FAQ
What consultations are included in your plans?
The first consultation typically lasts an hour and a half – It’s where I find out what’s going on for yourself, your health history, and we come up with a plan (nutrition, lifestyle, supplements) for you to achieve your goal and get your health back on track. I like to have this consultation face-to-face in Fairfield, Melbourne but online consults are also possible.
Follow-up consultation are included in the Silver and Gold package (3 or 6 consults in total respectively). You can have these consults whenever is appropriate and I do these consultations through an online video call or telephone.
In between consults you can contact me anytime through our app. This keeps you on-track and answers any questions you may have.
I like what I see, but I’m not sure I can afford it
Sometimes it’s worth considering, what is the cost of not taking action? What does it cost you, financially and otherwise, to treat the symptoms and not the root causes of your health issues?
There’s a huge cost in the lifetime dependencies on drugs, supplements, surgeries, and lost wages. Medicines may also cost Medicare thousands whereas lifestyle and nutrition interventions are nothing in comparison, and you have knowledge of a lifestyle intervention for life, and it’s something you can share with your family. You are essentially investing in a healthy way of life.
Seeing a Functional Medicine practitioner involves a very in-depth intake form, history taking, an extended consultation, maybe lab testing, and aren’t covered by Medicare. This obviously increases the initial out of pocket expense.
However, knowing the root causes of your health issues means that we can address these causes and improve your health quicker, meaning less supplements and interventions in the long term.
I recommend the 6 consultation plan as it’s a results-driven plan, and includes care for up to 6 months. Once, you are committed to it, I’m committed to you for this period. You can contact me questions at any time between consultations using our coaching app so that you are never without support. I’ll be your expert health expert and coach during this time.
Also on the 6 consultation, you can also pay 50% of the plan price before the first consultation, and 50% after the second consultation. If you aren’t totally satisfied after the first two consults, we can go our separate ways and there’s no need to pay the remaining amount.
Can I speak to someone at Fairfield Nutrition? I have questions
Yes, we are more than happy to have a chat to discuss how we work and how we can support you.
We understand one of our plans is a significant commitment so we are happy to talk you through it.
Get in touch to arrange a time for a call or call us on 0416720981 now.
Are consultations face-to-face or online / on the phone?
We prefer to do our first consultation face-to-face in Melbourne, but we can do this online also.
Follow-up consultations and chats are usually done online or over the phone.
What can I expect during my first consultation?
In an initial consultation, we look at:
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
We work together to get clarity around your goals, so that the personalised plan we develop assists you in achieving your goals and re-gaining your health or well-being.
HISTORY TAKING
We go over your health concerns and your Functional Medicine health questionnaire and gather a detailed health timeline since birth to bring your health story to life. The timeline is about you, the individual, and what makes you unique. It helps us to identify your specific imbalances, and so is personalised, and helps the practitioner to identify changes which will help you change your trajectory from one that may be heading towards chronic disease towards one that is towards health and vitality.
WHAT MAY BE CAUSING MY HEALTH ISSUES?
Based on the information that the practitioner has gathered, they will then spend some time explaining how the core-systems of your body may be (mal) functioning, and how your health concerns may have developed. This entails looking deeply at the building blocks of good health such as hormones, digestion, immune system, detoxification and the interconnections between these systems.
WHAT NOW?
Together, we will work on a comprehensive health plan including diet, and lifestyle factors such as sleep, rest, and movement. The practitioner will ensure you understand why each step of the plan is included so that you aren’t simply told what to do, and are motivated to make the necessary changes.
Together, we can do it – you will leave the session with the motivation and knowledge to follow the plan.
To support you throughout the process, you will receive this personalised report by email with my findings and recommendations for appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
Where are face-to-face consultations held?
Consultations are held at the wonderful Fairfield Wellness at 145C Station Street, Fairfield, 3078.
Is there parking / train station close to Fairfield Wellness?
There’s plenty of free on-street parking although it can be quite busy but you can expect to find a spot not too far away.
Fairfield train station is also close by.
Do I need to complete the health questionnaire?
It’s best to set aside an hour or so to complete the health questionnaire.
It is needed to be completed before your first consultation as it provides the information needed to personalise your consultation to your unique situation. Everyone is different after all.
Functional Medicine aims to get at the root cause of health conditions but to do that we need more than just a list of your symptoms so we can understand which of the body’s systems may not be functioning aswell as it could be.
Is the expense of laboratory testing or supplements included in your plans?
Our plans include consultations, phone calls, and unlimited messaging. Any supplements or laboratory testing (that isn’t done through your GP and Medicare) will be an additional cost.
Will I need to take supplements or do laboratory tests?
Laboratory tests offer an insight into your bio-chemistry and enable treatment to be more focused on your unique biology and the root causes of your health issues. They may, therefore, be recommended, although there is no obligation to do the tests. We have access to cutting-edge pathology tests from labs such as
- NutriPath
- Genova Diagnostics
- Precision Analytical
- Great Plains
Whilst in the first instance, we do support you with nutrition and lifestyle changes, sometimes supplementation is suggested.
We will explain why supplements have been recommended and how they will support you in achieving your goals. We will either have the supplements available in-stock or will provide details of where to order them online. We will also let you know of any possible drug-nutrient interactions with medications you may be taking.
Why aren’t the lab tests covered by Medicare and how are they different from the tests my doctor orders?
Our laboratory tests are often more advanced than the standard conventional tests offered under Medicare, and may include risk factors (metabolites) for conditions that aren’t covered by Medicare. For instance, a stool sample test looks at the health of the gut, its microbiome, parasites that may exist, inflammation and numerous other factors which give us a better indication of the functioning of your gut and how that may be affecting your symptoms. Your GP is not typically trained in the latest Functional Testing and working with these tests. Our practitioners are have undergone years of training for their interpretation.
Can I claim on my Extras insurance (Australia)?
At this time, unfortunately, you are not able to claim our services on your Extras insurance.