What to Expect at Your First Visit

First Visit at a Glance

• Visit length: 90 minutes (virtual or in-person)

• Complete intake forms at least 72 hours before your appointment

• Labs are ordered after the first visit — we’ll talk through what’s most useful once we have your full health context

• Acupuncture is included at your first visit (if you’d like) — wear loose, comfortable clothing

• Use your Practice Better portal to:

   • Fill out forms

   • Schedule follow-ups

   • Upload past labs or documents you’d like me to see

• Care plan delivered within a few days

• Messaging access begins once you enroll in the Elemental Health package

• 24+ hour notice required for cancellations (exceptions for illness or emergencies)

What to Expect

Stepping into care should feel like a deep exhale.

Starting something new—especially when it comes to your health—can stir up a mix of relief, hope, hesitation, or even fatigue. My goal is to meet you exactly where you are and help you feel held, not hurried. This first visit is where that begins.

Whether we’re meeting virtually or in my office in Rockland, your initial 90-minute session is designed to give us time: time to get to know your story, explore what’s been working (and what hasn’t), and begin to sketch a path forward.

Before We Meet

Once your first visit is confirmed, you’ll receive access to the patient portal via Practice Better. In that space, you’ll find your intake forms and the option to schedule the follow-up visits included in your Elemental Health package.

The intake forms ask about your health history, current symptoms, daily rhythms, and priorities. They’re thorough for a reason: the more you share ahead of time, the more deeply we can focus during your visit. Please complete them at least 72 hours in advance so I have time to sit with what you’ve shared.

You can also upload any past lab results or documents you’d like me to review. We won’t order new labs before we meet—if they’re relevant, we’ll talk through that at your first appointment.

The Visit Itself

This first appointment is not rushed. You’ll have time to tell your story fully—medical details, yes, but also the parts that often get missed: what your body has been trying to tell you, what you’re sensing under the surface, what you’re longing for in this next season of health.

We’ll also talk about how I work: how naturopathic and Chinese medicine come together in your care, what kinds of tools we might use, and what pace feels sustainable. There’s space to ask questions and make decisions together. This isn’t a “here’s what you should do” kind of visit. It’s collaborative and patient-led.

Afterward

Within a few days, you’ll receive a care plan with recommendations and a suggested timeline for your follow-up visits. We’ll continue shaping your care together as we go—your plan is just the beginning.

Once you’ve enrolled in the Elemental Health package, you’ll also have access to secure messaging through Practice Better. This allows for brief check-ins or clarifications between visits. It’s not designed for urgent care, but it’s a helpful way to stay connected.

This work begins with a conversation. And it begins with care.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Still have questions?

Visit the full Care Guide for details on cancellations, messaging, insurance, and more.