Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathy is a holistic system of healthcare that focuses on supporting the body’s innate healing capacity using natural therapies such as nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle modification, and education. It takes into account the whole person — physical, emotional, and environmental — and aims to address the underlying contributors to illness rather than simply managing symptoms.

Functional medicine shares this root‑cause philosophy but provides a more structured, systems‑based and evidence‑driven framework for understanding how imbalances develop over time. It places strong emphasis on biochemistry, physiology, and personalised testing to identify the underlying causes. In practice, Jasmin integrates both approaches — combining the holistic wisdom of naturopathy with the structured and evidence‑based rigour of functional medicine — to deliver deeply personalised, targeted care. 

Yes! We can request pathology tests as well as a vast range of functional medicine tests (if required, however we do take cost into consideration). Comprehensive functional testing may include hormone panels, gut microbiome analysis, food sensitivity testing, DNA testing, and nutritional assessments.

Since we are not medical doctors, we do not qualify for Medicare rebates. We are happy to work as a team with your GP or specialists to ensure you get the best care, if they are open to this.

While we are unable to request tests that attract Medicare rebates, we are very happy to work alongside your GP or specialist to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

Absolutely. We never ask you to stop taking prescribed medications. We work collaboratively with your medical team to support your overall wellbeing.

Jasmin is experienced in ensuring that she doesn’t prescribe any supplements that will interact with prescription medications. Furthermore, many prescribed medications can cause nutrient deficiencies which Jasmin can identify and correct. 

This question is impossible to answer as recommendations are individually tailored to every client. Some clients will require very little in the way of prescriptions, further testing or consultations, whilst other clients require more in-depth support to investigate the root cause of their health concerns.

Every client also has a different budget. Jasmin is committed to getting you the best result, so she provides optimal recommendations without making assumptions about what could be out of budget. She will however discuss each recommendation with you, explain her rationale and offer alternatives based on finances, taste preferences and lifestyle restrictions etc.

That depends. Many private health funds cover “nutrition consultations” with appropriate extras cover.

In April 2019, the federal government ruled that naturopathy and herbal medicine cannot be claimed under private health funds. Fortunately, Jasmin is also a Clinical Nutritionist which was introduced as an alternative claimable modality after this time. As of July 1, 2025, private health insurance rebates for naturopathy are in the process of being reinstated in Australia, overturning the 2019 ban, however we are unsure when this will come into effect.

In the meantime, please be aware that not all private health funds accept nutrition claims, so it is important to check with your individual fund.

We can provide itemised invoices of your consultations with the appropriate insurer codes, so please let us know if you plan to claim.

No, Jasmin is not a doctor or primary-care physician and encourages you to continue seeing your regular GP.

Jasmin has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Functional Medicine and is classified in Australia as a naturopath and nutritionist.

She is very happy to work with your doctor or specialist to ensure your best level of care. If your doctor is NOT open to functional medicine approaches, we can provide you a list of doctors that have been recommended by our clients as being open and supportive to working with us and to supporting their patients’ proactive health choices. Jasmin is also happy to discuss her approaches directly with your physician if they are open to this.

Please see our About Page for more information on Jasmin’s qualifications.

We offer in-person, online (Zoom), and phone consultations. If you live in the Newcastle/Hunter area, we may suggest an in-clinic appointment or request that you see your GP for a physical assessment. 

Absolutely not - Jasmin sees clients from birth until old age! If a client is under the age of 16, they should be accompanied by an adult to ensure they understand Jasmin’s suggestions and recommendations. Also, if a client has issues with their memory, hearing, understanding or concentration, it is recommended that they also bring a support person.

Appointment timing varies depending on your health goals and progress. Most clients are seen around 2–4 weeks after their initial consultation, with follow‑up appointments scheduled based on your individual needs. Your care plan is always tailored to you, and the time between consultations may also depend on waiting for test results.

For those wanting a little extra guidance and accountability, our 3‑month and 6‑month wellness programs offer a more structured level of care, with ongoing, personalised guidance and regular check‑ins between appointments.

Not necessarily. We prioritise food and lifestyle first as part of a root-cause approach, then use targeted supplements only where needed. Quality over quantity, always. The goal is never to keep you on an array of supplements long-term.

No referral needed! You can book directly with us. We work alongside your GP and specialists to provide comprehensive, integrative care.

Initial consultations are typically 90 minutes. We take time to understand your full health history and create a tailored treatment plan. In-person initial appointments often include Metascan body composition testing, to give us a base-line idea of your metabolic capabilities.