MEET AIMÉE

I’m here because (like you, perhaps?) I went on a long journey, with countless doctor visits and many attempted remedies, to finally feel better living in and through this one precious body.

The practical tools I now offer (acupuncture, herbal medicine, breathwork, and reiki) are what helped me create the lasting, sustainable change I was yearning for in my body, my emotions, and my life — and to this day, they are the framework for how I continue to heal as my needs change through the years.

These modalities form the foundation of my practice, Align Acupuncture, which is an evolving expression in how to meet you exactly where you are and be of service to you and your health, whether you are in New York City or anywhere on this beautiful earth.

I may have learned a few things over the years, but I won’t pretend that I could be the expert on you — you are — or that I have all the answers for you — that’s for each of us to explore through what we experience in life, and ultimately discover for ourselves.

Or that I am the only practitioner who might help — in this era when it’s never been easier to connect with a wide range of competent, caring professionals with diverse backgrounds and talents, and I love nothing more than to connect people with others who might be a better fit.

My work is a reflection of my commitment to my own health, and my belief that our healing is deeply interconnected. I love sharing what I’ve learned and experienced, because my healing is your healing. I love learning from you and what you have experienced, because your healing is my healing.

From my heart, thank you for being here.

ALIGN’S PURPOSE

To nurture a welcoming queer-friendly and trans-friendly space for healing.

To facilitate a deep connection between each person and their unique innate self-healer, through the tools and practices of East Asian medicine, plants, breathwork, and energy medicine.

To connect people with diverse resources that best support their needs and healing, beyond both this space and the traditional healthcare system.

 

learn more about the in-person + online healing services i offer

 

  • “Aimée has the gift that not all healers can claim to have: the one to actually help you heal... Her dedication is to truly help you on the journey you are on, to get to where you have set your intentions… Her presence is very intuitive & caring, and she is deeply empathetic & really joyful, yet, with impeccable emotional boundaries that are much needed for what she is doing.”

    — C.M.

  • “Aimée is truly incredible! My overall health and well-being has improved from making regular visits to her. I appreciate that she holds space for me without any judgment. She has supported me through more short term issues such as pain management for small injuries to more chronic issues ranging like allergies and mental health. I really appreciate that Aimée often offers different resources that may be helpful, but never pressures.”

    — J.O.

  • "Aimee is a phenomenal acupuncturist and overall healer. I first met her about four years ago; my health was at an all-time low and I felt lost as to my next steps, since I’d already done so many things. She listened w kindness, compassion and grace as I cried in her office. Her Acupuncture that day addressed my physical body and importantly, also my mental and spiritual bodies.”

    — J.T.

Dr. Aimée Derbes, DACM, LAc

Founder + Owner of Align Acupuncture | She / Her

 

BIO

Aimée Derbes, DACM, LAc, is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and breathwork facilitator based in New York City. She is also a nationally certified Chinese herbalist, a Healing Touch Practitioner, and a student of clinical somatics, alchemical acupuncture, and yoga nidra.

behind ALign’s Approach

 

Dr. Derbes helps people reconnect with their innate vibrancy and wholeness, so they can navigate being human with more ease. Her healing arts practice, Align Acupuncture, is a refuge for people who are ready to be deeply supported as they let go of living in chronic stress, refill their wells, and heal in a sustainable, lasting way. Approaching each of her patients as beautifully unique, she crafts personalized treatments that support each individual exactly where they are. She offers all of her modalities in private in-office sessions in New York City, and works with people all over the country through virtual private sessions and gatherings.

She is also passionate about connecting people with low-cost, low-technology, accessible tools to heal themselves. In support of this, Dr. Derbes offers sliding scale community acupuncture treatments, and low-cost monthly breathwork group workshops through her Align Breathwork Membership.

She also wrote a book that breaks down auriculotherapy — the stimulation of the external ear using ear seeds, an inexpensive tool that anyone can use to address symptoms and conditions throughout the whole body — into easy to understand instructions. The book, called Seed Heal Now, empowers people new to auriculotherapy to use it at home and help themselves and their families with common health issues, no acupuncture needles needed.

 

  • Licensed Acupuncturist — State of New York

  • Diplomate of Oriental Medicine — National / NCCAOM

  • Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine — Pacific College of Health and Science

  • Master of Science — Pacific College of Health and Science

  • Bachelor of Arts — University of Pennsylvania

 

  • Certified Breathwork Healer (2018) — David Elliott + Erin Telford

  • Healing Touch Practitioner (2017) — Healing Touch Program

  • Reiki (2015) — Level 1 with Lisa Levine, Level 2 with Erika Spring

  • Essential Oil Aroma Acupoint Therapy (2017) — Peter Holmes

  • Facial Gua Sha for Professionals (2019) — Green Beauty Academy / Britta McCrae (Plug)

  • Certified Nutrition Educator (2008) — Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition

  • Student of Transformation Sleep Yoga Nidra Teacher Training with Ally Boothroyd (2024)

  • Student of Alchemical Acupuncture with Lorie Dechar and A New Possibility (2024-2025)

  • Student of Clinical Somatics: Somatic Facilitator, Clinical Somatic Educator + Therapist, and Somatic Movement Therapist and Educator with Brain Body Being / Mallorie Buoy (2024-2025)

  • Student of Clinical Aromatherapy with Aromahead Institute

  • Student of herbal medicine, including internal herbal medicine, whole plant herbal oils, and botanical skincare — Aviva Romm, Kami McBride, and The Herbal Academy