Deb Smith is a naturopath, clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist with more than 25 years of experience. She works with adults 18 and over, anywhere in Australia, entirely by telehealth.
Who online naturopathy suits
Telehealth works well when the thing you need most is time and attention rather than a physical examination. That covers most of what Deb does. It tends to suit you if:
- You live regionally, or somewhere without a naturopath you would want to see
- Your working hours make it hard to get to appointments in person
- You are managing several things at once, and want someone to look at the whole picture rather than one symptom in isolation
- You take prescribed medication and want a practitioner who checks interactions properly
- You would rather talk from your own home than in a clinic room
It is less suitable if you need hands-on assessment, urgent care, or a diagnosis. Deb does not diagnose medical conditions, and will say so directly if what you describe should be looked at by a doctor first.
What an initial consultation includes
The initial consultation is 60 minutes and costs $175. Before you meet, Deb reads your intake form and any test results you have uploaded, so the session itself is spent talking rather than filling in your history.
- Deb reviews your intake form and test results before the appointment
- 60 minutes of unhurried video or phone consultation
- A thorough look at your nervous system, stress load and physical symptoms together
- Medication and interaction checking before anything is recommended
- A written plan sent to you after the session
Your fee covers Deb's preparation, the interaction checks and the consultation itself. Pathology tests and natural remedies, if they are recommended, are separate costs and are always discussed and agreed with you before anything is ordered.
How telehealth actually works
Before your appointment
Once you book, you are sent a secure intake form. You complete it in your own time and upload any recent blood tests or specialist letters. Appointments are scheduled at least 48 hours ahead so Deb has time to read everything properly.
On the day
You receive a Google Meet link in your calendar invitation. You need a reasonably stable internet connection, somewhere private where you are comfortable talking about personal health matters, and about an hour without interruption. If video is difficult, a phone call works too.
Afterwards
Deb sends your written plan by email. If remedies are part of that plan, they are ordered through a practitioner dispensary and posted to you. If testing is worth doing, you are given the request form and told what it will cost before you commit to anything.
Medication safety
Herbs and supplements are not automatically safe alongside prescribed medication. Some genuinely interact. Every prescription Deb writes is checked for interactions using MIMS and N-Pod before it is recommended to you, and she will tell you if a herb you are already taking is a poor match for something you have been prescribed.
This is why the intake form asks for a complete list of your medications and supplements, including the ones that feel too minor to mention.
What Deb does not do
Being clear about this saves everyone time:
- She does not diagnose medical conditions
- She does not tell you to stop or change prescribed medication, that is a conversation for your prescriber
- She does not work with people under 18
- She does not provide crisis or emergency mental health care
- She does not promise particular outcomes, because health does not work that way
Common questions
Yes. Deb consults by telehealth with adults anywhere in Australia. There is no in-person option at present, so wherever you are makes no difference to how the appointment runs.
The initial 60-minute consultation is $175. Follow-up appointments are 40 minutes and cost $125. Before either, you can book a free 10-minute call to work out whether it is worth going ahead. Remedies and any pathology testing are separate and always discussed with you first.
Yes, and it is important to say what you are taking. Deb checks every prescription for interactions using MIMS and N-Pod before recommending anything. She will not ask you to stop or change a prescribed medication. If something you are taking rules out a herb she would otherwise have suggested, she will tell you and work around it.
Complete the intake form you are sent, and upload any blood tests or specialist letters from the last twelve months. Have a list of everything you take, prescriptions, supplements, herbs and over-the-counter products, with doses if you know them. That is enough.
Private health fund rebates for naturopathy are not currently available in Australia. Deb does not represent that rebates are or will become available. If you have cover you believe may apply, confirm it directly with your fund before booking.
It depends entirely on what is going on and how long it has been going on for. Deb will give you a realistic sense of timeframes at your consultation rather than a number now. Many people choose one or two follow-up appointments to review progress and adjust the plan.
