Meet Alyson Flack | Acupuncturist, Store Owner & owner of Moon Phase Acupuncture

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyson Flack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyson, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
My eight-year-old son is growing up watching something I never saw modeled at his age—that you can pursue your dreams at any stage in life, even when the odds feel stacked against you. He’s learning that there’s no expiration date on ambition, no single “right” path, and that choosing an unconventional route can be just as meaningful—if not more so—than following the expected script.

It’s important to me that he sees what it means to listen to your heart and trust your own voice. I want him to know that conformity isn’t the goal—authenticity is. I try to teach him, both in words and in action, that there is power in honoring your individuality and that our so-called “weirdness” is often the source of our deepest strengths. I encourage him daily to express himself freely, to be curious, and to embrace the parts of him that don’t fit into tidy boxes.

I’m a single mom, and I began my second career when my son was just two years old and I was 41. He has grown up watching me build a life from the ground up: juggling the responsibilities of motherhood while navigating the unpredictable world of small business ownership.

Three and a half years ago, I opened my own wellness space. I made a deliberate choice to create something different—a storefront instead of a traditional waiting room, a place that felt open and alive. We threw a big party to celebrate the opening, and my son helped sell products to the customers who came to support us. He was part of it from the beginning, and I’ve made sure he always feels that connection to the work I do.

I had him in my third year of a four-year, intensive graduate program in Chinese medicine. I was balancing pregnancy, coursework, and clinical training all at once. It wasn’t easy—but it was foundational. My son came into the world during a time of intense transformation, and his presence became the quiet motivator behind every step I took forward.

His father and I separated almost two years ago, and we now share custody equally, raising him in two separate homes. It’s yet another lesson life handed us—one that has taught him adaptability, resilience, and that love and stability don’t always look like tradition. We’ve worked hard to build something peaceful and consistent for him, even as we navigate the changes ourselves.

If there’s one legacy I hope to leave him with, it’s the belief that your life is yours to shape—that you don’t have to wait for permission to begin again, and that your passions are always worth pursuing. I want him to carry with him the understanding that success doesn’t always look like the stories we’re told. Sometimes, it looks like showing up. Sometimes, it looks like staying true to yourself. And sometimes, it looks like starting over—bravely, boldly, and with your whole heart.

What should our readers know about your business?
Originally from the northern suburbs of Boston, Alyson has always been a creative soul with a deep love for art, music, and fashion. That passion led her to New York City in early 2001, where she pursued a degree in Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.). After graduating, she spent over a decade working in the corporate fashion world, with roles at industry giants like Victoria’s Secret and The Gap. Her niche was in design direction, color theory, and concept development—a place where aesthetics met strategy.

But over time, something shifted. The fast-paced, high-pressure environment of corporate fashion began to feel misaligned with her deeper values. Alyson felt a calling to do something more meaningful. Therapy had been transformative in her own life, and she initially planned to return to school to become a psychologist. She also noticed that, even in the workplace, people often came to her for advice and support—it felt natural to hold space for others.

That plan took a turn the day she wandered into a neighborhood acupuncture clinic in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. What began as a treatment for anxiety and hormonal regulation quickly became a life-changing experience. The profound impact of acupuncture on her physical and mental health left her both amazed and inspired. She knew then that this was the path she was meant to follow.

In January 2014, with just a few months’ notice, Alyson made a bold decision. She left her successful career, packed up her life, and moved across the country to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming an acupuncturist and herbalist. She enrolled in a rigorous four-year graduate program at Emperor’s College in Santa Monica, beginning an entirely new chapter with heart and purpose.

Alyson launched her practice in Sherman Oaks in June 2019, renting space from another acupuncturist. Just eight months later, she expanded to a second location in Westlake Village, subletting a single room in a shared office. In February 2020—just weeks before the world shut down due to COVID-19—she signed her lease for that space. Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic years, Alyson steadily built her business and grew a loyal patient base. Moon Phase Acupuncture was gaining momentum.

In November 2021, she took her next leap of faith—opening her own standalone location in Thousand Oaks, just two doors down from her friends at Face & Soul Studio, a local salon where she’d traded services for years. After just two and a half years in practice and a month of construction, Moon Phase Acupuncture officially had a home.

Alyson’s path may have started in fashion, but her purpose found its place in healing. Her journey is a testament to trusting your intuition, starting over, and creating a life rooted in authenticity and care.

Moon Phase Acupuncture is the private practice of Alyson Flack, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California since April 2019. Alyson provides holistic care for a wide range of general health concerns, with a particular emphasis on emotional well-being. Her integrative approach combines acupuncture, customized herbal prescriptions, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, Reiki energy healing, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle recommendations.

Drawing from her own healing journey, Alyson has pursued additional studies in Chinese medicine with a focus on mental health and women’s health—areas she feels deeply connected to. She is also passionate about natural skincare and beauty, offering treatments such as cosmetic acupuncture, microneedling, and light therapy to support both inner and outer radiance.

With a background in design, Alyson continues to honor her creative roots. The waiting area of her Thousand Oaks wellness space doubles as a thoughtfully curated storefront, featuring a rotating selection of crystals, clothing, jewelry, and unique gifts.

Alyson is deeply community-oriented and values collaboration. She frequently partners with fellow healers, local businesses, and artists to host events, workshops, and pop-ups—both in her space and throughout the surrounding area. Through Moon Phase Acupuncture, she aims to cultivate a welcoming, grounded environment where healing, creativity, and connection intersect.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My Favorite Spots Around Los Angeles and Beyond

Last summer, my best friend from Westchester, New York, came to visit. Though I live in the Valley, I’m definitely a city girl at heart, so I took her on a tour that mixed the best of both worlds. Here’s a list of my favorite places around Los Angeles, the Valley, and nearby gems that I love to share with friends:

Highland Park
Civil Coffee: Hands down one of the best spots in LA for coffee and high-quality iced matchas.
Prelude & Dawn: A charming boutique full of unique gifts.
Worship Collective & Soft Humans: Great vintage clothing stores for some seriously cool finds.

Virgil Village
The Melody: The cutest wine bar I know, set in a cozy house. They offer amazing wines and daily pop-up restaurants. After wine and food here, we headed to:
Good Friend Coffee: My favorite eastside hangout spot for great coffee and vibes.

Eagle Rock
The Grant: Possibly my favorite bar in the city. Beautifully decorated yet laid-back with a warm neighborhood feel—perfect for a chill night out.

Venice
Den Mother: Heaven on earth for garden massages with foot soaks, nestled in a gorgeous backyard. You can sip tea, coffee, or wine from their sister restaurant, Butcher’s Daughter, an awesome vegetarian spot.
Shopping: Burro is the best gift shop around; Goodies LA offers fantastic housewares.
For drinks and people-watching: The Brig has a great happy hour with a street view.
Great White: Solid food and drinks.
Jeni’s Ice Cream: A must-stop near Venice Beach on Windward Circle. Grab a cone and enjoy some of the best people-watching around.

Arts District
Manuela: Possibly my favorite restaurant in LA, located in the open-air Hauser & Wirth complex. The gallery and bookstore here are always worth a visit.

Downtown LA
The Row DTLA: Perfect for shopping and grabbing a coffee at Go Get ‘Em Tiger.
Flask & Field: A unique liquor store with a carefully curated selection of alcohol, snacks, and gifts.
The Last Bookstore: A haven for book lovers like me and my son, with incredible book sculptures to explore.
Art Museums I love rotating between: MOCA, The Broad, and LACMA (just outside DTLA but amazing).

Studio City
Fryman Canyon: A solid hike I do monthly, year-round.
Sportsman’s Lounge: An easy outdoor mall stop with great food and shopping options. Favorites include Erewhon, Roberta’s Pizza (a Brooklyn gem), Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and Hi Ho—the burger here is life-changing, made with daily-imported New Zealand Wagyu beef.
Oy Bar (not at Sportsman’s): The cutest dive bar with Bushwick Brooklyn vibes and a delicious Jewish-Japanese fusion menu plus killer cocktails.

Topanga Canyon
Endless Color: My favorite nearby casual pizza spot with amazing food, natural wines, records, and a vibe that blends Greenpoint Brooklyn with Venice Beach. Always great for people-watching—including the occasional celeb.
Canyon Gourmet: A cute local mini-market.
Moona Star Collective: A beautifully curated boutique for clothing, jewelry, and gifts in the heart of town.

The Valley
Country Mart in Woodland Hills is my go-to for nearby eats. I love Lodge Bread for breakfast—everything’s delicious, especially their bread.
The Mulholland in Calabasas is one of my favorite dinner spots, with a stunning backyard and an impressive natural wine selection from their own wineries.
In Agoura Hills’ Whizin Market, Sunrose Eatery offers amazing brunch in a charming atmosphere. Also nearby: The Old Place and Cornell Winery—both worth the canyon drive.
Blue Table is great for happy hour and also located in Whizin Market.

Malibu
The Point Dume hike is one of my favorite trails and beaches in the entire country—it’s simply breathtaking. Afterward, I always treat myself to a lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co. in Country Mart, which feels like a West Coast version of my Massachusetts clam shacks. Lobster roll, fries, and a draft beer = perfect day.

Ojai
One of my favorite quick getaways. Bart’s Books is a dream bookstore with books spilling out inside and outside a converted house.
Dining favorites include Rory’s Place and The Duchess.
Main Street shopping highlights are Sunday Designs and Summer Camp.
The Farmer and the Cook market offers a lovely café with outdoor seating.
For a local, laid-back spot with a biker vibe, Ojai Deer Lodge is my pick for casual eats and drinks.
For overnight stays, I love the sister hotels The Capri, The Rancho Inn, and The Hummingbird Inn—all super cute and quirky.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is a tough one – but I think of Snoop Dogg’s famous Hollywood Walk of Fame speech, when he paused and said, “I want to thank me.” That line hits home. Because while I’ve had the privilege of learning from many talented healers over the years, I’ve never had a true mentor. No one took me under their wing. I’ve had to figure things out on my own, often the hard way.

I didn’t grow up with stability or guidance. I come from a deeply dysfunctional family, and in many ways, I had to raise myself. So where I am today isn’t the result of luck or someone opening doors for me—it’s the product of my own resilience, my hard work, and my refusal to give up. I’ve fought for this life, and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become. I really do want to thank myself—for showing up, for doing the work, and for not walking away when things got hard.

When it comes to creative and business inspiration, one name that always comes to mind—though it might sound cliché—is Rick Rubin. The way he approaches the creative process speaks to something deep in me. He encourages a state of flow, soul-led creation, and a focus on the journey rather than the outcome. That philosophy has helped shape how I live and work.

I believe that once you’re a creative, you’re always a creative—regardless of your job title. It’s a way of being. Living and creating from your true self is deeply satisfying. It’s not measurable in likes or dollars or external success—but it’s everything. And I’ve built a life anchored in that truth.

Website: https://Moonphaseacu.com

Instagram: Moonphaseacupuncture

Facebook: Moonphaseacupuncture

Image Credits
Crystal Quayle