PRACTITIONER PROFILE
Teresa Mitchell-Paterson
What has kept you practising for 30 + years ? What has kept me practising for over three decades is the profound privilege of working in partnership with people to optimise their health . As they say it is not a job if you love every minute and that is how I feel . I started my journey caring for cancer patients , mentored by a fellow of naturopathy , where I witnessed the extraordinary resilience of the human body and spirit . Every case I encounter is unique , and I thrive on the challenge of untangling complex health issues , exploring the pathophysiology , and applying translational medicine to guide patients towards better health . Seeing people regain their vitality , often when they ’ ve felt all hope was lost , inspires me to keep learning and practising every day . I also enjoy passing my knowledge on to students , and by remaining in practice , I can share my experiences .
What have been the most important changes to natural medicine you have seen during your career ? Over the years , integrating scientific research with traditional wisdom has been one of the most transformative shifts in natural medicine . When I started , natural therapies were often dismissed as anecdotal , and I likened it to a term I coined " practising on the fringe "! But today we see a wealth of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of natural medicine . Nutrigenomics , epigenetics , phytotherapy research , and the growing understanding of the gut microbiome have revolutionised the way we approach individualised care . The shift towards evidence-based practice has not only elevated the credibility of natural medicine but also created opportunities for greater collaboration with conventional healthcare , which benefits patients immensely . I am also stunned that empirical knowledge is undervalued as we now research the herbs or nutrients we have always used in clinical practice to validate them ; therefore , in many instances , I still rely on best practices and the wisdom of our forebears .
How do you envisage natural medicine developing over the next 30 years ? What changes in natural medicine would you most like to see ? I envisage natural medicine becoming increasingly personalised , driven by advances in technology like AI , wearable health monitors , and deeper insights into genomics . We are moving towards an era where interventions will be tailored not just to the individual , but to their specific genetic and epigenetic profile .
I ’ d also like to see natural medicine and conventional healthcare working more cohesively , bridging the gap to create truly integrative healthcare systems . This collaboration would allow patients to benefit from the best of both worlds . Additionally , I hope for an even greater emphasis on prevention , with public health initiatives that educate and empower people to take charge of their well-being through lifestyle , herbal therapeutics and nutritional choices .
What advice do you have for today ’ s emerging practitioners ? My advice is to remain curious , compassionate , and committed to lifelong learning . Natural medicine is an ever-evolving field , and staying abreast of the latest research will help you deliver the best care to your patients . At the same time , never lose sight of the human element ; listening intently to your patients and understanding their unique stories will often reveal the most effective path forward . My mantra is " compassion , empathy , insight , and advocacy ". I say this every day before I start my practice .
Embrace complexity and don ’ t shy away from difficult cases ; they are opportunities to grow as a practitioner . Above all , look after your health and well-being . You cannot pour from an empty cup . I always use this example when talking to patients or students who do not care for themselves first . Who gets the oxygen mask first on an aircraft ? You do , to enable you to help others ! Maintaining balance will allow you to serve your patients with renewed and sustained energy .
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