Rebecca graduated from the Natural Nutrition program at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) becoming a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) in 2017.
The services offered by a CSNN graduate are grounded in the following principles:
- Acknowledgement that each person is biochemically distinct and has unique nutritional needs;
- Awareness of the meaning of holistic nutrition; the interrelationship of mind, body and spirit; and the importance of addressing these interactive factors which are unique to each individual;
- Promotion of whole, locally grown and organic foods; sustainable farming practices; and the necessity of living in a non-toxic environment;
- Understanding that prevention and self-responsibility are fundamental to any successful healthcare program;
- Recognition that supplementation is not a substitute for wholesome, nutritious foods but that it may be helpful in recommended form, dose and frequency;
- Respect for clients and for their wellness goals, personal tastes, morals, social, and life values;
- Acceptance of the unique contribution of other health care providers, and the need to work co-operatively with them regardless of whether they are of holistic or allopathic background;
- The main services provided by a CSNN graduate include the following:
- Document client’s goals, needs, and plans;
- Evaluate client’s food selection, preparation and intake;
- Evaluate client’s lifestyle and overall feeling of well-being;
- Evaluate client’s use of dietary supplements;
- Identify client’s nutritional imbalance(s) and lifestyle habits;
- Work with other health care professionals, if applicable, in order to determine all nutritional and lifestyle-changing needs of the client, including referring client to other health care professionals as deemed appropriate;
- Support the progress of the client’s health goals by creating an individualized wellness program, which will include the use of whole, nutrient-dense foods; menu plans; natural source supplements*; and lifestyle modifications – including the use of non-toxic, environmentally friendly household/personal products;
- Provide further guidance to the client, if necessary, by explaining food labels, and by offering food preparation techniques and shopping tips;
- Guide the client in the implementation of a long term personal health plan, provide education when necessary, and offer ongoing assessments;
- Monitor the client’s personal health plan in order to reinforce participation in the achievement of the health goals;
- Act as a community educator to the public and to other health care professionals, developing curriculum, preparing manuals, writing articles, publishing books, and teaching;
- Promote health discussions in schools, workplaces, and community agencies;
- Bring holistic nutrition knowledge, principles, and philosophy to other professions.
*Please be advised that CSNN is referring to non-herbal supplements, as herbal supplements should only be recommended after all aspects of the herb, especially its contraindications, are researched. Since CSNN does not teach herbology or evaluate herbal recommendations, the onus is on the Holistic Nutritional Consultant professional to either follow manufacturers’ instructions or get advice from an herbalist. Additionally, for non-herbal supplements Holistic Nutritional Consultant professional should consult the manufacturer when recommending dosages higher than those recommended on the bottle.
In Ontario Rebecca is recognized as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.), however, in some other Canadian provinces CSNN graduates are also recognized as Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultants (C.H.N.C.).
CSNN endorses that graduates consult with clients in person in order to observe their physical symptoms; however, should graduates choose to consult clients by phone, email, Skype, or other electronic means, please be advised that the laws where the client lives ALSO apply. Therefore, if graduates are consulting with a client who lives outside of their province or country – whether in person or electronically- the graduate would additionally need to abide by the laws of that province or country, as this would constitute practising in another province or country.