FAQs
What is Nutritional Therapy and How Does It Work?
1. What does a nutritional therapist actually do?
A Nutritional Therapist will help you to uncover the root causes of your symptoms using personalised nutrition, lifestyle changes and functional testing. It’s about treating the whole person - not just a symptom or diagnosis.
2. How is this different from a dietitian?
Dietitians often work in clinical or hospital settings, guided by standardised protocols. My approach is more holistic and individualised, focusing on functional systems like the gut, hormones, detoxification, and nervous system regulation.
3. Do you diagnose medical conditions?
No - I don’t diagnose or treat diseases. Instead, I interpret patterns through a functional lens and support your body with targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies. I often work alongside doctors and other health professionals.
4. Is this just about food?
Not at all. While food is foundational, I also look at gut health, hormones, stress, sleep, your emotional landscape, environment, and more. My approach blends evidence-based nutrition with tools for deeper healing, including somatic and mindset work.
5. Can this approach support emotional or mental health as well as physical symptoms?
Absolutely. Emotional health and physical symptoms are often connected. Through somatic practices, we can gently explore how stress or trauma may be showing up in your body - and work with it compassionately.
6. Can a nutritional therapist support me if I’m already on medication?
Yes - I always consider medications when creating your plan and aim to work safely and collaboratively alongside any medical treatments.
7. How does this work if I have multiple things going on - like gut issues and hormone problems?
That’s actually where nutritional therapy shines. We look at your body as a whole, not in isolated parts, and create a plan that connects the dots and addresses the root causes.
8. Are lab tests involved, and are they necessary?
Functional testing can offer valuable insight, especially in complex or chronic cases. It’s never mandatory, but often helpful to reduce guesswork and speed up progress.
9. Do I have to take supplements? Are they safe and good quality?
Only when necessary - and always tailored to your individual needs. I use high-quality, practitioner-grade supplements backed by evidence and safety standards.
10. Will you help me understand my lab test results from other practitioners?
Absolutely. I’m happy to review past results and help you make sense of them in context, whether they’re from your GP or another practitioner.
Choosing The Right Support For You
11. How do I know if I need a nutritional therapist, a coach, or a doctor?
Each plays a different role. Doctors are essential for diagnosis and acute care, but they often aren’t trained in nutrition, lifestyle medicine, or the emotional roots of illness. Coaches can be great for accountability and motivation, but may lack clinical training. Nutritional therapy bridges the gap - looking at the whole person, not just an organ or symptom, and supporting long-term healing through food, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing.
12. Can I work with a nutritional therapist and my GP at the same time?
Yes - and I often encourage it. My work complements conventional care. While GPs and specialists often focus on isolated issues or body systems, I take a whole-body view, helping you understand how your gut, hormones, stress, and history are all connected.
13. I’ve already worked with a coach / nutritionist or naturopath before - how is this different?
Coaching can be incredibly helpful, but “coach” and even “nutritionist” are unregulated terms with varying levels of training. My approach is grounded in clinical nutrition, functional medicine, and years of study. I also integrate emotional tools like Compassionate Inquiry and somatic work to support healing on both physical and deeper levels.
14. Are you qualified and registered with any professional bodies?
Yes - I trained at CNM and am registered with BANT and CNHC, which require monitored continuous professional development, and strict standards. Unlike “nutritionist” or “coach,” which anyone can call themselves, my title is backed by years of study, clinical training, and ongoing accreditation.
15. Have you helped people with my condition or symptoms before?
Most likely. I regularly support clients with gut health issues, hormone imbalance, fatigue, fertility, skin concerns, burnout, stress-related symptoms, and more. Book a call and we can chat about what’s going on for you.
16. There a lot of generic programmes out there, What makes this different?
Yes - and many are built around catchy names, big promises, and one-size-fits-all protocols. Conventional medicine can also fall into this pattern - treating the symptom or organ, not the person. I tailor everything to you - your story, your body, your goals - and create a plan that works in the real world
17. I’m also looking at a group programme - what’s the difference between 1:1 vs group coaching?
Group coaching can be a great way to connect with others, supported accountable for those who struggle, and who want to share the journey. But 1:1 is where real transformation happens - because everything is personalised to you, with deeper attention and faster, more focused results.
18. How do I know if you're the right fit for me and my needs?
Let’s have a free discovery call. With so many trends telling practitioners to automate and stop doing 1:1, I’ve chosen to hold onto the human connection that only comes from real conversation. This is personal work, and I’m here for it. So lets have a chat
What Does Working Together Look Like…
19. What does a consultation involve? What happens in the first session?
In our first session, we take a deep dive into your health story - your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and goals. You'll leave with a personalised action plan that grows with you over time.
20. How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the complexity of your symptoms, but most clients work with me over 2–4 months, and I always offer a 6 month follow up. Real, lasting change takes time - but with a few key changes, you'll likely start feeling shifts early on.
21. What kind of results can I expect - and how long will it take?
Some clients feel better within weeks, while others with deeper imbalances may need a month or two. The beauty of 1:1 work is that we move faster because it’s tailored to you- no generic plans, no guesswork.
22. How do you track progress or measure success?
We track symptom shifts, energy, digestion, mood, menstrual cycle changes (where relevant), and lab markers where needed. More importantly, we focus on how you feel in your body and life.
23. Do you offer meal plans or recipes?
Yes - depending on your preferences, I offer flexible meal frameworks, recipe guides, or full meal plans. These are tailored to your dietary needs, time, and taste.
24. Do you work with vegetarians, vegans, or people with specific dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. Your plan is built around your dietary preferences, intolerances, and values - there’s no one-size-fits-all here.
25. Will I have to completely change my diet? How strict is the plan? Can I still enjoy the foods I love?
I don’t believe in rigid rules. We work together to make realistic, manageable changes that suit your lifestyle and still allow for enjoyment. This is about nourishment, not deprivation. For certain conditions it may be necessary to remove or restrict certain food groups for a short period of time.
26. What happens between sessions - do I get support or check-ins?
Yes - I offer email support between sessions and sometimes use shared tools to track symptoms or progress. You’re never left on your own.
27. How much does it cost, and is it covered by insurance / NHS?
Nutritional Therapy is becoming more widely recognised, and some private health insurance companies are beginning to include these services in their policies. I’m happy to help you navigate this and find out what may be available to you.
My services are not available through the NHS. I understand that, financially, it can feel like a big step - especially if you’re not used to investing in your health. But my packages reflect the depth of care, support, and expertise I provide.
When it comes to working with me, I display all my prices proudly - no hidden costs, no surprises, and no sales pressure.
28. Is there flexibility if I travel or have a changing schedule?
Yes - all sessions are online and designed to work around your lifestyle - even if you’re travelling or have a busy week, I’m understanding and flexible.
29. Is this safe during pregnancy or while trying to conceive?
Yes - many of my clients are TTC, pregnant, or postpartum. I tailor everything to be safe and supportive for where you are in your journey.
30. Can I include my partner or family in the process for support at home?
Absolutely. Healing is much easier when you have support, and I’m happy to offer guidance they can follow too. I often end up working with partners and family members as referrals.