Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of clients do you work with?
I work primarily with women (sometimes men and children too!) experiencing chronic health issues — such as autoimmune disease, fatigue, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, MCAS, gut issues, and complex trauma — who are seeking personalised, integrative support that bridges mental and physical health.
What qualifications do you have?
I hold qualifications in counselling, environmental science, nutrition, nutrigenomics, and Internal Family Systems therapy and am a certified HeartMath practitioner. I also have extensive lived experience navigating complex chronic health issues.
How do online consultations work?
Consultations are available in Ballarat and Daylesford, as well as online worldwide.
Before the first appointment, clients complete a detailed Systems Signal Questionnaire. This allows the initial 60-minute consultation to focus on interpretation, prioritisation, and structured planning.
Online consultations are conducted via a secure video platform, and written summaries or phased plans are provided where appropriate.
What services does Ecological Nutrition offer for managing autoimmune disease?
Ecological Nutrition provides integrative, systems-based care for autoimmune and complex chronic conditions. This includes:
Comprehensive initial consultations (with pre-consult systems questionnaire)
Structured stabilisation planning
Nutritional and metabolic assessment
Nervous system regulation strategies (including IFS-informed work)
Interpretation of functional and conventional testing
Ongoing sequencing and phased care
The goal is not to suppress symptoms, but to reduce physiological volatility and improve tolerance so deeper recovery work can proceed safely.
Does Ecological Nutrition provide personalised nutrition plans based on genetic testing?
Yes. Genetic information can be used as part of a broader systems-based assessment.
Rather than creating rigid diet prescriptions based solely on genetic variants, genetic data is interpreted in context — alongside stress physiology, immune patterns, metabolic stability, and lifestyle factors.
This allows for personalised nutrition strategies that support methylation, detoxification, energy production, and hormone balance where relevant.
Genetic insights are used to guide sequencing, not override it.
What are effective dietary strategies for supporting mental health?
Mental health symptoms often reflect nervous system load, blood sugar instability, inflammatory signalling, and micronutrient depletion.
Effective dietary strategies typically focus on:
Stabilising blood sugar
Supporting adequate protein intake
Restoring mineral and electrolyte balance
Reducing inflammatory burden
Improving gut–brain communication
At Ecological Nutrition, dietary strategies are integrated with nervous system regulation (including IFS-informed approaches and HeartMath techniques where appropriate), rather than treated as isolated nutritional tweaks.
Can you help me understand and interpret my blood test results?
Yes. Blood test interpretation is part of integrative consultations.
Both conventional pathology and functional markers can provide insight into metabolic stress, immune activation, hormone patterns, liver function, and nutrient status.
Results are interpreted within the context of symptoms and system capacity — rather than in isolation or strictly by laboratory reference ranges.
This helps identify what requires attention first, and what may be secondary or compensatory.
What is the connection between diet and nervous system health?
Diet and nervous system regulation are deeply interconnected.
Electrolyte balance, blood sugar stability, inflammatory signalling, and micronutrient sufficiency all influence autonomic function. When the nervous system is under sustained stress, digestion, immune tolerance, and hormonal signalling can become dysregulated.
A systems-based approach addresses both physiology and nervous system load simultaneously, recognising that lasting change often requires stabilising both.
How long does it take to see improvement in complex chronic conditions?
Timeframes vary depending on complexity and history.
For many clients, the first phase of care focuses on stabilisation — reducing symptom volatility, improving tolerance, and clarifying sequencing. This often leads to noticeable improvements in energy stability, sleep, and reactivity within the first few months.
More complex or long-standing conditions may require longer-term phased work. The emphasis is on safety, sustainability, and preventing setbacks.
What is HeartMath and how is it used in your sessions?
HeartMath is a research-based biofeedback tool that helps regulate the nervous system using breath and heart rate coherence. I use it to support clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress to help create a sense of safety so that we can work on whatever is causing their distress.
I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help. What’s different about your approach?
My approach integrates physiology, trauma, and individual biochemistry. Many of my clients have tried traditional therapy or health coaching without results — and find that the combination of emotional and biological support is what finally helps.
Booking & Logistics
How do I book a session?
You can book via my Cliniko page or email me directly at lou@ecological-nutrition.com. I'll guide you through what to expect next.
What happens in a first session?
We’ll go over your intake form together, map your symptoms, identify potential drivers, and begin a tailored plan — whether emotional, nutritional, or both.
What are your fees and can I use NDIS or private health insurance?
Fees are listed on my personalised consults page. If you're an NDIS participant (self- or plan-managed), sessions may be covered under Improved Daily Living. Some private health funds may also cover counselling — check with both me and your provider.
Still have questions?
You can get in contact and ask me directly by clicking here.