At the Institute of Restorative Health, we love data. So much so that we regularly survey our incoming students on what challenges they’re facing and where they need specific support. In fact, in 2023 we even conducted an industry-wide survey of over 1,190 nutrition practitioners to better understand the current state of the industry landscape.
What caught our attention is that a clear theme is emerging:
Loneliness. Isolation. Burn out.
All things we’ve experienced as practitioners ourselves and a key reason why we started the Institute of Restorative Health in the first place – to equip you with the clinical skills, confidence, and community you need to thrive. Because, the truth is, without the right support system, being a practitioner can be challenging, scary, and exhausting.
We believe a strong sense of community and collaboration has the power to elevate practitioners to new heights. Which is why we’d like to share this story with you – an IRH success story featuring Liz Morgan and Juliet Dalton. These two Restorative Health Practitioners have developed a true partnership that has not only supported their businesses but has become a testament to the transformative impact of community, particularly within IRH.
In The Beginning
Liz and Juliet met as students in IRH’s Mastering the Art & Science of Optimizing Hormones course back in 2021. They had both been drawn to nutrition as a way to optimize their own health, having each suffered from mysterious health challenges throughout their lives. And, they both realized that – although their FNTP certification gave them a solid start – they needed a deeper clinical skill set in order to help their clients achieve better outcomes. “I had a lot of clients coming to me with questions and issues I didn’t understand, which is what drove me to IRH,” says Liz.
Upon completing our foundational course, Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, both Liz and Juliet saw immediate impacts on their practice and on their health. Liz shared “I was my hardest client, for sure. My body reacted really strongly to IRH gut protocols, but it was so worth it. Now, I’m 50 and I feel like everything works so much better than before.”
Juliet added “IRH is what really changed my approach clinically. But, my own health changed a lot, too – specifically doing my own gut protocol. I thought that I was doing very well, but this was different and got me results.”
Meeting Up
Having achieved such great results – personally and professionally – they each decided to take the next step in developing their clinical skills through IRH’s Optimizing Hormones course, which is where their partnership began. “Liz reached out first about reviewing case studies, so we met on Zoom a few times to discuss course concepts, review class notes, and prep case studies. It was nice to have someone else to talk to and figure it out with,” says Juliet, adding “Eventually, we started to talk about our own client cases. We’d ask each other questions and get each others’ perspectives, which was so valuable.”
A natural community builder, Liz had founded one of NTA’s largest alumni groups and she had put together many masterminds throughout the years, but most of them eventually fizzled out. As she grew her clinical skills through IRH and her scope of work became more advanced, she knew she needed peers and colleagues to support her (and her clients) along the journey. “This is serious work – we have people’s lives in our hands. It’s stressful going it alone. Having collaborators was important for me,” says Liz.
From Study Buddies to Trusted Partners
Over the course of the next two years, Liz and Juliet continued to stay in touch and support one another in their IRH studies and with challenging client cases. “At this point, we had built a lot of trust. But, we hadn’t yet worked together from a business-sense,” said Juliet, adding “Eventually, I got really busy in my practice. Instead of turning away clients, I had this idea to bring Liz in to support my business and these clients,” says Juliet. Liz thought it was a great opportunity, too – “I thought having the opportunity to see how someone else operates in their business would be really interesting.”
…The results were hugely successful. “At first, it was about energetically saving myself. I had more clients than I could handle and would have had to make a huge sacrifice to myself. This act of self-preservation ended up working out really well,” says Juliet.
In fact, it worked out so well that Liz then invited Juliet to help her lead her group program, “Nourish + Flow”. Liz had spent 5 years creating and running this program and had been using it with all of her clients. When she teamed up with Juliet – it felt different. It felt bigger. And, the participants experienced it, too. “First of all, we worked together to figure out the marketing plan and it was the best marketing plan I’d ever had for a course,” said Liz, adding “I love running group programs – but, it’s a lot to hold that space. Having Juliet there helped lessen that load and I think the clients benefited greatly, too, as they felt they were part of something “bigger”.
Interestingly, Juliet didn’t actually think she liked running group programs, noting “I thought it was exhausting and lots of effort”. But, Liz’s “Nourish + Flow” changed her mind on that – “Now I think group programs are so fun. They’re great! I have a totally different outlook on the process,” says Juliet.
It’s important to note that one of the reasons their partnership has been so successful, and that both Liz and Juliet emphasized to us, is that both practitioners were equipped with the clinical skills they needed (thanks to IRH) and were fully committed to each and every clients’ success. Plus, they were open to learning from one another. “It’s fun to learn from each other. Even though we’ve had a lot of the same education, we both get interested in different paths,” shared Liz.
Looking Ahead To The Future
Today, both Liz and Juliet maintain their own successful private practices, but regularly help one another out – whether it’s serving as a second opinion on a client case, taking overflow clients to help with capacity, or teaching in one of their group programs. And, they’d love for more members of the IRH community to join them as they both have big goals for the future!
In addition to seeing her 1:1 clients and group programs, Liz has become very involved advocating on behalf of the state of our food culture – especially as it relates to teen health. She’s taught at a number of local high schools, helping students learn how to identify symptoms, collecting data on symptoms, and educating students on steps they can take to start to feel better. “The teachers and I were actually so surprised at how poorly the students felt. I want to change that,” says Liz, noting that she’s expanding her food culture consulting to Boys & Girls Clubs in the coming year.
Moving forward, Juliet is working to make functional nutrition more financially accessible for those who need it through the introduction of a new program called Essentials for Blood Sugar. “There are some people that really need that level of hand holding and targeted support. But, that is not most people who don’t feel good. This self-paced program will help individuals get the foundational support they need before determining if more intense 1:1 support is needed,” says Juliet. Her goal is that for every 10 individuals who complete her program, only 1 or 2 will need 1:1 support after.
Did Liz and Juliet’s story inspire you?
If so, take the first step in growing your clinical skills and community by applying for our foundational class, Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing. This is the same class that transformed both Liz and Juliet’s health and their work as practitioners.
If you’re already a graduate of Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, don’t worry – we have some exciting community opportunities coming soon for you, too! Keep your eyes and ears peeled for an announcement in early 2024 about our Institute of Restorative Health Membership opportunity.
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Liz Morgan is a Restorative Health Practitioner (RHP), Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Food Culture Consultant, and the founder and owner of People + Planet Nutrition. You can find Liz on Instagram @peopleplanetnutrition.
Juliet Dalton is a Restorative Health Practitioner (RHP), Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and the founder and owner of Nutrition Riot. You can find Juliet on Instagram @nutritionriot.
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FAQ
The following FAQs expand on key themes in this case study, highlighting how clinical depth and community support can directly impact practitioner outcomes.
Why do many nutrition practitioners report loneliness, isolation, and burnout?
Many nutrition practitioners experience loneliness, isolation, and burnout due to working independently without structured peer support. The IRH industry survey of over 1,190 practitioners identified these themes as common challenges. Without collaboration and mentorship, the work can feel stressful and exhausting.
How does the Institute of Restorative Health support practitioner success?
The Institute of Restorative Health supports practitioners by combining advanced clinical training with structured community. Its programs are designed to build clinical skill, confidence, and peer collaboration. This integrated support system helps practitioners thrive rather than operate in isolation.
What clinical gaps led practitioners to pursue advanced training at IRH?
Practitioners sought advanced training when their foundational certification no longer felt sufficient for complex client cases. Liz Morgan noted she had clients presenting with questions and issues she did not fully understand. IRH provided deeper clinical frameworks to support better outcomes.
What impact did the Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing course have on practice outcomes?
The Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing course led to measurable improvements in both practitioner health and client results. Both Liz and Juliet reported significant personal health shifts after implementing IRH gut protocols. Clinically, the course transformed how they approached cases.
How can peer case review improve clinical confidence and decision-making?
Peer case review strengthens clinical reasoning and reduces practitioner stress. Liz and Juliet met regularly to review case studies, discuss course concepts, and evaluate client cases. This collaboration provided second opinions, broader perspectives, and greater confidence.
Why is collaboration especially important as clinical scope becomes more advanced?
As practitioners expand their clinical scope, complexity increases and solo decision-making becomes more stressful. Liz emphasized that “this is serious work,” particularly when client outcomes are at stake. Trusted collaborators reduce cognitive load and enhance clinical integrity.
How can practitioner partnerships help manage client capacity and prevent burnout?
Strategic partnerships allow practitioners to manage overflow clients without sacrificing personal well-being. Juliet invited Liz to support her practice during a period of high demand. This preserved practitioner energy while maintaining continuity of care.
What role does shared clinical training play in successful practitioner partnerships?
Shared clinical frameworks create alignment and trust in collaborative practice. Both Liz and Juliet completed foundational and hormone-focused IRH programs before partnering. Their common training ensured consistency in case analysis and client commitment.
How can co-leading group programs improve practitioner experience and client outcomes?
Co-leading group programs reduces facilitator burden and enhances participant experience. Liz reported that having Juliet co-lead “Nourish + Flow” made the program feel larger and more impactful. Clients perceived increased value, and practitioner workload became more sustainable.
What is the purpose of the Essentials for Blood Sugar program?
Essentials for Blood Sugar is designed to provide foundational support for individuals who do not require intensive 1:1 care. Juliet created it to make functional nutrition more financially accessible. The goal is to help most participants improve independently before escalating to individualized support.
How can functional nutrition practitioners expand their impact beyond private practice?
Functional nutrition practitioners can extend impact through education, advocacy, and community programming. Liz expanded into teen health education and food culture consulting with schools and Boys & Girls Clubs. This diversification broadens both influence and professional fulfillment.
What community opportunities are available for graduates of IRH programs?
IRH graduates can engage in expanded community opportunities, including a forthcoming membership program. The organization emphasizes ongoing collaboration beyond coursework. These structures aim to sustain long-term practitioner connection and growth.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Floyd Barry, FNTP MRHP is owner and Executive Director of the Institute of Restorative Health. She’s a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, educator, and real food advocate. Through years of experience working with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness.
Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses to get her clients life-changing results through the Institute of Restorative Health – a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. Margaret also runs Restorative Corporate Wellness, a team of Restorative Health Practitioners facilitating health transformations with corporate clients. She is the author of Eat Naked and its follow-up cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. She’s also the host of the Clinician’s Corner podcast, where she interviews some of the world’s top experts in the fields of functional health and nutrition.
