Cathy Buben BSN, RN, FMACC
Registered Nurse, Functional Medicine Health Coach
Hi, I’m Cathy—And This Is Why I Started Elevate Restorative Wellness
I’m a Registered Nurse with over 7 years of experience in Orthopedics, Neuro, Trauma, Emergency Medicine, and Intensive Critical Care. Throughout my career, my role has always been clear: to advocate for my patients. And that advocacy doesn't end at the bedside—it continues here, with you.
I believe true health comes from treating more than just symptoms. I want to get to the root cause of what’s going on in your body—and help you find real, lasting healing. That shift in focus didn’t come from a textbook or a conference. It came from my own journey.
Why did I leave bedside nursing?
Because I was sick. I was so very sick & no one knew why.
I knew my health was declining, but I didn’t know why—or what to do about it. I felt exhausted all the time. My joints ached, I was gaining weight despite regular workouts, and nothing made sense. In April 2023, I suffered a severe sprain from a fall, which forced me to take a five-month leave from work. When I was finally cleared to return, I went back to bedside nursing—doing what I loved—but just six months later, I re-injured my wrist.
During that challenging time, I opened up to my best friend, Betty lou Schau, CRNP, FNP-C, PHRN. She had recently left a thriving career in Acute/Emergency Medicine and founded Harmony Health and Wellness, LLC to pursue her passion for true healing and functional wellness. We started talking about everything I was going through & I told her that I had just finished a month-long course of steroids, but I still had intense pain and swelling in my wrist. On top of that, I was breaking out in painful cystic acne on my left arm that wasn’t healing. My doctor ran tests and told me everything was “normal,” but that I needed to lose weight—despite the fact I was already working out and eating intentionally.
I didn’t feel normal. I felt awful—fatigued, inflamed, and frustrated. I was working hard but had no answers. I would yawn constantly during workouts and collapse into bed afterward. That’s when I turned to Betty Lou for help.
Through functional wellness testing—including a hair analysis—we discovered what traditional labs missed: I was deficient in numerous nutrients, amino acids, and digestive enzymes. I had leaky gut, food intolerances, and heavy metal buildup that was wreaking havoc on my body.
The healing process wasn’t quick. I had to overcome my dislike of taking pills. But I began to reframe my mindset: just like I never hesitated to take a prescribed medication, I started to see supplements as essential tools for healing. These weren’t just pills—they were nutrients, enzymes, and minerals my body desperately needed to restore balance and function.
And slowly, things began to change.
I stopped waking up exhausted. I no longer needed a nap in the middle of the day. The shoulder pain that used to wake me up at night was gone. My fingers and hands weren’t stiff in the mornings anymore. And my wrist? It began to heal. I still did physical therapy, but the swelling reduced so dramatically that even my therapist noticed and asked what I was doing differently. My face also became noticeably less puffy.
The strongest evidence that my body was truly healing came in January, during a time when Influenza A and Norovirus were spreading rapidly. While my husband got hit hard and was seriously ill, I stayed well. I followed my wellness protocol—boosting my Vitamin C, staying consistent with my supplements, and fueling my body with nutrient-dense foods—and though I had a few low-energy days, I never came down with the illness.
That was huge. Every winter for the last 10 years, I would get sick—multiple times. But this time, my immune system did what it was meant to do. It fought. And when I gave myself permission to rest, my body responded. It was empowering, eye-opening, and honestly, incredible.
So why am I sharing all of this?
Because I want you to know: I get it.
I’ve lived this process. I’m still walking this path—navigating my own healing journey while building a business—and I understand the ups, downs, and emotional weight that comes with it. But you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll be walking this journey with someone who truly understands and is passionate about helping others heal.
I believe in this so deeply that I started Elevate Restorative Wellness, LLC—to help people just like you find hope, healing, and a way forward.
Let’s do this—together.
Betty lou Schau CRNP, FNP-C, PHRN
Founder, Harmony Health and Wellness, LLC | Holistic Health Nurse Practitioner | Faith-Based Health and Wellness Advocate | Motivational Speaker
We’re honored to collaborate with Betty Lou Schau, CRNP, FNP-C, PHRN, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of experience across a wide range of medicine & clinical settings. As the founder of Harmony Health and Wellness, LLC, Betty lou brings a compassionate, faith-driven approach to health, focused on addressing root causes and supporting healing in body, mind, and spirit.
Betty lou’s work is grounded in both her professional expertise and personal healing journey. Her passion lies in helping individuals uncover the deeper connections between physical health, emotional resilience, and spiritual well-being. She believes that true wellness begins with honoring the body as a divine gift and stewarding it with grace and intention.
Through her faith-based practice, she provides insight and support to certified health coaches, contributing her expertise in functional health, treatment planning, and holistic care strategies. Her focus is on equipping others to deliver thoughtful, personalized care rooted in Biblical principles—always honoring the whole person in the healing process.
In addition to her professional mentoring, Betty lou is the creator and speaker behind “Thrive in Grace,” a motivational platform where she shares powerful personal stories, Biblical wisdom, and actionable health strategies to inspire individuals and communities to thrive—spiritually and physically.
Her mission is simple yet profound: to walk alongside others in their journey toward healing, bringing a message of hope, empowerment, and God’s promise of abundant living.
Mission Statement:
At Elevate Restorative Wellness, LLC, we serve with compassion, faith, and a deep commitment to your well-being. We believe every person is unique, and we honor that by providing personalized, faith-driven care tailored to your individual needs.
Our mission is to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing—body, mind, and spirit. We listen with intention, offering a steady, supportive presence as you work toward lasting wellness.
We don’t just offer treatment—we offer partnership. Through individualized care and unwavering support, we’re here to help you restore balance, renew strength, and elevate your life.
At our core, we serve—because people matter.
YOU MATTER!
We are honored to be part of your story.
For I will restore health unto you, & I will heal your wounds, says the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17