Homeopathy Appointments
Homeopathy is gentle, safe, and effective for children.
For adults, the first appointment takes two hours and is my opportunity to get to know your situation in depth – not only the details of your health condition but also the stresses that might have contributed to it, and the bigger picture of your life and you as a whole person.
Before you come in, I ask that you complete an intake questionnaire and return it to the office at least three days before your first appointment.
This gives me a chance to research your condition in advance and helps us to focus our time together more effectively.
Many people find that completing the intake is a healing process in itself. However, if completing the intake form is an obstacle, please call the office for other options.
For people living at a distance, the process works better if we can meet in person the first time; we can then do followups by phone and mail. If it is really impossible to come in, a video of the client is next best, especially for children whose behavior I need to observe.
Insurance
These services are not covered by insurance. Many of our clients have successfully received reimbursement for these charges from a pre-tax health setaside account at work. Please be prepared to pay for services when they are rendered, by check, cash, or Mastercard/Visa. We do not bill for later payment.
For children and teenagers, the process depends on the age of the child; how much the child wants to be involved in answering questions or wants privacy for her answers; and how long the child can sit still for an appointment.
I always do a phone interview ahead of time with the mother (or father if he is the more involved parent). Most of the information is gathered in advance by phone so that the parents can feel free telling me things the child might be sensitive to.
I feel it’s really important for children to feel comfortable coming to see me and not to feel pathologized. Fortunately I’ve found that kids of all ages usually feel quite comfortable with me. It may help to explain that they won’t get any shots!
In the phone interview, I can strategize with the parents as to how we will explain the process to the child—especially if we want to make sure the child doesn’t feel there’s something wrong with him/her.
Teenagers: Usually the teenager fills out the questionnaire as much as she wants, and the mother also fills out her own version, so that I get two separate questionnaires. I have a phone interview with the mom ahead of time, and then in the office I talk to the teenager alone (if she prefers; some are shy and want their parent with them).
Elementary school-age children: The parent fills out the questionnaire, often asking the child if he/she wants to help answer the questions. Most of the interview is done in advance with the mother. In the office, I talk to both parent(s) and child together usually for no more than 30 minutes.
Smaller children: Same as above, except that we try to keep the in-person appointments even shorter depending on the attention span of the child. Children under two have a different intake form.
Well-child visits: Some parents ask me to suggest remedies to keep on hand for when their (basically healthy) child comes down with a cold or other acute condition. We can do that as soon as the parents can determine a typical pattern for the child’s symptoms. Alternatively, I can explain the remedies most commonly used for children.
Some parents familiar with homeopathy will ask me to determine their child’s constitutional remedy, which can be given to strengthen the immune system on an energetic level. The children’s intake form is helpful. This process works best when the child is old enough to have a distinctive personality, behaviors and preferences.
Healthy lifestyle counseling: This service is primarily intended for existing clients who want to improve their nutrition, supplements and/or exercise. Historically homeopaths have believed that homeopathy alone was sufficient for healing, but Begabati feels that in our high-stress, polluted world, with our sedentary and “high screen time” lifestyles, with our foods depleted of nutrients, clients also need to maximize their intakes—of nutrients, exercise, sunlight and many other factors she can suggest. You can express your particular needs and concerns in the special questionnaire.