In the Clinic with Camille Episodes

Do you have your eye on a course, program, or package that's starting soon? There are endless tempting opportunities out there. If you're anything like me, you probably receive messages daily about trainings or courses that seem like something you really, really should know about. There are times when a course, training, or coaching package is just what you need. Most of the time, these are not just what you need. Before you purchase, ask yourself these questions: Do I actually need this p...

Are you having a hard time finding new clients? When your schedule isn't booked and you're spirits are down, it's tempting to start grasping at straws. Maybe you need to run Facebook ads? Hire a pricey consultant? Do some deep visualization? Take another class? Before you do any of these things, make sure you've tried the basics first. If you're not getting clients, ask your self this: do the people who already love and support you know what you do? Have you told them about your work? Do t...

Do the ovaries work without the uterus? Although the ovaries and uterus work hand-in-hand (so to speak), for a long time we've thought that ovarian hormone production would continue more or less unchanged if someone needed to have a hysterectomy. It turns out that removing the uterus does affect ovarian function. In this episode, I share some of the newer studies looking at how hysterectomy affects ovarian function & hormone production, as well as some outstanding questions to consider. The ...

In this visit, I share some things to think about if you're consistently going over the scheduled amount of time for your clinical visits. These aren't always obvious, and it's important to consider how your timing affects your clients physically, emotionally, and logistically. If you'd like to be part of a community of practice with other clinical herbalists/herbally-minded nutritionists, please consider joining us in Monday Mentoring. We'd love to have you join! --- Send in a voice message: ...

The trials and tribulations of survey research. A paper that I've been working on with a team of other folks was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. It took about 2.5 years from the start of the project to publication, and it's been a wild ride. In today's episode, I share some of what went into the research and publication process, and a few things that I learned along the way. I hope you enjoy these reflections on what goes into a seemingly simple - and imperfect...

It's okay to keep things simple. Sometimes practitioners feel pressured to come up with complicated recommendations. A complicated case means someone needs a complex protocol, right? Not always. Sometimes, simple is just the thing. In this episode, I gently remind you of the reasons it's okay - and even preferable - to stick with basic, easy (in some ways) recommendations. These are more affordable. They're easier to follow. They're more likely to stick, to make a difference in the long run...

The more clear you are about who you're aiming to serve, the easier things will be in your clinical work. Feeling confused about your target market and niche? Not even sure what the difference is between the two? Don't think you really need either of these? Listen to this episode to find out why it's so helpful to narrow these things down for yourself and to learn why it's okay - really! - if you're not quite there yet. Special Prize 🎁 If you've stumbled across this, congratulations! You c...

Profit First: The book I didn't want to like. Based on the title alone, this didn't seem like something I'd be interested in. It's been recommended by so many people, though, and I'm feeling increasingly lost when it comes to business finances so I thought I'd check it out. And yep. "People" were right. It was super helpful. I've detailed the most important thing I learned from the book in this episode. Although this seems like very basic information, it helped things click into place for m...

Being in private practice can be isolating. If you're a clinician in a private practice, you may feel like very few people understand what you do and the challenges that come along with the work. It's easy to get distracted or to spend hours running around in circles trying to fix a small thing. This is why I recommend joining an accountability group ASAP An accountability group is simply a small group of people who meet regularly to check in and provide support for one another. This doesn't...

Do you have a referral list? It's one of those things that's easy to put off, particularly when you're just getting started with your practice. Over time, you might get busy and never quite get around to starting one. Or, perhaps you have a jumble of business cards from conferences or networking events bopping around in the bottom of your bag. If you don't have a referral list, I highly recommend starting one now. Why? It makes it easier to remember who's out there to help your clients. Yo...

Are you guilty of website perfectionism? I am. If I had my way, I could easily spend 10 or 20 hours a week tweaking things on my website. But I'm not really helping anyone when I spend that kind of time working on aesthetics. Here's the problem: focusing all of your attention on your website prevents you from doing the harder work of finding clients. Too often website perfectionism gets in the way of actually starting your practice. Do any of these sound familiar? "I can't really promote ...

Are probiotics safe to use in infants? I'm so glad you're asking this question. Before recommending any supplement, we should always be asking whether it's likely to be safe and effective. This is even more important when using supplements with infants, where the stakes are higher than in many other life stages. The short answer is that the safety profile of probiotics in infants is quite strong in many cases. I don't recommend probiotics for all infants, but in some cases I believe that th...

Working from home while homeschooling your kids? Me, too. Y'all, it isn't easy. In fact, it isn't easy under normal circumstances. Right now we're talking about a whole new level of "not easy." In this episode I share a few tips that may be helpful. Resources Don't forget, you don't have to do this alone! Here are a few resources: Check your library for the Libby app (audio books) Mystery Doug - free short science videos; also see Mystery Science for full lessons The Brave Learner - grea...

When you're in practice, identifying your core values helps you stay aligned with your highest intention. One of the things I do regularly - at least every year or two - is revisit my statements about what I do and who I serve/my "ideal clients." I find that this is a helpful practice, but it's not quite enough. It's also important to think about the WAY you do what you do. I find that this stems from your core values: the things that are most important to you as a person and a practitioner. ...

It's time to get your practice up and running. One of the first steps is to name your practice. For some people, this can be a real stumbling block. It feels like a huge decision. Don't let this hold you up! I've included a few things to consider below, with more in the podcast episode. It's also helpful to know that it's pretty easy (from a business/legal perspective) to change your name later. For example, if you file as an LLC you can pay a small, one-time fee and add a "Doing Business As" n...

Using Inclusive Language in the Clinic As a clinician, you're probably used to speaking or writing in a particular way. It's helpful to evaluate your language periodically to make sure you're choosing words and phrases that create a welcoming and inclusive environment. While I know most of us have good intentions, we also have a lot of room for improvement (and I include myself here!). Here are a few things to consider in your written language: List your pronouns on your website, in your bio,...

Have you ever looked through an intake form and started to feel a bit of panic? I think we've all been there. It's easy to feel like you're not good enough, you don't know enough, and you'll never be able to help this person. You are not the only one who's felt this way. In this episode, I share a few tips for staying calm, trusting yourself, and getting help when you need it. Many times, it comes back to your underlying philosophy. What kind of work do you do? If you think your job is to f...

Testimonials can be powerful marketing tools. When I was doing research for my recent webinar on how to find clients without using social media, I kept running across the recommendation to use testimonials. Sometimes known as "social proof," they can reassure potential clients that you're a legitimate practitioner and that others have benefited from working with you. Almost all online marketing/business-building courses and gurus will tell you to include testimonials on your sales pages and i...

How to Make Violet Syrup Harvest 2-3 cups of violet flowers. Remove calyces (green part at base of flower) and stems and put flowers in a glass jar Bring 2-3 cups of filtered or distilled water to a boil. Allow to cool slightly before covering violet flowers. Fill jar until flowers are covered with 1-2 inches to spare (they float so the inches will be at the bottom) Cover with something non-metallic and non-plastic and allow to sit overnight or for 24 hours Strain flowers out of water and a...

If you're moving away from face-to-face consultations due to the coronavirus, here are some quick tips for working with clients from a distance. Resources mentioned: How to set up a Google Voice number Practice Better (referral link) Five Flavors Herbs Custom formulations SendInc for sending secure emails Fullscript Have a question or need help getting started with your virtual clinic? Please reach out. --- Send in a voice message: https://www.intheclinic.com

Welcome to episode 1! Today, I discussed whether fennel is safe to use during pregnancy & some of the evidence that informs my opinion. For a list of references, please visit www.intheclinic.com/1 --- Send in a voice message: https://intheclinic.com

Look for the first episode in March, 2020. Until then, check out this short trailer to find out what you can expect from this podcast. My hope is that the podcast will provide support, encouragement, food for thought, and ongoing education for herbalists and nutritionists. If you have feedback, topic requests, or questions, please submit them: https://intheclinic.com Sign up for Camille's Practitioner Notes Newsletter: https://www.camillefreeman.com/newsletter