What does a consult with me look like?

Your first appointment is usually 60-90 mins long. Firstly, you will receive a Zoom link by email with your appointment confirmation (I usually also send it just prior to the consult for convenience). You click on the link and check that your microphone and camera are working and that you are in a private space with good internet.

The initial appointment is an in-depth case-taking investigation, for example:

• the history, type, intensity, and timing of your symptoms,

• your personal medical history,

• family health history,

• your lifestyle and diet,

• work, hobbies, and exercise,

• any blood tests or functional test results or reports,

• investigative questions of different body systems.

What about physical examinations, via TeleHealth? - you’d be surprised at how many things can be done by giving you instructions for different tests or by taking photos.

The main thing that people comment about is how nice it is to have time to sit and tell their health story, and to just be heard. It’s one of the great things about being a naturopath - being able to spend time listening.

Essentially, I am trying to identify the root cause or causes, and other contributing factors. That might mean that I have to draw mind maps or timelines or do research outside the consultation. Sometimes you may not know the answers to some questions and sometimes you may reflect on the question itself - people often come back in the following appointment with new insights or information that they didn’t know or hadn’t realised before.

I will generally spend time on the treatment plan outside the consultation, to allow me time to research, think, and craft something truly personalised and appropriate for you. I am treating the whole person; body, mind, and spirit and so any recommendations need to acknowledge all of the parts of you. The treatment plan forms the roadmap of how we will work together on your health goals and is tweaked along the way in subsequent appointments.

I may recommend;

• lifestyle,

• diet,

• clinical nutrition

• supplements

• herbal medicines

- it all depends on what ‘your’ body needs.

These interventions may be staged, pulsed, short-term or long-term, whichever is appropriate for you. All naturopaths observe a fundamental philosophy, as well as…

Principles of Naturopathy

I. First, Do No Harm (primum non nocere)

The Hippocratic oath, first described by Hippocrates (a herbalist) ensures that first and foremost health practitioners do not knowingly cause harm. Naturopaths use practices, and treatments which minimise harmful effects, and apply a ‘least force first’ approach.

II. Healing Power of Nature (vis medicatrix naturae)

Naturopaths recognise the body’s ability to heal itself, given the right circumstances & nutrients. Think of a person getting stitches for a cut, it is not the stitches that heal, nor the doctor or even the medicine - all these things can assist, but it is the body that heals itself. We believe that supporting the body with diet, nutrients, rest, and herbal medicine can assist in healing. A very old concept that still applies today.

III. Treat the Cause (tolle causam)

Treat the cause. Seems obvious, however, the root cause might seem to be completely unrelated, e.g. gut health in acne and skin conditions. Most pharmaceutical medicines don’t treat the cause, but instead, block or increase actions to suppress symptoms. Even when they are vital to maintaining your health, there may be other things you can do to restore balance while you are taking them, and at the same time address the root cause.

IV. Treat the Whole Person (tolle totum)

Yep. Surprise! You’re not just a collection of disjointed bits, you are one, whole human being, and what affects one part, will somehow affect another. So, we consider your mind, body, and soul - all of you.

V. Doctor as Teacher (docere)

We know stuff and it’s our job to teach you about your body and how to best look after it. We complete a jam-packed 4-year Health Science degree, with subjects in human biology, physiology, chemistry, nutritional biochemistry, pharmacology, herbal medicine, nutrition, medicinal food science, psychology and counselling, holistic practice, and more. This is just the start as we continue to learn after graduation.

VI. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 

With a focus on optimal health and preventative medicine, we assist you to be; not just without disease but, as well as you can be. This may look different for each person.

VII. Wellness and Wellbeing

Once symptoms have gone, and you are feeling much better, then we can work together to really biohack to optimizing your health to be amazing. It’s not necessarily about living longer but living better and healthier in the time we have. Healthy aging for example is when you grow old, being as healthy as you can possibly be.

Want to know more about Naturopathy?

You can read my blog here, or…

If you’ve made it to this part, you might be interested to read about the World Naturopathic Federation’s (& Australia’s) first Health Technology Assessment, a 720-page document that describes in detail what Naturopathy is (and isn’t), what it treats, the scientific evidence, and the amazing safety and efficacy profile (unmatched by any other healthcare models!). You can find more information here. This document is currently in the hands of the Australian Government for policy decision-making. There is forward movement to reinstate naturopathy back into the Australian Health Insurance scheme, here is a video from the Naturopaths and Herbalists Assoc. of Australia discussing the progress. Statutory Registration of Naturopathy as a primary healthcare practice will enable patients greater choice, safety and access to complementary care to support their healthcare goals, allowing greater collaboration and trust from other healthcare practitioners. If you’d like to know more about the work ‘behind the scenes’ to bring this to fruition, read here. The minimum education requirement to obtain association membership, insurance and access to high-quality practitioner-only products is a degree qualification in Health Science, for safety and a high standard of education and care.

And congratulations, you’ve reached the end of this page!

Kind words…