The Radiance Approach
Radiance offers an approach that is patient focused. Every patient feels heard and appreciated. We combine traditional medicine and skin health, while incorporating scientifically proven methods of functional medicine, self-care and stress reduction. This integrative form of medicine provides an added layer of care that you won’t find among typical practices. We will take the time to get to know you and your health concerns and will team with you to figure them out.
How It Began
The Radiance approach stems from a personal journey—one that included the trials and tribulations of common treatments for eczema, acne and gut issues. After experiencing years of measures like antibiotics, topical medicines, and steroids, Amy Black (founder of Radiance) found herself asking why she wasn’t getting better.
From Amy Black, founder:
“I have always had some form of allergies, itchy skin and acne, so I spent time with the allergist, the dermatologist and the pediatrician. I got allergy shots, I took numerous antibiotics for years and never got better. When I hit my teenage years I noticed that nothing was changing as far as my acne/allergies, and I started having new issues—sensitive stomach. I was also embarrassed by the acne on my face and back and spent a lot of hours in the bathroom picking at my skin.
I came to the realization that the treatments I was receiving from my health care providers were not really curing anything. I wanted to know why I had these conditions. I was frustrated that no one wanted to give me any answers—they just wanted me to take more medicine.
When I got a bit older, I finally found a clinic where I was able to get some questions answered. This was the first place that someone asked me how I felt and why I thought that I was having problems. I also started paying close attention to how I felt on some of the medications I was prescribed and realized that I didn’t want to take them. I looked at alternative therapies, started doing mindfulness meditation and realized that my life started changing for the better.
Throughout life I have struggled with various health conditions and until I found functional medicine, I never knew what it meant to truly feel good. I never really knew that food could be medicine and that someone listening to my story could also be good medicine.
I trained in conventional medicine as a nurse practitioner. I fully believe in conventional medicine; however, now I know that it can be even better when we add the missing pieces—time, compassion, listening and an individualized treatment plan.”
I value the relationships I have with my patients. I want to take time with you to develop a more complete understanding of your health.”
Backed by Formal Training
For more than two decades Amy Black has dedicated herself to finding, honing and sharing proven practices for deep health. Building on a foundation of conventional medicine, including degrees from the University of Virginia (Biology/French Language and Literature) in 1998 and Virginia Commonwealth University (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing) in 2002, Amy was drawn to the growing body of evidence on how stress, diet and the environment alter our physical being. After extensive work in various fields, Amy found her passion: the skin. In 2010 she became certified in Dermatology, helping patients understand and support the skin’s role in supporting our whole health.
Seeking a core-to-surface approach, she studied at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)—the gold standard for her field—where she was certified in 2018. Combined with her existing professional experiences and training, the systems-based approach taught by IFM helped to create her unique, integrative methods.
Amy regularly attends conferences and seeks continuing education opportunities to stay up to date with current practices in dermatology and integrative medicine.
While other practices lean on the word “integrative” as a catchphrase, Amy is one of a small handful of practitioners offering this revolutionary and truly integrative practice.