Have questions about working with me? Find answers to the most common questions below. If you don't see what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT APPOINTMENTS & BOOKING

Q: Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

A: No referral is required. You can book directly online for either in-person or telehealth consultations.

Q: Where are you located?

A: I offer in-person consultations at my clinic in Alexandra, Central Otago. Telehealth appointments are available throughout New Zealand.

Q: What happens at my first appointment?

A: Before your appointment, you'll receive a brief health questionnaire to complete. During your 60-minute initial consultation, we'll discuss your current health concerns, symptoms, and goals in detail. I'll conduct a health assessment, review any recent blood results you have, and discuss what additional testing might be helpful. Together, we'll create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Referrals to other experienced practitioners (such as nutritionists, movement coaches, health coaches, or psychologists) are available if needed to support your journey.

Q: How long is an initial consultation?

A: Initial consultations are 60 minutes. This gives us time to thoroughly discuss your health history, current concerns, and goals. Follow-up appointments are typically 30 minutes.

Q: Is telehealth as effective as in-person consultations?

A: Yes! Telehealth consultations offer the same comprehensive, personalized care as in-person appointments. All you need is a device with a camera and stable internet connection. Many patients find telehealth convenient and just as effective for lifestyle medicine and menopause consultations, especially for follow-up appointments.

Q: What should I bring to my first appointment?

A: Please complete the health questionnaire we'll send you before your appointment. If you have recent blood test results (within the last 6-12 months), please bring copies or have them available to discuss. You may also want to bring a list of current medications and supplements, and any specific questions or concerns you'd like to address.

Q: Can I bring my partner or a support person to my appointment?

A: Absolutely. You're welcome to bring a partner, family member, or support person to your consultation, whether in-person or via telehealth.

ABOUT SERVICES & TREATMENT

Q: What is Lifestyle Medicine?

A: Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based approach that uses lifestyle interventions to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic diseases. This includes strategies around nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoiding risky substances. It addresses the root causes of health issues rather than just managing symptoms, and works alongside conventional medical treatments when needed.

Q: Do you prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

A: Yes, when appropriate. I can assess whether HRT is suitable for you and provide prescriptions when it's part of your personalized treatment plan. I take time to discuss the benefits and risks specific to your situation, and ensure you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about your care.

Q: I've had breast cancer and can't take HRT. Can you still help me?

A: Absolutely. I have extensive experience supporting women who cannot take hormone replacement therapy. We'll explore evidence-based alternatives including lifestyle interventions, non-hormonal medications when appropriate, and strategies to manage specific symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and mood changes. You don't need to be able to take HRT to benefit from our consultations.

Q: I'm not sure if I'm in perimenopause or menopause. Should I still book?

A: Yes! If you're experiencing symptoms like sleep problems, brain fog, mood changes, irregular periods, hot flushes, or energy fluctuations, a consultation can help clarify what's happening and create a plan to support you. You don't need a formal diagnosis to book an appointment. We'll work together to understand your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment approach.

Q: Do you treat conditions other than menopause?

A: Yes. While I specialize in perimenopause and menopause support, I also provide Lifestyle Medicine consultations for chronic disease prevention and management. This includes conditions such as pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight management concerns, and overall wellness optimization. If you're interested in preventing chronic disease or improving your overall health through evidence-based lifestyle interventions, I'd be happy to work with you.

Q: Will I still need to see my regular GP?

A: Yes. I work alongside your regular GP, not as a replacement. Please continue seeing your GP for acute illnesses, routine health checks, and ongoing management of existing conditions and medications. I focus on comprehensive lifestyle medicine consultations and specialized menopause support. I'm happy to communicate with your GP about your care plan when appropriate to ensure coordinated care.

ABOUT COSTS & PAYMENT

Q: How much does a consultation cost?

A: Initial consultations (60 minutes) and follow-up consultations (30 minutes) are privately charged. Please see our Services & Pricing page for current consultation fees. Payment is required at the time of booking.

Q: Is this covered by insurance or public healthcare?

A: These are private consultations and are not covered by public healthcare funding. Some private health insurance policies may provide partial reimbursement for specialist consultations or lifestyle medicine services. I recommend checking with your insurance provider about your specific coverage. I can provide a receipt for you to submit to your insurer.

Q: When and how do I pay?

A: Payment is required at the time of booking your appointment. We accept online bank transfers for payments. EFTPOS facilities are not available at the clinic for in-person appointments.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: Please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows me to offer the time to another patient. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments may incur a cancellation fee.

ABOUT FOLLOW-UP & RESULTS

Q: How many appointments will I need?

A: This varies depending on your individual situation and goals. Most patients benefit from an initial 60-minute consultation followed by one to two follow-up appointments over the first few months. Some patients continue with ongoing support appointments every few months. We'll create a schedule that works for your needs, and you're always in control of how many appointments you'd like to book.

Q: How quickly will I see results?

A: This varies depending on your individual situation, the symptoms you're experiencing, and the treatment approach we take. Some women notice improvements in sleep and energy within a few weeks of starting lifestyle interventions or treatment. Other changes, such as improvements in metabolic health markers or bone density, may take several months to become apparent. We'll work together to set realistic expectations and adjust your plan as needed based on your progress.

Q: Do you offer ongoing support between appointments?

A: Follow-up appointments are scheduled based on your individual needs. While I don't offer unlimited between-appointment contact, you can book additional consultations if you have questions or concerns that arise. For urgent medical issues, please contact your regular GP or seek emergency care as appropriate.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, please feel free to get in touch. I'm here to help.

Or contact me at liferenomedic@gmail.com