Health Coaching
Functional Medicine Health Coaching
In my 15 years of experience coaching people through a myriad of health challenges, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the journey to healing the body. My approach is empowering, pragmatic and comprehensive.
If you’re here, it’s probably because your current health care strategy isn’t working.
Has your recovery plateaued and you’re longing to feel that you’re actually getting better?
Are you ready to transcend the usual health care paradigm to a more integrated recovery plan?
Are you overwhelmed by your recent diagnosis, or looking for one and coming up empty?
Do you just need some guidance and support navigating your health journey?
Let’s figure out YOUR version of root cause-centered recovery from chronic dis-ease! Functional medicine health coaching is a collaboration between you and me, a process that is 100% tailored to your needs and wants.
As your health coach I am your #1 health advocate and keep the unshakeable certainty that you can be as healthy as you dream of, even when your own confidence is battered by years of struggle. I am 100% invested in your recovery.
How does it work?
We start with you filling out an extensive health history form, a symptom survey and a food journal. Although it is not essential, you may also submit your blood work and other recent medical tests to help inform the present state of your health. With all that information I prepare for your strategy session.
In our first meeting, which I call your Get Well Now! strategy session, we:
Talk in depth about your experience of dis-ease (when was the last time your doctor had the time to REALLY listen to you?)
Discuss how your symptoms make sense across body systems.
Explore the possible root causes of your dis-ease — some will be evident and others will likely need further exploration.
Get clear about what you want your recovery to be at this point in time.
Identify your priorities and the changes that you’re willing and able to tackle immediately.
Devise an initial plan of action and the appropriate accountability setup for you.
In our continued work together, we learn and deepen our understanding of the different dynamics that may be part of your dis-ease from the functional medicine point of view. Like:
Disease begins in the gut
Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and SIFO (small intestine fungal overgrowth)
Metabolic disfunction
Estrogen dominance
Adrenal exhaustion
Down- or up-regulated thyroid function
Auto-immune activation
High blood pressure
Brain and nervous system malfunction
Toxicity and poor detoxification
And we explore different solutions as they make sense for you — food planning, supplementation and medication compliance, functional cooking, kitchen systems, gentle detoxification, physical activity, stress management, eating hygiene, sleep hygiene, hydration, blood work education… There are really SO many things we can do! It’s a matter of what works for you at this point in time.
Ready to give health coaching a shot?
Please contact me! We’ll have a brief conversation. I’d love to get to know each other a little bit and to hear about the issues you think I can help you with. I will be happy to refer you to another professional if either of us thinks we’re not good fit.
And if you already know you want to get the ball rolling, the next step is to request a Get Well Now! strategy session. The session is $445 for individuals and $575 for a child with his/her parents (I review both parents’ health history in addition to the child’s). Click on the “Reserve Now!” button to get started — the $50 reservation payment will be credited to the session total. I will contact you soon after to confirm your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are you different from a doctor?
I am NOT a doctor, nor am I any type of licensed practitioner. I am a health coach certified by The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), arguably the highest authority in health coaching in the US, but still, a private institution. I also hold the Applied Functional Medicine for Coaching certification through the School of Applied Functional Medicine. I can’t diagnose or prescribe medication. Your work with me will always be self-directed — meaning that YOU are in charge of your decisions.
Health coaching is meant to COMPLEMENT your health care, not replace it. It’s meant to support you in making the lifestyle changes you — and sometimes your doctor — want to make, and to educate you about how your body works so that you can make informed decisions about your health and wellness.
Your experience with me will also be different because I am a lifelong nutrition and functional medicine student. I dedicate about half of my working time to study and research. Frankly, that is a privilege most health care professionals can’t have because they simply don’t have the time.
The first time we meet we’ll spend around 90 minutes together because it takes time to get familiar with anyone’s health history. Every other session we have will be around 55 minutes long. And all throughout the time we work together, there will be a communication channel open for you to use as you need it. In conventional medicine, virtually no professional will ever have that kind of time with a patient.
Will you work with my doctor?
I am more than happy to collaborate with your health care team and have many times been the mediator between two doctors or a doctor and an alternative practitioner. I often get referrals from doctors. Sometimes, though, a doctor will not be interested in hearing about your health care efforts outside of their office. It’s up to you to decide which practitioners add value to your health care team.
I already work with a functional medicine doctor. Will working with you add anything new?
It depends. If you feel that you have the information and support you need to make the changes you want, then maybe you don’t need health coaching. I often get referrals from functional medicine doctors, because, even if they know what changes you should make, they may not have the practical knowledge or the time to coach you through them.
Every person is different. I have had clients who are extremely independent and only go to the doctor when they feel they absolutely must. I also work with clients who have access to, and prefer to work with, an expansive group of practitioners across disciplines. I am comfortable and happy to serve you in whatever context works best for you.
How much do you charge?
The first session — the one I call Get Healthy Now! Strategy Session — is $445 for individuals and $575 for a child with his/her parents (I review both parents’ health history in addition to the child’s). I am committed to you being thrilled with this investment. If for any reason you feel you aren’t getting 100% value for your money, I will refund your fee with no questions asked.
Health coaching programs are completely personalized, last a minimum of three months, and start at $1495.
I occasionally discount my rate to work with a client who doesn’t have the means to pay my full rate and I consider that arrangement on a case-by-case basis. I also have a different rate for Colombian citizens living and working in Colombia.
How are you different from a nutritionist?
Please know that in the US there is no regulation for the word “nutritionist.” Anyone can use that word to describe themselves. I don’t claim to be a nutritionist and I am not a registered dietitian. Dietitians are experts in the relationship of food and health. They “prescribe” diets and create diet plans for specific purposes. Some dietitians have health coaching training as well, and they tend to work in private practice. Some registered dietitians work in hospitals, schools, or other public health settings.
As a health coach I am trained in different counseling approaches to help you make the changes you want to make in your diet, as well as many other aspects of health and wellness. Sometimes I get referrals from dietitians to work with a patient adopting a specific diet protocol. I am always available for collaborating with other health care practitioners.
Do you take insurance?
No. At present, the only way to use insurance money for private health coaching services in the US is through a health savings account. Keep in mind, though, that one of the advantages of health coaching derives from its independence from the health insurance system —independence that allows for the health coach to work with each person as a unique individual.
How do you know I can do this?
Sometimes people will ask, are you “coachable”? Meaning, do you think you’re ready to make meaningful changes in your lifestyle? If you are curious about health coaching I invite you to consider it even if you don’t feel you are “ready.” In my experience, clients can always make changes —it’s a matter of finding the right change to attempt. Identifying the changes that make sense for you and that will motivate you is part of the coaching process. If you’ve read this far, I’m pretty confident that you ARE coachable!
How long is this going to take?
It depends! The shortest coaching program I offer is 90 days because realistically, significant health changes take time. Most clients work with me between 9 months and a year and a half. I had one client that worked with me for almost 7 years 
Ok. I’m intrigued. What do I do now?
Please contact me! We’ll have a brief conversation. I’d love to get to know each other and to hear about the issues you think I can help you with. I’ll be happy to refer you to another professional if we don’t think we’re a good fit for each other.
And if you already know you want to have a Get Well Now! strategy session, this link will get you started. The session is $445 for individuals and $575 for a child with his/her parents (I review both parents’ health history in addition to the child’s). The $50 reservation payment will be credited to the session total. I will contact you soon after to confirm your request.
