FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled a list of answers to common questions.
You absolutely do not need to be vegan to use my consultation services, though I do not prescribe animal-based natural medicines or dietary changes. I truly believe that any meal that doesn’t contain animal products, regardless of who eats it, is a massive contributor towards a better, happier planet and a healthier, happier you.
I do, though, have a lot of experience helping vegetarian and vegan clients with their health problems or just ensuring they are meeting their nutritional requirements, and having lived this way for a long time myself, am very well versed in the science of plant-based nutrition.
Many people like to see a naturopath because they’ve struggled to find meaningful answers through the Western medical system. You might not feel like you have the time you need with your GP to get to the bottom of your health condition or make progress, or that you’d rather try natural medicine than pharmaceutical options.
You might also be looking to optimise the good health you already do enjoy, or prevent chronic diseases that may be common in your family.
The Western medical system can be fantastic and has been truly life-saving, however time and money constraints mean that appointments can be short, and there’s not time to look at much aside from medication prescription. You might be looking for individualised treatment that takes into account all aspects of your life.
Conditions I’ve supported include period problems (AND absent period problems), autoimmune conditions, gut problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mental health conditions. I’ve also helped people whose goal was weight loss, enhanced cognition, lower cholesterol, improving iron levels, or just gaining greater energy and joy in life.
I have a particularly strong interest in mental health conditions, but frankly any condition interests me if it’s adversely impacting your life.
Whilst I’ve personally had some great experiences with energy healers, no this is not energy healing.
This is a tricky question! If you’re asking me if there’s any science backing up the main tools (nutrition and herbal medicine) that naturopaths use to enable health transformation there is TONS! Check out my blog posts to start getting down with the science.
Naturopathy as a profession per say is a difficult one to collect data on for a number of reasons: firstly, money- our industry does not have the vast finance of the pharmaceutical industries; secondly, the highly individualised nature of our treatment means it’s not suited to the gold standard for scientific evidence (the double or triple blinded randomised controlled trial). There are a few other reasons, but I won’t bore you with the details.
It’s also true that we use some natural medicines that have been traditionally used for centuries, and haven’t yet had sufficient interest to garner scientific research. I predominantly err on the side of science in my treatment protocols; although I’ve had amazing personal results with flower essences and some clients have responded very well to them also. I tend to offer the more “energetic” options only to those who are keen to try them.
I have a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Naturopathy, a 4 year (very) full time degree that comprises biosciences, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, nutrition, research skills, Western Herbal Medicine, clinical skills and examination and extensive supervised clinic hours. I am a member of the Australasian Society for Lifestyle Medicine (working towards board certification) and ANTA (Australian Natural Therapies Association). I am shortly commencing a Master’s degree programme.
Absolutely! Yoga pants, pyjamas, zebra-print onesie. However you feel most comfortable. I just promise not to wear mine since I don’t think it would be tremendously professional.
Unfortunately whilst I’ve seen amazing results with the people I’ve worked with, treatment success comes down to a number of factors outside my control; your compliance in taking the prescribed natural medicines and the ability for you to make changes to your diet and lifestyle, and the relationship your mind and body have to the healing process being a few of those factors. I cannot predict how long it will take to see results, nor what investigations or possibilities may need to be excluded on our quest to pick apart your health puzzle. Therefore, there is not a money back guarantee. What I can guarantee you is that I will be fully committed to your health progress, and that a lot of work will be put in behind the scenes to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment.
Where do I begin? Check out my blog post for an extensive examination of the scientifically corroborated health benefits associated with this kind of a diet. Anecdotally you can also expect more energy, more joy, glowing skin and a zest for life. Aside from these awesome benefits, it’s a way of living which massively reduces your environmental footprint and has so many other positive impacts on the planet. See “Purpose-driven” for more.
You’d be surprised how palatable they become when they transform your health! In all seriousness, whilst individually formulated herbal medicine can be the ultimate prescription and I can give you a couple of tricks to make them go down the hatch easier, if you really can’t bring yourself to take them, we can always work around this. There is a wide variety of practitioner-grade pre-formulated tablets or (genuinely) nice tasting powders available, many of which are very good.
I will always work within your financial limitations, and nothing will be prescribed with the intent of getting you to spend money.
Sometimes tests that can seem expensive, can actually end up saving you a lot of money in pointless treatments by providing us with information that can help me get right to the core of what’s going on. If I think that a certain test might be helpful for you I will explain to you precisely why.
Absolutely- like any good white witch I love compounding my own herbal medicine formulas or nutritional supplements. Not only is this fun for me, but it also gives you extremely targeted treatment with everything you need, and nothing that you don’t.