Search "functional nutrition counselor" online and you'll get thousands of results — practitioners, influencers, supplement affiliates, and everything in between, all using similar language about root causes and bioindividuality. Some of that content is genuinely excellent. Some of it is a sales funnel wearing a lab coat.
I get it, because I'd want to know how to tell the difference too. So here's an honest, practitioner's-eye guide to what actually matters when you're looking for someone to work with online — and what should make you pause.
What to Actually Look For
Real, verifiable training. Look for a named credentialing body — something like the Functional Nutrition Alliance, NANP, or an accredited nutrition degree program — not just "years of study" or "self-taught through research." You should be able to find the organization and confirm it's real.
Transparency about scope. A legitimate practitioner will tell you plainly what they can and can't do — whether they can diagnose or prescribe, whether they work alongside your doctor or instead of one. If a practitioner's page never mentions any boundary at all, that's worth noticing.
An individualized process, not a program. The work should start with your actual history, labs, and symptoms — not a quiz that funnels everyone into the same 30-day protocol regardless of what's actually going on in your body.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Book
A good discovery or intro call should be able to answer these without dodging:
What's your training and credentialing, specifically — and can I look that organization up myself?
What does your process actually look like — what do you review before making any recommendations?
How do you handle labs I already have, versus labs I'd need to order new?
How do you work alongside my doctor, if I have ongoing medical care?
What's outside what you can help with?
How someone answers these tells you as much as the answers themselves. Hesitation, vagueness, or a pivot straight into a sales pitch all tell you something.
Red Flags Worth Pausing On
Credentials that are vague, unnamed, or impossible to verify ("certified holistic practitioner" with no organization behind it)
No real intake — you're placed into a program before anyone has reviewed your history or labs
Promises to cure, fix, or reverse a condition, especially on a guaranteed timeline
A single supplement line pushed hard and early, before any real assessment has happened
No mention anywhere of working alongside medical care, or language that positions the practitioner as a replacement for your doctor
None of these mean someone is acting in bad faith — but they're worth a second look before you commit your time and money.
My Honest Take
I'd rather you ask me every question on this list than take my word for any of it. A real discovery call should feel like an interview you're both part of — not a pitch aimed at you.
If you want to bring these questions to me directly, book a Complimentary Clarity Call and ask away. And if you don't see a time that works, email me directly at support@thrive-functional.com — I often have additional availability that isn't listed on the calendar.
In Health, Silvanna, MS, CFNC
