Dr. Carmen Barnes
Dr. Barnes is a Functional Medicine Doctor
I’m a GP by background, originally trained in the U.S. at Brown and Dartmouth Medical School. After many years in general practice, I discovered the field of Lifestyle and Functional Medicine—a natural evolution for me, given my lifelong belief in a more holistic view of health.
Growing up on a Native American reservation, I was taught the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel—a model that sees wellbeing as a balance of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I always imagined that as a physician, I could help people achieve health from that integrated perspective.
Working within conventional medicine, I came to realise how much the system focuses on managing disease rather than cultivating wellness. My training hadn’t prepared me to guide patients toward true vitality—particularly those struggling with chronic issues like fatigue, gut dysfunction, or fibromyalgia. Over time, my patients led me back to that original vision. When standard testing and advice weren’t enough, I began searching for deeper answers.
Discovering functional medicine was a turning point. It offered a framework to identify root causes, illuminate the gut–hormone–immune connection, and ultimately reconnect science with the art of healing.
Today, my practice focuses on helping people with chronic conditions such as IBS, autoimmune illness, and hormonal imbalances like PCOS and perimenopause. It’s deeply rewarding to witness how profoundly the body can heal when we address the underlying drivers of dysfunction.
My hope for healthcare in New Zealand is to expand access to functional medicine—bridging the gap between modern science and holistic wisdom. Change is already underway: more people are listening to podcasts, asking better questions, and seeking care that honours the whole person. That curiosity and empowerment will, I believe, reshape the future of medicine here.
Outside of my work, I find joy in dancing—salsa is my first love—cooking nourishing meals for my family, and exploring Aotearoa’s beautiful landscapes with my husband and our two young children.