Frequently-Asked Questions

What is Nutritional Therapy?

Nutritional therapy is a scientific yet natural approach to restoring and maintaining optimal health. It uses nutrients – rather than pharmaceutical drugs – to help resolve health problems and restore equilibrium. And rather than just treating symptoms, nutritional therapy aims to establish and address the underlying causes. That way, you get lasting solutions to your health issues.

Each client is assessed as an individual – there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach – and every nutritional programme is tailor-made to support your health goals in the most practical way for you.

What conditions can Nutritional Therapy help?

By helping the body to become well nourished and function more optimally, it’s possible to support a wide range of health issues – from common complaints such as fatigue, weight gain and skin problems, to more complex conditions such as depression, infertility and diabetes. There is also a wealth of scientific evidence to support the success of nutritional approaches in addressing many health issues – and, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, nutrients don’t have any harmful side effects.

Click here to see some examples of issues I’ve worked with.

What does a Nutritional Consultation involve?

There are four key stages:

1. Talking to you about your health and finding out what you’d like to achieve – eg more energy, better digestion, weight loss, reduced risk of disease, clear skin, enhanced fertility etc.
2. Taking a detailed case history – from birth to present – to discover all the factors that may be underlying your current health issues. These could include hormonal imbalances, digestive tract infections, poor liver function, heavy metal toxicity or nutritional deficiencies, for example.
3. Clearly explaining what these are – and how they are affecting you.
4. Negotiating a practical and achievable nutritional programme for you to follow. This is likely to incorporate diet, supplements and potentially lifestyle factors (eg managing stress or taking regular exercise) to address your key health concerns and start to correct any imbalances. I may also recommend biochemical tests (such as hair mineral analysis, hormone saliva or digestive function tests) to screen for toxicity or establish scientific evidence for any suspected health imbalance.

Will I have to follow any strict diets or difficult regimes?

I rarely recommend you exclude major food groups or follow challenging diets. If I do suggest certain food exclusions, this is done in full consultation with you, and usually after gathering scientific evidence that doing so will bring you benefit. I will then carefully look at what can be substituted to ensure your nutrient intake doesn’t suffer. But my goal is to compile a programme that’s workable and practical for you, so I won’t ever recommend anything that you feel isn’t achievable.

How long does an initial consultation last?

An initial consultation lasts for between 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your case. This is best done face to face.

What happens next?

After you’ve tried out the programme for about four-to-six weeks, another appointment is recommended (this can be in person, or over the phone if easier) to monitor how you’re getting on and progress things.

My aim is to get you to a point were you achieve your health goals and have gathered sufficient information from me to manage yourself going forward – this may happen after two or three consultations or can take longer, depending on your needs.

In between consultations, I am available to answer questions or provide additional support as required.

Do I need to prepare anything in advance?

Before an initial consultation, I’d provide you with an extensive questionnaire to fill out and return to me for some initial analysis before we meet. If you are taking any medication or supplements, or have any test results relating to your condition (eg from your GP or a hospital), I’d ask you to bring these with you to our consultation.

How much does a consultation cost?

The cost for an initial consultation is £80. Follow-up consultations are charged according to the time you need at £1 per minute (ie £20 for 20 minutes) but usually take 40 minutes, or between 10 and 15 minutes if we just need to discuss test results. These fees exclude tests or supplements (which I can arrange for you but you pay the supplier directly).

What qualifications does a Nutritional Therapist have?

After completing a Science Foundation Course, I trained for three years with the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and graduated with distinction. I am a member of the British Association of Nutritional Therapists and am also registered with the Nutritional Therapy Council and the Complementary and Natural Health Council. As part of my continuing professional development, I regularly attend seminars and training days to expand my knowledge.

Where do you practice?

My main clinic is in Rowlands Castle in Hampshire but I can also see clients from my home near Petersfield. Home or office visits can also be arranged, and travel time is charged.

How do I book an appointment?

Call or email me to arrange a time. I see clients Monday to Friday and do have some evening appointment slots when day times are difficult.

Once we’ve agreed a date and time, please download the Nutritional Consultation form, fill it in and return to me, ahead of your appointment, to The Barn, 4a Whichers Gate Road, Rowlands Castle, Hants PO9 6BB.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Please contact me to arrange another time. I just ask that you give me at least 48 hours notice, otherwise a cancellation fee of 50% applies.