormones in the pill the same way it would to hormones produced naturally in my body. The simple solution prescribed by all my doctors just wasn’t going to work for me.

In that defining moment, I finally realized that it was up to me to empower my own healing process.

So that’s what I began to do. I started studying everywhere and anywhere I could. I felt that there were answers available outside of Western medicine, so I apprenticed myself to alternative healthcare practitioners. I studied the whole gamut of herbology, naturopathy, homeopathy, acupressure, elimination diets, and tried everything. I used myself as a guinea pig to see what could be done.

During these experiments, I found that I could powerfully impact my own body chemistry with what I ate. When I found the right combination of foods for my body’s condition, I saw tremendous positive changes in my health. I lost 60 pounds, my skin cleared up, and my depression lifted. Best of all, I have had regular menstrual periods for the last 4 years.

Another great outcome of my healing process was that it got me excited about helping other women. First I began reaching out to other women with PCOS to let them know that their condition was not incurable. Then I deepened my understanding of medicinal foods and their capacity for healing hormonal imbalances by becoming a Certified Holistic Health Counselor at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Finally I connected with other health counselors who had had similarly powerful healing experiences and lots of success in helping their women clients. Together we created Laughing Sage Wellness.

Since then I have lectured to hundreds of people, including gynecologists and infertility specialists, about women’s hormonal health; guided many women through the process of healing their PCOS or other health concerns; and developed Laughing Sage’s five-step methodology to help women heal their hormonal imbalances.

So what exactly does Laughing Sage Wellness do?

We help women across the country heal themselves of hormonal imbalances. These include PCOS, uterine fibroids, infertility, endometriosis, severe PMS, painful or irregular menstrual cycles, and pretty much anything that is an issue for you from a gynecological perspective. We guide women through the process of healing their body chemistry by making food changes. Food is medicine, and we know specific foods that work to energize the organs needed for healthy hormonal balance. The medicinal foods we recommend will differ according to each woman’s particular situation. Also, we address the emotional or energetic side of a woman’s life to deepen our understanding of why she has this imbalance.

But probably the most important thing we do is listen to you. Health care providers give so little time to their patients these days. We believe that an important part of your process is making you feel cared for and part of a community. And we believe that you are the best expert on your own body—more expert than we are! So our sessions and workshops always include time for you to speak and share with us what is happening for you and what your body needs.

Who are your clients?

We work nationally with women who are in their reproductive years and struggling with menstrual and sexual health problems such PCOS, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, severe PMS, and painful or irregular cycles. Most of our clients are between the ages of 20 and 45—we do not address menopause.

We also address low libido and intimacy issues—our hormonal health and our sexual functioning are so intimately related! We work with women who want to take better care of themselves to ensure their natural fertility, and with some women with digestive disorders—such as Crohn’s Disease or IBS—which are related to hormonal imbalances.

Where are you located?

Our primary business and counseling office is in Columbus Circle, Manhattan, but you don’t need to live in New York City to benefit from our work. We are a virtual, national, women’s health center. Working virtually allows us to bring our supportive, transformational work to you wherever you live, and it reduces paperwork and travel hassles for all our local clients. Plus, clients have access to our supportive community, 24/7, from home or office, wherever they live!

Our virtual community offers:

• a convenient registration and payment process handled by phone and email
• the option of private sessions counseling by phone (Conveniently work with your counselor while on a lunch break at work, or enjoy having sessions at home in your pajamas!)
• clients and counselors sharing stories and supporting you every day in our online community
• national access to our transformational classes and group programs which are conducted by phone as teleclasses
• continual email access to our client care specialist and counselors to get all your questions answered.

What is the five-step methodology you mentioned and how does it work?

Your counselor will support and guide you through five basic stages of healing. These combine guided food experiments to help you understand your body’s responses to food; learning to prepare and incorporate specific medicinal foods to strengthen the health of the organs of hormone production and balance; and lifestyle changes to help you feel great about living in a woman’s body. By appropriately adjusting your diet and reducing lifestyle stresses, you change your biochemistry and restore hormone balance.

I’ve been to lots of doctors and gynecologists and I’m discouraged because they can’t seem to fix my problem. Will your program really work?

I can’t tell you how common this is. People contact us and they’ve just tried everything. As a matter of fact I prefer it if women have been to every doctor and really do get that there is no magic bullet, no little pill that you can take to resolve your hormonal imbalances.

What I will do with you right off the bat is map out how your body produces hormones, how those hormones regulate ovarian function, how those hormones influence metabolism and cardiovascular health, etc. I really try, from the first moment I speak with you, to get you excited about learning about your body’s process. That is the key. Once you have that interest and that excitement, you feel a sense of empowerment. From there, effortlessly, you have the desire to start listening to your body and taking action. And that’s when change starts to happen. That’s what we do in the Restore & Harmonize program—support you to clear out all the obstacles to good health by making changes to your food and lifestyle.

How are you different from herbalists, naturopaths, or other holistic practitioners?

First of all, our approach is all about the woman and not about the work. We are not dogmatic. We don’t believe that there is one right answer for all women. So even though our counselors have extensive backgrounds in every dietary theory from cutting-edge Western nutrition to Traditional Chinese Medicine to Ayurvedic diet, we are not concerned about using any particular one of those approaches. We’re not trying to promote a specific diet. We are concerned about helping each woman find her unique way to get well, and helping her become the best authority on her own body.

Secondly, we do not sell, or promote as part of our program, supplements or herbs. We work to dismantle the healthcare legacy of “take this pill and don’t worry about what’s happening to you.” Your body is designed to heal itself and too often our culture emphasizes the necessity of drugs and supplements. In our program, you are in the driver’s seat. We will listen to you as much as you will listen to us.

I’m currently taking some herbs and supplements for my condition. Can I still take them if I work with you?

Of course. We encourage you to be your own authority on what works for your body and what doesn’t. Also, we won’t tell you to stop taking medications you are on. That is a decision for you and your doctor. I will say that we’ve discovered that herbs and some other alternative therapies are too subtle to address hormonal imbalances. What I mean by that is, if you’re eating a typical American diet, and you purchase herbal remedies, you may experience some temporary relief from your symptoms. But over time, if your body is clogged up with inappropriate foods, the delicate herb essences will not be effective to work against the symptoms of imbalance that your diet is setting off. Acupressure and acupuncture can have the same result. It can give some relief from your symptoms but probably won’t actually change your body chemistry, which is what we do with the food. Remember, food is the most powerful drug that you can take.

How long is the program and what does it include?

Our Restore & Harmonize individual counseling programs last six months. We take you through a healing process gently and slowly, respecting that there is no magic pill and that the body takes time to heal. The program includes:

• 2 private sessions per month with your counselor
• Our home guide, cookbook, and additional tools and materials to support your transition into healthier living
• Spa Day (part of our Curriculum for Feminine Principles in Action) 5 times a year—nutrition workshops, meditation, massage, cooking class, fun, community, and connection!
• 24/7 support from your counselors and other clients—via our fantastic online community to which you are registered as soon as you sign up!

What results can I expect?

Results, results, results! Our clients not only experience amazing healing of their conditions, but dramatic lifestyle improvements that they may not have believed were possible prior to starting a program with us. Women suffering with PCOS start having normal periods. Women with severe PMS have balanced moods and easy periods. Women who were considered infertile get pregnant. Women who were on the yo-yo diet cycle lose weight and feel great. Women in dead-end jobs become empowered to find new and fulfilling careers. Women who were frustrated in their relationships finally achieve the intimacy they’ve been yearning for, by learning to trust themselves. Just take a look at our client testimonials.

What if I don’t live in New York City?

No problem. We work with clients all over the country. You will get equally wonderful results from your program working with me or one of my expert counselors by phone. In fact, many local clients choose the phone option for convenience. If you do not live locally, all materials will be sent to you by e-mail or express mail, and of course you can always access your counselor and the online client community via email.

At this time Spa Days are only held in New York. We would love for you to come visit! In the future, our Spa Days will be on the road and coming to your town!

What if I feel I need to address more issues after my six months is up?

This is a great question. Many Laughing Sage Wellness clients, after completing a six-month program with us, are so healthy and clear-thinking that they start to crave improvement in other areas of their lives. Usually they want to look next at creating healthier relationships and developing emotional intimacy with family, friends, and romantic partners.

To address this need, we have developed a Sexuality & Intimacy Graduate Program, which lasts another six months, in which we deepen your understanding of how you interact with others. We concentrate on obstacles you may have to receiving nurturing. This is such a common issue for women who have hormonal imbalances. When we have a lack of trust in our bodies, it’s hard to trust other people, and sometimes we become excessively giving to overcompensate for our bodies not performing optimally. So to fully heal from your health problem you need to redevelop those skills of intimacy and trust that you have been missing. And we’re here to support you with that.

If I’m not ready to commit for six months, is there a way for me to try your approach in a shorter time frame?

If you’re not sure about doing a full six-month program, you can start with our Metamorphosis program, which takes just eight weeks! Group sessions for you and other participants are held in the evening by phone. If you’ve never taken a teleclass, give it a try. It’s a great community learning environment, plus you can be at home in your sweatpants!

Metamorphosis addresses the same healing methods as in our six-month program. Not only will you learn what we do and how we do it, but you will experience transformative improvements in your health in just those eight weeks!

We are also available to conduct Remedy Retreats for women's groups and wellness centers around the country. These retreats are designed for a group setting, and will radically shift your perspective on your health problems in just a few hours, and empower you to become your own authority on your body and your health. To find out about booking a Remedy Retreat for your group or center, call us directly at 212-581-0001, or email us at info@laughingsagewellness.com.

Can I contact some of your former clients to see what it’s like to work with you?

Absolutely. Email us at info@laughingsagewellness.com, and we will arrange for you to chat with our alums.

How can I learn more about your work at no cost?

We want you to be an educated consumer, which is why we offer free information on our web site to get you started on taking control of your health:

• Read our client testimonials.
• Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter.
• Check out our Free Tools.
• Send us the Begin Your Healing Journey form to set up a no-obligation free phone consultation. This will give you a chance to ask specific questions about your health concern, and see firsthand what kind of suggestions we have for your personal needs.

Will the cost of the program be worth it?

We encourage you to view the cost of the program as an investment in your health. When you’re feeling good, life’s never better. A holistic approach to health sets you up for a better older age, better menopause, healthier bones, and an outstanding quality of life.

As someone who suffered from a hormonal imbalance myself, I know firsthand how debilitating hormonal health problems can be. No matter how much you try to suppress it or deny it, these conditions interfere with your everyday life. For example, if you’re suffering with terrible cramps, it’s affecting your work. If you’re not menstruating and you have no libido, it’s affecting your relationship, or your potential to be a parent.

Healing and integrating these parts of your life creates joy. And to deny yourself that potential for true well-being is a much bigger loss than the small financial investment you’ll be making.

Do you accept credit cards?

We accept Visa and MasterCard.

I think I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple of additional questions. Can I call you?

Yes, you can reach us at 212-581-0001. Or email our Client Care Specialist at info@laughingsagewellness.com; she can answer your questions and set up a free consultation with me if you are ready.

I’ve read through your web site and I know that I am ready to work with you. How do I get started?

with your program!

Visit the Begin Your Healing Journey page of our web site and complete the form. We will contact you to set up an appointment to get you registered into the program. Or you can email us directly us at info@laughingsagewellness.com to set up your appointment.

I look forward to welcoming you into our community and to becoming your partner in health!