Q: How Are You Different From Other Dietitians?
While I received the customary 4-year dietitian training, I have taken additional training to learn integrative and functional nutrition. In a nutshell, I try to get to the underlying root cause of a person's illness, condition, or problem rather than just batting at symptoms. Watch this short, informative video to get a broader picture of what integrative and functional medicine dietitians do.
Q: What Types of Appointments Do You Offer?
I offer consultations either in my North Texas office, virtually (phone or online/video chat), or a combination of both. When you make an appointment through your patient portal, you have the option of choosing what type of appointment you would like. You may choose from one of three options:
- In Person (come to my office at the appointed time),
- Phone (call me at the appointed time), or
- Online/video chat (follow the prompts in your patient portal to connect with me at the appointed time).
These options all have their unique advantages. Many people prefer meeting face-to-face, and I get that! For others, calling on the phone or using the online/video chat option is easier, and sometimes necessary due to weather or location. Because the virtual option is new to many of us, let's explore the unique advantages of a phone or online/video chat consultation:
- It's easier to keep your appointments - even if you are travelling or the weather is bad, you can still "be" there.
- You do not have to leave the comfort of your own home! (Or your office, or wherever you may be, though you will need to be able to focus your full attention on your appointment.)
- All of your documents are saved in your patient portal – no more fumbling through papers - it's all right there!
- If necessary, I can modify the length of your appointments to best suit your needs - sometimes it is beneficial to divide up your session into smaller sessions, occurring either more frequently or spaced further apart than the norm. It all depends on your unique situation, but if you do not have to physically come to my office, it is quite doable.
Q: Do You Accept Health Insurance?
In order to keep my rates affordable, and to better meet the needs of my clients, I do not accept insurance at this time. However, I am happy to provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please note:
- I will be considered an out-of-network provider.
- Some insurance companies do not reimburse for virtual consultations.
Q: What Are Your Rates?
I create personalized packages for my clients depending on their needs. Because I am able to keep my overhead costs down, my hourly rates are right in the middle of the market for dietitian services at $150 per hour. Most often a first appointment is one hour in length in order for me to get an in-depth look at a person's nutritional and health history. If you purchase a package in which a health history is included, this amount will be applied to your personalized package.
Q: Do I Need to Buy Your Recommended Nutritional Supplements?
Of course not! But if you are coming to me for professional, high quality health advice, then hand-picked supplements are often part of the solution. As a general rule, I try to keep the amount of supplements a person takes minimal, and often I will tell you how to get nutriments from certain foods. Other times, a supplement is recommended for only a specific period of time. The products I offer in my virtual store (Fullscript.com) are ones that I have hand selected based on very specific parameters. My ultimate goal is for you to have the best outcome possible; therefore, I place a lot of time and energy into making recommendations that are tailored specifically for you. If you find supplements elsewhere for a more affordable price then I encourage you to go for it! Keep in mind, however, that seemingly similar products can vary vastly in the quality of ingredients, the forms of the ingredients (which affect absorption), as well as in potency. As an added bonus, all supplements that I offer, whether in my office or through my virtual dispensary are 20% off - every single day!
Q: What Is the Difference Between a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Nutritionist?
In brief, an RDN is a nationally recognized credential and a Nutritionist is not. But it doesn't mean one is better than the other. It simply indicates different training backgrounds and possibly a different approach to your case. All RDN's are also Nutritionists, but not all Nutritionists are RDN's. Nutritionists might have taken a weekend long course, or they might have a PhD in nutrition! It isn't a standardized term, so it is hard to tell. To find out more, click here.
Q: How Can You Order Labs When You're Not a Doctor?
Dietitians are fully within their scope to order labs that have to do with nutritional care. Sometimes I may recommend that your physician order specific labs, especially if there is potential insurance coverage for it. I am also able to order testing from specific labs, such as Oxford Biomedical, Diagnostic Solutions, Spectracell, Dunwoody, Vibrant Wellness, and others. These tests are usually much more comprehensive than what is obtained with conventional testing, providing critical information for your care. If you do not live near my office and our appointments are conducted virtually, test kits will be shipped directly to your home and I will help identify a convenient blood draw location.
Q: Should I Cancel My Follow up Visit If I Did Not Adhere to the Program?
This is the best reason to not cancel... I'm here to help you adhere. You will never be scolded for poor adherence. Instead, we will discuss the challenges you faced and how you can better overcome them next time. This process is not easy and it takes time for a change to really stick. Be patient with yourself and know that I am here for support and encouragement.
Q: What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
All clients are asked to provide 24-hours' notice either by phone or through their patient portal if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment; otherwise, there is a $50 fee.
Q: Are There Any Specific Populations That You Do Not Work With?
I do not specialize in pediatrics. However, I do occasionally work with children and teens based on their specific needs and if I feel I can address their concerns. Also, I do not work with individuals diagnosed with or manifesting an active eating disorder. There may be other conditions outside of my specialty that I may or may not feel comfortable working with, but this will be discussed during your free 20-minute consult, should you desire to take advantage of that. If I do not feel we are a good fit and I am not the best person for the job, I will do my best to make an appropriate referral.