The Natural Patch

Amid the picturesque art galleries and vineyards of Yarra Junction in Victoria lies The Natural Patch. The clinic opened in 2001 to offer natural therapies that include, but are not limited to:

• Herbal medicine
• Dietary advice
• Nutritional medicine
• Massage
• Homoeopathy
• Counselling
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Whether you’re suffering from physical pain or a recurring condition that affects your mind, trust that our holistic health practitioners can get you back on the road to health and wellness.

About Our Practitioners

Sandra and Chris have over 70 years of combined experience in several forms of complementary medicine, not to mention an extensive medical background. They are equipped with the tools, knowledge and skills to address all types of health conditions where conventional healthcare approaches have failed.

Sandra Harris, a registered nurse with a penchant for natural therapies

Sandra Harris is a qualified Gestalt therapist as well as a registered nurse and a naturopath. With over 30 years of experience as a mental health nurse, she has addressed a myriad of conditions, including anxiety and depression, using talk therapy and psychotherapy. She also specialises in naturopathic and homoeopathic treatments that have no serious side effects.

In 2002, she started using naturopathy and homoeopathy to treat physical and mental issues that affect animals in addition to humans. After successfully treating her own beloved furry friend, Waggs, with these modalities, she realised that their benefits extend beyond healing sick people and can also be used to treat and prolong the lives of animals.

Christopher Brooks,a registered mental health nurse who’s adept at lifestyle medicine  

Chris is a registered nurse who specialises in treating mental health conditions with The Walsh Protocol, which is based on the idea that psychological problems are caused by imbalances in the body.

Chris has worked in the healthcare industry for over 40 years and has visited many parts of the world as well as worked in a variety of clinical settings. He relocated from the United Kingdom to Australia, where he completed a practitioner training program in mental health. In 2001, he received his certification in naturopathy, followed by a master's degree in research.

In addition to his private practice, Chris works at INSPIRO Primary Health Care and holds an academic position at Monash University, where he primarily trains future nurses.

Services Offered

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a type of complementary medicine that focuses on the entire person rather than just the symptoms. A naturopath considers a client's overall wellbeing by examining their diet, sleep quality, physical activities, digestion and elimination processes. One or more of the following may be included in a naturopathic treatment plan:

• Herbal medicine
• Nutritional advice and supplementation
• Lifestyle changes

Counselling

Counselling is a holistic approach to addressing various life issues that entails assisting others in recognising their innate resources to solve their problems. The Natural Patch employs a proactive counselling style through Gestalt Therapy and the Cognitive Emotional Reframing Approach (CERA).

The first emphasises taking responsibility for and resolving one's experience in the present. The second is a subset of several types of psychotherapy techniques aimed at assisting you in understanding how your thought pattern contributes to your feelings and behaviour.

Nutritional Psychiatry

Mental health problems are often linked to biochemical imbalances caused by a variety of factors. Sandra and Chris can create a personalised treatment plan that includes the essential nutrients to improve the performance of the mind and body by addressing the root cause of these imbalances. They use pathology testing methods such as blood and urine tests to determine biochemical imbalances.

Schedule an appointment today to reclaim your health.