Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need?
Four to five appointments spread over 6-9 months can often be enough to enable you to take forward the programme using the principles and educational information provided.
What if I need longer term support?
For those with chronic or complex illness, appointment schedules are flexible and tailored to your needs with long term support available. Appointments in other venues or at home can be arranged – please call if you have particular needs.
Why is Nutritional Therapy more expensive than some of my other complementary therapies?
Many clients seeking nutritional therapy support are experiencing complex symptoms or illnesses. The work of the Nutritional Therapist involves detailed analysis of your health questionnaire even before you have your first appointment. In between appointments your therapist will be undertaking substantial work which is included in your overall appointment fee. This commonly includes analysing your personal and family history, reading the latest research and clinical evidence in relation to your condition, interpreting test results, liaising with health professionals and checking the latest information on drug-nutrient interactions and effectiveness to ensure your programme is safe and effective. Considered in this way , Nutritional Therapy is actually exceptional value for money and does not require long term financial commitment as the aim is to enable you to carry out the programmes yourself after a relatively short period of support.
How do I know if a Nutritional Therapist is appropriately trained and qualified?
Change Nutrition encourages potential clients of any Nutritional Therapist to assure themselves that the individual is appropriately trained and qualified.
You can check if any Nutritional Therapist has successfully undertaken the required professional training and become a fully registered practitioner by contacting the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) who manage the register of practitioners
Nutritional Therapists are often also a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT). BANT investigates complaints about individual therapists and oversees Continuing Professional Development . BANT require all members to be fully insured to practice and to adhere to the BANT Code of Ethics and Practice . You can check if your practitioner is a BANT member here
Nutritional Therapists should be certified in First Aid and be fully insured to practice. Do ask to see their certificates if they are not displayed in their clinic or office.
What if I am early for my appointment?
A relaxing reception area is available for use of Change Nutrition clients both before and after appointments.
Is there disabled access as I have problems with stairs?
There is disabled access through the rear entrance and a serviced stairlift to the Therpedia suite of offices on the first floor. Please contact Change Nutrition before the appointment if you have additional access needs and would like to discuss these prior to booking an appointment
Are car parking spaces available?
There is some limited parking space at the rear of the building or metered street parking. 40 Wilbury Road is easily accessible from Hove Station or buses travelling to central Hove. There are two local taxi ranks . Detailed location information and directions.
I do not want to take costly nutritional supplements – are these necessary?
At Change Nutrition , we believe that eating healthy, delicious and nutritious food is at the heart of positive health. It can however be difficult to make changes, especially when feeling low due to illness and some targeted nutritional or herbal supplementation can really help whilst adjustments to eating patterns are in the early stages. Some people may require higher levels of specific nutrients or some multi-nutrient support due to medication related depletions or specific illness. Change Nutrition believe you should have all of the information in order to make your own decision on whether supplements are right for you and therefore recommendations will be discussed with you in the context of the nutritional programme. We are very happy to work with a ‘food only’ approach for those that prefer this. Change Nutrition does not take any ‘commission’ type payments from nutritional supplement companies and is able to offer safe, responsible, ethical advice to each patient taking into account their financial circumstances on that basis.
I have already had lots of tests with my GP – do I really need to have more tests ?
Change Nutrition is very happy to take into account results from previous tests as part of the nutritional assessment. Most GP surgeries are very happy to give you copies of your test results so you can provide copies to professionals you trust with that information. Change Nutrition have access to specialist functional and biochemical tests undertaken by professional laboratories which are not generally available on the NHS. If your therapist assesses that one or more of these tests may be suitable for you, they will be discussed in the 2nd consultation or later and information provided to you to help you make a decision on whether to proceed. Tests can help to pinpoint specific biochemical imbalances or areas needing support and can lead to more targeted programmes and speedier results. In some circumstances your GP or consultant may be happy to undertake some of the required tests. You may also be offered ‘in clinic’ tests such as Blood Pressure Monitoring or Body Fat Composition monitoring – there are no additional costs for this. All tests are optional and interpretation fees are included in the cost.