Background & Credentials
About Dr. Portia Barnblatt
DAOM, L.AC. — Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, serving San Francisco since 1997.
A Life Dedicated to Healing
Dr. Portia Barnblatt earned her master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco in 1996. In 1997 she completed a post-graduate internship at the Yue Yang TCM Hospital in Shanghai. In 1998 she completed a yearlong acupuncture orthopedic program taught by Dr. Fred Lerner, DC and had extensive training in Auricular Acupuncture with Dr. Li-Chun Huang, and Scalp Acupuncture with Dr. Ming Qin Zhu.
In the mid-2000s she practiced as a research acupuncturist for post-open heart surgery patients at UCSF. She has also treated patients at the San Francisco Free Clinic and has been a guest lecturer at ACTCM. Dr. Barnblatt has been in private practice in San Francisco since 1997 and has treated thousands of patients.
In 2016, Dr. Barnblatt earned her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) at ACTCM, now part of California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). Her doctoral research focused on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with acupuncture. She has presented her research at international conferences in Stockholm, Sweden and Beijing, China.
She was given an honorary award by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom for serving the community since 1997.
Education & Credentials
1996
Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), San Francisco
1997
Post-Graduate Internship
Yue Yang TCM Hospital, Shanghai, China
1998
Acupuncture Orthopedic Program
Taught by Dr. Fred Lerner, DC — with advanced training in Auricular Acupuncture (Dr. Li-Chun Huang) and Scalp Acupuncture (Dr. Ming Qin Zhu)
Mid-2000s
Research Acupuncturist
Post-open heart surgery patients, UCSF
2016
Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
ACTCM / California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), San Francisco — Doctoral research: Treatment of PTSD with acupuncture
2016–Present
International Research Presenter
Conferences in Stockholm, Sweden and Beijing, China
Community
Honorary Award
Presented by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom for community service since 1997
Teaching & Research
Dr. Barnblatt's doctoral research on the treatment of PTSD with acupuncture has been presented at international conferences in Stockholm, Sweden and Beijing, China, contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting Traditional Chinese Medicine in modern healthcare. She has also served as a guest lecturer at ACTCM, sharing her clinical expertise with the next generation of practitioners.
Her community commitment extends beyond private practice — from treating patients at the San Francisco Free Clinic to conducting research with post-open heart surgery patients at UCSF. This dedication to service earned her an honorary award from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.