Meet Abby King Roberts | Clinical Herbalist, RMT, IHP & Trauma-Informed RYT-200

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abby King Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abby, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
As the wellness and spiritual communities continue to grow, it’s amazing to see more people interested in and embracing holistic practices for their health and wellbeing. However, one thing that many outsiders may or may not be aware of is that not everyone who operates in this space is always properly trained, educated, or even has their best interest at heart. After years of working in this field as a clinical herbalist, reiki master teacher, sound therapy practitioner, and more, I’ve seen firsthand how the rapid growth in these spaces, while wonderful, has created room for misguided practices that can be harmful, ineffective or even dangerous to the unsuspecting person.

For instance, I’ve seen self-proclaimed shamans administering plant medicines they have no business administering, which can be deeply harmful not only to the body but also to the subconscious and the energy field. On multiple occasions, I’ve seen an individual in the thick of a spiritual psychosis touting their psychic abilities. Similarly, I’ve come across “Reiki practitioners” who call in unnecessary—and sometimes even harmful—spirits or energies into their sessions, with or without understanding the risks involved and with or without their clients’ informed consent. On social media, the “witchy aesthetic” has become trendy (because, to be fair, it’s cute), and I’ve seen unsuspecting everyday people learning and practicing black magic rituals without the full knowledge of what it was they were engaged in.

That’s so heavy, and to introduce things like that to unwitting parties without fully explaining the consequences is downright evil in my opinion. There seems to be a notion in the community that nothing is bad or good; it just is. Beliefs like this are called spiritual bypassing, and they’re extremely harmful. If we neglect to shine a light on the darkness, it will stay hidden where it can cause insidious harm.

I imagine a lot of the people who are skeptical of my work are skeptical for these kinds of reasons, and I would love to see more genuine, authentic practitioners armed with integrity in the community making these healing modalities and practices more readily available and accessible (and appealing) to everyone.

What concerns me the most is that many people don’t realize how these half-baked beliefs and practices can have a lasting energetic impact. The bastardization of energetic and spiritual practices can discredit the importance of maintaining an individual’s energetic and spiritual health as a whole. That’s a vulnerable place to be, especially without a full understanding of what it is you’re engaging with. There is no such thing as being blissfully unaware here. Energy doesn’t lie. But because it all seems “woo woo” or just a trendy new thing to try, people often aren’t aware of how real these energies are—and how crucial it is to protect themselves. Knowledge is power because our unadulterated will, which is a free gift from Spirit, is powerful. That’s why I’m so passionate about education and awareness.

I believe it’s important to empower people by teaching them about energy hygiene, as well as how to identify ethical practitioners. It’s crucial to me to bring a voice of reason to this space—one that balances the wisdom of ancient practices with the necessary caution and discernment of today’s world.

As someone who works with a range of healing modalities, I want to help people feel empowered, safe, and truly connected to themselves—not caught up in a trend or put at risk by misguided or even malicious practitioners.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My business is rooted in a simple phrase: finding wholeness through balance. My goal is to help people find their way to the healing of their mind, body, and soul by teaching them how to reconcile all parts of themselves. My target client is someone who deeply wants to heal but maybe doesn’t know where to start, who to trust, or may feel exhausted at the thought of continuing to hope for better.

I’ve personally walked through the fire of trauma, depression, and anxiety, particularly after experiencing narcissistic abuse. I held a lot of shame and hopelessness, so my journey has been about learning to trust myself and my connection to the divine in order to heal deeply and find balance.

I guess you could say I consider myself a moderate mystic—you likely won’t find extremes in my beliefs or practices, but you will always find me calling out manipulation, coercion, and abuse if and when I see it. My goal is to teach others to do the gentle excavation necessary to heal their own trauma and/or subconscious patterning so they can walk forward as integrated, whole equipped beings. It hasn’t been easy, but this process of self-discovery, balance, and healing has brought me here to what I believe is my purpose today, and I’m passionate about guiding others to find the same in their lives!

Sometimes, to heal the mind, we have to address the body, and vice versa—and we always need to address the energy. That’s what sets me apart, I believe. A truly integrative and personalized approach guided by compassion.

Currently, I’m really excited about a research project and book I’m working on writing. I can’t say too much, but the book will be a bit of everything I love, and I’d like to think it’ll be my (first of many) love letter to all the beautiful humans who want to heal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would go to Denton FOR SURE. It’s where I take everyone. We’d have our welcome meal on the rooftop at LSA Burger, then we’d grab a coffee at Jupiter House, and after that we’d go to Recycled and check out some books. We’d finish off the first night over at Yellow Dog Art Bar or The Kava Bar. I’d also give them my employee discount to go for a deprivation tank float at Mindful Wellness Center at some point during the week. 😉

Other than eating and shopping in Denton, there’s plenty of things to do in DFW. I’d take them to Grandscape in The Colony to ride the Ferris Wheel and go try to get into the speakeasy one night. On another day, we’d head to Dallas for the big Dallas farmers market and then to Trinity Forest Adventure Park for ziplining, and finish out the night with some movement medicine with the Dallas Movement Collective.

I’d love to take them to the Fort Worth Nature Refuge and to do some kayaking on the river. There’s plenty of restaurants in Fort Worth, but among my favorites are Simply Fondue, Woodshed Smokehouse, Joe T’s, and Ascension Coffee. Another day in Fort Worth would include the Botanic and Japanese Gardens.

We’d have to make our way back out to Dallas to go to Curiosities Antiques and the Dallas Arboretum at some point too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I absolutely wouldn’t be who or where I am today without the support, love, and guidance of so many people in my corner. While it’s impossible to name everyone, I have to shout out a few who have been absolutely monumental in my journey.

First and foremost, my husband, Chris. He has been my constant through every up and down of the last eight years. In my vows, I wrote, “You’re safe and still when everything else is scary and moves way too fast (including me).” It’s still true today—he is the cave I retreat to. I finally understand what people mean when they say, “I love them more now than the day we married.” My love, appreciation, and adoration for him have only multiplied over the years. From taking on the financial load to allow me to stay home and care for our son, to listening to all my rants about the newest things I’ve read as I unpack and organize my thoughts, to simply being my safe place at the end of each day—his support means the world to me.

I also have to thank my Aunt Bobbi (shoutout to my nature buddy—literally!), my dad, and my older brothers for instilling in me a deep love for the outdoors. This connection to nature has been foundational in my work and life. And of course, a special shoutout to Mother Nature herself, and all the wonderful, supportive plant allies around us. I’m thankful for the teachings of Dr. Usui in my Reiki practice. I’m eternally grateful for my own walk with Christ, which keeps me anchored to a True North.

Thank you to Eric and Angel Koenig at Mindful Wellness Center in Denton, where I see clients. Their space has been such a blessing, and I can’t wait to see what we do next. My dear friend and trusted practitioner, Tabitha, opened the door for me to work with them. She’s played a big role in my journey as well.

My sister, Maddy, deserves endless credit for being an unfailing stream of support. There’s possibly no one who’s been more on my team than her, always cheering me on and backing me up.

Countless herbalists have come before me and paved the way for this tradition to continue on, so I also want to extend my deep gratitude to the incredible humans whose wisdom and dedication have inspired me. Matthew Wood, first and foremost. Matt has completely shaped my herbal education, and without him, I wouldn’t have developed a firm foundation on which to learn and explore. Additionally, Sajah Popham, Kat Maier, Richo Cech, Margi Flint, Phyllis Light, Eliot Cowan, Thomas Easley, and April Graham have each contributed profoundly to my understanding of herbal medicine and holistic healing. Their dedication to the craft and their passion for plants have not only expanded my knowledge but ignited my enthusiasm for this work in the first place. I’m constantly in awe of their wisdom and the healing they bring to the world, and their teachings have been instrumental in shaping my own practice.

And of course, last but certainly not least, I have to acknowledge my clients. Their willingness to embark on their healing journeys and allow me to participate in some small way is what gives me purpose. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Website: https://www.bloomapotheca.com

Instagram: bloomapotheca

Other: https://heal.me/bloomapothecary

Image Credits
Sarah K Photography