Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS
- What can you do that my doctor or other healthcare provider cannot?
- I need someone that can relate to things I suffer from. How are you able to do that?
- Why don’t you take insurance?
- How do we meet and communicate after I purchase a program?
- How are the programs structured?
- What does the process look like and how long will it take?
- Why do I have to invest in an entire program rather than just purchase 1-on-1 hourly time with you?
- What do you expect from me during the program?
- When I calculate the investment amount per session for each program, it seems a bit high?
ANSWERS
What can you do that my doctor or other healthcare providers haven’t already?
Most conventional/allopathic medicine doctors seek to provide a diagnosis and treat your symptoms. Sometimes treatment includes masking your symptoms with medications, and then additional medications are prescribed to offset the side effects from other medications. Also, most doctors do not have the time to spend with you to understand the factors in your life that may have or be contributing to your symptoms and/or diagnosis to begin with.
Please understand that I believe conventional medicine is extremely valuable, especially when it comes to acute health problems. However, when it comes to chronic problems or supporting people with successful nutritional and holistic therapies, conventional medicine is not the solution.
I want to be very clear that I should not be viewed as a replacement to your current doctors or healthcare providers, but as a partner on your healthcare team. Each of us are experts in our respective areas. Just as I would not be diagnosing you and prescribing medications like your doctor or adjusting you like your chiropractor, others on your team may not provide the expertise in nutrition, investigating the root causes to your health conditions and symptoms, and supporting and coaching you to achieve your health goals like I will.
In addition, I can provide guidance on how you can get the most out of your doctor visits and if you have insurance, we take full advantage of everything your insurance covers. I also have access to speciality functional testing that most doctors are not familiar with, which supports identification of underlying reasons and root cause factors to your suffering.
I need someone that can relate to things I suffer from. How are you able to do that?
Some of what I have dealt with may fit exactly to some of the things you suffer from. However, even if there are not exact matches, you will see from my health history and journey that I know what it is like to have chronic health problems, suffer, and keep getting worse and worse over the years.
I’ve had a multitude of health issues over the course of my life and some with very debilitating symptoms. I had various health problems as a child and as I got older, they escalated. As a freshman in college, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening bone marrow failure autoimmune disease (Severe Aplastic Anemia- SAA). I was unable to produce blood and with apparent failed treatments, I was given 2 months to live. I did not accept that. For a while, I continued to get blood transfusions twice a week. I was determined to go back to work as well as continue my academic responsibilities. It took several months before I finally was able to produce enough of my own blood to sustain life.
A few years later, a ruptured appendix brought me on the brink of death and it took months for me to recover.
For nearly three decades, multiple diagnosis and debilitating conditions plagued my health. This includes additional autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism) and ITP, and others such as Hepatitis C, Diverticulitis and Other Digestive and Gut problems, Allergies, Food Sensitivities, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Adrenal Insufficiency, and more.
After a near fatal accident and 3 major surgeries within a year, I got to the point where I felt so terrible I “crashed” and was nearly bedridden.
I was able to connect with a nutritionist and a functional medicine doctor who thought “out of the conventional medicine box.” This was a big milestone and catalyst for lifestyle, dietary, and nutritional changes that set me on a path to recovery and sustainable wellness.
I give all the glory to God for my miraculous recovery. Today I remain diligent in managing my health. I continue to make adjustments in my nutritional intake while eating a nutrient-rich diet, am physically active, manage stressors, live a holistic lifestyle avoiding as many toxins as possible, and live a life of faith in Jesus that brings me peace and joy no matter what I face.
Why don’t you take insurance?
Insurance companies have not yet caught up with healthcare outside conventional medicine and most alternative modalities. Though very successful, most holistic are and nutritional therapies are not considered a part of conventional medicine.
Alternative methods and holistic care – from dietary changes to nutritional supplements to specialized IV Therapy, to massage, to colonics, to specialized functional testing, and more – are used in preventive care as well as having relief and freedom from ongoing problems, but most if not all are not covered by health insurance.
The health insurance industry has many regulations and requirements. Alternative holistic therapies and functional medicine, which includes nutritional therapy and wellness coaching, are not licensed practices governed by the health insurance industry. Without that oversight, they are not willing to acknowledge it and include it with what they cover in insurance plans.
How do we meet and communicate after i purchase a program?
Your 1-on-1 sessions with will be by video conference. If, for any reason you are not available for that, we can have your session by phone, though video conference is always preferred when possible.
For local clients, you may meet with me face-to-face at my home office for your first session. Thereafter, we will meet via video conference. Most clients prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home or otherwise not have to spend the commute time to meet.
I strongly encourage all clients to ensure they have a safe, comfortable, private place to be during the session.
For communication and connection in between sessions, which is a very important feature of my programs, I am just an email away. Very brief text messages are ok; however, for questions and content where we may go back and forth, an email is required. If a topic requires extensive discussion or feedback, it may have to wait until your next session. If you would ever need to reach me immediately, texting me is best so we can schedule in a quick chat.
How are the programs structured?
When we get started, we will discuss the content you shared on your Intake Form and go over your Food & More Journal that you completed for 5-days. The more I know about your past and current health history, medications and supplement intake, nutrition and lifestyle habits, exposures, current members on your healthcare team, and other relevant information, the better I can help you.
We typically begin with nutrition habits and dietary changes, and move on to various lifestyle habits and toxin exposures, all to get you on a path and set for sustainable better health. Many notice wonderful positive changes during this stage and do experience relief from ongoing problems. Depending on the program you purchase, we will proceed with identifying testing that would be best. I make recommendations for tests you can get done through your doctor that are likely to be covered by your insurance plan (you would have to confirm that). In addition, I make recommendations on special functional testing that is available to you through direct purchase online (without your doctor).
Each person is unique and each session will be personalized to the client’s goals, change pace, and health status.To avoid stifling openness, insight, and transparency, there is not a strict agenda for each session. However, there are foundational elements and more that will be part of 1-on-1 sessions. Those are:
- Review and assess how you have been doing
- Work through any obstacles (physical, emotional, mindset, etc.) to you making changes
- Based all valuable options available to you, discuss decisions for proceeding and making progress
- Review your goals and changes you have chosen to make
- Discuss tips, tools, and resources you need for new habits, changes you will make, future activities, and more.
- Discuss your interaction with your doctor and how to get the most out of that relationship
- Following each session, I will provide a written write-up so you are not frantically taking notes and can focus on all the valuable content we will talk about in your session.
What does the process look and how long will it take?
You can expect to be working consistently and diligently throughout your program. Each person is unique at what it looks like. You didn’t get to this point overnight, and it will take time and a process to overcome. I do work at your pace. I help you pick up the pace if it is too comfortable and you will not make progress, but I am also careful about doing too much that would cause you to be overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel. I trust you knowing yourself with this and you being clear and up front with me.
The overall process is like peeling an onion back, and getting through layer by layer to make positive, healthy changes, and uncover and address areas needed. This is a true commitment and investment in your health. Valuable and Worth it Investment, HUGE REWARD!
The time as to how long it takes varies by person. It varies based on your body, the severity of underlying issues, your pace of changes, activities you choose to identify issues, and choices you make to address root cause factors. When dealing with relentless symptoms, every bit of the program time will be needed. In many cases, you may still be working on your recovery after the program. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be working directly with me in a program. You will reach a point to where you use what you learned with me and healthy changes you’ve made to continue in your progress on your own and get to a maintenance level phase. After you completes a program with me, it would be best to have a session with me 2 – 3 times per year just to ensure you are on the right path and redirect if necessary.
Why do I have to invest in an entire program rather than just purchase 1-on-1 hourly time with you?
For the most significant health transformation, it is well known that clients experience the best results when working in partnership with a health practitioner on an ongoing basis. Features such as coaching, accountability, consistent support and encouragement, and someone holding your hand as you navigate unknown and uncertain waters is priceless to your success.
For those suffering from ongoing relentless symptoms, your status is more complex. Many issues of concern have been brewing in your body for years, if not decades before symptoms manifest. There can be multiple triggers and factors contributing to your current health state. For a client in this circumstance, to make significant, long-term progress, it requires continual in depth help and effort, learning and education, time to make changes, assessing changes and making modifications, and time and learning into being empowered to make healthful choices on your own. Participating in a program versus hourly A La Carte services is much more economical.
Making healthy changes, and uncovering and addressing root causes is needed to realize sustained relief from your suffering and long term freedom from relentless symptoms. This all takes time; but it is soooooo worth it!
What do you expect from me during the program?
- Committing to you attendance and participation in your 1-on-1 sessions with distraction free time
- Participating in meaningful dialogue with me throughout the program
- Committing to staying with the process
- Implementing healthy eating and lifestyle changes and committing to sustained change
- Having a support system
- Being realistic and patient; there are no quick fixes or magic pills; improving health can take time
- Remaining open to healthy change options and activities for you to make progress
- Utilizing educational tools and resources, and taking charge to learn and understand
- Being consistent and persistent, not perfect
- Being honest and transparent so you get the best results
- Being willing to be stretched and move outside your comfort zone. Remaining ‘as is’ and in your comfort zone will likely cause you to remain in your current health situation. However, this is not about overwhelming you and pressuring you to change. That is not healthy or sustainable for recovery and long-term wellness. All suggestions and their implications are discussed and it is the client’s decision as to the actions they take and speed at which they take them.
When I calculate the investment amount per session for each program, it seems a bit high?
If you calculate your investment amount for each session by the number of sessions that the program includes, it may appear high yet the program pricing is very competitive for this industry. It is actually much lower than if you were to go to a functional medicine practice for similar services.
I spend countless “behind the scene” hours outside the time of each 1-on-1 session dedicated to the client and their program. The work that I do to partner with my clients through the program entails much more than just our direct 1-on-1 session time. There are also additional services and bonuses included in the programs.
