Betzy Bancroft, RH(AHG) is a teacher, clinical herbalist, gardener, craftsperson and environmentalist who’s had a deep appreciation for the magic of plants since childhood. As VCIH co-director and core faculty, Betzy provides the earth element to the organization’s staff. Plants are truly her friends, and she feels ever inspired by the natural world—all its varied beings and the amazing interconnections and beauty that make up the great web of life.

Betzy loves to introduce others to her green friends, to share the herbal wisdom she feels very blessed to have learned. Her goal is to help students and clients understand the plants’ “personalities” and relate to them as fellow living beings and guides to better health.

Larken Bunce, MS is a clinical herbalist, educator, gardener, writer, and photographer deeply inspired by a life-long love affair with plants. Her approach to herbal medicine is equally rooted in science and spirit, novel practice and tradition, clinic and garden, reflecting her diverse experiences in almost 30 years in the field. Her work is primarily informed by Western herbal medicine, classical Chinese medicine, whole-food nutrition, mind-body and narrative medicines, and social justice advocacy. Larken is passionate about accessible and culturally competent care, bridging traditional medical systems with biomedical sciences, and restoring Nature to culture through herbal medicine.

Linden de Voil, RH(AHG) Linden is a clinical herbalist, writer, and plant wonderer. She was initially drawn to herbalism as a practice for community care, health advocacy, and personal empowerment, then discovered the deep joy of connecting with plants and ecosystems.  

A graduate of VCIH's clinical training program, Linden has since spent the last worked in herbal regulatory affairs, integrative clinic management, and curriculum development. She has also served as a guest lecturer at Bastyr University and other herbal education programs and conferences in the Pacific Northwest. The heart of Linden's clinical work is the integration of deep listening, compassionate guidance, and a collaborative partnership with clients as they create new patterns and connect with the power and beauty of plant medicine.

Kristin Henningsen MS, RH(AHG), E-RYT, IYT is a clinical herbalist, yoga therapist, writer, and educator, who first fell in love with plants in the desert southwest. There she was inspired to complete her graduate work, researching the Ethnobotany of the region. In addition to studying Native American herbal medicine in the Southwest, she has worked in academia and for non-profit organizations in the field of botanical research all over the country.