A clinical herbalist is a trained professional who approaches health with a holistic lens.   She is trained to conduct a clinical intake, design a treatment plan, dispense and make herbal medicine, as well as some physical assessments. 

Client centered care is an approach that centers the client in an individualized model of care with dignity and respect, collaboration and participation, and sharing un-biased information. 

The initial visit lasts about 1 – 1.5 hours and involves an in depth conversation between you and your practitioner.  Your herbalist will ask you many questions about many different aspects of your health to gain a clear understanding of what you are experiencing.  She may also conduct a physical exam to assess parts of your physical health.

Your herbalist will write a treatment plan which includes nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations, as well as a custom herbal plan.  The herbal formulas often include a tincture and a tea designed specifically for you.

There may be a few details we need to work out before we can work together. I like to have a conversation to be certain the time works for both of us so we can make the most of it.

No. Each herbal formulation has its own cost and will be an extra cost on top of the consultation fee.

Each person is unique and experiences life and herbs differently.  Clinical herbalists who are trained in client-centered care take time to understand you as an individual.  What works for someone else may not work for you.

Although your clinician will encourage you to build a relationship with your medicine, there are tricks she can help you with to disguise the taste.

Tinctures, which are alcohol based herbal formulations, are only one way to ingest herbal medicine.  There are other methods that do not use alcohol, which your herbalist can use with you.

Clinical herbalists are trained in herbal safety and herbal interactions with prescription medications.  This will be part of your consultation and your herbal formulas will be customized accordingly.

Most programs take about 4 years to complete the education portion and 1-2 years to complete the clinical practicum.

No. Clinical herbalists are not trained to diagnose but can work with diagnosis you have received from other healthcare practitioners.  Clinical herbalists are trained to assess health.

Clinical herbalists are trained to catch ‘red flags’ – AKA medical emergencies.  If your herbalist recognizes a red flag, she will immediately refer you to higher care.  Herbalists are also trained to refer clients to other professionals in case of non-emergencies that are outside of their training.

It is recommended to return for a follow-up appointment 6-8 weeks after your first appointment and 3 months after that.  This varies with each person.  The follow-up appointments typically take 30 minutes and are important to track progress, adjust or refill medicine, and maintain accountability.

This will depend on the nature of your health concern and the herbs that have been dispensed to you.  For the most part, yes this is possible.  At times, it will be important to have a check in to ensure the herbs are still the right fit for you.

Not necessarily.  Herbalists use a multi-faceted approach with nutrition, supplements, lifestyle and herbs to address health.  Herbs by themselves can do a lot to ease symptoms and point your health in the right direction.  Ultimately, it is up to you to integrate all of the aspects listed above to address the root cause of your health concern and move the needle of your experience.

I was trained in the western herbalist model of vitalism.  Vitalism is the belief that there is an innate life force within the body and health is the ability of that force to be free flowing.  Health is not the absence of disease – many people with complex health diagnosis thrive in a high-quality life because they foster high, free-flowing vitality.  Your body has an innate intelligence, herbs and a holistic approach help to gently guide it in the right direction.