.png)
Cognitive Nutrient Therapy
Melanie Mintzer M.D.
In the landscapes of North Carolina, where the heart of family medicine beats, Dr. Melanie Mintzer has devoted nearly forty years to the well-being of her community. Born with a passion for family medicine inherited from her father, a small-town family doctor, her journey began in Montreal, Canada, at McGill University Faculty of Medicine. ​Upon graduating in 1980, Dr. Mintzer completed her training in Family Medicine at the UCSF San Francisco General Hospital Family Practice residency in 1983.
​
Her initial steps led her to the San Francisco County Public Health system, where she honed her skills and laid the foundation for her commitment to public health and care for underserved populations. She joined the Department of Family Medicine at UNC School of Medicine in 1985 as an Assistant Professor, and served as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Social Medicine where she taught first and second year medical students about the social issues in medical practice, medical ethics, and professional development. Her research focus was on cancer prevention receiving an American Cancer Society Career Development Award from 1992-1994. She also completed an NCI Cancer Epidemiology, Education and Prevention Fellowship in 1995. She taught courses in Social Medicine, Pharmacology, Pathology and Clinical Problem Solving and Women’s Studies throughout her 19 years at UNC.​
Her impact on the community left an indelible mark as the medical director of the Orange County Health Department (1985-1991) and Planned Parenthood of Orange and Durham Counties (1984-1994). Although she retired from her university position at UNC in 2002, she continues to teach medicine to medical, nurse practitioner, and Physician assistant students in private practice. In 2002, guided by her vision for a patient-centric practice, Dr. Mintzer founded Generations Family Practice in Cary, NC. Over the years, her commitment and excellence garnered recognition as the "Best Family Doctor in Western Wake County"; by Cary Magazine for five consecutive years. A testament to her dedication, she expanded the practice to a thriving ten- provider practice before retiring from full time family practice in 2022.
In 2023, a partnership emerged from 15 years of shared professional camaraderie. Dr. Melanie Mintzer, a seasoned practitioner in family medicine, joined forces with Amber Self, a respected Naturopath, to establish Cognitive Nutrient Therapy.This practice is rooted in the foundation of the Walsh Protocol, a methodology pioneered by Dr. William Walsh and globally taught to practitioners seeking a groundbreaking and revolutionary shift in an ever-evolving landscape of mental health. These were fundamentals Dr. Mintzer had embraced two decades prior. Her educational pursuit with the Walsh Institute since 2017 has led her to become one of eight certified Walsh practitioners in North Carolina, elevating her status to that of an advanced Walsh clinical practitioner.​
As a team, Dr. Mintzer and Amber Self offer a unique blend of traditional expertise and natural interventions, providing an integrated approach that considers each individual's biochemical makeup. Their partnership is not just a practice; it is a commitment, paving the way for a departure from conventional mental health practices and offering a more personalized patient- centric future.
Amber Self N.D.
Traditional Naturopath
In the quest of holistic healing, Amber Self has obtained certification of a traditional Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) and Certified Natural Health Professional (C.N.H.P.) from Trinity College of Natural Health in 2016. She delved further into her education by completing training as a Complimentary Alternative Health Practitioner (C.A.H.P.) and Health & Wellness Coach (H.W.C.) from The Institute of Integrative Studies. Her repertoire extends to Herbology, Homeopathy and Functional medicine.
For 14 years Amber owned and operated a Holistic Spa & Wellness Clinic in Cary offering many modalities guided by a natural approach. Ultimately what inspired Amber to further her education was the profound connection between internal health imbalances and external manifestations, particularly through the skin. This realization led to a transformative decision and career change to become a Naturopath to aid in her client’s journey to regaining their health naturally.
​
In 2016, Amber founded Nurture Wellness Clinic, a sanctuary for those navigating complex illnesses ranging from cases of tick-borne pathogens to hormone health. Her expertise and approach provides relief for her clients who are no longer being ignored by the modern medical model. The depth of her training allows her to address co-infections and accompanying issues such as heavy metal toxicity, mold sensitivity, pathogen overload, gut re-balancing, and food sensitivities.
​
Amber's journey intertwines with that of Dr. Melanie Mintzer, a professional collaboration that spans over a decade. Recognizing their shared professional alignment and a profound passion for natural intervention, they joined forces to create Cognitive Nutrient Therapy. A therapeutic model that offers a personalized approach to balancing brain chemistry for clients struggling with behavioral and mental imbalances while steering away from the band-aid approach of symptom management.
This distinction is pivotal in the strategic supplementation of amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and vitamins, fostering a terrain where individuals can naturally enhance the production of their neurotransmitters—be it serotonin, dopamine, GABA, or others. This balancing provides an alternative to conventional psychotropic medications but also individuals to potentially decrease their reliance on such medications while offering a pathway that is part of the body's natural processes.