FAQ
The questions new clients ask first.
Straight answers on virtual visits, where Chelsea practices, insurance, testing and what a Registered Dietitian actually is.
- Are visits in person or virtual?
- Virtual. Initial consultations are 60-minute video visits; follow-ups are 50 or 25 minutes. You book, complete intake forms and pay through the secure client portal.
- Where do you see clients?
- Chelsea is based in Placerville, California, and sees clients virtually in California and other states. Not sure about yours? Send a note before booking.
- What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist?
- “Registered Dietitian” (RD or RDN) is a protected credential: an accredited degree, a supervised internship (Chelsea completed 2,000 supervised practice hours through Sacramento State), a national exam and continuing education. “Nutritionist” is not regulated in most states, so anyone can use it. Chelsea has been a practicing Registered Dietitian since 2008.
- Do you take insurance?
- Visits are booked and paid privately through the client portal. Chelsea provides a superbill on request, which you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage depends on your plan.
- What does a first visit include?
- Before the visit you complete a wellness questionnaire. During the hour Chelsea reviews it with you, takes a diet, symptom and lifestyle history, and answers your questions. By the following day you receive written recommendations, handouts and any supplement suggestions.
- What is functional nutrition?
- A question-asking approach: looking for the “why” behind symptoms and supporting the body with food, nutrients and lifestyle rather than a pill for every ill. Chelsea works alongside your physician, not instead of them.
- Do I have to do lab testing?
- No. Testing (DUTCH hormone, Precision Point food allergy and sensitivity, Biomefx stool) is optional and suggested only when a result would change the plan. Lab kits are priced by the lab and are separate from the visit fee.
- Will I have to buy supplements?
- Only if the plan calls for them. Clients can order recommended supplements through Chelsea’s practitioner dispensaries (Fullscript and Metagenics), usually at a discount. Chelsea earns a commission on those orders; it does not change your price.
- Can you help my picky eater?
- Yes. Picky and selective eating in children, blended diets and family meal plans are a core part of the practice. Chelsea also wrote a School Lunch Survival Handout and pediatric feeding guides.
- Can I email you my symptoms before booking?
- Please don’t include health details in email or the contact form — they are not secure medical channels. Book through the client portal and share your history there; it is HIPAA-compliant.