ANP – Association of Naturopathic Practitioners

How did you first find out about naturopathy?
While I was still working part-time for a vitamin company I was approached by Hermann Keppler, the founder of the CNM. He had just moved to the UK himself and was in the process of opening his first college in England and needed help. So I agreed to work for him on a part-time basis as I didn’t want to leave the other company. I started working as a PA but soon I was accompanying Hermann Keppler to his open days and learned how to enrol interested people for his courses in Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicine. I attended a lot of lectures and the more I spoke to people and listened to lectures the more it became clear to me that THAT was the “job” I’ve always wanted to do. So one day I asked whether I could do the course I had been promoting so much myself. And that’s where my journey started.

What was your purpose when you decided to become a naturopath?
I’ve always been interested in health or health related problems. In fact, I wanted to become a nurse when I left school. I’ve always wanted to help people and this is a much better way than giving people drugs.

How did you become a naturopath?
The first course I did was the one year course in medicine. I remember dreading to go to the first lecture thinking it would be so difficult, especially as English is not my first language. But I got through the first study weekend knowing I could do it if I made sure I understood the subject by working hard and looking up all those medical terms until I really understood them. The second weekend was much easier and from then on I couldn’t wait for the next study weekend to come. I felt totally in my element. This was MY chance to do something I really, really had been wanting to do for a very long time without being aware of it.

The first year flew by in a hurry and by then I was so hooked on the subject that for the second year I enrolled for two courses: Naturopathic Study and Naturopathic Practical. Now the fun really began and I was studying the things that were the reason for enrolling in the first place. After a study weekend I would come home and apply all I had learned straight away on my family. I would absorb all the information like a sponge and reading fiction became a thing of the past. Now it was books on iridology, Bach Flowers, mineral therapy and so on and so on. I loved being in class with all those like-minded people, discussing cases and trying to work out each others health problems.

Then came the moment where I had to decide which way I wanted to go in terms of specialization. I always had a thing for homeopathy so for me it was the obvious choice and one I didn’t regret. Homeopathy is one of the most fascinating subjects I’ve ever encountered and studying all those remedies was mind blowing. After a further 2 years of hard study and lots of case studies I eventually graduated as a Naturopath and Homeopath. My dream had come true.

How has being a naturopath affected your life?
Since graduating my life hasn’t been the same. I started practising on friends for free. In return I asked them to recommend me to others if they were happy with the treatments. From then on my practice has grown more and more all based on word of mouth recommendations. I’ve never had a single piece of promo. I never got to it as I’m so busy with my practice. I’m so happy with my life. I’m doing something that is the most rewarding thing I can imagine – helping people to get better and helping them to help themselves. Work never seems like work to me.

Why would you recommend becoming a naturopath?
There are many, many stories I have treating people and I cannot imagine a more fulfilling way to make a living. In fact, I help improve lives all the time – what could be better?

Describe a typical day as a naturopath at your practice.
I start my work at 1pm and work till about 8pm, Monday to Saturday. I see all kinds of people: Mothers with babies or young children, the elderly and people from all walks of life of any age. Every person is unique and a new challenge, so my day is never boring. Nothing is routine. I see people with skin problems, hayfever, asthma, hyperactive or autistic children, people with migraines, flu, etc. If I see someone for the first time the consultation will take about 2 hours. Follow ups take usually about an hour. That means I see between five and six patients a day.

Describe an experience you had treating a patient.
I had patient who had sinus problems all her life. She would wake up with a blocked nose and sneeze throughout the day. After a few treatments her sinus problems have gone completely. Another patient of mine had eczema on her scalp since she’d been a baby. After 2 or 3 treatments it disappeared. Another one would get terrible PMS that almost destroyed her marriage. Homeopathy totally solved the problem. I also treat pregnant women and recently have been present at the birth of two beautiful boys. The mothers were delighted as we only used Homeopathy and Bach Flower remedies, no gas or epidural were needed. Word got around quickly and I have now several pregnant mums to be who asked me to be present at the birth.

What was the reaction of patients who are new to naturopathic treatment?
Patients have usually tried all sorts of different treatments before they come to see me. From medical doctors to other complementary therapies. Many of them are at the end of their tether, but when they see that the treatments really work they have hope again.

Are your patients usually health orientated?
Yes, although to various degrees. Many people think they have a healthy diet but when probing further it turns out it’s often not that good and then education is important to get the patients cooperation. Getting better is team work and it’s important that the patient understands that.

How do you usually get new patients?
About 95% of my patients come through word of mouth and this is still the case many years after having graduated from the CNM.

Would you recommend people to open their own practice, and if yes, what advice would you give them on starting up a practice?
Definitely. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The best advice I can give is: always do your best for the patient and continue to inform and educate yourself. Be a good listener and never dismiss what a patient is saying. If you are doing a good job people will start to talk about you and recommend you to others.

What do you hope to achieve with naturopathy in the future?
Raise people’s awareness with regards to their health and how they can help themselves.

Is there anything else you would like to say?
Being a health practitioner is a vocation, even though one can earn good money, money shouldn’t be what motivates you. For me it’s a passion and wanting to help people should be the motivation. Everything else will follow from there.

Practice details:
Gunilla Gerber
East Grinstead
Sussex
Tel: 01342 316116
E-mail: gunillagerber@hotmail.com