Why AI Will Never Take My Job as a Naturopath…

"Will AI replace naturopaths?" "Can ChatGPT give the same health advice as you?" And honestly? I totally get why people are wondering about this – AI is getting pretty impressive at answering health questions these days.

But here's the thing... and I'm going to be completely honest with you about why the human connection in natural health isn't just nice to have – it's absolutely ESSENTIAL.

The AI Health Advice Reality Check

So let's talk about what happened to a colleague recently. A friend reached out asking for health advice, she gave some suggestions, and the friend came back saying, "Oh, ChatGPT told me the same thing!"

Ouch, right? I felt that in my gut when she told me.

But here's what I want you to understand – YES, AI can absolutely give you general health information. It can suggest supplements for common symptoms. It can even pass medical exams (which is pretty wild, honestly).

What AI CANNOT do is sit with you through the messy, complicated, deeply personal journey of actually implementing that advice in YOUR real life.

The 4-Consult Hydration Story

Let me tell you about a patient I've been working with recently – a woman with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Sounds straightforward, right? It's all about diet and hydration management.

No kidding, we have spent FOUR entire consultations talking about hydration. Just water intake. Four sessions!

Now, if you asked AI about hydration for CKD, it would give you the textbook answer: "Drink adequate water, monitor intake, follow medical guidelines." Done. Next question.

But here's what those four sessions actually looked like:

Session 1: We worked out the amount she needed to consume, the timing throughout the day and how to make that happen.

Session 2: We uncovered that there was an issue with compliance, discussed different water bottles, timers to serve as reminders and other little tips to help.

Session 3: Water intake was improving, but still wasn’t quite were we wanted it. We dove deeper into the idea of taking time for self, and what it might mean to start feeling a bit better.

Session 4: We are certainly getting there! Despite the time it has taken to get to this point, we discuss the frustrations (with self) she is having, and I get to remind her that she has actually come further than she thinks.

Can you see the difference? AI gave the WHAT. I helped her navigate the WHY and the HOW in the context of HER life, HER fears, HER practical barriers.

Next-Level Personalization: Where Humans Shine

With my students, I've been teaching A LOT about next-level personalization of treatment plans lately. And this is exactly where we, as human practitioners, become irreplaceable.

It's not just about WHAT supplement to take or WHAT diet to follow. It's about the micro-tweaks that make all the difference:

Movement: AI might say "exercise 30 minutes daily." But I need to know – do you have a 2-year-old who interrupts every workout attempt? Are you dealing with joint pain that flares with certain movements? Do you feel self-conscious at gyms because of past experiences?

Stress Reduction: AI suggests "try meditation." But what if sitting still triggers your anxiety? What if you associate quiet time with feeling depressed? What if your household is so chaotic that finding even 5 minutes feels impossible?

Diet Changes: AI recommends "increase fiber intake." But what if you have digestive trauma from past restrictive eating? What if your budget is tight and you're worried about food costs? What if your partner sabotages healthy changes because they feel threatened?

THIS is where the magic happens – in the nuanced, deeply personal conversation about how to make healthy changes actually work in your real, complicated, beautiful, messy life.

The Human Connection Difference

Here's what I've been focusing on with my own patients lately, and what I teach my students to prioritize:

1. Reading Between the Lines

When someone says, "I just can't seem to stick to the supplements," AI hears non-compliance. I hear a story waiting to be uncovered. Maybe it's financial stress. Maybe it's overwhelm. Maybe it's a partner who rolls their eyes at "health stuff." These nuances change EVERYTHING about how I approach treatment.

2. Emotional Holding

The woman with CKD didn't just need hydration advice – she needed someone to witness her fear about her diagnosis, her guilt about "not taking better care of herself sooner," her anxiety about being a burden on her family. AI can't hold space for grief. It can't offer a reassuring presence during vulnerable moments.

3. Adaptive Problem-Solving

Real life throws curveballs. The supplement that worked great until it started causing nausea. The meditation practice that was perfect until work schedules changed. The diet plan that fell apart during a family crisis.

I pivot. I adapt. I problem-solve WITH my patients in real-time. AI gives static information. Humans navigate dynamic lives.

4. Celebrating the Small Wins

AI doesn't get excited when you finally remember to take your probiotics three days in a row. It doesn't understand why drinking an extra glass of water yesterday feels like a major victory. But I do. And that celebration? That acknowledgment? That's often what keeps people going when change feels hard.

What This Means for You

If you're wondering whether you should just ask AI for health advice instead of working with a practitioner, here's what I want you to consider:

AI is INCREDIBLE for information. Use it! Ask it questions. Get educated. Come to your appointments informed and curious.

But AI cannot be your healing companion. It can't witness your journey. It can't adapt to your changing needs. It can't hold your hand through the hard parts or celebrate your victories.

Most importantly, AI can't help you navigate the gap between knowing what's good for you and actually being able to implement it consistently in your real life.

The Future of Natural Health Practice

Do I think AI will change how we practice? Absolutely. It's already helping me research complex cases, generate ideas for treatment protocols, and even help with administrative tasks.

But replace the human connection? Never.

In fact, I think AI might actually make the human element MORE valuable, not less. As people get used to instant, generic information, the deep, personalized, emotionally intelligent support that human practitioners provide becomes even more precious.

Your Health Journey Needs Both

Here's my take: Use AI as a starting point. Get educated. Come to your appointments prepared with questions and ideas.

But remember that your healing journey isn't just about information – it's about transformation. And transformation happens in relationship, in connection, in the messy, beautiful space between two humans working together toward better health.

This is YOUR health, YOUR journey... and while AI can give you directions, you need a human companion to actually walk the path with you.

So here's my question for you: Are you looking for information, or are you looking for transformation? Because if it's transformation you're after – the kind that actually sticks, that accounts for your real life, that celebrates your humanity – then you need a human practitioner who can meet you exactly where you are.

AI and human practitioners don't have to be competitors. They can be collaborators in your health journey. But never forget – the magic happens in the connection, the nuance, and the deeply personal work that only humans can do together.

What's your experience been with AI health advice versus working with a practitioner? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.