Practitioner Spotlight: Venetia Mitchell

Venetia is a Registered Nutritional Therapist and a certified NLP Practitioner with an MSc in Personalised Nutrition, along with a BSc in Physiological Sciences. She has a passion for human physiology and has learnt through personal experience that food and positive lifestyle choices are an excellent medicine.

What was your journey to becoming a Registered Nutritional Therapist?

As a child, my mother was always keen to go down the complementary route to support my health and I feel fortunate for that. At school I developed an interest in biology, which took me to a degree in physiology and after which time, it took me 9 years of short courses in naturopathic medicine to find my passion lay in nutritional science. I eventually found the courage to quit the day job and follow this passion…. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

I work for 3 days a week in a wonderful clinic supporting children and adults with behavioural issues and all round functional nutrition. It is a fabulous team, we work alongside a GMC registered functional doctor and my diary is managed for me which is heavenly. For the rest of the week, it is varied. I have a number of my own private clients, I do Nutritional Coaching for Greenland Medical where it is lovely to support Dr Andrew Greenland with some complex clients often working with the Bredesen or Walsh approach, and finally, I do support Vanessa Kimbell at The Sourdough Club in teaching and research in nutrition and digestibility. 

Tell us about another practitioner who has inspired you?

I would probably say Dr Diana Minich, afunctional medicine practitioner in the US. She is lovely and spoke to us during my training at CNELM. Her work with colourful foods and all round wholistic health is fantastic. 

What achievement are you most proud of?

My dissertation during my Masters had a focus on the genetic impact behind Alzhiemers disease and the efficacy of curcumin as an intervention. I actually took my work to a university in NYU Abu Dhabi to present it which was rather enjoyable, particularly given the people I met there. Another thing I’m proud of is the wins I’ve gained in clinic thanks to compliant clients! A recent client had been suffering with IBS and had such a poor relationship with food, terrified to set off symptoms. After working with them for about 4 months, they have already managed the condition and have hugely increased the variety of foods they consume. These sorts of results are so rewarding! 

Which is your most-used test in clinic, and why?

I would have to say a comprehensive stool analysis. As they say, for the majority, it all begins in the gut! 

Any advice for newly qualified nutrition professionals?

Get out there and network with other professionals and peers. I would not be where I am now without the support of my peers and the very experienced professionals I stalked! Also, once qualified, keep up CPD but don’t let this stop you getting out there into practice. That is where you learn the most, and you gain huge rewards for your achievements in supporting people!

What the video interview here