In the Clinic with Camille

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ember Peters, Stascha Stahl, and Vilde Chaya Fenster-Ehrlich about their upcoming Advanced Clinical Herbal Skills program. The program looks awesome. I'd like to take it, and I probably would if my fall wasn't so chaotic.  Whether you're interested in furthering your clinical skills or not, though, I encourage you to listen to the episode (or read the transcript linked below) for the discussion about what it takes to create spaces where healing is possible for people from oppressed and overlooked communities.  It's more work than most of us realize when we're starting out as practitioners.  We need to constantly examine/reexamine our own assumptions and practices in order to become better at the work we do. It's hard to do this alone. Being part of programs and showing up in spaces where others are engaged in this type of work speeds up the process and makes it possible to see things in ways that weren't accessible to you before.  Whether you join a program like this or not, I think listening to this conversation will serve as an important call to continue your growth as a person and as a practitioner.  I left this conversation feeling inspired. I hope you do, too.  Warmly, Camille Transcript and show notes are available on the Bloom & Grow website. Resources You can learn more about Ember on their website: Wild Current Herbalism or  connect with Ember via Instagram You can learn more about Stascha on their website: Bay Area Herbalist or connect with Stascha via Instagram You can learn more about Vilde on her website: Wild Cherries or connect with Vilde via Instagram Learn more about the Advanced Clinical Herbal Skills Program About Ember Peters Ember has been in clinical practice for a decade and has been teaching advanced herbalism for the past seven years. Their practice integrates vitalist Western herbalism traditions, scientific research, phytochemistry, pathophysiology and flower essences. They are particularly nerdy about diabetes, cancer, fertility autonomy, trans health, and hormonal/endocrine support. Trans-inclusivity and anti-racism are cornerstones of Ember's practice, a part of their life-long commitment to fighting for liberation for all peoples. About Stascha Stahl Stascha is a community centered clinical herbalist, medicine maker, apothecarist, and educator practicing in the Chochenyo Ohlone Territory so-called Oakland, California. Stascha has been studying herbal medicine since 2006 and seeing clients in free or sliding scale clinics for the last 12 years. She prioritizes harm reduction and focuses on complex chronic conditions. About Vilde Chaya Fenster-Ehrlich Vilde Chaya Fenster-Ehrlich is a community herbalist committed to sharing the bizarre and beautiful gifts of flowers, trees and fungi in accessible, inclusive ways centered on love. She creates spaces of care and growth for trans and trans-allied community. She has been involved with organizing free, multi-modality clinics in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Arizona since 2010, and is presently an educator with Wild Current Herbalism and at the Wild Cherries Herbal Studies Program in Pittsburgh. Before working as an herbalist, she spent a decade as a standardized patient, teaching medical students about competent, anti-oppressive care. She grew up primarily in Munsee Lenape, Schaghticoke and Wappinger territory in New York City, and ultimately sought out connections with plants as a remedy to her childhood buried in wires and concrete. She loves herbal medicine as a weapon and a guide in the war against white supremacy, capitalism and the patriarchy; in her experience, healing work is intimately intertwined with resisting and surviving systemic violence and oppression, and plants are passionate pals in that fight. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intheclinic/message

Branding and Website Design Isn't Easy Many practitioners spend a lot of time, energy, and sometimes money trying to cobble together a website and professional brand as they're just starting out.  This isn't usually the best choice.  You do want to have a brand, but it's also important to understand that your practice will evolve in unexpected ways over the first few years. If you spend a lot of money creating a brand and website before you've seen many clients, you'll likely need to change it all later.  You want to be spending your time finding clients, getting the foundations of your practice set up, and actually working with clients, rather than stressing over building the perfect website yourself.  In this episode, brand designer Lindsey Freeman (no relation!) and therapist Julie Goldberg share more about the website templates and other resources they've created specifically for service providers, as well as tips on branding and getting started with your practice.  I highly recommend starting from a template if you're experiencing website anxiety or if you're finding that creating your website is holding up your practice. It's affordable, it's easy (or at least easier!), and you'll be able to move on to the many other things that need to happen to get your doors open.  Resources Learn more about Julie & Lindsey + view their templates and other resources on their website: Premade (use code BLOOM for 15% off

I was so excited to interview Mason Hutchinson, the founder of HerbRally. Herb Rally is a platform for herbalists and herbal enthusiasts, including event listings, a podcast, and a YouTube channel. Mason shared talked to us about the origins of HerbRally, from its humble beginnings as an event listing website to its expansion into the robust platform that we see now, including monographs, a daily podcast, a YouTube channel, and the HerbRally Schoolhouse membership area.  He discusses the challenges of work-life balance and financial pressures while giving us some insight into how he and Amanda, his wife and business partner, approach marketing and promotion with an emphasis on authenticity and service to the community. There's a lot to learn from this "behind the scenes" interview, whether you're just starting your own herbal business or whether you're a bit farther down the road.  Resources Mentioned You can learn more about Mason on his website: HerbRally. Here's the list of virtual events or search by state for in-person events. Here's the HerbRally list of online herbal schools, or you can Submit your events to HerbRally Connect with Mason on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube The marketing resources Mason mentioned: Colin & Sameer, Nick Nimman, Noah Kagan Presents podcast In the Clinic episodes on my email list experiment & on the power of showing up Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring 

In this episode, I'm joined by Carolee Horner, Linnette Johnson, and Amy Boldt, who share their experiences with forming and attending an accountability group over several years. They highlight the value of accountability groups, emphasizing how they provide support, inspiration, and a sense of community for practitioners. In this episode, you'll learn more about how accountability groups have helped them overcome challenges, redefine success, and grow both personally and professionally. As you may know, I'm a huge fan of accountability groups. They're helpful at any stage of your career, and I truly encourage you to explore different groups and find one that resonates with your needs - or start one, if you can't find one that suits you. Amy Boldt Amy is a clinical herbalist and herb farmer from Westminster, MD; her practice specializes in sleep and anxiety-related disorders. She is also a registered yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner, which assist in helping her clients find relief. Amy grows many of the herbs that she uses with clients on her farm, which focuses on sustainability and protecting at-risk native medicinal plants. Amy attended the Maryland University of Integrative Health and graduated in 2014 with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism. She loves teaching workshops, guiding plant walks, and getting out in the woods to reconnect with nature. Her farm is on the United Plant Savers's registry as a botanical sanctuary, so when she's not working with clients she is maintaining her forest farm and homestead. You can learn more about Amy on her website: The Wild Woman Medicine Connect with Amy via her private Facebook group for women called Herbs for Rest and Relief: A Women's Group Carolee Horner Carolee Horner is a functional nutritionist and health coach in Atlanta, GA. She works with people with Parkinson's and their care partners to reverse symptoms and slow progression. She utilizes holistic approaches to promote gut and brain health that work for the entire family. She has been awarded a Master's degree in Integrative Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health and is a nationally board certified health and wellness coach. She is a member of the Advisory Council for The Center for Movement Challenges, a non-profit promoting holistic approaches to Parkinson's disease, with a special emphasis on boxing. When she's not in the clinic or teaching, she enjoys being mom to 2 incredible kids, cooking, camping, and gardening. Laughter is her medicine. You can learn more about Carolee on her website: Carolee Horner Linnette Johnson I am the founder of 5 Elements Coaching and a Clinical Nutritionist + Coach for mental health. I am passionate about supporting adults with sobriety, depression, and anxiety, along with relieving fatigue, skin issues, and body aches & pains associated with mental health through healthy eating and developing a better relationship with food, mind, and body. Throughout the years, my business has grown, but my focus has always remained consistent; helping and supporting people through body-positive weight-neutral restorative therapies. You can learn more about Linnette on her website: 5 Elements Coaching Connect with Linnette via Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn Helpful Links for Practitioners​ Monday Mentoring

In this episode, herbalist Gina Badger joins us to discuss their experience of burnout and some strategies they've put in place to provide a bit of breathing room. Systematizing and automating processes, revamping communication policies, and clarifying language in intake forms and cancellation policies helped create more room and attend to bigger things. Gina also highlights the importance of prioritizing time and energy, as spending excessive time on emails can contribute to burnout. Towards the end of the episode, Gina shares about their upcoming offering for care workers, which includes short appointments spaced a month apart and a herbal formula to support recovery. About Gina Badger Gina Badger is a clinical energetic herbalist who offers care through their multidisciplinary clinic, Long Spell. Their lifework is contributing to a collective vision of holistic health care that's equally heartfelt and irreverent, down-to-earth and visionary, gentle and rigorous. Gina's primary herb teachers are Karyn Sanders and Sarah Holmes of the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine and Colleen Emery. Before pursuing herbalism as a career, they worked as a visual artist and editor for over a decade, having earned an MSc in Visual Studies from MIT (2010) and a BFA in Studio Art and Art History from Concordia University (2008). Gina is a queer nonbinary femme of mixed Western European ancestry born in Treaty 6 territory and currently living on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations (Vancouver, Canada). You can find Gina at https://longspell.com or on Instagram: @longspellclinic Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring 

Camille shares notes about an email list experiment she's been running over the past several months. Does removing the opt-in offer/freebie lower the number of people who subscribe to her newsletter? We'll also discuss the ethics of incentives for newsletter signs ups in general, and questions to ask about your own email newsletter. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

​If you're new to clinical practice, you might be tempted to investigate common marketing techniques to help you find more clients.  Unfortunately, many of the strategies you'll hear about won't necessarily get you the kinds of results you're looking for. ​In this episode, I share a story about a marketing expert who recommended working scarcity into your marketing to fill up your one-on-one practice. In this case, someone I know wound up saying they had only have a limited number of spots available, even ​that wasn't the case.  While this might seem like a ​reasonable way to encourage people to sign up, it's not a good foundation to build from. ​Starting a relationship with deception is never a good idea. You don't want to build your ​relationship with a new client on a lie, even if the client will never know the truth.  Secondly, pushing people to sign up when they're not ready can cause a natural pushback, which can lead to them feeling manipulated or skeptical. Even if they do decide to work with you, they're entering the relationship in a different position than if they had made the decision on their own. Instead of pushing people, give them the space and let them know the options for working with you, including when and how they can sign up when they're ready. ​It might take longer to build your practice this way, but ​winding up with a practice build on solid values and strong relationships is worth it.  ​If you feel that deadlines are helpful for your clientele, ​play around with how you can incorporate them authentically, without making it feel like it's their last opportunity to work with you or that they'll be missing out if they don't sign up now. ​I hope these ideas are helpful as you plan out how to find new clients for your practice Related episode: 47 | On Having Another Job Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Why bother to show up when you can watch the recording?  Today, I'm sharing a simple yet often overlooked strategy for building your visibility and relationships within your community. Finding clients and getting the word out about your practice can be a real challenge, especially when you're just starting out. It's easy to find yourself stressing over sending cold outreach emails to other practitioners or spending lots of time on social media in the hopes of building your referral network. But there's another option that can make a huge difference: just show up for programs and classes that you're already interested in or signed up for. What do I mean by "just show up"? Here's an example: If you sign up for a training or a webinar, don't just watch the recording later on at 2x speed. (Yes, I am guilty of this sometimes myself

As I was preparing for a lecture on ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), I came across a case report sharing information about a women who went to the ER with tachycardia, palpitations and other symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Her TSH was almost absent, while T4 and T3 were within normal limits. The doctors there ruled out other causes and eventually determined that she had been taking ashwagandha root extract daily instead of her regular thyroid medication for approximately 2 years after a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. They suspected this might be causing her hyperthyroid symptoms. She was asked to discontinue the ashwagandha root, and at two follow-ups her TSH began to rise, while her T3 and T4 started dropping, suggesting a return to her hypothyroid state. The physicians suspected that she was in the early stages of hyperthyroidism when she presented in the ER, due to her T3 and T4 being WNL. Here is a copy of the case (open access!) if you'd like to check it out: Kamal HI, Patel K, Brdak A, Heffernan J, Ahmad N. Ashwagandha as a Unique Cause of Thyrotoxicosis Presenting With Supraventricular Tachycardia. Cureus. 2022 Mar 25;14(3):e23494. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23494. PMID: 35475098; PMCID: PMC9035336. In this episode, I discuss what we can learn from this case report, and what I wish the authors had included in their case presentation. I hope you find this discussion helpful. If you have thoughts or clinical observations regarding ashwagandha and thyroid disease, I'd love to hear them! Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

I honor of the equinox today, I'm sharing the spring dreaming and planning workshop I led recently. I highly recommend a seasonal planning process rather than an annual one. I hope you enjoy! I'd love to hear how your planning goes and what your intention will be for the upcoming season

This podcast episode is in response to a question from Phoebe, who asked if I could share the books I most often use in my clinical work. Here is a (likely incomplete!) list of the herbal books I've been calling on lately: The Ultimate Herbal Compendium by Kerry Bone The Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals series by Jill Stansbury The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine by Christa Sinadinos Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, 2nd ed by Kerry Bone & Simon Mills Michael Moore's books (Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, Pacific West, and Desert & Canyon West) Botanical Medicine for Women's Health by Aviva Romm Natural Approach to Gastroenterology by Eric Yarnell Please do note that I've collected these over time. I don't recommend that new practitioners buy all of these, nor am I implying that these are all necessary for clinicians. I recommend instead starting with a few references books, working closely with those in your practice, and expanding to a few more texts as you have the time, energy, and finances to do so. I'd love to hear your favorites ❤️ Transcript Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring Get Weekly Practitioner Notes Herbal Observation Groups 2023 Hormone Deep Dive Practitioner Resource page Freebies --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intheclinic/message

Is Vitex Contraindicated in PCOS? You can probably tell from the episode title that, according to our current understanding, Vitex agnus-castus is not contraindicated for folks who have PCOS. In fact, there is reason to suspect that it may be quite helpful in this situation, at least in some cases. (Side note, Vitex can be a tricky herb to work with and isn't for everyone - if you are new to herbs, I highly recommend working with an herbalist before deciding whether Vitex is a good fit for you!) In this episode, Jillian reflects on hearing multiple practitioners suggest that folks with PCOS should not be using Vitex. When she went digging around looking for a reference, she was able to find where this information was coming from and also that the information was corrected/updated in a more recent source. We also get into a discussion of Vitex dosing and general strategies for incorporating this herb into protocols. Resources You can learn more about Jillian on her website Connect with Jillian via Facebook Learn more about Jillian's Herbal Observation Groups Subscribe to Jillian's newsletter Transcript --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/intheclinic/message

In this episode, herbalist Ruth Shelton shares more about how she created and ran a year-long program called Sacred Allies. Ruth Shelton, The Empirical Herbalist, is a consulting herbalist and teacher who works out of her Apothecary in East Tennessee. Her herbal adventure origin story began over 20 years ago when she had a realization on the way to a job that was not very fulfilling and she's been steadily studying and working ever since. You can learn more about Ruth on her website, or connect via Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The university program mentioned toward the end of the podcast will happen on June 7th and 8th in the morning. We'll add details & a link when these are available! Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

In today's episode, I interview herbalist Oren Hercz about his experience developing an intermediate herbal program in partnership with Ember Peters. Oren shares how his educational work dovetails with his clinical practice, and some of the challenges that arise when creating a new program - especially one that is longer and more resource-intensive than previous offerings. Resources Oren's website ​ Maritime ​School of Holistic Herbalism Register for the Zoom Q&A about the intermediate herb program with Oren and Ember on Feb 7 at 6 pm AST (5 pm ET) ​Connect with Oren on Facebook I also interviewed Oren in Episode 36 of In the Clinic, discussing how herb walks can help bring in more 1:1 clients Get Camille's Weekly Practitioner Notes

I've been using a "pay from the heart" pricing model for 2 years now. When people sign up for my Monday Mentoring program, they are offered three pricing levels and asked to chose based on which is most appropriate for their situation. All three pricing levels receive the same program. In this episode, I share a bit more about what I've learned from this model and why I plan on continuing it for the foreseeable future. In the episode, I mentioned learning about Pay from the Heart from Mark Silver. Here is a link to his Heart of Business Community site, where you can see how he explains and thinks about this pricing model (scroll down!). If you have any questions about Pay from the Heart or pricing in general, I'd love to address them on a future episode. Feel free to send your question by clicking "+message" on the podcast homepage or by sending me a message through my website. ⭐Caveat: Immediately after publishing this episode, I remembered that: 1) I have been using this model for 2 years, not 3. The pandemic has warped my sense of time, and 2) I *kind of* raised the price of Monday Mentoring recently, in that I used to offer a $50/month option for the noon group, which is no longer available. We've restructured and included quite a bit more in the membership for the price, and still, it is a bit of a price increase in some ways. My apologies for the lack of clarity. Maybe I'll do another episode about all of this at some point! Transcript of episode Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Have you signed up for too many things? Feeling guilty about not finishing the various courses, programs, webinars, and trainings you've already got? Ready to "throw it all into the sea"? Here are my suggestions when you're using up too much brain space feeling vaguely bad about not doing all the things. Other episodes mentioned: Questions to ask before buying a program or course Why I use a practice notebook Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Today, we're talking about how to know whether you're ready to start a clinical practice. As part of New Practitioner Week, I've been asking people about the hardest part of getting a clinical practice started. "Knowing if I'm ready" has been a top answer. In this episode, I share some info about how to know if you're ready and how to know if you're in the "bull in a china shop" phase

It's episode 50! Thanks so much for your support

Sometimes, a standard follow-up visit just isn't long enough. In this episode, I share a small change I've made in my follow-up offerings that allows clients to self-select the type of follow-up visit they need/want. It's working really well! There's also a bonus tip included that helps both your client and you remember how long your visit is supposed to last. I'd love to hear what you think of these tips: info@camillefreeman.com Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Is summer feeling sluggish in your practice? Never fear. This is normal. In this episode, I've shared a few thoughts on tuning into the rhythm of your practice and moving with the flow of the season. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

If you've ever felt badly because you have another job in addition to your work as an herbalist or nutritionist, this episode is for you. Learn why it's okay, usual, and expected for most herbalists and nutritionists to have multiple streams of income, particularly in the first few years of setting up a practice. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

When I went into clinical practice, I realized quickly that I needed to learn a new skill set quickly: how to run a small business. Without the formal structure of school, it's hard to keep track of important information. In today's episode, I talk about how I use a practice notebook to keep track of the most important things, and why keeping a "later list" has been such an important development. Enjoy! Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

A lot of people don't realize how much tracking happens when you send an email newsletter. Although it's actually less invasive than the tracking associated with social media use/posting, it's still quite a surprise to many people who are just starting their own newsletters. In this episode, I share advice about how I think about these numbers and which ones I use to inform my writing. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

TLDL (too long didn't listen): I didn't know until recently that hibiscus is often intercropped with peanuts, meaning that it likely is not appropriate for our clients who have severe peanut allergies. I hope this episode is helpful! If you haven't tried hibiscus tea yet - and if you aren't allergic to peanuts - give it a try this summer

In this episode, I share a simple but effective tip that I use often with clients re: how to get in a few more servings of veggies each day. Note that in the beginning of the episode I mention wanting to get clients to 6-8 servings per day. I should have said 6-8 servings of *fruits* and veggies per day - ideally I'd love to see 6 veggies and 2 fruits or 5 veggies & 3 fruits - although with many folks we're working towards 3 veggies & 2 fruits. As I mentioned in the episode, I'm working on a compilation of recipes to help people prepare veggies so that they're actually tasty. Just one or two recipes per veggie, suitable for absolute beginners. Have a veggie recipe to share? Send it my way: info@camillefreeman.com Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Do you have your own practitioner? In this episode, I share some thoughts on why I recommend having someone else on your team who does similar work to your own. It can feel quite vulnerable, and at the same time there's so much to gain when you do this. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

If you've been thinking about signing up for a popular course or program, you've likely tried Googling around to see what you can learn about it. If all you're seeing is glowing reviews - particularly if the reviews all seem strikingly similar - you may not be getting a full picture. In today's episode, I share more about why you often can't/won't find any negative reviews for these types of programs online. If you're enjoying this episode, I also highly recommend listening to Episode 21: Questions to Ask Before you Buy a Program or Course. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

When things start to feel out of balance, I find it helpful to evaluate whether my balance of inputs to outputs is in place. If I've been consuming too much information/content/etc then it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This can be balanced by spending more time in creative mode, making things either just for fun or producing content or materials to help my community/clients. This summer in Monday Mentoring, we'll be focusing on the balance between consumption and creation in our seasonal challenge (content creation & visibility) as well as our book club (The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron). We'd love to have you join us if this has been on your mind as well ❤. Questions? Thoughts to share? Let me know. Transcript & notes for this episode are available on the Bloom & Grow website. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Whenever I hear about a new practitioner launching an online course, I cringe a bit. It's not that I don't wish them well. Of course, I do! I'd love nothing more than to see everyone's online courses filling easily and making big changes in the world. Unfortunately, that is not usually what happens. In this episode, I share why I don't recommend that newer practitioners offer courses and programs. Questions? Thoughts to share? Let me know. Transcript & notes for this episode are available on the Bloom & Grow website. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

Some of you know that I haven't been on social media for several years. In this episode, I share why I chose to step away and a few thoughts on how this works for me. To learn more about how to find clients without social media, come to my free webinar on Thursday, March 24 at 7 pm ET Transcript & notes for this episode are available on the Bloom & Grow website. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

February can be a hard month. For many of us, it's dark. It's gloomy. It's cold. It can be hard to keep the faith, particularly when you're new to clinical practice. Here's a short pep talk for you if you've been feeling a bit down when it comes to your practice. Hang in there. Here's the link to episode 13 on forming your own accountability group, which I mentioned in this episode. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

One of the biggest challenges when running a clinical practice is finding more clients. In today's podcast, we'll talk to clinical herbalist Oren Hercz about how he offers herb walks and classes to support his community and build his practice. Oren shares a few tips and tricks he's picked up along the way, as well as detailed information about how he structures his herb walks and classes. Oren's website and the link to his February Winter Mental Health workshop. Transcript & notes for this episode are available on the Bloom & Grow website. Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

In this episode, I interview public speaking expert Megan Hamilton, who shares an easy strategy you can use to stay calm before and during a presentation. Fear of public speaking is incredibly common, and at the same time, presenting is one of the most effective ways of connecting with people in your community. Megan shares some helpful thoughts on how we can prepare for presentations beyond focusing exclusively on the content. For even more help, join us for a live, online workshop with Megan at the end of January. Details below. Resources Megan's website The animated gif for controlled breathing Register for the 1-hour Speaking with Power online workshop on Jan 31 at 5 pm ET. Pay from the heart: $5-25

If you've had doubts about whether you can truly serve a client if you personally struggle with the issue the client is having, this episode is for you! There isn't a right answer here, but it is worth thinking about your assumptions and beliefs before you decide where to draw your own boundaries. For show notes and a transcript, visit the Bloom & Grow website Helpful Links for Practitioners Monday Mentoring

At this time of year, it's tempting to spend hours planning and organizing to prepare for 2022. I've found that this approach, while fun, isn't always one that works for me in the long run. In this episode, I'll share more about why I avoid annual planning and what I do instead (hint: seasonal planning). If you want to plan for the winter season together, please join me for a free Seasonal Dreaming & Planning for Practitioners workshop on December 21 at 12:00 pm ET. It will last about 30 minutes, and you'll get access to the workbook and planning document I use personally. I'd love to see you there. It will be recorded, so please register even if you can't attend live ❤. Transcript & notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

As we come to the end of 2021, many clinicians are starting to think about goals and plans for 2022. Before you jump ahead to next year, I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your current practice. Might it be time to prune your offers? In this episode, I share a few thoughts to consider. Transcript & notes available on my website. Want to do this work together? You're invited to my free Winter Seasonal Dreaming and Planning workshop on 12/21 at noon ET. Spend about 30 minutes reviewing what's working/what's not working, and think about what you'd like to focus on during the winter season. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

Have you ever thought that you don't really need to create a service, course, or program because someone else is already doing what you wanted to do? If so, please take a few moments to listen to this episode. You can find the transcript and show notes on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

How do you get grounded and centered before working with a client? In this episode, I share a few strategies that I use. I'd love to hear more about any techniques that work for you. You can share your practices and find a transcript of this episode on my website: Resources I purchased my diffuser and essential oils from Essential Diffusion, run by Monday Mentoring member, herbalist and aromatherapist Niki Smith. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

In today's episode, I share my perspective on the COVID vaccine for people who are trying to conceive and those who are pregnant. Remember: talk to your own primary care person to get advice about your particular situation! Transcript and show notes are available on my website. Resources: Learn about the mechanism of mRNA vaccines Your local epidemiologist newsletter is excellent for detailed and updated info on COVID/vaccines COVID vaccine does not have an 80%+ risk of miscarriage Participate in a study about menstrual experiences following the COVID vaccine COVID vaccine does not cause sterility Learn more about the mechanisms of action for the COVID vaccines and more from Heather Zwickey, who has a PhD in Immunology and founded the Helfgott Research Institute at National University of Natural Medicine COVID risks higher for pregnant people & COVID + adverse pregnancy outcomes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

In this teeny-tiny episode, I discuss how to think about quarterly taxes so that it's not quite so painful to send in those checks every few months. Resources Mentioned Happy Money by Ken Honda My Roots course just re-opened. If you're getting started & need help setting up your practice (insurance, forms, scheduling, etc), come and join us! Not sure how much you should be setting aside for taxes? Check out Episode 14 | How to Handle Income from your Practice Transcript & notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

At the beginning of my practice, I could never fathom paying as much as I am right now every month on mentoring and other programs/expenses that grow and support my practice. I've learned the hard way that it's easier to work with someone else who knows what they're doing than it is to fumble around and figure it all out on your own. I've also learned that there's an important shift that happens when you decide to push your own boundaries a bit by making a commitment to the work. In this episode, I talk more about why I work with mentors and the value I get from doing so. Transcript and show notes available on my website. Here's more about Monday Mentoring if you're interested in that program! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

In this episode, I share a few thoughts on my understanding of the new OpenNotes rules that apply to licensed practitioners. Please note that these are not meant to be a full and comprehensive guide, but rather reflections on some changes that I have implemented in my own practice based on the rules, and my interpretation of how they apply. Please consult a lawyer before making changes or decisions about how these rules apply to your own practice! A transcript and additional information can be found on my website here. See my full review of Practice Better software. Resources Federal Rules mandating open notes (this whole website is excellent) More info about exceptions FAQ noting that practitioners are not required to make notes available proactively, but only by request Here's the full "information blocking" FAQ (see the rest of the HealthIT.gov website for additional info) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

Have you ever felt like you're less of an herbalist if you don't run your own apothecary? In this episode, I discuss finding peace with not being able to do it all. Transcript & notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

You're an herbalist or a nutritionist going into private practice. Do you need a business plan? Nope. I don't think so. Listen to this episode to find out more & what you might do instead. Need help with some of these steps? You may want to consider my Roots course and/or a private mentoring session. Transcript & notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

In this episode, herbalist Lori Wroten shares a personal case study about an adverse reaction to herbs sold by a 3rd party seller on Amazon. If you have clients who purchase herbs or nutritional supplements from Amazon, it's incredibly important to provide education about the possible risks and where one can obtain supplements safely. Lori also shares how this experience led her to seek out additional training. She's now running a busy herbal practice; as a bonus, in this episode Lori shares some tips about how she's built up her practice, including one strategy that I've never heard of an herbalist using before :). Additional resources and a transcript are available on my website. You can find Lori online at Lifesong Holistic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

I often get asked whether it's reasonable to charge extra for setting up/administering payment plans. In this episode, I'll share why I don't charge extra. You can find a transcript and resources on my website. Other links mentioned: Practice Better (referral link) My Grow course, which is starting soon! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

Before you buy that super tempting program or course, please pause for a few moments to ask yourself whether this is something you truly need, have time for, and can afford. In this episode, I share several questions to ask yourself before you sign up for something new - whether it's a free course or a $5k course. Please have a listen before you sign on the dotted line! For notes and a transcript, please visit my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

A lot of times, we get wrapped up in complex schemes for finding new clients without first having tried the basics. Today, I remind you about one of the simplest things you can do to let people know what you do and who you work with. This strategy won't get you clients immediately, and it does make a big difference in the long run. For notes and a transcript, please visit my website. Also, if you're working to get more clients into your practice this year, do check out my Grow course that will be starting in late April/early May & sign up for the waitlist if it seems like a good fit! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

Did you know that people who have had a hysterectomy (with ovaries intact) tend to go through menopause almost 2 years earlier than those who still have a uterus? In this episode, we'll talk about how the ovaries need the uterus to function optimally and how our various bits and pieces are - as usual - more interconnected than we had originally thought. Please see my website for a list of references and a transcript. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

In this visit, I share some things to think about if you're consistently going over the scheduled amount of time for your clinical visits. These aren't always obvious, and it's important to consider how your timing affects your clients physically, emotionally, and logistically. If you'd like to be part of a community of practice with other clinical herbalists/herbally-minded nutritionists, please consider joining us in Monday Mentoring. We'd love to have you when doors are open in April! Transcript and show notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message

A paper I've been working on for years (!) has finally been published. Hear more about the research/publication process in this episode, and check out the abstract on PubMed. Here's the full citation: Cherpak-Castagna, C. E., Gafton, E. N., Nault, D., Van Lare, S. J., & Freeman, K. C. (2021). Cross-Sectional Survey of Graduate Clinical Nutrition Students Describing Dietary Choices and Recommendations. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2020.1863282 Transcript and show notes available on my website. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/intheclinic/message