Whether you’re new to Naturimedica, exploring natural approaches to health, or considering working with me, these naturopath FAQs answer some of the questions I’m asked most often about how I work and what you can expect.

I’ve brought together some of the questions I’m asked most often, covering The Naturimedica Way, naturopathic care, consultations, natural therapies, functional testing and health education.

My aim is to make things clear and easy to understand, so you can see more clearly how I approach health, what I offer, and whether Naturimedica feels like the right fit for you.

About Naturimedica and The Naturimedica Way

What is The Naturimedica Way?

The Naturimedica Way is my approach to wholistic health care. It recognises that symptoms rarely exist in isolation and looks at the whole person and the interconnected systems that influence health and wellbeing.

My approach combines modern scientific understanding with traditional, evidence-informed natural therapies, with an emphasis on understanding your health, building strong foundations and creating lasting wellbeing.

Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, I work in partnership with each person to connect the dots, make sense of their health and develop practical strategies suited to their individual needs and circumstances.

→ Learn more about The Naturimedica Way

What are your qualifications and professional experience?

I have been working in natural health since 2010 and have more than 15 years of clinical experience supporting people with nutrition, natural therapies and lifestyle medicine

My formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine), and Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine and a Diploma of Nutrition, along with further training in other areas including specific nutrition therapies, functional testing, microbiome health and other natural medicine modalities. View full list.

My qualifications reflect a lifelong commitment to combining traditional knowledge with evidence-informed natural healthcare. I also continue to learn and develop my knowledge as research and our understanding of health evolve. I am a member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA), the professional association for natural therapy professionals in Australia.

My earlier corporate career in engineering and project management also influences the way I approach health. I naturally think in terms of interconnected systems, patterns and problem solving, which is one reason I enjoy helping people connect the dots and make sense of complex health concerns.

What does “Wholistic Wellcare” mean?

Wholistic Wellcare reflects the way I believe health is best understood and supported. It means looking beyond individual symptoms to consider the whole person, including physical health, nutrition, digestion, hormones, sleep, stress, lifestyle, environment and the many ways these influence one another.

“Wholistic” also reflects Naturimedica’s integration of traditional natural health wisdom with modern scientific understanding and evidence-informed practice.

The aim isn’t simply to manage individual symptoms. It’s to help you understand your health more clearly, build strong foundations and live well.

Your Health & My Approach

How does naturopathy work?

Naturopathy takes a whole-person approach to health, looking beyond individual symptoms to explore the factors that may be influencing how you feel. These can include nutrition, digestion, hormones, sleep, stress, movement, lifestyle and environment.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, naturopathic care aims to understand the individual and identify practical ways to support the body’s natural capacity for balance and wellbeing.

At Naturimedica, I combine traditional naturopathic knowledge with modern scientific understanding and evidence-informed natural therapies. Where appropriate, I may also recommend functional testing – specialised laboratory tests that provide additional information about areas such as nutrient status, digestion, gut health, hormones or other factors that may influence wellbeing. These results can help guide more personalised recommendations.

What health concerns can Naturimedica help with?

I work with a wide range of health concerns, with particular clinical interests in gut health and the microbiome, women’s hormonal health, circadian health and sleep, metabolic health, and nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

These areas are closely interconnected, so I don’t look at them in isolation. For example, digestive health can influence nutrient status, hormones and wellbeing, while sleep and circadian rhythms can affect stress resilience, metabolism and hormonal health.
If you’re not sure whether Naturimedica is the right place to start, you’re welcome to explore the relevant Knowledge Hubs and health resources or learn more about consultations.

How is Naturimedica different from other naturopaths and nutritionists?

Naturimedica brings together wholistic thinking, systems-based health care, clinical experience and evidence-informed natural therapies.

My background in engineering has also shaped the way I approach health. I naturally look for connections, patterns and relationships between different parts of a system rather than treating each symptom as a separate problem.

Most importantly, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all protocol. I take time to understand each person’s story, circumstances and priorities, then develop practical strategies that are realistic for their life.

The aim is to help you connect the dots, make sense of your health and understand what you can do to build stronger foundations for lasting wellbeing.

Can natural medicine and conventional healthcare work together?

Absolutely. I don’t see natural and conventional healthcare as opposing approaches.

Conventional medicine has an essential role, particularly when diagnosis, medication, surgery or urgent medical care is needed. Natural therapies can provide additional ways to support nutrition, lifestyle, resilience and wellbeing, either alongside conventional care or, where appropriate, independently.

I also value collaboration with doctors and other health professionals. If a health concern requires medical assessment or care outside my scope of practice, I will recommend that you seek appropriate medical advice.

What’s the difference between a naturopath and a nutritionist?

There is some overlap, but the scope of training and practice is different.

A nutritionist generally focuses on food, nutrition and dietary strategies. A naturopath is trained more broadly in natural health approaches, which may include nutrition alongside herbal medicine, lifestyle medicine, nutritional supplementation and other natural therapies.

At Naturimedica, nutrition is an important part of care, but I look at it within the wider context of the whole person and the interconnected factors that influence health.
→ Learn more about Natural Medicines Applied at Naturimedica

Is naturopathy evidence-informed, or is it “woo-woo”?

It can be either, depending on the practitioner and the approach.

At Naturimedica, I aim to combine the valuable traditional knowledge of natural medicine with modern scientific understanding and the best available evidence, while also recognising the limitations of research in some areas of natural health.
Being evidence-informed doesn’t mean ignoring clinical experience or traditional knowledge. It means considering all three thoughtfully, using professional judgement and clinical experience, and being clear about what we know, what we don’t yet know, and what may be appropriate for the individual.

And if you’re a little bit “woo-woo”, that’s okay too. 😊 There’s room for curiosity and a broader view of health, provided we’re thoughtful about the evidence-informed as well as traditional approaches, and don’t lose sight of what is safe, practical and useful.

Consultations

What happens during a naturopathic consultation?

A consultation begins with listening and understanding your health story. We look at your current concerns, health history, lifestyle, nutrition and other factors that may be relevant to your wellbeing.

Rather than focusing only on individual symptoms, I look for connections between the body’s interconnected systems and consider what may be contributing to the bigger picture.

Depending on your needs, we may discuss nutrition, lifestyle changes, natural therapies, supplements or further investigations or testing. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your health, the priorities we’ve identified and practical steps you can take between consultations.

How many consultations will I need?

There isn’t a set number of consultations because everyone’s health, circumstances and goals are different.

Some people may need only a small number of consultations to address a specific concern, while others benefit from ongoing support as they work through more complex or longer-standing health issues.

My aim is not to create a need for ongoing appointments. As your health and confidence improve, the focus can shift towards maintaining the foundations you’ve built and supporting you to manage your health more independently.

Health education is an important part of my work. I want you to understand more about your health and feel confident making informed choices about nutrition, lifestyle and self-care, so that the knowledge and skills you develop can continue to support you well beyond your consultations.

How much does a naturopathic consultation cost?

Consultation fees depend on the type and length of appointment. Current fees and appointment options are provided on the Consultations page.

If you’re considering working with me for the first time, you’ll find information there about what to expect, available appointment options and how to book.
→ Learn about consultations and current fees

Do online naturopathic consultations really work?

Yes. Many aspects of naturopathic care can be provided effectively online, including detailed health history-taking, discussion of symptoms and lifestyle, nutritional and lifestyle guidance, review of test results, and personalised recommendations.

Online consultations can also make ongoing support more convenient, particularly when implementing changes over time.

There are situations where an in-person medical assessment is more appropriate. If I believe you need examination, urgent medical attention or care outside my scope of practice, I’ll recommend that you seek the appropriate medical support.

Are online consultations suitable for me?

Online consultations may be suitable if you’re looking for personalised support with nutrition, lifestyle, natural therapies, test interpretation or a second opinion on aspects of your health.

Naturimedica currently offers online naturopathic consultations to Australian clients.

If you’re unsure whether an online consultation is appropriate for your situation, you’re welcome to get in touch before booking.
→ Learn about online naturopathic consultations

Natural Therapies & Testing

What natural therapies might be recommended during a consultation?

The therapies I recommend depend on your health concerns, history, circumstances and goals. There is no standard protocol that everyone is expected to follow.

Depending on what is appropriate for you, recommendations may include nutrition, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, lifestyle strategies, sleep and circadian support, stress-management approaches and other natural therapies.
Where relevant, I may also recommend specific laboratory or functional testing to provide additional information and help guide your care.

The aim is always to use the most appropriate tools for the individual, rather than recommending therapies simply because they are “natural”.
→ Learn more about Natural Medicines Applied

Will I need functional testing?

Not necessarily. Functional testing is one of the tools I may use when additional information could help provide a clearer understanding of what may be influencing your health.

Functional tests are specialised laboratory investigations that can provide information about areas such as nutrient status, digestion and gut health, hormones, or other factors relevant to your individual circumstances. They can sometimes help connect the dots when symptoms alone don’t provide the full picture.

Whether testing is appropriate depends on your symptoms, health history, goals and the information already available. I don’t believe in testing for the sake of testing. The aim is to use the right information to help make more informed and personalised decisions about your health.

If you already have recent pathology or other test results, these can also be discussed during a consultation where relevant.

Finding Your Way Around Naturimedica

Where should I start if I’m new to Naturimedica?

There are several ways to explore Naturimedica, depending on what you’re looking for.

If you want to understand your health:
Explore Knowledge Hubs, where you’ll find carefully curated articles, guides and resources organised around key areas of health:
→ Menopause Knowledge Hub
→ Gut Health and Microbiome Knowledge Hub
→ Sleep and Circadian Knowledge Hub
→ Nutrition Knowledge Hub
→ Herbal Medicine Knowledge Hub
→ Recipes Hub
→ Free Health Guides and eBooks

If you’d like to understand how I approach health:
Explore The Naturimedica Way to learn more about my wholistic, evidence-informed approach and the principles that guide my work.

If you’re looking for practical, in-depth guidance:

Explore the Health Guides and eBooks in the Naturimedica Shop. These bring together evidence-informed information and practical strategies in a format you can work through at your own pace.

If you’re looking for personalised support:
Learn more about Naturopathic Consultations to see how we might work together. Consultations can be particularly helpful when you’re trying to make sense of ongoing health concerns, interpret test results, or develop a personalised approach to nutrition, lifestyle and natural health support.

And if you’re simply curious, you’re always welcome to explore the Health Articles and follow the topics that interest you. There is no particular place you have to start.

The important thing is to find the information or support that’s right for you, at the stage you’re at now.

Best of Health

Joanna Sochan

Wholistic Health and Lifestyle Therapist
Integrative health support combining clinical evidence, systems-based thinking and traditional naturopathic wisdom for lasting health and wellbeing

About Joanna

Joanna Sochan is a Wholistic Health and Lifestyle Therapist, Naturopath and Nutritionist with more than 15 years of clinical experience. Through Naturimedica, she provides evidence-informed, systems-based care that integrates modern scientific understanding with wholistic and traditional naturopathic principles, helping individuals across Australia better understand their health and build strong foundations for living well. View full bio.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, particularly if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications or have a medical condition.