Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional nutrition?
In simplest terms, we are (how our bodies respond to) what we eat. Nutrition has a profound effect on every system in the body!
In the functional medicine model, practitioners dig deep to find the root causes of dysfunction. It’s a proactive approach that encourages and restores health at the cellular level, rather than simply reacting to symptoms of disease. Healthy cells lead to healthy organ systems -- and nutrition has a profound effect on every system in the body!
Functional nutrition is a personalized approach to health that relies on systems-based biology to address imbalances. Food and targeted nutrients are the primary tools we use to provide cells with the substrates they need for optimal function, along with new behaviors that encourage mindfulness and healing.
What are your credentials?
I have a Bachelor’s, a Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in music performance and a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. After completing a supervised internship of 1,000 hours and passing a national board certification exam, I obtained the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential. Coursework included biochemistry, food science, anatomy and physiology, nutrient metabolism, counseling, psychology, education and music (!). Certified Nutrition Specialists are required to complete a specific number of continuing professional educational units to maintain credentialed status.
In other words, I am a very, very “official” nutrition professional.
Can you help me lose weight?
When clients make positive changes to their nutrition, sleep, and other behaviors in support of personal health, body composition often changes. However, because I do not endorse extreme restriction of the foods we eat, I cannot promise weight loss.
I’m here to help improve your relationship with food, your body, and your mind while supporting your goals. As we focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors, your body size or shape may change, or it may not. Either way, you’re going to feel better, have more balanced energy, and understand how the food you eat works for your body.
There’s so much more I could say on this topic! If you want to chat, schedule an introductory call with me here.
Are the labs you recommend different from those my doctor might run?
Quite possibly! While important information can be gleaned from conventional labs – and I do utilize them – functional labs measure ideal physiological function, rather than simply looking for markers of disease. Oftentimes, out-of-range values on standard lab tests are addressed only with pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, this does not address the "Why?" of the problem, and without the prescribed drug, the lab marker may go back out of range, leading to a lifetime of dependency on medication (and its side effects).
Clients may even come in with "normal" conventional lab results, yet they still feel "off" – they know intuitively that all is not well! I use functional lab tests to see how the body is actually utilizing (or reacting to) nutrients, hormones, and other compounds. This helps direct the course of your wellness plan and can keep us from wasting time (and money) on guesswork.
Do you recommend nutritional supplements for all clients?
As with many things, it depends on the client. In a few cases, we may be able to address issues with food and lifestyle changes alone; however, the use of targeted nutrients allows me to better personalize your health plan and can often get clients to desired outcomes more effectively.
How often will we meet?
Initially, we will likely meet once a week. Once clients become more confident with new foods and behaviors, we generally meet about twice per month.
Do you take insurance?
At this time, I do not participate in any insurance plans, for many reasons. Insurance companies operate on the conventional medical model, and most insurance companies do not consider nutritional/health counseling ‘“medically necessary.” While there are a few nutrition diagnoses that may qualify, most of my services would not be eligible for coverage. Additionally, many nutrition professionals who work within the insurance system must structure their appointments to fall within tight timeframes in order to be reimbursed at a living wage (we spend a great deal of time outside of client sessions researching, building resources, and planning!). I am free to accept a smaller number of clients into my practice to whom I am able to provide a deep level of individualized care.
Do you work on a sliding scale?
Not a sliding scale, but I do have a limited number of openings at an adjusted rate for clients whose incomes fall below a certain threshold.
Most of my clients are on a Membership Plan, which starts at $250/month and includes:
Twice-monthly private video consults
Dietary/Food Journal review
24/7 access to HIPAA-compliant patient portal
Customized Protocols – comprehensive food, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations unique to your health challenges
Access to functional lab testing (additional cost)
Interpretation of functional and conventional lab tests
Access to discounted supplement and personal care products
Personalized recipe booklet
Do you provide meal plans?
Not typically. Rather than simply handing out a “menu” for the week, I provide meal structure models, because I want to empower my clients with knowledge that will allow them to make their own best choices! I will work with you as you learn how to build healthy meals—with foods you enjoy!—that are targeted to your particular needs.
Do you work with children?
I typically work with clients aged 18-70+.
Do I have to live near you to work with you?
Through the magic of telehealth, I am able to see clients virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.
