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About Functional Nutrition
As a Holistic & Functional Nutritionist, I believe that your body can self-heal and experience optimal health when given the right building blocks. In fact, holistic nutrition and functional medicine are often the missing links to finally overcoming persistent physical, mental, and emotional health challenges.
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Welcome to a revolutionary approach to health - one that sees you as a whole person, rather than a list of symptoms.
Did You Know That...
​You need key, specific, and essential nutrients to make your neurotransmitters and build resilient cells and a healthy brain?
Your mental health is inextricably interwoven with your gut health, microbiome, immune system, blood sugar regulation, hormones, and detoxification processes?
Environmental toxins, ubiquitous in our environment, can inhibit a healthy nervous system and neurotransmitter function? (source)
Manmade chemicals are constantly being created, used, and circulated in our environment in the USA, which research has shown leads to a plethora of mental, emotional, and physical issues? (source)
Most Americans are nutrient-deficient in something (source)… it’s just a matter of which things and how badly?
It takes many decades for cutting-edge research to make its way into textbooks and healthcare curriculum?
Virtually no therapists know about any of this, and there are very few people working at the intersection of mental and nutritional health?
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It’s time for something entirely different.
I am on a mission to revolutionize the way we approach mental and physical health to reduce suffering on this planet, both now and for generations to come.
There is nothing wrong with you, you are not crazy, and there is hope that you can get better.
Many Nutrition Clients Come to Me Struggling With…
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​Mood issues, such as depression, irritability, and mood swings
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Hormonal issues, such as PCOS, premenstrual issues, or thyroid issues
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Nervous system regulation issues, such as chronic stress and anxiety
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Digestive issues, such as reflux, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation
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Energy issues, such as chronic fatigue, burnout, or feeling “tired but wired"
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Attention and concentration issues, such as ADHD, ADD, poor memory, and poor concentration
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Allergies and asthma
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Autoimmune issues
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A conflicted history with food, dieting, and their bodies
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Generally just feeling crummy, but they don't know why
My Functional Nutrition Philosophy
I use principles from Holistic Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine, and Functional Medicine to help you:
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Gain knowledge and empowerment to take charge of your health
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Identify root causes that may hinder optimal well-being
The core philosophy of functional nutrition, as I practice it, is that the body has an innate ability to self-heal and achieve balance when properly supported. While some suffering is inherent to the human experience, much of it can be alleviated by identifying and addressing root causes, allowing the body to move toward a naturally healthier state.
Rather than providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for diagnosing, managing, or treating disease, I focus on these questions:
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Why did things become imbalanced and what can we do to support optimal health?
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Does your body have what it needs to be well?
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Is your body carrying anything around that is keeping it from being well?
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Are all of the different parts of your mental/emotional/physical body working together in harmony as designed?
Symptoms are viewed as signals, providing clues to underlying imbalances. Often, symptoms resolve naturally once root causes are addressed, though symptom management is not the primary focus.
I educate clients on optimizing diet, sleep, hydration, supplementation, stress reduction, environmental wellness, and movement. When appropriate, I may also help them access lab work to better understand your unique physiology and identify potential root causes.
While specific outcomes cannot be guaranteed, many clients find long-standing or mysterious symptoms significantly reduced or resolved. They also gain a deep understanding of their unique bodies and how to care for them effectively. Many clients experience better digestion, more confidence, and reduced mental health symptoms.
Functional Nutrition is not a 'quick fix.' It’s about creating lasting changes that empower you to support your health for years to come, enhancing both your happiness and quality of life. If you work with me, expect your life to transform for the better - but expect also to participate and challenge yourself (with ample support)! If you're ready to jump in, request a consult below.
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What We May Do Together
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Help you identify and consume a yummy and nutrient-dense diet, including fiber, healthy fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and hydration
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Introduce accessible new habits, so that taking care of yourself becomes second nature
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Learn how to support your hormones, circulation, immunity, blood sugar balance, digestion, and detoxification naturally
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Implement healthy sleep patterns, stress-reduction techniques, and movement patterns
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Find supplements that most support your unique physiology
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Explore laboratory findings to find root causes and support optimal wellness
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Help you cultivate a clean environment, including your air, water, food, and personal products
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Cultivate a relationship with your body based on love, care, and respect, and away from strict diets, control, and disconnection
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Learn new food preparation methods to make cooking efficient, nourishing, and fun!
But I Promise It Won't be Overwhelming. I Will Also Help You By...
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​Listening to your personal concerns, goals, life circumstances, and aspirations
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Working alongside you to create a customized action plan that you feel confident sticking to
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Introduce small, incremental changes that feel empowering and stack up over time
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Tailor-make recommendations specifically for your bio-individual needs instead of providing one-size-fits-all recommendations
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Empowering you to understand your own body, take ownership of your health, and take excellent care of your body for years to come​
"Emma Donovan is a knowledgable, thoughtful, approachable expert in the field of nutrition. I found her ability to customize an understandable and effective plan for facing my nutrition needs, to be very helpful. She was also gentle enough to adjust my nutrition plan for me when I faced obstacles to any parts of her input which I found difficult to implement as well."
-Paul Lodes
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"Emma is a truly exceptional practitioner. Trained as a therapist and multi-dimensional healer, Emma brings a unique blend of expertise to her practice, using her skills as a systems thinker to delve deeply into the root causes of her clients' health challenges. Emma doesn't just address symptoms; she works tirelessly to understand the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit, guiding her clients toward lasting change. Her personalized and compassionate guidance empowers her clients to achieve wellness. I highly recommend Emma to anyone seeking comprehensive, transformative help."
-Rachel Rosenkoetter
What We May Do Together
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Find ways to support healthy digestion
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Help you identify and consume a yummy and nutrient-dense diet
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Introduce dietary and lifestyle modifications for healthy blood sugar balance
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Identify and encourage the consumption of healthy fatty acids
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Help you increase your fiber
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Support healthy levels of minerals and vitamins in your body
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Encourage adequate hydration levels
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Implement healthy sleep patterns
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Learn and implement stress-reduction techniques
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Add more movement to your life
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Learn how to support your hormones, circulation, immunity, and detoxification naturally
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Find supplements that most support your unique physiology
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Explore laboratory findings to support optimal wellness
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Move toward a clean environment, including in your air, water, food, and personal products
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Learn new food preparation methods to make cooking efficient, nourishing, and fun!
About Emma & Qualifications
Emma particularly loves focusing on the often-neglected, yet paramount connection between mental and physical health. She believes that there is hope for mental, emotional, and physical issues with the right support, and she is committed to helping her clients flourish in many areas. To this end, she is committed to the process of constant learning and growth. In addition to being a Functional Nutritionist, Emma is also a Licensed Professional Counselor, Depth Hypnosis Practitioner, Applied Shamanic Counselor, Psychedelic Assisted Therapist, Spiritual Director, and IFS Therapist. Emma has attained numerous nutrition and functional medicine certifications. She is:
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A Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
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A Board Certified Holistic Nutrition Candidate
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Certified in Nutritional Psychiatry
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A Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner
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In the process of completing the IFM certification program, and has completed advanced training in Environmental Health, Gastrointestinal Health, and Bioenergetics through the Institute of Functional Medicine
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Currently enrolled in the Master of Science program in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program at the University of Western states, the only program of its kind
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A Licensed Professional Counselor
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See her full qualifications list here
Disclaimer
Emma Donovan is not a Registered Dietitian, Medical Doctor, or Psychiatrist. Functional Nutrition is not designed to replace your relationship with your PCP, any necessary medical specialists, or Medical Nutrition Therapy provided by a Dietitian. Functional Nutrition is an alternative and holistic health and wellness service and is not healthcare. You are encouraged to seek out all necessary allopathic care and to speak with your doctor before making any changes.