Functional Nutrition for Reflux, Digestion, Gut Dysbiosis, and
Food Allergies

Course Instructor

Amy Spindel, MSHN, MSSW, BCHN, AFMC

Amy is a master’s-level functional and holistic nutrition professional and the founder of Food With Thought Nutrition, a virtual practice specializing in gut health, microbiome rebalancing, and the complex physiological patterns contributing to chronic health concerns in women as well as children. She has a particular focus on applying functional nutrition to breastfeeding dyads in order to help infants resolve gut concerns through their moms’ breastmilk. 

She holds a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and a Master of Social Work from Columbia University. Amy is certified in Applied Functional Medicine through the School of Applied Functional Medicine and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. She is also among a select group of practitioners worldwide certified in Microbiome Analysis through the Microbiome Restoration Center.

Amy’s clinical approach centers on root-cause resolution of complex and chronic health concerns through a multidisciplinary and integrative lens. Known for her ability to synthesize diverse case information into a coherent picture of dysfunction, she designs stepwise, personalized plans to help clients unravel persistent symptoms and restore physiological balance. Her ongoing professional development spans a broad range of areas including mental health, trauma, nervous system regulation, culinary arts, gluten-related disorders, elimination diets, hair mineral tissue analysis and mineral rebalancing, autoimmunity, safe supplement use, mycotoxins, heavy metals, parasitology, hormones, and more.

Amy also serves as Director of Scientific and Clinical Education at the School of Applied Functional Medicine, where she supports advanced practitioner training through curriculum development. She is the lead nutritionist for Phoebe: Expectant Parenting and Postpartum Support, and is a respected speaker, mentor, and course creator in the field of functional nutrition.

Her earlier career as a behavioral and family therapist continues to inform her client-centered, systems-oriented, whole-person approach while her training in culinary arts enhances her ability to provide practical, individualized dietary support. Outside of clinical work, Amy enjoys gardening, family bike rides, and playing the flute.

Course Instructor

Marissa Yahil, MSOT, OTR/L, IBCLC

Marissa is the Founder and Clinical Director of Lactation & Development Resources and is the Co-Founder of The Lactation OT (an online continuing education platform).

From a young age, Marissa was exposed to an alternative way of thinking about health and wellness through her parents’ wellness-focused marketing company. Marissa attended Brandeis University where she dedicated her studies to Psychology and Public Health with an emphasis on maternal/child health and child development. During and after college Marissa worked with children 0-5 years old both privately with families and at a child development center.

Ultimately, Marissa earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) at Salus University. While in graduate school, Marissa was fortunate to participate in fieldwork at the Breastfeeding Resource Center in the greater Philadelphia suburbs. It was there that she learned that breastfeeding does not seem to come easily (or go as planned) for the majority of families.

Partnering with families to meet their lactation and infant feeding goals has become Marissa’s passion and life work. She loves combining her knowledge and skills in order to offer an integrated and holistic approach to resolving lactation and infant feeding difficulties.

Marissa is an avid lifelong learner. The families she supports are her greatest teachers, and she is always engaged in a multitude of continuing education opportunities.

Marissa lives in Dallas, TX, is married to her college sweetheart, Uri, and is the mother of two beautiful children, a daughter — Aurora, and a son — Ezra.