Hello! I’m Laura, the naturopath.
I’m not the purest person you ever met. I don’t spend my life standing on a pedestal, and I am not perfect - but I am very good at my job!
Why am I starting my bio with my dirty little secrets? Because I want you to know that I am a real person, living in the real world. I have tummy fat, bad posture and I go to bed too late. But I also drink plenty of water, have sneaky tricks to get enough fibre in my diet, sleep well and open my bowels every day.
I believe in balance and I fear fanaticism.
I have a burning desire to help people feel their best, no matter what state I meet them in. My purpose on this planet is to help people learn about themselves and figure out how to get the most out of life.
How did all of this begin?
It all started with a yellow bucket.
I grew up in the English countryside collecting wild flowers and making special potions in my yellow bucket. I was drawn to the healing power of nature before I even knew what a naturopath was. In fact, my Aunty remembers me stroking her arm when she held me as a baby so I guess I was always travelling along the path toward natural therapies.
When I was nine, we moved to Australia, and that was when I first experienced anxiety. At the time I didn’t know what it was. All I knew was that every morning on the way to school, I had tummy ache and felt like I was going to be sick, and the only thing that made me feel better was when Mum told me I could take the day off. Moving to Australia is one of the best things that ever happened to me, but also took its toll on my confidence and sense of self. As I grew up, I became chronically constipated, burnt out, sick with tonsillitis and drained by nervousness and anxiety—until I started studying Massage Therapy and Naturopathy.
Now, over 20 years after I first stepped into a Natural Therapy college, I am not the person I used to be. I have learnt so much about how to live well and how to use food, herbs and lifestyle practices to get the best out of life. I feel so lucky to be able to help people do the same every day.
“Through Burton Health, my mission is to share what I know about reclaiming a happy and healthy body, mind, and life with as many people as possible.”
I work both in my Dural clinic with face to face clients, and from my home office with online clients. I love having this flexibility, as it keeps my work days varied and allows me to connect with people who live or work further away from Dural. With the growing acceptance of telehealth appointments in recent years, I've noticed that naturopathy has become more accessible to those who wouldn’t have time to visit the clinic.
My work is about helping you find your way back to true vitality and wellness because the world is a much better place when you’re energetic, vibrant, and well.
Thank you for joining me on my journey; I look forward to helping you on yours!
Laura
Random facts about me
I was born with congenital hip dysplasia, which wasn’t diagnosed until I was 15 months old and required surgery, body casts and immobility as treatment, followed by a bone graft at 17 and a total hip replacement at 38. I am now enjoy the best left hip I have ever had!
I say “Baachoo” instead of “Aaachoo” when I sneeze.
I have an irrational fear of apple stickers.
I once walked into an ice cream parlour in Hawaii to be confronted by a whole room of male prisoners in orange jumpsuits sitting at the tables watching the prison guard at the counter ordering himself an ice cream. It was one of the strangest moments of my life and my friend and I quickly backed out of the store!
My comfort meal is spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread.
I don’t like breakfast food. Going to a café for breakfast or brunch is not my thing.
When I was in high school, my careers advisor told me there was no career in massage and that I should study nursing instead. I felt very satisfied the day, a year or two after I qualified, when she came to my clinic for a massage! I didn’t tell her about the best advice I ever ignored!
Live music and the ocean make me feel revived.
I frequently change my hair. I get bored if I see the same reflection for too long. I’ve probably had every colour and length of hair possible.
