What is functional medicine?

The Functional Medicine model is a patient-centered, individualized, science-based approach that seeks to address the underlying causes of disease and foster optimal wellness. Functional medicine differs from conventional medicine in that it moves beyond WHAT is happening (the symptoms of a disease) and seeks to answer WHY it’s happening (the root-cause). Symptoms are viewed as clues to the problem verses the problem itself, the real problem is the root cause(s).


Characteristics of Functional Medicine

  • An individualized, biology systems-based approach to treatment; one disease can stem from numerous causes and vary between person to person.

  • Aims to fill in the gaps to provide the body what it essentially needs and remove what it doesn’t.

  • Research-based, functional approach to medical care that combines the best techniques of Western Conventional, Naturopathic, and Integrative Medicines.

  • Utilizes advanced diagnostic testing to pinpoint imbalances and/or toxic exposures as well as their interactions with the individual’s genetics.

  • Empowers the patient to take control of their current state of health and pursue lifelong wellness. Prioritizes involving and educating the patient throughout the treatment process.

  • Views the patient as individually unique in biology, genetics, lifestyle, and environment.

  • Considers a patient’s entire health history from birth up to the current moment in time.

  • Supports the body’s intelligent abilities to heal and thrive.

  • Prescribes a holistic and individualized plan to reverse or improve root-causes and move the patient toward an optimized level of wellness.

  • Seeks to restore balance within the individual’s lifestyle as a preventative of disease and a component of therapeutic treatments – (including choices about exercise/movement, response to stress,  nutrition, relationships, and sleep.)

Why choose a functional medicine health coach?

Feeling great and obtaining optimal health is about much more than diet and exercise. With a bombardment of information on the internet, constant pressure for the latest trends or fad diets, confusing food labels, blanketed clinical recommendations, and the stress of trying to figure it all out on your own, it’s no wonder why so many are feeling overwhelmed with taking back their health and their lives. This is where I come in.

As your functional medicine health coach, I want to walk alongside you during your journey towards and healthier and happier life.

How is it different?

“The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA) is the only coach training program founded in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the global leader in Functional Medicine. FMCA teaches a comprehensive curriculum, integrating the principles of Functional Medicine and nutrition with positive psychology coaching techniques, mind-body medicine, and the psychology of eating. This program is the gold standard in health coaching.”

– Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

Applying Principles & Techniques From the Institute for Functional Medicine

  • The Functional Medicine model is a patient-centered, individualized, science-based approach that seeks to address the underlying causes of disease and foster optimal wellness. FMCA coaches acquire fundamental knowledge of the body’s organ systems and how each relates to or interacts with other areas of health. Coaches collaborate with clients to create a personalized wellness plan based on the identified modifiable lifestyle factors of the Functional Medicine Matrix.

  • The practice of optimizing the diet to restore nutrient balances and proper physiological functioning within the individual’s unique body. In the Functional Nutrition model, food is energy, connection, information, and medicine. Coaches are trained to assist each client in choosing foods and/or eating plans that align with their unique needs and ideal vision for health.

  • The scientific study of how a person’s strengths contribute to their physiological health and well-being. Coaches utilize the five factors that encourage well-being — positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and purpose, and accomplishment. Clients are empowered to develop their personal strengths in creative ways as they adopt new lifestyle habits.

  • Investigates how various factors can influence our feelings about food choices and our eating behaviors. Coaches are equipped to help clients explore and reframe their relationships with food. Clients are invited to begin eating more mindfully and become aware of how foods make them feel.

  • The scientific study of how thoughts, emotions, social interactions, spiritual connection, and behavioral choices interact to affect physical well-being and long-term health. Coaches are able to facilitate and share mind-body techniques that positively contribute to physiological health and well-being.

  • The fundamental health and wellness coaching skills as set forth by the National Consortium for Credentialing Health and Wellness Coaches.

“There are just a few “ingredients” needed to make a healthy human—real, whole, fresh food, nutrients (vitamins and minerals), light, water, air, sleep, movement, rhythm, love, connection, meaning, and purpose.”
― Dr. Mark Hyman,