FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions
Getting started
What does an online naturopath and nutritionist actually do?
A naturopath and nutritionist looks at your whole body as a connected system and works to find the root cause of your symptoms. In a consultation with me, that means a full case history covering hormones, gut, thyroid, stress, sleep, nutrition and lifestyle, then a treatment plan built around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, nervous system support, and pathology testing when clinically useful. We also work on the mindset, self-sabotaging patterns and self-worth piece, because these are some of the biggest factors in whether long-term change holds. The whole space is supportive and non-judgemental, and you get a written plan, resources, and follow-up between consults. My goal is for you to understand what is happening in your body so the changes you make are sustainable.
How is working with a naturopath and nutritionist different from seeing a GP or dietitian?
A GP, a dietitian and a naturopath and nutritionist all play different roles in the healthcare system. A GP diagnoses and treats medical conditions, prescribes medication, and orders standard pathology through Medicare. A dietitian is a university-qualified clinician who typically works to a standardised dietary protocol for a specific medical condition, often referred through a Medicare care plan. A naturopath and clinical nutritionist is also university-qualified, with a Bachelor of Health Science as a minimum and frequently a Masters as well, and works in a much more individualised, holistic way. In a consultation with me, we look at the connections between your hormones, gut, thyroid, nervous system, stress physiology, nutrition and lifestyle, and we build a plan that is specific to your case rather than a generic protocol. The approach is evidence-based, integrating clinical research with herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, targeted supplementation and nervous system support. We also work in much more depth on mindset, self-sabotaging patterns and the behavioural side of long-term change. Most of my clients see me alongside their GP.
Do I need a referral to book a consultation?
You do not need a GP referral to book a consultation with a naturopath and nutritionist in Australia. You can book directly through my website, choose a Clarity Call to chat first or go straight into an initial consultation, and complete your intake forms before we meet. If you are already working with a GP, specialist or other practitioner, I am very happy to coordinate care and review any recent pathology results you bring with you. If you have a Medicare care plan with a dietitian or other allied health professional, that does not transfer to naturopathy, because naturopathic consultations are not covered by Medicare in Australia.
What can a naturopath and nutritionist help with?
A naturopath and nutritionist works across a wide range of women's health concerns, with a focus on the underlying patterns connecting them. The areas I see most often in clinic are hormonal health (including perimenopause, menopause, PMS, period pain, endometriosis and PCOS), gut health (including bloating, IBS, reflux and dysbiosis), thyroid conditions (including Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), metabolic and weight concerns (including insulin resistance and stubborn weight gain), stress, burnout and adrenal dysfunction, fatigue and sleep issues, skin conditions (including acne, eczema and psoriasis), and cognitive concerns including brain fog and ADHD support for women. Most of these conditions are interconnected, which is why we work across multiple systems in the same plan. There is a more detailed breakdown of clinical scope further down this page.
How do I know if I'm a good fit to work with you?
You are likely a good fit if you are a woman who has been doing the right things on paper and still feels exhausted, hormonal, bloated, foggy, or stuck in your weight, and you want to understand what is happening in your body. You are also a good fit if you are busy and overwhelmed, because I am realistic about treatment plans and I build them to work inside the life you have. I work best with women who want to make sustainable changes to nutrition and lifestyle, who want a clinician they can be honest with, and who value a supportive, non-judgemental space to work through the mindset and behavioural side of long-term change. I am not the right fit if you are looking for a single supplement recommendation, a quick-fix protocol, or someone who will tell you what you want to hear. The simplest way to find out is to book a free 15-minute Clarity Call so we can chat about your situation and decide together.
Consultations
How does an online naturopath consultation work?
An online naturopath consultation runs over a secure telehealth video link, with no travel, no waiting room and no sitting in traffic. Once you book, you receive a comprehensive intake form to complete before we meet, which covers your full health history, current symptoms, medications, supplements, lifestyle and goals. In the consultation itself, we go through your case in depth and talk through what we are seeing across your hormones, gut, thyroid, nervous system and metabolic health. From there, I review your case and any pathology you have between sessions, and you come back for a report of findings consultation where we go through everything in detail and walk through your treatment plan together. The whole process is designed to give you the depth of a long appointment with the convenience of working from home.
What happens in the first consultation?
The first consultation is your initial intake, and it runs between 60 and 90 minutes. Before we meet, you complete a detailed intake form covering your full health history, your current symptoms, your menstrual and hormonal history, medications and supplements, recent pathology, and what you are hoping to work on. In the appointment, we go through all of this together in depth, with plenty of time for me to ask follow-up questions and for you to share the parts of your story that do not always fit into a tick box. We talk through what I am seeing across the connections in your case, the patterns I want to investigate further, and any pathology I would like to review or order. I will not give you a treatment plan in this first consult, because the depth of analysis required to build a proper plan happens between sessions. Your full plan is delivered in the report of findings consultation a week or two later.
How long is each consultation?
The initial consultation runs between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your case and how much there is to cover. The report of findings consultation runs for around 60 minutes, and is where we go through your full treatment plan together. Follow-up consultations run between 45 and 60 minutes, and are where we review progress, refine your plan, adjust supplements or testing, and work through anything new that has come up. The longer appointment times are deliberate, because the level of depth required to do this work properly does not fit into a short slot.
How often will we meet?
The first two appointments sit close together, with the report of findings consultation usually scheduled around a week after your initial consult so we can move into your treatment plan without losing momentum. After that, follow-up consultations are typically spaced between 4 and 12 weeks apart, depending on where you are in your journey and the level of support you need. More complex cases or earlier stages of treatment usually sit at the 4 week mark, and as your case stabilises and we move into longer-term support, follow-ups often shift out to 8 or 12 weeks. We work out the right cadence together based on your case, your symptoms, your testing schedule, and what is realistic for your life.
Do you only see women, or do you work with men too?
I do work with men, and I support male clients across hormonal health, gut health, metabolic health, stress, fatigue, sleep, and longevity and anti-ageing protocols. The majority of my client base is women, because women's health is my primary clinical specialty. Men are very welcome to book in, and I treat male cases with the same depth, individualised approach and attention to root cause. If you are a man wanting to work together, the easiest first step is booking a free 15-minute Clarity Call so we can chat about your case.
What if I am not based in Australia?
I work with clients worldwide, and I have women based in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Europe and across Asia in my client base. Whether I can take you on as a client depends on your country, because regulations around naturopathic practice, supplement supply and pathology ordering vary internationally. Some countries are very straightforward, others have specific rules I need to work within, and a small handful are not workable from where I sit. The simplest way to find out is to send me an email with your country of residence and a quick note about what you would like support with, and I will let you know whether we can work together and what the consult and supplement logistics would look like for you.
Testing and pathology
Can a naturopath order blood tests in Australia?
Yes, a naturopath and nutritionist can order private pathology in Australia, including standard blood tests as well as a wide range of functional tests. As an experienced clinician, I work with reputable Australian pathology providers who accept naturopathic referrals, and I order testing when there is a clear clinical reason to do so. Private pathology referred by a naturopath and nutritionist is not covered by Medicare, so the cost is paid directly by you. If you have already had recent blood tests done through your GP, please bring those results to your first consultation, because in many cases we can use what you already have and only test further where there are gaps.
What kind of testing do you use in your practice?
I use a combination of standard pathology and functional testing, matched to your case. Standard pathology includes things like full thyroid panels, iron studies, hormone panels, fasting insulin, HbA1c, inflammatory markers, vitamin D, B12, and other nutrient and metabolic markers, ordered through Australian pathology labs. Functional testing includes the DUTCH test for hormone metabolism, comprehensive stool testing such as the GI Map, organic acids testing, food sensitivity testing, hair tissue mineral analysis, and DNA and nutrigenomic testing for genetic insights into how your body processes nutrients, hormones and detoxification. The testing I order is always specific to your case, your symptoms, and the patterns we are working through together, and I will only suggest testing where the result will meaningfully change how we approach your treatment plan.
Do I need to do testing to work with you?
No, testing is not a requirement to work with me, and many clients move through their treatment plan very successfully using a thorough case history, recent GP pathology, and clinical experience to guide the work. Testing is recommended when it will meaningfully change how we approach your case, for example clarifying a hormonal pattern, mapping out gut function in a complex case, or understanding genetic factors that affect how you metabolise hormones and nutrients. We discuss any testing recommendations together, including the cost, the clinical value, and what the result will change in your plan, and the decision sits with you. If testing is not the right fit for your budget or your stage of treatment, we work with what we have.
Can I bring in pathology my GP has already done?
Yes please, and the more you can bring the better. Recent blood tests, ultrasounds, scans, specialist reports and any other testing you have had done in the last 6 to 12 months are very useful in your initial consultation, because they give me a clear picture of what has already been investigated and where the gaps are. If you have access to your results through My Health Record, your GP clinic portal, or an email from your doctor, you can upload them to your intake form before we meet. From there, I will review what is there, identify what is still missing, and we will only consider further testing if it adds something meaningful to your case.
How much does testing cost?
Testing costs vary depending on the test, the lab, and what is being investigated, and it ranges from around $200 for a private pathology blood panel up to $1,000 or more for the most comprehensive functional and genetic testing. Standard pathology referred privately by a naturopath and nutritionist sits at the lower end of that range, and most functional tests sit somewhere in the middle. Pricing across pathology providers shifts over time, so I always confirm the exact cost with you before any test is ordered, and we discuss together whether the clinical value justifies the spend at that point in your treatment.
Pricing and logistics
How much do consultations cost?
All 1:1 work with me runs through a structured 6-month package, and current pricing for the package, including what is included and the payment plan option, is listed on my Work With Me page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/workwithme). Pricing reflects the depth of clinical work involved over the 6 months, including the initial consultation, report of findings, follow-up consultations, treatment plan development, between-session case review, and ongoing support. If you would like to chat through what is involved before committing to the full package, you can book a free 15-minute Clarity Call to ask questions and decide whether working together is the right next step for you.
Do you offer packages or payment plans?
Yes. I work with all 1:1 clients through a structured 6-month package, and a payment plan is available so the cost can be spread out across the package. The 6-month structure is the only way to work with me 1:1, because the depth of clinical work I do across hormones, gut, thyroid, metabolic health and the mindset and behavioural side of long-term change does not fit into single sessions. Working over 6 months gives us enough time to investigate the patterns properly, run any testing, refine the treatment plan as your case shifts, and build sustainable changes that hold beyond the package. Full details on what is included, the payment plan structure, and current pricing are on my Work With Me page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/workwithme).
Can I claim my consultation through Medicare or private health insurance?
Naturopathic consultations are not covered by Medicare in Australia. Private health insurance rebates for naturopathy were reinstated across the industry in 2026, however whether you can claim a rebate depends on whether your specific health fund has reinstated naturopathy in their extras cover, and at what level. The most reliable way to find out is to call your private health insurer directly and ask whether your policy covers consultations with a naturopath. If you are eligible, I can provide an itemised invoice after each consultation that you can submit to your fund for reimbursement.
How do I book a consultation?
If you are ready to start working together, you can book directly into the 6-month package through my Work With Me page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/workwithme). Once you book, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, your intake forms to complete before we meet, and the secure telehealth link for your initial consultation. If you are not sure whether the package is the right fit, or you have questions about how things run before committing, you can book a free 15-minute Clarity Call instead, which is a no-pressure conversation where we can chat about your case and decide together whether we are a good match.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
I require a minimum of 48 hours notice to reschedule or cancel a consultation without a fee. For a first late cancellation or reschedule inside the 48 hour window, a $50 rescheduling fee applies. For repeated late cancellations across your 6-month package, the rescheduling or cancellation fee will be higher, because last-minute changes affect the time I have set aside for your case and the cases of other clients. I am flexible around emergencies and illness, and I understand life happens, so if something has come up please message me as soon as you can and we will work it out together.
Clinical scope
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with hormonal issues like perimenopause, PCOS or endometriosis?
Yes, hormonal health is one of the main areas I work in, and I see women across the full spectrum of female hormonal concerns including perimenopause, menopause, PMS, period pain, heavy periods, PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and general hormonal imbalance. The approach is always root-cause, looking at the connections between your hormones, gut, thyroid, nervous system, blood sugar regulation and inflammation, because hormones rarely sit in isolation from the rest of the body. Treatment plans are built around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, nervous system support, and lifestyle adjustments, with pathology testing when clinically useful. You can read more about how I work with hormonal health on my Hormones page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/hormone-naturopath) and Perimenopause page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/perimenopause-naturopath).
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with gut issues like bloating, IBS or reflux?
Yes, gut health is one of the most common reasons women come to see me, and I work across the full range of digestive concerns including bloating, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux and indigestion, dysbiosis, candida, stomach pain, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, post-gallbladder removal support, and fatty liver. The approach is always root-cause, because gut symptoms are rarely about the gut alone, and we look at the connections between your microbiome, gut motility, stomach acid, the gut-hormone axis, the gut-skin axis, and the nervous system influence on digestion. Treatment plans are built around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle and nervous system support, with comprehensive stool testing or other functional testing when clinically useful. You can read more about how I work with gut health on my Gut Health page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/guthealthnaturopath).
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism?
Yes, thyroid health is one of my main clinical focus areas, and I work with women across the full thyroid spectrum including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's, subclinical and borderline thyroid presentations, and the thyroid symptoms that often sit alongside hormonal change in perimenopause and postpartum. The approach is always root-cause, looking at the connections between your thyroid, gut health, nutrient status, sex hormones, immune function, stress physiology and inflammation, because thyroid symptoms rarely sit in isolation. Treatment plans include nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, nervous system support, and a more comprehensive thyroid pathology panel than the standard TSH-only screen most women receive through their GP. You can read more about how I work with thyroid health on my Thyroid page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/thyroid-naturopath).
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with weight loss and insulin resistance?
Yes, weight loss and metabolic health are major areas in my clinical practice, and I work with women on insulin resistance, stubborn weight gain, perimenopause and post-40 weight changes, blood sugar dysregulation, cravings, energy crashes, and the metabolic shifts that often happen during chronic stress. The approach is always root-cause, because for the women I see, weight gain is usually a downstream symptom of insulin resistance, cortisol patterns, hormonal change, gut dysfunction, inflammation, or nutrient gaps, and the work is about addressing those underlying patterns so the body can let go of the weight without needing restriction. Treatment plans are built around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, nervous system support, lifestyle adjustments, and pathology testing including fasting insulin, HbA1c, hormonal panels and inflammatory markers when clinically useful. You can read more about how I work with weight loss on my Weight Loss page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/weightlossnaturopath).
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with stress, fatigue and burnout?
Yes, stress, fatigue and burnout are some of the most common reasons women come to see me, and I work across the full HPA-axis spectrum from the early wired-and-tired stage through to deeper adrenal depletion and burnout. The approach looks at where you sit on that spectrum, because the treatment for someone running on high cortisol and a racing nervous system is very different to someone whose body has moved into post-stress depletion with low energy, low motivation and a flat mood. We assess the connections between your stress physiology, gut health, hormones, thyroid, blood sugar regulation, sleep and nutrient status, then build a plan around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, and nervous system support. You can read more about how I work with the earlier stages on my Stress and Adrenal Dysfunction page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/stressadrenalnaturopath), and the deeper stage on my Adrenal Fatigue and Burnout page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/adrenalfatigueburnoutnaturopath).
Can a naturopath and nutritionist help with skin issues like acne, eczema or psoriasis?
Yes, skin health is an area I work with regularly, and I see women with hormonal acne, adult acne, eczema, dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis, and general skin concerns including dullness, breakouts and inflammatory flare-ups. The approach is always root-cause, because skin conditions are almost always reflecting something happening internally, whether that is hormonal imbalance, gut dysfunction, dysbiosis, food sensitivity patterns, blood sugar regulation, nutrient gaps, or chronic stress and inflammation. Treatment plans are built around nutritional medicine, evidence-based herbal medicine, targeted supplementation, nervous system support, and pathology or functional testing when clinically useful, with the work usually overlapping with hormonal and gut health support. You can read more about how I work with hormonal skin issues on my Hormones page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/hormone-naturopath), and the gut-skin axis on my Gut Health page (https://michaelasparrow.com.au/guthealthnaturopath).
© Michaela Sparrow 2026
