Helen Cooke

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Nutritional Therapy & Functional Medicine BSc, mBANT, mCNHC
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Bristol BS8 & Cheltenham GL50
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I’m a highly-qualified, functional medicine trained nutritional therapist specialising in the latest nutritional approaches to improving your overall health and digestion. The functional medicine approach aims to identify root causes to help you achieve long term resolution from your symptoms. I will help guide you through the maze of different approaches and devise an easy-to-follow, personally-tailored nutritional programme to suit your pocket and lifestyle based on the latest scientific evidence.

As poor digestion lies at the root of a myriad of health conditions, I specialise in offering support and giving advise about digestive health/SIBO/microbiome friendly/FODMAP diets etc. I now receive regular referrals from a Bristol based Consultant Gastroenterologist. I also have considerable experience of supporting people with a wide variety of health conditions (see below).

One of the first things you should know about me is that I truly believe food is one of life’s soul pleasures! By working together, we can develop a plan that not only best suit your health needs, but also enables you to still enjoy food (though of course dietary restrictions may be necessary at times).

I love keeping up to date with the latest scientific thinking and combine this with over 30 years of experience of working as a healthcare practitioner.
How I work:

Initial consultations include analysis of your health history, family history, and detailed assessment of your current health, so I can understand your situation as fully as possible.

I may suggest functional testing to assess digestion/gut bacteria imbalances  etc., to help us target the root cause of any imbalances and create an individualised nutrition programme to help bring you back to balance.

I also see clients in Bristol as well as Cirencester and Cheltenham.

For further information please see my website www.helencookenutrition.co.uk or call 07905 383203

Training, qualifications & experience

Training, qualifications and experience

I'm a degree trained nutritional therapist (BSc Nutritional Medicine - with 16 years post qualification experience). I have a nursing background (1980s!) and a Masters degree  (Complementary Health Studies 2000).

I love learning/keeping up to date with the latest nutrition/functional medicine research - most recently I participated in the 3 day Advanced Functional Medicine module in digestive health (2023 Institute for Functional Medicine). I am also a registered SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) specialist

I have worked in leading complementary/integrative health organisations for the last 25 years including the world renowned Penny Brohn Cancer Care charity (I was Director of Therapy for 5 years/Head of Research for 4 years). 

I’m the Nutrition Expert Board Member for the National Centre for Integrative Medicine.

I am registered with: The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council(CHNC) and the British Association of Nutritional Therapy and Applied Nutrition (BANT).

Helen Cooke MA (Complementary Health Studies), BSc (Nutritional Medicine).

Member organisations

CNHC
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

The CNHC encompasses many types of alternative therapy, including massage, aromatherapy and nutrition.

In order to be admitted to the register a practitioner must have studied to the National Occupational Standards for that profession/discipline, or have reached the equivalent of the National Occupational Standards through other relevant training or at least three years of experience and been assessed by their peers.

A practitioner must also have professional insurance and agree to abide by the CNHC Code of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

BANT
British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT)

The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy is the professional body for Nutritional Therapists.

There are different BANT membership classes, including Full Member, Fellow Member and Student Member.

All BANT practitioners must have met the required standards of training, be fully insured and adhere to the BANT Code of Ethics and Practice.

Accredited register membership

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council

Nutrition topics

Information about health conditions (*)

Nutritional therapy can help enhance the well-being of individuals diagnosed with serious medical conditions, but should not take the place of medical treatment and advice. If you have been diagnosed with - or suspect you may have - any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor before starting nutritional therapy or making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Fees

Additional information

Please contact me directly for the consultation fees.

Personalised nutrition/Functional Medicine initial consultation: 

A single appointment to set you on your path with a personalised nutrition programme. For some people this is enough to get them going to make the necessary changes – for others longer support will be required.

[This option includes around 3 hours of my time analysing, researching and completing your personalised nutrition plan]

Includes:

  • Analysis of your health and lifestyle questionnaire
  • Review of your 3-day food diary
  • A 1 hour face-to-face or phone/Zoom consultation to include a comprehensive
  • Functional Medicine case history and detailed discussion about your questionnaire and food diary
  • Discussion about functional testing
  • A personalised nutrition plan based on the information gathered to include relevant diet and lifestyle recommendations (emailed within 3 days)
  • Supplement recommendations (if required)
  • Guidance notes/information sheets (as necessary)
  • Suggestions of other supportive therapies (as appropriate)

Follow-up sessions

4-month Well-being Package

This is ideal for people who want ongoing support/motivation or for people who have more complex health issues.

  • Initial consultation -
    • Analysis of your health and lifestyle questionnaire
    • Review of your three-day food diary
    • A 1.25 hour face-to-face or Zoom consultation
    • Discussion about testing
    • A personalised nutritional programme (given during the consultation or emailed within 24 hours)
    • Supplement recommendations if required
    • Guidance notes/information sheets (as necessary)
  • Email or 15 minute catch-up every 2 weeks (up to x 6)
  • 2 x 40 min follow-up face-to-face or Zoom/phone sessions (6-8 & 12-14 weeks after initial consultation)

The Practice Rooms, 24, Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HG

The Practice Rooms, 32 Cambray Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1JX

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Key details

Please inform me if you are unable to manage stairs

Online platforms

Zoom

Social

Helen Cooke
Helen Cooke