Frequently Asked Questions

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  • As I naturopath in Australia, I’m an alternative healthcare practitioner who works wholistically with you to assist in healing, feeling better and addressing the root cause of your health issues. I explore all the contributing factors to your current state of health, and focus on what we can remove, adapt & add that works for you, your current life and your goals.

    I guide you in achieving whole health & harmony through food as medicine, lifestyle changes, emotional work, mindset adjustments, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy & energetic medicine.

    The underpinning principles of naturopathy include the healing power of nature, identify + treat the cause, first do no harm, doctor as teacher, treat the whole person and prevention where possible.

    All advice and treatment is tailored to you & your desired outcomes.

  • Each naturopath will work and run their sessions differently.

    My approach is a thorough one. An initial consultation with me is between 60 and 90 minutes, and we explore your health story in great detail. This includes your current experience of health, a review of your organ systems, your current diet, your history, major life events, lifestyle habits, your emotional state, and assessment of your vital signs & constitution (your innate tendencies and traits).

    Finally, I explore with you where you’d like the be; the goals and desires you have for your health and your life.

    After taking your case, I go into treatment-planning mode, making links between symptoms and causes, researching your case and carefully curating the best recommendations & natural medicines for you.

    Your first recommendations from me will be simple to start off. We don’t throw the whole kitchen sink at your body! We choose somewhere to start, based on the body’s pattern of healing. These will be discussed at the end of your session, with more detail outlined in an email to follow.

    You’ll receive your Treatment Plan & prescriptions via email within 48 hours of your first appointment.

    For complex cases, I may require more treatment planning & research time. I’ll let you know if this is the case, and will endeavour to get your Treatment Plan to you within a week.

    In our follow-ups, we continue to peel back the layers of your health picture to keep investigating and addressing the root cause and any obstacles to your healing. I assess how you and your body have handled the first round of treatment & recommendations (supplements, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, etc) and adjust or expand on these recommendations as needed.

    We may also delve deeper into your health history, exploring what is specifically going on for you, which may include referral for functional pathology testing, which I arrange and interpret for you.

    Follow-ups are also great for treating acute flare-ups of previous health issues, as well as preventing illness & promoting optimal wellbeing.

    Depending on your needs, Menstrual Cycle Awareness & Fertility Awareness Training may be a key component of our follow-ups.

    The aim of my consultations is for you is to feel harmonious, balanced & on-track towards your greatest self — physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

  • As of September 2022, all new patients who would like to work with me enter into the New Patient Starter Pack. This is a 6-week package that includes your first appointment (up to 90 mins) and 2 follow-ups (45-60 mins).

    Single appointments are available for existing clients, and value packs are also available if you’d like to pre-purchase single appointments for a discount. Follow Up Packages are also available.

  • I have great knowledge of a range of health conditions, symptoms and diagnoses, although you are not required to have a specific diagnosis to work with me.

    I treat you as a unique, multi-faceted being, rather than as a collection of symptoms.

    Primarily, I LOVE working with female reproductive & hormonal issues. These include:

    • Endometriosis
    • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
    • Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
    • Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
    • Irregular periods (oligomenorrhoea)
    • Hormone issues related to the Pill or other hormonal contraceptives

    These issues are multi-factoral, and everything is interconnected within your body. As such, the healing journey for these conditions may also include addressing your:

    • Digestive issues (e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
    • Vulvo-vaginal health (e.g. thrush, bacterial vaginosis, UTIs)
    • Chronic stress
    • Detoxification & elimination pathways
    • Immunity & inflammation
    • Diet and relationship to food
    • Bloating
    • Sleep issues & Insomnia
    • Anxiety, Depression & general mental health

    I also work with other imbalances within your life (physical, mental, environmental, emotional or spiritual) - trust me when I say a consultation with me is super holistic! Nothing is TMI and there’s not much that’s off-limits, so long as you feel safe & open to discuss.

    Feel free to contact me via email/website contact form to see if I can help.

  • As a naturopath in Australia, I cannot officially diagnose you (although I am trained in differential diagnoses).

    In my practice, diagnosis is not my aim. I don’t see you as an object to be labelled or put into a ‘box’.

    I explore your case and treat you as the beautifully complex & unique individual that you are.

    All your symptoms are acknowledged and explored with empathy and compassion; you do not need a diagnosis to feel validated when working with me. Your experience is valid, period.

    If you’re looking for a specific, official diagnosis, your primary healthcare provider (e.g. General Practitioner) or medical specialist(s) will be able to help.

  • Yes! I can refer you for further testing as required or requested. Specifically, I work with functional testing provided by i-Screen, RNLabs and Nutripath (including nutrient, genetic and microbiome testing) as well as DUTCH Tests (for a comprehensive look at your hormones).

    These provide us with an in-depth and more specific understanding of what’s occurring in your body to help determine very specific targets for treatment.

    Please note that these tests are not covered by Medicare and do incur an out-of-pocket expense (generally between $50 - $499). As such, I will only recommend these tests when it’s highly indicated and within your budget, or if you request a test.

    I can also work with your specialist or General Practitioner (GP) to recommend any Medicare-rebated tests that I believe are crucial in the best management of your health.

    Please note not all doctors, GPs or specialist are comfortable working with naturopaths, so you may want to check with yours if you want a collaborative approach.

  • I totally understand that as unique individuals with our special quirks and preferences, we may not be suited to each other. And that’s okay! We’re only human.

    See my “who I am” page for more info on my background, passions & practice style to see if we’re a good match. You can also book in for a free Connection Call where we can get to know each other & decide if we’re a good fit.

    If you decide I’m not the practitioner for you while we’re working together, or I determine that it’s out of my scope to treat you, I will always provide an appropriate referral or recommendation. No hard feelings.

  • I’ve heard this from most of my patients - seriously.

    If this were true, I would likely be out of work!

    Just because certain treatment pathways or medicines aren’t in your doctors’ repertoire, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing that can be done to help.

    One of my favourite things about naturopathy is that I wholeheartedly believe there is always something that can be done, even in the most complex of cases. Often, we will just need to start gently, low and slow, and symptom resolution may take longer in more complex cases.

  • Currently, I don’t work with people under the age of 15. I can refer you to a practitioner who is happy to work with children if you need.

    I’m happy to work with pregnant women, but please let me know before your appointment if you are pregnant or trying to conceive (there’s a space to note this on your Client Intake Form).

    If you would like a practitioner who specialises in pregnancy & childbirth, I may not be the practitioner for you. I can make an appropriate referral where necessary.

    I do work with those seeking pre-conception care & fertility support.

  • While I LOVE helping women with hormonal imbalances and period problems, I’m also experienced in treating a range of health conditions.

    If you’re experiencing non-hormone-related symptoms, I can help.

    However, if you’re looking for a practitioner that specifically focuses on your condition/area of concern, I can make a referral to someone better suited to your needs.

    My colleague Julie Forrester (BHSc Nat) and I offer dual appointments where we conduct the consult as a duo. With Julie having a special interest in gut health, microbiome, immunity, ADHD & complex conditions, this makes us a pretty great combo! Please email me if you’d like an appointment with Julie & me to have 2 sets of eyes (and brains!) on your case.

  • I also offer online courses on Menstrual Cycle Awareness & eBooks. Courses including masterclasses, digital guides, mini-courses and full courses are available, with more always in the works, behind the scenes!

    Check the tabs in the main menu of my website to see what’s currently on offer. You can also find these in my Cycle Shop.

what I do, who I help & how

  • • Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) – 4 year degree at Endeavour College of Natural Health, Melbourne

    • Comprehensive Course in Natural Fertility Education – certificate completed through Wise Woman Business

    • Diploma of Counselling (Relationship Counselling) – in progress, at Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

    • Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Program – in progress, through the School of Evolutionary Herbalism

    In addition to these, I regularly engage in Continuing Professional Education in many fields of health, including naturopathy, herbalism, general pathology, nutrition, female health and more.

  • At present, Naturopathy isn’t a registered modality under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

    Naturopaths in Australia gain accreditation through various associations who maintain high standards of naturopathic care and best practice.

    As I’ve completed a Bachelor of Health Science degree, majoring in Naturopathy, I meet the Australian standard of accreditation and am insured as a Naturopath. I’m a professional member of the Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA).

  • I can prescribe herbal medicine (tinctures, tonics, powders, teas, capsules & tablets), nutritional medicines, nutraceuticals and energetic medicines.

    I cannot prescribe pharmaceutical medications.

  • Unfortunately, Naturopathy is no longer covered by Private Health Insurance due to a legislation change a few years ago.

    Naturopathy is not covered by Medicare.

    Payment plans are available for online appointments over $99 to help make payments easier.

qualifications & experience

  • ONLINE

    I currently conduct my consultations online via Zoom (you’ll be sent a Zoom link via email when you confirm your appointment).

    I will already have a lot of your important details from your Intake Form, but it can be handy to have any medications or supplements you’re currently taking on hand, as well as any recent test results (if you haven’t already emailed them to me).

    Otherwise, just bring your lovely self! Get comfy – PJs, blankets, pets and a warm cuppa are all encouraged.

    IN-PERSON

    As of June 2023, I am no longer practicing in person, and Karinda Wholistix is now fully online.

  • I use an online service called vital.ly which allows me to create a digital prescription for you.

    For custom mixes, I may post these directly to you or use an online herbal dispensary called Natural Script.

    You’ll receive your prescription via email once it’s ready, follow the prompts to confirm your account, complete payment online and get the products delivered to your door.

    Please note postage charges will apply.

    I may also recommend some health food products, over-the-counter supplements or teas, which are generally available from a good quality supermarket or health food store. I’ll advise you on good quality brands and businesses that are local to you as needed.

  • This will be different for everyone.

    Generally, the longer you have experienced a health issue or felt unwell, the more sessions you will need. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

    Someone may require a few sessions with a couple of on-point prescriptions and an ongoing plan to feel better and initiate healing, while another person may require monthly sessions for 6 – 12 months.

    After the first session, I generally like to touch base 2-3 weeks later. Once I’ve established a longer-term plan that we’re happy with, I often see how you go on your own for 4 – 8 weeks.

    The aim is to have longer spaces between session as you progress.

    Of course, I am happy to arrange check-ins between our longer follow-up appointments, and you can always book in online whenever you need.

    While I love working with my clients, honestly, my aim isn’t to see you as often as possible.

    I aim to educate & empower you in such a way that you can maintain optimal health & prevent illness on your own terms, equipping you with the holistic tools you need to eat, move and live in a way that supports balance. However, if your health remains an issue that you’d like ongoing support with, I am more than happy to continue seeing you.

    For optimal health, maintenance & disease prevention, I recommend 2-6 reviews per year. It can be great to book in for a review every season to support optimal health, prevent any recurring illnesses or seasonal ails, and use remedies that match the theme of the season to support your unique constitution.

  • Fair question!

    Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer.

    The healing timeline will be different for everyone, and I will often mention this as we go through your recommendations & treatment.

    Genetic factors, constitutional and energetic differences, your vitality, environment, organs, cells & emotional wellbeing will all determine how quickly you respond to treatment.

    Because I aim for whole health and healing, it can be a slow process. I don’t try to heal or fix everything at once (this isn’t useful for your body).

    Small, actionable and achievable steps are much more sustainable in the long-term, and that’s what I prioritise.

    It’s also worthwhile to consider how long you have been feeling unwell or off-balance. For example, if a specific health issue started 5 years ago for you, it will likely that at least 5 months of consistent care & action.

    For complex hormonal or menstrual complaints, I advise 3 months of consistent treatment at a minimum. That said, most of my clients will experience a noticeable change after following their Treatment Plan for at least 2 – 4 weeks.

    If you’re expecting a quick fix, magic pill or overnight detox, I might not be the practitioner for you.

  • ONLINE: Click the book now button at the top of the page!

    IN PERSON: Please email me for a booking, or call Pillar Health directly on (03) 8899 6277

  • I like to work collaboratively, applying an integrative approach to your health.

    This means I will work with any other specialists or practitioners that you’re seeing, who are open to working alongside a naturopath, including General Practitioners (GPs), gynaecologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, massage therapists, osteopaths, Chinese Medicine doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, fertility specialists and more.

    If you feel your needs aren’t being met with your current practitioners, and believe I can offer something more (or different), you’re more than welcome to ask me about that before booking in.

    If you’re working with multiple practitioners & find it difficult to stick to a plan or follow one protocol from your existing practitioner(s), it may not be the best time to start working with me. It’s common when struggling with complex health issues to want to continue searching for answers or looking for the “next best option”, though sometimes the best way forward is to simplify & remain consistent with one process. You can book in for a free Connection Call if you feel stuck in this area.

  • Generally, making the time for a quick appointment (15 or 30 mins) is preferred when wanting to go through any questions, concerns, changes or new symptoms that may arise between our sessions.

    If you’re an existing client and are having a reaction to a new product that I’ve prescribed or need advice on existing prescriptions, email is the best way to contact me.

    I always endeavour to reply to existing clients within 12-24 hours, and all other enquiries within 48 hours.

consultations & bookings

  • If you’re booking online, pre-payment will be required via secure credit card payment (processed via Square). Depending on the appointment, full payment or a deposit may be required.

    Single follow-ups that are booked online require pre-payment.

    Appointments that are booked manually via messaging/emailing me will require payment on or before our appointment date. In your confirmation and reminder emails, you’ll receive a link to pay for your appointment.

    I offer payment plans via Square if you require one for packages. You can email me to book & arrange a payment plan (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) that works for you.

  • I arrange most prescriptions for my clients through the vital.ly or Natural Chemist online dispensary services.

    Through these portals, you have access to the prescriptions I’ve created for you and can pay securely on these platforms.

    If I’m prescribing a unique herbal blend for you from my own dispensary, you’ll be invoiced via Square, and you can pay via credit card or bank transfer.

    Payments are required before shipping.

  • Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the appointment start time will not incur a cancellation fee.

    If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours of the appointment time, you will receive a 50% refund for pre-paid appointments.

    If you have not prepaid, you will be required to pay 50% of the consultation fee. This also applies for missed appointments where no communication has occurred.

    If you’re experiencing significant circumstances that have prevented you from attending your appointment, please let me know to avoid a cancellation fee.

    You can reschedule your appointment to avoid any cancellation fees. Please note if you reschedule more than twice for the same appointment, a full prepayment will be required.

    All other sales are final, so please choose your appointment & products carefully.

  • I do offer payment plans for my packages. These are arranged via Square and can be paid via credit card. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment frequencies are available.

    Appointments under $100 require full prepayment upon booking.

    DISCOUNTS

    I’m now offering 10% discounts on consultations & selected supplements for:
    • concession card holders
    • naturopathy students

    Simply let me know before booking for your discount to be applied. Discounts are only available for online consultations.

    A valid question to ask yourself (that I use on myself, too!) is: are you ready to invest in YOU?

    Please be aware: my prices are subject to change and take a few things into account. The cost of a session comprises my time spent gathering your information and exploring your case with you, the time spent outside of our session researching your case and formulating your treatment plan, as well as any additional resources provided. It also factors in administration costs, payment processing fees and business maintenance costs. Thank you for understanding.

  • There is no single answer for this, as prescriptions & supplements will vary in price based on size, quantity, quality and brand.

    I will always work within your budget and am flexible in my prescribing to meet your needs.

    There’s lots of work we can do without the need for expensive supplements, and I always avoid overloading my clients with multiple supplements.

payments & cancellations

  • Absolutely! While some nutrients and herbal medicines will interact with certain medications, we still have a range of treatment options. There’s lots we can work on without the need for supplements and herbs that interfere with your medication schedule.

    I will always utilise the latest research and my professional databases to double-check the interactions between my prescriptions and your current medicines.

    Please note: If you’re looking to come off any prescribed medications, please refer back to your prescribing practitioner. I will not instruct you to stop any medications without first discussing or working with your original prescribing practitioner.

  • I describe my practice and approach as wholistic (alternatively spelled “holistic”), which comes from the doctrine of Wholism. This essentially means focusing on the whole; the big picture.

    My naturopathic practice is wholistic in 3 ways:

    I see you as a wholistic being: every person I work with, I view through a wholistic lens. This means I take into account the physical, mental, emotional, social & spiritual aspects of your life whenever I assess you case or formulate a treatment for you.

    I assess your state of health wholistically: when I’m assessing your symptoms and current condition, I explore all the possible causes, drivers and contributing factors to your state of health. What’s triggered the issue? What’s sustaining the issue? What are the current states of the organ, tissues and cells involved? What are the physical, mental, emotional, social or spiritual factors relating to the issue? And vice versa: how does your current state of health impact those areas of your life?

    I work with plants wholistically: just as you are a wholistic individual, so too are the plants (herbal medicines & food) that I work with. All plants have a wholistic blueprint: states of health that they work with, what they work against, what helps them thrive, what their weaknesses are, which human constitutions they work with best and so on. I aim to match plants to people based on these factors, for best results & effective healing.

  • There are lots of questions about this, especially as we navigate through a very skewed-science-based, allopathic-healthcare era. And it’s certainly a fair question!

    Natural medicines (including food, nutrients, herbs and lifestyle practices) have a long-standing traditional basis and have been used successfully for centuries within various cultures. Modern medicine, in fact, has its roots in natural, plant-based medicine.

    The scientific data and clinical evidence for naturopathic medicine is growing. Herbs, nutrients and lifestyle modifications are being studied as alternative and adjunctive therapies more than ever before, and there is information available to demonstrate how these interventions can benefit our health and shift us out of disease states.

    In my professional, wholistic practice, I combine a mix of traditional and evidence-based medicines, based on my experience of what works, as well as what modern research supports.

    I don’t believe that everything that works must have scientific evidence behind it to be valid, and I also reject the notion that just because an intervention does have scientific evidence, it’s the best option.

    There’s always nuance and unique factors that will determine what works for you & your body.

    Above all else, I welcome all my clients to question everything.

  • As I work wholistically, on a case-by-case basis, my aim is to recommend treatments, medicines and practices that will work specifically for you and your health issues.

    Individuals can (and often will) react to the same medicines differently, based on genetics, constitution, metabolism, mindset and current state of health.

    So if you’ve tried something that you were recommended (professionally or casually) and it hasn’t worked for you, but has worked for others, that’s okay! There’s a reason for that, and my aim is to always match treatments to you.

    In the natural medicine industry, there are vast differences in quality, specificity and form of supplements based on brand, sourcing & processing. These factors will also determine how effective a natural supplement is for you.

    Don’t feel disheartened if supplements marketed as ‘natural’ purchased online, at a supermarket or pharmacy haven’t worked for you.

  • Natural medicines can have side effects, and everybody will respond and react differently to certain ingredients, herbs & nutrients.

    Please email me if you’re experiencing any sort of reaction to a supplement that I’ve prescribed to you.

  • There are a few indicators that can point to hormonal imbalance occurring in your body:

    • High stress
    • Sleep problems / insomnia
    • Irregular periods
    • Heavy menstrual bleeding
    • Mood swings or low mood
    • Low libido
    • Acne that changes at specific times in your cycle
    • Struggle to track your periods
    • Sugar cravings
    • Erratic energy / sharp energy spikes and drops

    Hormonal imbalance may also arise from external factors:

    • Just stopped hormonal contraception (the pill, Mirena IUD, etc.)
    • Exposure to endocrine disruptors from plastics and food additives
    • Not much movement or exercise throughout the day
    • Irregular dietary patterns, excess macronutrient intake or nutritional deficiencies

  • Definitely! A part of my wholistic, naturopathic process is education. I love educating women on tracking their cycles correctly, to become more in-tune and aligned with their body natural rhythm.

    Check out my free cycle tracking guide if you’d like to start somewhere (via my cycle shop)

  • Great question!

    There are definitely ways I can support your body while you’re on hormonal contraception, such as ensuring your detoxification pathways are working smoothly and repleting any nutrients that synthetic hormones deplete.

    That said, we can’t truly work on hormonal balancing as far as your menstrual cycle goes, as hormonal contraception blocks your natural cycle. Until you stop hormonal contraception, it will always be an ‘obstacle to healing’ as far as harmonising your hormones is concerned.

    If you’re looking to come off hormonal contraception, I can naturally support you through that and prepare your body for the transition. If you’re wanting a natural, alternative form of contraception, I guide women and couples through the SymptoThermal Method of contraception. These training sessions are different to my standard naturopathy consultations.

  • Absolutely! I love working with women who are planning to come off the pill. We can ensure your body is wholistically equipped to better manage the sudden stop of hormones, and prepare for any flare-ups accordingly (such as an acne outbreak or a painful period). It’s best to start naturopathic treatment up to 3 months prior to stopping the pill (although this isn’t necessary).

  • Yes, there’s so many things we can work on naturopathically to ensure you’re regularly ovulating to help you achieve pregnancy, in addition to boosting your nutrient stores and optimising the quality of your eggs and DNA health.

    I am well equipped and experienced in helping women improve their fertility status, however helping achieve pregnancy is not my specialty. If you would like someone who specialises in pregnancy, I may not be the practitioner for you, but can make an appropriate referral.

    I recommend a minimum of 3 months of pre-conception work & treatment before trying to conceive.

  • As a trained teacher in Natural Fertility Education, yes!

    I’m currently re-structuring my Fertility Awareness Method consult & training structure, so please email me if you’d like support with this.

holistic health, hormones & more