Dr. Robin Flam was a Board Certified Internist who retired from Caremount Medical Group in 2020. She is also certified in Integrative Medicine, Functional Nutrition, and Yoga. Prior to  Caremount, Dr. Flam worked for Columbia University providing HIV care and treatment in east Africa. Since retirement, she has built a life around expanding her functional nutrition practice  and communing with her three adorable canine companions.

When we are at ease in performing our basic functions— eating/ingesting/inhaling, eliminating/ detoxifying/exhaling, managing stress, thinking and interpreting, sleeping, moving, and  accessing joy—we feel well. In fact, all sorts of unpleasant mental and physical symptoms (dis ease) manifest as a result of imbalances in basic functions. The Functional Health Consult is  designed for people who wish to improve their overall wellbeing via focussed work on basic functions. The consult can be useful for both symptom-free people who want to optimize their wellbeing, as well as people with persistent unpleasant mental or physical symptoms who wish  to change that. The work involves taking a deep dive into one’s historical and current functions,  and then developing and implementing personalized targeted plans to enhance functional ease  and balance. Here are some examples of reasons to do this consult, stated as questions:

• What is the best diet for me given my specific issues? 
• I am taking medicine and my “condition” appears to be well controlled, so why do I still feel  poorly? 
• Why don’t I feel well when I am supposedly healthy? 
• Why does everything hurt? 
• Ever since I had ……., I have not been the same. 
• Should I be taking supplements? 
• Why is aging so hard on me and what can I do about it? 
• Why am I so tired (achy, bloated, moody, hungry, edgy, low energy, etc, etc) so often?  - Why can’t I lose weight? 
• Are my hormones out of whack? 
• And any question that prompts a deep dive into the basic functions. 

At the end of the consultation, you should have: 1. an enhanced understanding of how your  basic functions synergize within the body and mind and result in your overall state of health and well being, and, if indicated, 2. a specific, personalized plan for how to modify specific  basic functions, with a heavy emphasis on the therapeutic use of food, so that you can feel  better. 

FAQs 

Is this a medical visit? 

 NO.  There will be no diagnosis and treatment, no physical exam, no lab or other testing. There  will be no prescriptions. There will be no chart reviews. 

So what is this? 

This is an exchange of information. We go into it  with your specific concerns and your  background. Only you know how you feel, what your history is, what your behaviors are, and what concerns you most. We will then do a head to head comparison of your history and  current state to what you are hoping for in terms of improving or optimizing wellbeing (your goals). Finally, together, we will craft personalized, specific practices and plans for reaching  those goals. Thus, we come out of it  with enhanced understanding, and, if indicated,  actionable plans. 

Are there questionnaires or other ways I need to prepare for my first consultation:

There are no questionnaires or other paperwork. It is useful to think about your primary  concerns and goals for the session. 

Would you consult with my other practitioners? 

I welcome exchange with other providers. 

Will additional visits be needed? 

The initial consult will provide the tools you need and a detailed roadmap for your personalized  plan. However, I do suggest at least one follow-up visit, for questions that arise, revisions to the  plan, and to get support! In addition, we can utilize a coaching model, in which a series of visits  is planned at intervals so that we can together engage in assessing progress over time.

Initial Consultation (1 1/2 hours): $300

Follow Up Sessions: (1 hour): $250