Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about working together? Here are answers to some of the most common ones. If you don't see what you're looking for, I'd be happy to help.

What’s the difference between traditional medicine and functional medicine?

Traditional medicine plays an essential role in keeping us healthy. It's where you want to be for emergencies, infections, surgeries, preventive screenings, and managing many medical conditions.

Functional medicine doesn't replace that care—it complements it.

Instead of asking, "What diagnosis fits these symptoms?" I also ask, "Why might this be happening?" I look at how your gut, hormones, metabolism, stress, sleep, and lifestyle work together to influence how you feel.

The goal isn't to replace your primary care provider. It's to help uncover patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms and create a personalized plan that supports your long-term health.

How does gut health fit into your approach?

Gut health influences much more than digestion. It plays a role in inflammation, nutrient absorption, metabolism, hormone balance, immune function, and even mood.

While not every health concern starts in the gut, it's often one of the first places I evaluate because of how closely it communicates with other body systems. My goal is to understand how your systems work together—not to focus on one area in isolation.

Do you help women experiencing perimenopause or menopause?

Yes. Many of the women I work with are navigating changes related to perimenopause and menopause, including fatigue, weight changes, sleep disruption, brain fog, digestive concerns, and changes in mood.

My approach looks beyond hormone levels alone. I consider how gut health, metabolism, stress, nutrition, and lifestyle may be contributing to how you're feeling. When appropriate, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be part of a personalized treatment plan, but it's never the only focus.

Do you see men?

Yes. While many of my patients are women, I also work with men experiencing concerns related to gut health, metabolism, hormones, energy, and overall wellness.

Every care plan is personalized based on your health history, symptoms, goals, and physiology.

Is this a replacement for my primary care provider?

No. I believe the best care happens when healthcare providers work together.

I work alongside your primary care provider and specialists—not in place of them. I encourage patients to stay up to date with routine screenings, preventive care, and any treatment recommended by their medical team..

Do you take insurance?

Integrative Wellness is a direct-pay practice, so I do not bill insurance.

This allows me to spend more time with each patient and provide personalized care without the limitations often placed on insurance-based visits.

If your plan offers out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement varies by plan, so I recommend checking with your insurance provider.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are also accepted when eligible.

How do I know if I'm a good fit?

You may be a good fit if you've been told everything looks normal but still don't feel like yourself.

Many of my patients come to me with fatigue, digestive concerns, weight changes, brain fog, hormone symptoms, or simply the feeling that something isn't quite right.

If you're looking for a personalized, whole-person approach, a Health Strategy Call is the best place to start.

What is a Health Strategy Call?

A Health Strategy Call is a 30-minute conversation designed to understand what's been going on, discuss your health goals, and determine the most appropriate next step.

Every patient relationship begins with this call. Together, we'll review your concerns, answer your questions, and decide what level of support, if any, is the best fit for where you are right now.

How do I know which program is right for me?

You don't have to decide that before we meet.

During your Health Strategy Call, we'll discuss your health history, current concerns, and goals. From there, I'll recommend the level of support that makes the most sense for your needs.

What if I already have labs from another provider? Can you review them?

Yes. If you've had recent laboratory work, I'll review it as part of your evaluation. In many cases, we can gather valuable information from testing you've already completed.

If I notice important gaps or believe additional testing would help answer key questions, I'll explain why and discuss the options with you before recommending anything further.

Will I need specialized lab testing?

Not everyone does.

The need for specialized testing depends on your symptoms, health history, and what we're trying to understand.

While routine laboratory work provides important information, it doesn't always answer every question. When appropriate, specialized testing can provide additional insight into areas such as gut health, hormone metabolism, stress response, nutrient status, or the microbiome.

My goal isn't to order more testing—it's to recommend the testing that's most likely to move us forward.

Do I need to take a lot of supplements?

Not at all.

Supplements can be helpful when they're used for the right reasons, but they aren't the foundation of good health.

I focus first on nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and other lifestyle factors. If supplements are appropriate, I'll recommend only those that support your goals and explain why they're being used.