Client Observation & Discussion Group

Looking to build your experience as a clinical herbalist?

Client Observation & Discussion Group sessions are designed for advanced herbal students, herbally-minded nutrition students, and practicing herbalists/nutritionists who want to learn through a live observation and case discussion format.

The Client Observation & Discussion Group may be for you if:

You are a student herbalist looking for observation hours

You are a practicing herbalist looking to earn hours toward your RH credential

It would help to build confidence and your skills to watch more experienced practitioners in action

You want to continue your education and practice collaboration with other herbalists & nutritionists

I am Jillian Bar-av and I have been working with clients for 20 years. I am a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, Licensed Nutritionist in the state of Maryland, and clinical faculty with Notre Dame of Maryland University (formerly Maryland University of Integrative Health.)

When I was a student, I learned a tremendous amount by observing other practitioners with their clients, but I know that finding this type of opportunity can be difficult.

This program is set up to give you that observation experience. Not only will you get to observe the consultation in real time, you will also be part of a discussion following the case to give you a chance to ask me questions, learn from others in the group, and bring your thoughts and insights to the group.

When you finish you will have:

An example of the flow and practicalities involved in a virtual intake

An example online intake form

The chance to participate in a live group discussion following the intake, where ideas are shared and questions answered

2 + hours of clinical experience

What's included?

OBSERVING THE CLIENT INTAKE

You will be invited to observe me working with a client during a 1-hour intake. The intake will take place virtually over Zoom. A copy of the client's intake form will be shared (with permission) with the group via Practice Better in advance of the consultation if available.

SELF REFLECTION PERIOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INTAKE

Immediately following the intake, there will be a 1 hour discussion of the case. This will begin with 10-15 minutes of self-reflection for each of us to consider questions and topics for the group discussion. These questions and topics will include:

What you think went well
What you would have done differently
What questions you still have
What post-consult research you want to do
Your preliminary assessment
Your top herbal actions
1 or 2 herbs that jumped out at you
One or two dietary or lifestyle recommendations

GROUP DISCUSSION OF THE CASE

After the self-reflection period, we will discuss the case for the remainder of the hour. There are several aspects to this group discussion:

The group discussion gives you an opportunity to explore the intake process itself. You are encouraged to find out why I asked certain questions or dug into a certain topics during the consult. You may observe practices that you want to include in your own consultations, or pitfalls that you want to avoid.
We will explore our preliminary assessments of the case, our thoughts for therapeutic recommendations, and the herbal actions and herbs that might be most indicated.
The group discussion provides all of us with the opportunity to learn from each other. Everyone will be encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts on the case which I find always results in a rich learning experience.

AFTER THE DISCUSSION

After the discussion, participants are encouraged to continue discussing the case in the Practice Better group chat. I will create a protocol for the client, which I will also share with the group.

Seeing the protocol allows you to get a perspective of how one practitioner formats and distributes their recommendations to the client, as well as to see how the group discussion informed the final protocol.

POSSIBLE FOLLOW UP VISITS

If the client chooses to return for one or two follow-up visits, you will be invited to attend these at no extra charge. Each follow-up visit is 30 minutes, and we'll collaborate immediately after the meeting to discuss next steps. The new protocol will be shared with the group.

Client Observation &
Discussion Group Price:

$25.00

Your payment covers the cost of up to 3 visits for the client, providing access to herbal care for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Upcoming Session

TBD

Please note the session will not be recorded.
You must be available to attend the session at the time it is scheduled.

Prerequisites

You are an advanced herbal student, practicing herbalist, or herbally-minded nutritionist

You have training in clinical ethics, client privacy, and confidentiality

You will attend the intake and collaboration sessions in a private place where others will not be able to see or hear the conversation.

You agree to maintain confidentiality at all times

You agree to treat the client with unconditional positive regard and compassion.

You agree to treat others in the group with kindness and compassion; you bring an open heart and an open mind to our work.

If you meet these requirements and would like to join our next session, I'd love to have you join us!

If you can't join this one but would like to be informed about future opportunities, please join my Observation Group mailing list.

Ready to Sign Up?

1. CLICK THE "SIGN UP" BUTTON BELOW

You will be directed to Practice Better, my client management system.

2. SUBMIT YOUR PAYMENT

You will be able to pay with a credit card.

3. CREATE AN ACCOUNT

You will receive emails from Practice Better confirming your session and asking you to create an account.

Please do create an account in Practice Better so that I can share the intake form and other details with you securely. This will also give you access to secure group messaging to discuss the case. Please do not download or store any information about the client on your personal device unless you are sure it is secure.

*Important note: If you already have a practitioner account in Practice Better, please use a different email address to sign up for this program. You cannot be a client and a practitioner using the same account.

4. JOIN THE SCHEDULED SESSION

You will receive an email from Practice Better with information about how to join the session. You’ll also get a reminder before the meetings are scheduled.

Have questions? Reach out anytime.

If you can't join this time, but would like to be informed about future opportunities, please join my Observation Group mailing list.

Know someone who might benefit from being a client of the free clinic? Send them here!