What is functional medicine?

Functional medicine is increasing in popularity because it is offering deeper healing and wellness beyond superficial treatment of symptoms. I still meet patients who look at me blankly when I recommend further testing and exploration of root causes with a functional medicine approach. Here is a brief summary of how I apply functional medicine to my practice:

• Personalized treatment – Care plans are tailored to each individual’s biology and life context

• Root causes matter- instead of diagnoses based on symptoms (which is very much the case with conventional psychiatry) functional medicine considers hormone embalance, nutrient deficiencies, gut health, and genetics as well as chronic stress, trauma and lifestyle patterns

• Mind-body and systems focused- brain, gut, immune, endocrine, metabolic, and nervous—are deeply interconnected. Dysfunction in one area can ripple throughout the entire system.

• Individual biochemistry- Genetics, life experiences, and environment shape how each person responds to stress, food, medications, and illness.

• I will always begin with simple, common sense interventions- Sleep, movement, nutrition, relationships, purpose, and stress regulation are not “extras”—they are foundational medicine.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol, functional medicine recognizes that two people with the same diagnosis may need very different treatments.

Importantly, functional medicine does not require stopping conventional treatments. Medications, therapy, and evidence-based psychiatric care can be integrated thoughtfully into a functional medicine framework.

What a Functional Medicine Visit Typically Includes

A functional medicine–informed visit often involves:

• A comprehensive history (medical, mental health, lifestyle, nutrition, stress, digestive health, sleep)

• Review of patterns over time, not just isolated symptoms

• Targeted labs when appropriate, some of these are standard and covered by insurance and others are more specialized

• A personalized, collaborative care plan that may include:

  • Nutrition and gut support

  • Lifestyle and stress regulation strategies

  • Mind–body practices

  • Hormone or nutrient optimization

  • Medication management when indicated

Is Functional Medicine Right for You?

Functional medicine may be a good fit if you:

• Have not responded well to medications or experience uncomfortable side effects

• Have a goal to be on fewer medications at lower doses

• Are navigating chronic stress, hormonal changes, or complex mental health concerns

• Want care that aligns with both science and self-awareness

• Want lasting change and wellness beyond treatment of symptoms