What to expect?
Initial Consultation
Before your initial consultation, I will be ask you to complete a health and nutritional assessment questionnaire and to fill out a three-day food diary. It is important that you take the time to fill these out as all of them will help make the connections between the foods you eat & your lifestyle and your current physiological and/or psychological symptoms, as well as maximise the time available for our first session.
During your initial consultation I will take a detailed case history and we will analyse and discuss your health questionnaire, diet diary, lifestyle and most recent blood test. I might also use some non-invasive diagnostic techniques, if required (such as tongue and nail examination, metabolic typing deficiency tests etc). Our aim is to find and address all underlying causes of your symptoms/ disease(s). The root cause of disease is often multifactorial, including, but not limited to, genes and genetic variations, environmental stressors, perceived stress levels, as well as other internal stressors (circadian disruption, glycemic dysregulation, inflammatory signals), nutritional status, exercise regime, sleep hygiene, toxin overload, infections, medication history, life outlook, mind-body connections, work-life balance and more.
After our session, I will upload in your portal a 30-page highly personalised nutritional & lifestyle plan, including a detailed explanation of how your dietary and lifestyle habits may be contributing to your symptoms, as well as bespoke nutrition (general guidelines, personalised dietary plan according to your metabolic typing, meal ideas, shopping lists from super markets and health food stores of your choice, shopping baskets, recipes, recipe websites, book recommendations, lists of restaurants and so on) and lifestyle recommendations (sleep hygiene, exercise routine, detox protocols, stress management techniques). A shorter telephone session can be arranged, free of charge, for further explanation of your plan and potential questions. You will also receive a ready-made basket of high-quality natural supplements (mostly nutraceuticals, herbs, therapeutic teas and less often Bach flower remedies, tissue salts and basic homeopathic remedies) specific to your requirements and budget (a discount is offered for EU, UK & US supplement dispensaries). I like choosing organic, third-party tested supplements, free of additives, fillers, binders, colourants and other toxic ingredients that are found on high street market supplements. It is desirable that you only take supplements prescribed to you and for a specific time frame. Your plan will be tailor-made to address your specific health challenges and suit your lifestyle and daily commitments. Comprehensive laboratory tests (conventional blood and/or functional testing) may be required, depending on your unique needs. By testing for nutrient deficiencies, biochemical and genetic markers, we are able to achieve faster results. Throughout treatment, you will receive my ongoing support and tens of handouts to educate you for life, help you keep on track and reach optimal health.
Your nutritional plan will be based on a wholesome balanced diet. According to your individual needs, the plan may suggest specific food eliminations (for a specific period of time), as well as therapeutic food additions. The aim is to educate you on how to listen to their bodily needs and reprogram your body to enjoy a healthy wholesome diet, while avoiding fad diets. A healthy protocol should be easy to follow, enjoyable, and not restrictive. You will learn the difference between a healthy balanced diet and an allegedly ”healthy” fad diet, as well as how to discern between high-quality controlled supplementation and high-street doubtful-quality supplements.
All health and nutrition protocols are developed very meticulously; based on the latest scientific research. They are tailored to fit your unique biochemistry and bodily needs, while targeting the underlying cause of your symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves, as is, unfortunately, most often seen in conventional medical and nutritional practice.
Follow-up
Depending on your individual needs we will book a follow-up at 4-6 weeks of your initial consultation. Consultations will become less frequent as improvement is seen. It is advisable that you come for at least two follow-up consultations to review your progress. As discussed below, naturopathic nutritional therapy is not a quick fix and requires a large degree of self-motivation and compliance. In follow-up consultations I provide support and advice, monitor progress, make appropriate adjustments and evaluate test results.
How quickly can I expect to see results?
You will almost always start seeing positive changes within the first week of the initial consultation (such as improved energy, better sleep, improved digestion, enhanced mood, and a clearer mind), however, the time needed for complete restoration of balance and infirmity is highly dependent on your unique constitution, the chronicity of your symptoms and the level of your compliance and determination. The longer you have a disease/symptom, the longer your body will need to restore homeostasis. Unlike conventional medicine, where medication is intended to act immediately, with Naturopathic & Functional Medicine your body will need more time, as the aim is to provide deep healing and address the problem from its root, rather than its branches (symptoms). While addressing the root cause of the problem at a deep level, a good practitioner will also manage the symptoms, in order to provide relief and minimise suffering, but always in a gentle, natural way, with no adverse reactions or long-term side-effects.
How many consultations will I need?
On average patients have 2-3 follow-up consultations depending on their health concerns, the initial level of health, and motivation/compliance, over a period of 3-6 months. Three to six months allows the body enough time to rectify the problem and restore vitality.
*I might as well refer you to another practitioner of different discipline/modality too to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome faster, including your GP/specialist consultant or an additional complementary or alternative practitioner (e.g. acupuncture, physiotherapist). Naturopathic & Functional Medicine is a part of an integrative healthcare system, that when used wisely guarantees the best results.
It is important to understand that only a medical professional (e.g. GP, consultant) can legally diagnose a condition. I, as your practitioner, will work to support your health, taking into account any medical diagnoses you have and the treatment you are receiving. I support a wean-off medication program, if this is your aim, check for medication interactions and support any medication side-effects.
Consultations
Initial: 60-75 min
Follow-up: 45 min
Online (Skype/Zoom/ Google Meet/Messenger/ Viber/ What’s App/ Facetime)
Free 15min chat pre-consultation available, to establish whether Naturopathic & Functional Medicine is the right route for you.
Consultations offered in English and Greek.
Prices
Initial consultation: £300
(incl. a 30-page personalised plan, educational material & on-going support)
Follow-up: £200
Health Coaching Sessions: £150
Packages: 3 sessions: £600, 4 sessions: £750
(Virtual) Super Market Tour / Pantry Makeover: £150
Online
