Your First Ninety Minutes With Me

5 Sept

What to expect in your initial naturopathic consultation

I have been practicing long enough to know that, for some women, booking a consultation with a practitioner can feel like a big leap into the unknown and they can feel really nervous about it all. With this in mind, I wanted to give you a bit of insight into what you can expect when you book an appointment with me.

Your first 90 minutes is about making sense of your experience. We connect your story to the pattern behind your symptoms and together, we decide what matters most to you right now.

We meet on Zoom, and if that feels a bit weird, I can only say this: I have supported a lot of women this way, and in my experience and from their feedback to me, the connection is just as real, warm and effective. Via zoom we have a thorough conversation where we cover everything from birth until now and everything in between. This allows me to join the dots between your day to day symptoms and how your body is communicating across metabolism, hormones, gut and nervous system (just to name a few).

Together we decide the right level of support for you. That might be Metabolic Balance, a tailored 4 month Personalised Protocol, or a single block of care with a few check-ins to keep you on track. We set priorities for the next few weeks and we bring in prescription only support with herbs and supplements tailored to complement your healing journey. I try to keep the overwhelm to a minimum and with your guidance we set clear steps you can live with and care that adapts as you change.

Why this appointment feels different to other appointments you may have had

Naturopathy, done well, is holistic in the truest sense. I don’t say this in an airy fairy way. Rather than focusing only on the symptom that walks through the door, we take a step back and look at you as a whole person….your body, your mind, your lifestyle, and the many interconnected factors that influence your health.

I blend traditional naturopathic methods with functional medicine, practitioner only supplements, personalised nutrition and very doable lifestyle tweaks. My role is part clinician, part health detective. Together we make sense of why your symptoms cluster the way they do so you can move forward with clarity instead of confusion. We cover a lot more than just the obvious symptoms which is why we need longer than a standard 15min consultation to really get to the bottom of everything.

Sessions are available online across Australia and in person on select days.

The flow of your 90 minutes

1) We both log into zoom and have a chat about who you are as a person and what is going on for you right now. We also go through your top 3 health goals

2) Your story and symptom map

You have a safe space to be heard. We walk your health timeline, stress seasons, pregnancies, surgeries, infections, work, travel, dieting history, and any…I haven’t been quite right since then moments. We go through all the different body systems and I ask you lots of questions some of which might feel completely unrelated to why you have booked in to see me BUT this allows me to go beyond the symptoms and look at the root cause.

3) Systems overview and pathology

We start by walking through your key systems: digestion, liver function, immune system, reproductive health, endocrine function, nervous system, skin, musculoskeletal system, eyes, sleep and energy, and how they interconnect. If you already have results, we translate them into plain English. If further information would genuinely help, we will discuss whether to test, keeping it focused and purposeful. Sometimes standard bloods are enough, and sometimes targeted

4) Everyday context
Next, we explore your real life, not an idealised version. There’s no judgement, only context I promise. The more I know about your life right now, the more I can help you get to where you want to go. We cover things like:

Food and appetite: what a normal day looks like, including cravings and comfort patterns.
Movement: what leaves you feeling calm and strong, versus what makes you feel wired or tired and zonked after.
Sleep: timing, night waking, temperature shifts. Are you waking refreshed or dragging yourself out of bed?
Medicines and supplements: what you take, why, and any reactions.

5) Personalised starting plan
At this stage, I’ll share some of my initial thoughts on what’s going on and a few key areas to focus on in the short term. This may include simple observation prompts, supportive practices for your nervous system, or a supplement/herbal formula or nutritional suggestion to begin with.

Your full treatment plan will be created after our consultation, once I’ve reviewed everything carefully and considered the best way forward for you. That plan may include tailored supplements, specific herbal medicine, and any testing I recommend, as well as whether a structured program like my Personalised Protocol or Metabolic Balance would be the best fit for your goals.

I know some naturopaths quickly put together a treatment plan on the spot, but I don’t want to give generic advice. I prefer to take my time so I can carefully consider your case and make sure what I recommend is truly right for you.

In saying that, depending on how the consultation goes, we might decide on the spot to get you started with a 4 month protocol or Metabolic Balance.

6) What happens next

What happens after your first consultation depends on the pathway we decide together. If I’m preparing a full treatment plan for you, we’ll book a 20-minute session to go through it once it’s complete. If you’ve stepped straight into Metabolic Balance or my Personalised Protocol, we’ll map out the timeframe and next steps for that journey. If you’re choosing stand-alone appointments, we’ll set a follow-up rhythm usually every 2–4 weeks at first and I’ll outline how you can reach me between sessions. Follow-ups are an essential part of protecting your progress, removing friction, and keeping your care aligned with the latest evidence.

How I want you to leave your first consultation with me

My aim is that you walk out of your first appointment feeling hopeful, calm and supported. I want you to have faith that there is a way for you to feel better, even if you have been struggling for a long time. You should leave with clarity, not confusion, and feel motivated to take the next steps knowing that I will be guiding you. Most importantly, I want you to feel held in the process that someone is walking alongside you, helping you connect the dots, and making sure you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

What I will not do

I will not medicalise the natural ups and downs of life, or ask you to live in a way that demands perfection. Health is about balance, not rigid rules, and your treatment plan will reflect that. I will also not step outside my scope of practice. If prescription medications need adjusting or further medical input is required, I will be clear about this and collaborate with your GP or specialist so that you receive the best care possible.

Your Questions About Naturopathy Answered

So, What Exactly Does a Naturopath Do?

After reading about what happens in your first consultation with me, you might be wondering more broadly about what a naturopath is, how we’re trained, and the kinds of support we can offer.

A naturopath is a health practitioner who looks at your whole picture, not just the symptom waving the red flag. My role is to investigate why your body is out of balance and then help guide it back to health using natural, evidence-based tools.

Training to become a naturopath in Australia involves a four-year Bachelor of Health Science degree. During this time, we study everything from human biology and chemistry to pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nutritional biochemistry. We also spend a year in a teaching clinic, working with clients under supervision. This combination of traditional knowledge and modern science is what allows us to dig deeper, connect the dots, and treat the root cause.

Treatment may include personalised herbal formulas, therapeutic nutrients, dietary support, and lifestyle changes. Where needed, I can also order functional pathology testing to get a clearer view of what’s happening beneath the surface.

What to Expect Beyond the First Consult

Your initial consultation is about gathering the story and mapping out priorities. Beyond that, naturopathy is about building momentum. Follow-up sessions usually run between 45–60 minutes, giving us time to refine your plan, track improvements, and troubleshoot anything that feels challenging.

Each session is practical you’ll leave knowing exactly what to focus on, whether that’s introducing a key food, starting a herbal formula, shifting a lifestyle habit, or exploring new testing if needed.

Common Concerns Naturopathy Can Support

People often ask, “What conditions do naturopaths actually help with?” The truth is, many clients come to me when they’ve tried other avenues but still don’t feel like themselves. Some of the areas I commonly support include:

Hormonal changes like perimenopause, irregular cycles, PCOS, or thyroid concerns
Fertility and preconception care
Pregnancy and postnatal health
Gut issues such as SIBO, IBS, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and microbiome imbalances
Sleep difficulties and fatigue
Stress, anxiety, and nervous system regulation
Liver health
Nutritional deficiencies and metabolic health
Weight gain
Thyroid dysfunction

How Naturopathy Fits With Conventional Medicine

A question I hear a lot is whether naturopaths are “anti-doctor” or “anti-science.” The answer is no. Naturopathy is built on both evidence and tradition. I have enormous respect for medical doctors and often work alongside them. In fact, many GPs refer clients to me when they see the value of additional support with nutrition and lifestyle areas where time or training can be limited in a medical setting.

This integrative approach means you don’t have to choose between one or the other. It’s about building a team around you.

The Role of Nutrition in Naturopathy

Nutrition is a cornerstone of how I work. That doesn’t mean quick-fix diets or cutting out everything you love, it's about sustainable, balanced eating that restores energy and supports long-term health. Often, this is the part that helps women feel empowered again because food is something you engage with every single day.

Supplements and Herbal Prescriptions

While nutrition and lifestyle form the foundation, I will also prescribe practitioner-only supplements or herbal medicines. These are different from what you’ll find in the chemist, they’re higher quality, better absorbed, and used at therapeutic doses. If there’s a more affordable option available over the counter, I’ll always let you know, but for targeted results, these practitioner-only prescriptions are often essential.

Do You Need a Referral?

No referral is needed to see a naturopath. You can book directly and get started when you’re ready. If you’re already seeing a GP or specialist, I encourage you to let them know you’re also working with a naturopath so that your care is well-integrated.

Wrapping it all up

Seeing a naturopath is about more than supplements or herbs it’s about taking the time to really understand your body, connect the dots, and create a plan that feels achievable and personal to you. Whether your focus is hormones, gut health, or simply regaining energy, naturopathy offers a way to get back in control of your health with support that’s compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic.

If you would like support I welcome you to book a free discovery call with me. Here we can have a chat about what's going on with you and if seeing a naturopath is right for you or if I can recommend another modality. I am here to support you so feel free to book in, or you can always email me hello@carolynallenhealth.com.

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Medical disclaimer
This information is educational only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Please consult your medical practitioner before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Carolyn Allen