Compare SAFM to other Advanced Training Programs for Practitioners

It’s also important to me that you understand my values.  Not only do I not spend time criticizing my competition – much less throwing them under the bus – I am actually delighted to be among such an awesome group of peers.  I am delighted that there is so much demand for functional medicine training – practitioners setting themselves apart with serious clinical insight skills – that multiple programs are flourishing.

What I can tell you is what makes SAFM different.  A number of our students have engaged in other programs before joining us, so I have some significant, data-based insight on this.

• Small class size to ensure you get personal attention.  I answer all your online Q&A about your courses and your clients myself, personally.  Plus our online community forum is very active with students from all different backgrounds and training interacting together to share detailed recommendations and clinical experience.

• Practical, detailed know-how.  If you are just looking for a relatively high-level “overview” of functional medicine or a survey of research findings, that’s great.  But SAFM is probably not right for you.  Many practitioners come to us explicitly for the “Ok, I get it, but what exactly do I do for this unique patient tomorrow morning at 9am” type of guidance.  I distill thousands of hours of research and know-how down to the critical pearls you need to know.  On the other hand, if you want a deep research dive, I also substantiate all the courses I teach with many, targeted clinical references, so you can read the research papers yourself, if you wish.

• Customize your education.  The Semesters include foundational courses but also the ability to choose the clinical courses (our “deep dives”) you most want to learn, matching your courses to your target market and passion.  This is instead of a standard, high-level “dipping your toe in the knowledge” overview of functional medicine concepts for all students.  We want you to be able to really dive into what you are most passionate about learning.

• Real-life practice with real-life clients.  We put a huge focus on practice.  Because I believe it’s one thing to be book-smart; it’s quite another to be able to readily use your know-how with real-life examples. SAFM case studies are never theoretical patients. They are real examples from my own personal practice and from SAFM student practitioners. You get to review their actual intake forms and labwork and hear live recordings of my initial consultations.  We do live coaching with students to help them with their current patients and clients.

• Teaching the devil (and pearls!) in the detail.  Unlike many other programs, SAFM emphasizes labwork as a critical tool.  Yes, that includes more esoteric, functional medicine panels.  But we also teach the incredible pearls to be found in everyday “annual physical” labwork that can be simmering root causes of dis-ease downstream. Sometimes clients simply cannot afford or don’t choose to do a bunch of more advanced, functional labwork panels.

• Online Q&A, all the time.  Again, SAFM is a hands-on, practical program for practitioners.  We want you to ask your questions.  As often as you need.  About the courses.  About your own clients and patients.  About your own health.  We want you to be engaged and get the clarity you need.

• Diverse and Supportive.  SAFM students are a rich mix of practitioners.  About 60% are medically-trained practitioners including nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, therapists, nutritionists, midwives, and many more.  About 40% of our students are health coaches.  Some are just starting out; others have hundreds of patients or clients.  Our online Practitioner Forum allows all of these perspectives to interact regularly and support each other with best practices and shared wisdom.  I don’t call this our ” family” lightly.  The support and warm encouragement that happen across students are wonderful.

• Yes, please copy!  You are free to re-purpose all SAFM course material for your own client needs (e.g. handouts, presentations).  No permission required.  In fact, I highly encourage you to do it.  Share the wealth of knowledge.  Just copy/paste and re-brand with your own practice name, logo, etc..

• Credentials.  SAFM offers a certification in Applied Functional Medicine for Coaching(TM) to bring market differentiation and greater professional credibility to your advanced training.  Our medical board oversees the exam to ensure it’s a rigorous and accredited validation of knowledge.