My Approach
Whole-Person Care
What truly sets my approach apart is not only how I evaluate body function —but the way I work with my patients.
Like most functional medicine practitioners, I look deeply at body systems, nutrition, lifestyle factors, laboratory testing, supplements, hormones, metabolism, digestion, immune function, and other important contributors to health.
But I also recognize something that is often overlooked:
There is a human being sitting in front of me—not simply a collection of symptoms, diagnoses, and lab test results.
Every individual brings their unique life experiences, personal beliefs, goals, preferences, challenges, and expectations to the healing process. These factors play a significant role in the healing process.
That is why I begin by meeting my patients where they are at in their health journey. I want to understand:
- What health goals are most important to them
- What has and has not worked for them in the past
- What changes feel realistic and sustainable
- What they believe may be contributing to their health issues
- How I can best serve them on their health journey
The more I understand the person in front of me, the better we can tailor recommendations that fit their goals, beliefs and lifestyle and that results in better outcomes.
Looking Beyond Symptoms to Understand Why
My approach is focused on identifying the underlying factors contributing to illness and creating a clear, personalized path toward restored health.
Rather than simply managing symptoms, the goal is to understand why they are happening in the first place.
Most chronic health concerns are not caused by a single factor. They often develop through a complex interaction of genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, stress, environmental influences, and dysfunction within multiple body systems. This is why symptom-based treatment alone often falls short.
Functional medicine provides a framework for understanding these deeper patterns and uncovering the root causes that are contributing to your symptoms.
A Systems-Based Approach to Health
I view the body as an interconnected system rather than a collection of isolated parts.
When evaluating a health concern, I begin by identifying the primary body system involved—such as the digestive system, endocrine (hormonal) system, immune system, nervous system, etc.. From there, I evaluate how the other systems may be contributing to the problem.
The body functions as a network, and dysfunction in one area often affects others.
For example, a thyroid problem may not be driven solely by the thyroid gland. Thyroid gland health can be influenced by nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, other hormones, inflammation, digestion and detoxification pathways, immune system activity, blood sugar regulation, and other factors. Looking beyond the obvious often reveals opportunities for improvement that would otherwise be missed.
The goal is to understand which systems are involved, how they are interacting, which ones need the most support and in which order they should be addressed so we can develop a strategy that results in meaningful changes that are sustainable.
An Example of Systems-Based Thinking
A good example is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland.
While the thyroid is part of the endocrine (hormonal) system, the underlying problem originates within the immune system.
In many cases, when we find a problem with the immune system we will also find issues with the digestive system.
In this situation, focusing only on the thyroid gland will do little to solve the real problem because we have not addressed the issues with the digestive system and immune system. In addition to establishing which systems are involved, we also need to understand the order in which they should be addressed.
In this case, any digestion or gut health issues would need to be corrected before we would expect to see improvement in immune system function and then finally improvement in thyroid gland health and function.
This is why it is important to look beyond isolated systems and understand how body systems influence one another and in which order they should be addressed or optimal outcomes.
What Makes Functional Medicine Different?
My approach is guided by several core principles:
- A whole-person, whole-body approach
- A systems-based evaluation that looks at how the body's systems influence one another
- Addressing body systems that need direct support in the correct order
- A focus on identifying and addressing root causes rather than chasing symptoms
- Lab test interpretation based on optimal function—not just "normal" or “disease” ranges
- Personalized recommendations tailored to your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle
- A collaborative partnership that results in the best possible outcomes
- Sustainable health strategies promote health, longevity and well-being.
How We Work Together
All care is provided through secure online consultations, allowing you to receive personalized care from the comfort of your home.
Care typically includes:
- A whole-person, whole-body approach
- A systems-based evaluation that looks at how the body's systems influence one another
- Addressing body systems that need direct support in the correct order
- A focus on identifying and addressing root causes rather than chasing symptoms
- Lab test interpretation based on optimal function—not just "normal" or “disease” ranges
- Personalized recommendations tailored to your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle
- A collaborative partnership that results in the best possible outcomes
- Sustainable health strategies promote health, longevity and well-being.
My goal is to help you understand what is happening with your body, why it’s happening and what steps you can take to support and restore your health.
Are We a Good Fit?
We may be a good fit if:
- You've been told your labs are "normal" but still don't feel well
- You're dealing with persistent symptoms that have not responded to other approaches
- You want to understand the underlying causes of your health concerns
- You are open to a deeper, more investigative approach to your healthcare
- You want personalized recommendations rather than generic health advice
- You are willing to participate actively in the process of improving your health
Where We Go From Here
Understanding the root causes of your health issues is only the beginning.
My goal is to help you move from uncertainty and frustration to clarity and confidence—so you have a greater understanding of what is happening with your health and how to restore it.
Everyone is at a different point in their health journey. I want to meet you where you’re at on this journey and help you find solutions that work for you and are sustainable.
I understand that functional medicine may not be the best fit for everyone, but if you think my approach aligns with your health goals I look forward to working with you.
TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP
Discover ᐧ Understand ᐧ Restore
If you’re interested in working with Dr. Sexton, choosing your next step is easy. If you still have questions or want to see if we’re the right fit, schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. If you’re ready to move forward, book your Initial Consultation with Dr. Sexton today.
Free Discovery Call
A complimentary 10 minute call with Dr. Sexton to determine if we’re the right fit to work together.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
This 60-minute virtual consultation with Dr. Sexton is designed to understand your health history, concerns, and goals, review any previous testing, and determine the best path forward.