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FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE DOCTOR

Functional medicine asks a different question than most other healthcare treatments. Instead of “What symptom are we treating today?”, functional medicine doctors ask, “What’s actually causing this?” That shift, from managing symptoms to resolving root causes, is the foundation of how Dr. Marra practices as a functional medicine doctor.

Today, patients in Seattle, and via telehealth across Washington, come to Dr. Marra, when they’ve been told their labs are “normal,” but they still don’t feel well. Their symptoms have typically been treated one at a time, by one specialist at a time, with no one looking at the whole picture.

As a functional medicine doctor, Dr. Marra specializes in connecting the dots: finding the root cause driving a patient’s symptoms rather than managing each symptom in isolation.

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A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE DOCTOR BUILT ON SYSTEMS-BIOLOGY

Functional medicine was formalized just down the road in Gig Harbor, when Dr. Jeffrey Bland founded the Institute for Functional Medicine to teach physicians a systems-biology approach: one that considers a patient’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle together, rather than matching a diagnosis to a prescription.

That training is exactly what shapes Dr. Marra’s work as a functional medicine doctor today. She applies systems-biology through extensive lab testing, gathering a detailed personal history, and building treatment plans around each patient’s physiology rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Dr. Marra knows that a person’s genetic imprint and personal health history are as unique as a fingerprint, and a treatment plan should reflect that.

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Dr. Susan Marra, a functional medicine doctor in Seattle, smiles while holding a white French Bulldog wearing a black sweater, indoors.
Seattle skyline at sunset featuring the Space Needle in the foreground, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and Mount Rainier visible in the distant background under a clear sky.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

Appointments are conveniently offered via telehealth, so you can work with Dr. Marra no matter where you’re located.

A first visit typically starts with a thorough history and review of prior testing and treatment, followed by targeted lab work to identify what’s actually driving your symptoms. From there, Dr. Marra builds an integrated treatment plan, stays closely involved, and makes any necessary adjustments over time.

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Dr. Marra’s Affiliations

HEAR WHAT PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY

A testimonial praising Dr. Marra for her expertise in chronic Lyme and Babesia treatment, with five gold stars and the signature CS, July 2026 at the bottom.
A testimonial praises Dr. Marras approach as experienced and realistic. Five gold stars and the reviewers name, KD, and date, February 2026, appear at the bottom.
Text review praising Dr. Marra for her attentive care and thorough testing after years of symptoms. Five gold stars appear below, along with YC, February 2026..
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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “functional medicine” mean?

Functional medicine is a systems-biology approach to health that looks for the root cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms. Instead of matching a diagnosis to a prescription, a functional medicine doctor investigates the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors behind a patient’s symptoms — then builds a treatment plan around that individual, not a checklist.

How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?

Conventional medicine is often built to manage symptoms once disease is already present. Functional medicine works further upstream: using detailed history, extensive lab testing, and a personalized view of a patient’s biology to find what’s actually driving dysfunction — then addressing that cause through targeted nutritional, lifestyle, and clinical interventions before chronic disease fully takes hold.

What can a functional medicine approach help with?

Because it treats the whole person rather than an isolated symptom, functional medicine is especially effective for complex or chronic conditions that haven’t responded to standard treatment — including autoimmune dysfunction, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalance, gut and microbiome issues, and unresolved inflammatory conditions. Dr. Marra uses this approach to connect the dots other providers may have missed.

Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance directly. However, our office provides insurance-compliant superbills at every appointment, which you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Most insurance companies reimburse a portion of office visit expenses, depending on your carrier and policy — for specific details, please reach out to your insurance carrier directly. Medical Bill Gurus and American Medical Health Alliance are resources some patients have used to help with insurance reimbursement.
Is Dr. Marra accepting new patients?
Yes, Dr. Marra is currently accepting new patients. Call our office at (206) 299-2676 to schedule your new patient consultation.
Am I able to have a phone consult or a telemedicine appointment with Dr. Marra?
Yes! All appointments are conducted via telehealth, so you can work with Dr. Marra regardless of where you’re located. For your scheduled telehealth appointment, please enter the virtual waiting room five minutes early to avoid any technical delays. You’ll receive a reminder from the office at least one day in advance.
How do you handle payments?
We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and debit. Payment is due at the time of your visit.
Can I call or email the office with questions for Dr. Marra?

Established patients may contact our office with one or two clear, concise questions related to their treatment plan. Questions that need more in-depth discussion, or that fall outside the current treatment plan, will require scheduling an appointment.