Everything you’ve been wondering about naturopathic care, working with Ellen, and what to expect — answered honestly and in plain English.
ABOUT NATUROPATHY
General questions about naturopathic care
What does a naturopath actually do?
A naturopath works to identify and address the underlying causes of illness rather than simply managing symptoms. Using natural, evidence-based approaches — including nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle strategies, and functional testing — naturopathic medicine supports the body’s own ability to heal and restore balance. Ellen’s particular focus is root cause medicine: helping you understand why you feel the way you do, and what can be done to bring your body and brain back into harmony.
Is naturopathy evidence-based?
Yes. Modern naturopathic practice draws on a growing body of peer-reviewed research in nutritional medicine, functional medicine, and lifestyle intervention. Ellen integrates the latest clinical research with naturopathic principles to provide care that is both scientifically grounded and individually tailored. Where relevant, she will always be transparent about the strength of the evidence behind a recommendation.
What’s the difference between naturopathy and functional medicine?
The two approaches share a lot of common ground — both are focused on root cause identification, personalised treatment, and the use of functional testing to understand what’s happening inside the body. Functional medicine tends to use more advanced laboratory testing and places a strong emphasis on biochemical individuality. Ellen integrates both frameworks in her practice, drawing on whichever tools and principles are most appropriate for each individual client.
Can naturopathy work alongside conventional medical treatment?
Absolutely. Ellen frequently collaborates with GPs and specialists to ensure your care is safe, well-coordinated, and complementary to any existing medical treatment. The goal is always to enhance your wellbeing — never to replace treatment that’s working or discourage you from seeking conventional medical care when it’s needed.
Do I need a referral to see Ellen?
No referral is needed. You can book directly through the website at any time.
ABOUT ELLEN & HER AREAS OF FOCUS
Questions about Ellen’s expertise and approach
What areas of health does Ellen specialise in?
While Ellen is trained to support all aspects of health, her primary area of expertise is cognitive health — specifically the prevention and support of memory loss and cognitive decline. She holds advanced ReCODE practitioner certification through Dr. Dale Bredesen’s training, which is focused on the identification and treatment of the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. She also works extensively with clients experiencing chronic stress, burnout, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, gut dysfunction, and metabolic issues — all of which have a significant impact on brain function and overall wellbeing.
Can cognitive decline really be prevented or reversed?
In many cases, yes — and this is one of the most important things Ellen wants people to understand. Cognitive decline is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. Research increasingly shows that it develops over years or even decades, driven by a combination of modifiable lifestyle, metabolic, inflammatory, and environmental factors. When those underlying drivers are identified and addressed early enough, cognitive decline can be slowed, stabilised, and in some cases meaningfully reversed. Ellen’s approach is grounded in the ReCODE protocol developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen, which uses personalised lifestyle, nutritional, and environmental interventions to support brain repair and regeneration.
Does Ellen work with people who have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s?
Yes — this is actually one of the most common reasons people come to see Ellen. Having a family history of dementia, or carrying the APOE4 gene variant associated with increased Alzheimer’s risk, is not a life sentence. It is, however, a strong reason to be proactive. Ellen works with clients to assess their individual risk profile and put targeted preventive strategies in place as early as possible.
Does Ellen work with younger people, or only those approaching older age?
Ellen works with clients across all age groups. While cognitive decline is often thought of as something that affects older adults, the underlying drivers — chronic stress, poor metabolic health, nutritional deficiencies, poor sleep, and inflammation — can begin accumulating much earlier in life. Many of Ellen’s clients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s come to her wanting to protect their brain health proactively, well before any symptoms appear.
ABOUT CONSULTATIONS
Questions about appointments and what to expect
How do naturopathic consultations work?
All consultations with Ellen are conducted online via video call, so you can access expert naturopathic care from the comfort of your own home — wherever you are in Australia. Your initial consultation is a comprehensive, in-depth session where Ellen takes the time to understand your full health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. From there, you’ll receive a personalised plan that may include dietary guidance, lifestyle strategies, herbal or nutritional support, and functional testing if appropriate. Follow-up appointments track your progress and fine-tune your plan as your health evolves.
How long does an initial consultation take?
The initial consultation is longer than a standard appointment — this is intentional. Ellen takes the time to go deep into your health history so nothing important is missed. You’ll leave with a clear plan rather than a rushed list of generic recommendations.
How many appointments will I need?
This depends on the complexity of your health concerns and how quickly your body responds. Some clients feel significant improvement within a few appointments; others working on longer-term goals like cognitive health, hormonal balance, or chronic fatigue benefit from more regular, ongoing support. Ellen will always be transparent about what she recommends and why — and you’re never locked into a set number of appointments upfront.
Do you work with people already on medication or under medical care?
Yes, and this is very common. Ellen regularly works alongside clients who are under the care of a GP, neurologist, endocrinologist, or other specialist. She takes a collaborative approach and will always ensure that any naturopathic recommendations are safe and appropriate alongside your existing treatment.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
It helps to have a clear sense of your main health concerns, a list of any medications and supplements you’re currently taking, and any recent blood test or pathology results if you have them. The more context you can share, the more tailored your plan will be from the very first session.
ABOUT TESTING
Questions about functional testing
What types of testing does Ellen use?
Functional testing can provide valuable insights into what’s really happening inside the body — often revealing imbalances that standard blood tests miss. Depending on your individual needs, Ellen may recommend:
- Comprehensive pathology panels covering nutrients, hormones, and inflammation markers
- Genetic testing, including APOE4 for dementia risk assessment
- Microbiome and gut health testing such as GI-MAP or Biomesight
- Toxin and heavy metal assessments
- Metabolic and cardiovascular risk markers
Testing is always recommended on an individual basis — never as a blanket protocol — and the results are used to ensure your treatment plan is as targeted and effective as possible.
Is testing mandatory?
No. Functional testing is recommended where Ellen believes it will meaningfully inform your care, but it is never compulsory. Many clients make significant progress through dietary, lifestyle, and naturopathic interventions alone. Testing becomes particularly valuable when there’s complexity, when progress has plateaued, or when you want a more precise picture of your current health status.
Can I get testing through my GP instead?
Some of the tests Ellen recommends are available through a GP on a standard referral — particularly basic pathology. However, many of the more specialised functional tests (such as microbiome testing, comprehensive hormone panels, or toxin assessments) are not routinely ordered in conventional medicine and will need to be arranged through Ellen’s practice. She will always advise you on the most cost-effective and practical way to access the testing you need.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
Questions about the self-guided programs
What self-guided programs does Ellen offer?
Ellen currently offers five self-guided online programs covering the areas her clients ask about most:
- The Memory Loss Solution — prevention and support for cognitive decline
- The Gut Health Solution — restoring digestive health and the gut-brain connection
- The Adrenal Burn-out Fix for Women — nervous system recovery and energy restoration
- The Complete Detoxification Program — supporting liver function and reducing toxic burden
- The Menopause Mastery Program — a holistic, whole-woman approach to navigating perimenopause and menopause, covering hormonal health, brain function, metabolism, sleep, gut health, bone health, and emotional wellbeing
All programs are self-paced and can be supplemented with Naturopathic Consultations for a more personalised experience.
Do I need to book a consultation to access the programs?
No — the self-guided programs are available to purchase and work through independently. That said, many people find that combining a program with one or more consultations with Ellen gives them the best results, particularly if they have specific health concerns or want their approach properly personalised.
Can I do a program and have consultations at the same time?
Absolutely — and this is often the most effective approach. The programs give you a strong educational foundation and practical tools to work with, while consultations with Ellen allow you to personalise your strategy based on your individual test results, health history, and how your body is responding.
GETTING STARTED
Ready to take the next step?
The best way to begin is by booking an Initial Naturopathic Consultation. During your first appointment, Ellen will explore your health concerns in depth, discuss your goals, and outline a clear, personalised path forward.
If you’re not sure whether a consultation or one of the self-guided programs is the right starting point for you, feel free to reach out — Ellen is happy to point you in the right direction before you commit to anything.
You deserve to understand what’s really going on with your health — and to have a clear, expert plan to do something about it.