People FAQ
How long are appointments?
Initial consultation 1 ½ to 2 hours
Follow-ups: approx. ½ to 1 hour
What Questions will I be asked?
Almost anything may be relevant! Homeopaths seek the exact nature of your symptoms - their timing, what makes them worse or better, their history, etc. They will ask you how this affects all areas of your life:
• Family and personal histories, your temperament or moods, cravings and aversions.
• Your typical reactions to your environment. They may want to know about what fills your day--really anything that seems important or special to you as an individual.
• Ailments are as unique as those they affect. If you don’t wish to discuss a particular issue, please do not feel compelled to do so. Homeopathy is not psychotherapy. It is not essential that you mention every incident of your life. We just need to see your individuality.
We record your words and our observations. Your case notes are kept securely and are yours to see at any time. Everything is treated in the strictest confidence.
Why is all that information needed?
Each homeopathic remedy is associated with a vast list of symptoms as well. Physical, emotional, behavioral etc. The job of the homeopath is to find the remedy whose symptoms best fit yours. It’s all about matching the symptom pattern of the patient to that of the remedy: That’s why peculiar symptoms are really important in homeopathy because they can lead to a remedy that’s just right for you. Homeopathy acknowledges the symptoms of disease as the body’s attempt to rid itself of some infection or imbalance. Homeopathy recognizes the patient wholly, considering both the individual’s physique and psychology.
When would you expect the follow-up?
After you have taken your remedy it is important to observe yourself and perhaps note any changes so that it can be discussed in your follow-up consultation. This will be 2 – 8 weeks after the first consult. In chronic illnesses the follow-up is typically monthly after your first consult.
You may need to visit only a couple of times, or you may need to be seen more frequently over quite a long period of time. This often depends upon how long it took you to become ill and why you became ill in the first place. The better the treatment goes the longer the intervals between visits.
What happens after I take the remedy?
You may notice some changes. Some experience periods of exceptional wellbeing and optimism. Sometimes symptoms can appear to intensify for a short time. This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect.
Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear as a ‘spring cleaning’ effect while your system goes through a clearing out stage. Similarly, old symptoms can reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms will pass, and may be left untreated as they are a very important part of the healing process. If any responses to treatment concern you, contact your homeopath as soon as you can, as it is important to know what happens as treatment progresses.
Homeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become addicted to them.
Do I have to stop taking my medicine from my Doctor?
Homeopathy is completely safe and remedies do not have any toxic effects. They can safely be used alongside medications prescribed by your doctor and they will work regardless of other medication.
Animals FAQ
How long are appointments?
The initial consultation can be somewhat lengthy as it takes awhile gathering all the history and pertinent information together for the first time. Depending on the complexity of the case, the consultation takes about 45 to 90 minutes with you and the animal. The medicine prescribed will be unique to the animal and may well be different from that of another animal presenting with a similar condition. This is because homeopathy works by treating the whole animal and not just the condition.
What Questions will I be asked?
Owners are asked about the current illness, any past illnesses, behavioural characteristics and the effect of external stimuli on the animal such as the weather, time of day and diet. As a result the consultation is usually longer than a typical veterinary consultation, and only when a complete picture of the animal has been established can the correct homeopathic medicine be prescribed.
Why is all that information needed?
Each homeopathic remedy is associated with a vast list of symptoms as well. Physical, emotional, behavioral etc. The job of the homeopath is to find the remedy whose symptoms best fit. It is all about matching the symptom pattern of the patient with that of the remedy: That’s why peculiar symptoms are really important in homeopathy because they can lead to a remedy that’s just right for the patient.
When would I expect the follow-up?
Follow-up consultations will typically happen 2-4 weeks after the initial consultation (but could be at a shorter interval of days or even hours for acute conditions) depending on the animal’s condition and its development. It often depends upon how long it took the animal to become ill in the first place. The better the treatment goes the longer between visits.
What happens after the remedy is taken?
Often there are various layers of disease that need to be addressed in order to recover the whole, healthy animal beneath. Sometimes drugs and vaccinations may contribute to chronic disease in animals, and the effects often need to be removed from the body before a disease can truly respond. You can also administer an appropriate holistic remedy to counter the effects of vaccination when one has to be given. Initially when a homeopathic remedy is taken nothing may appear to happen. In acute conditions the effect is much more rapid, and after a short time some improvement may be noted. One important thing to look out for is a slight worsening of the symptoms for a short while, followed by improvement. This is simply the healing reaction of the body, and is a good sign that the correct remedy was chosen.
Do I have to stop taking my medicine from my Veterinarian?
Homeopathy is completely safe and remedies do not have any toxic side effects. They can be safely used alongside medications prescribed by your vet and they will work regardless of other medication.
