How to find a good functional medicine doctor, naturopath or nutritional therapist.

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming trying to find a good functional medicine practitioner who is knowledgeable, experienced, trustworthy and most importantly, can help you achieve optimal health. At the London Clinic of Nutrition, we’ve supported over 20,000 patients and have received nearly 200 5-star reviews for our expertise in functional medicine and nutrition. Based on our experience, we believe there are certain training, characteristics, and signs to look for when choosing a practitioner.

6 Key Traits to Help You Find a Good Functional Medicine Doctor

We’ve broken this down to the following 6 areas that will help you to find a good functional medicine doctor and in the following post we’ll share our insights and help you make an informed decision about your holistic healthcare provider.

1. Education and training
2. Patient Centred Approach
3. Active Listening Skills
4. Strong Communications Skills
5. Focus On Prevention
6. Results Oriented

Education Matters: Look for Relevant Qualifications and Accredited Training

We recently wrote a blog on the training that a Functional Medicine Doctor goes through to become qualified in identifying and treating the root cause of their patients symptoms and illnesses. However to summarise, there are multiple routes that leading practitioners can take. Most commonly these start with either training in medicine, nutrition or naturopath through a conventional educational route and then certifying your skills and training by adding the Institute of Functional Medicine’s (IFM) training and certification. So keep your eyes peeled for accreditation with the IFM when searching.

The next three items are very much linked, and you’ll get a feel for these things by checking out the testimonials, reviews and talking to other patients that have engaged with your prospective therapist.

Holistic Approach: Find a Practitioner Who Prioritises Your Unique Needs.

A good practitioner will take a holistic approach and view you as a unique individual, taking into account your lifestyle, medical history, environment, and other factors that may impact your health. They should prioritise asking detailed questions, and creating a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Active Listening: Find a Practitioner Who Listens to Your Concerns

The right person will have strong listening skills and be able to fully understand your health concerns and goals, demonstrating a safe and welcoming environment that encourages open communication. They’ll summarise and reflect back on what you have said to ensure they have fully understood your needs and concerns. Practitioners who actively listen to their patients are better equipped to create the bespoke treatment plans previously mentioned.

Clear Communication: Seek a Practitioner Who Can Explain Their Approach

Communication is key in any therapist-patient relationship, and functional medicine practitioners, naturopaths, and nutritional therapists are no exception. They should be able to clearly explain their approach, answer your questions, and provide guidance on how to make the most of your treatment plan.

Preventive Focus: Choose a Practitioner Who Prioritises Prevention

One of the key benefits of natural therapies and treatments is their emphasis on preventing illness and promoting overall wellness, rather than just treating symptoms. Look for a practitioner who takes this approach seriously and prioritises prevention in their treatment plans.

Results-Oriented: Look for Evidence of Positive Outcomes

Ultimately, the goal of any healthcare practitioner should be to help you achieve the best possible health outcomes. So, when you’re looking to find a goof functional medicine doctor, naturopath or nutritional therapist, search for a practitioner who can provide evidence of success stories or positive outcomes for patients with similar conditions, and who will work with you to track progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

To summarise, finding a good functional medicine doctor, naturopath, or nutritional therapist can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to ensure you receive the best possible care for your health concerns. At the London Clinic of Nutrition, our award-winning experts have supported over 20,000 patients, and we’ve received nearly 200 5-star reviews for our expertise in functional medicine and nutrition. We believe that there are several key traits, training/qualifications, and characteristics to look for when choosing a practitioner.

Firstly, it’s important to consider the education and training of a practitioner, which you can establish from their qualifications on accreditations, look out particularly for endorsement by the institute of Functional Medicine. From there be sure to look at reviews, testimonials or if you can seek a first hand referral from someone who has been treated there. This will give you a sense of whether or not they are patient centred, active listeners and good communicators. Finally, be sure to ask about their experience and expertise with your specific concerns, this will demonstrate that they are results driven and interested in providing you with a holistic approach to your health that aims to improve your symptoms by addressing the root cause and preventing other challenges.

At the London Clinic of Nutrition, our expert team of practitioners have all of these essential traits, training/qualifications, and characteristics. So, if you’re looking for a functional medicine doctor, naturopath, or nutritional therapist in the UK, the London Clinic of Nutrition is the leading clinic to trust. Our award-winning friendly therapists are on hand to support you with your health concerns, and we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.