Question 1

What is HTMA?

Accepted Answer

HTMA stands for Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. It's a functional lab test that uses a small sample of hair to assess your mineral status over the past several months. Unlike blood tests, which capture a snapshot in time, HTMA reflects longer-term mineral patterns and gives us insight into how your body is managing stress, producing energy, regulating your nervous system, and metabolism. Minerals also play a central role in digestion, from stomach acid production to gut motility, making HTMA a valuable starting point for anyone dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms.

Question 2

What is the Wholistic ALIGNment Program?

Accepted Answer

It's a monthly membership program designed for those who are ready to get to the root of why they are feeling the way that they do. The Wholistic ALIGNment Program is where we dig in. We work together through personalized nutrition, targeted supplementation, lifestyle strategies, and functional lab testing (including HTMA, GI-MAP, MRT and others if needed) to get a real picture of what's driving your symptoms and build a plan around it.The program is limited to a small number of clients so I can give each person the attention they need. Everything starts with an initial assessment visit, and there's no commitment to the program until you're ready.

Question 3

Which starting option is right for me (Mineral Foundations or Initial Assessment?)

Accepted Answer

If you want to start with a foundational look at your mineral status as a standalone service, the Mineral Foundations Assessment is the right first step. If you know you want ongoing, personalized support and are ready to dig into root-cause work with testing and a full plan, then the Wholistic ALIGNment Program may be the right fit for you. The first step is to schedule an initial assessment where we will review your health history, lab recommendations and what the program would look like for you. There's no commitment to the program until you're ready.Still not sure? Feel free to send questions to  support@wholisticworks.com.

Question 4

Do you work with men?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While the majority of my clients are women and my marketing is strongly geared towards women, the work that I do with mineral balancing, nutrition and lifestyle is for EVERYONE. 🙂

Question 5

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Wholistic Works is a self-pay practice. The Wholistic ALIGNment Program and Mineral Foundations Assessment are not covered by insurance. In select cases where medical nutrition therapy is appropriate, such as a diagnosed GI condition, insurance billing may be available for Colorado residents with Cigna or United Healthcare. Email support@wholisticworks.com to find out if your situation qualifies. We accept all major credit cards, HSA/FSA debit cards, and CareCredit.

Question 6

I’m not in Colorado. Can I still work with you?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with one exception. I work with clients across the US to provide functional nutrition and lifestyle coaching, but I'm unable to work with residents of New York. New York state does not allow functional lab tests to be ordered outside of a licensed in-state provider, and functional lab testing is central to how I work. If you're located anywhere else in the US, you're welcome to schedule.

Question 7

What is the process for working with you?

Accepted Answer

The process looks a little different depending on which service you choose.Mineral Foundations Assessment with HTMA: Once you purchase, your HTMA kit is ordered and mailed directly to you. You collect your sample at home and send it back to the lab using the materials included. Once your results come in, you will be provided with your results, a results video thoroughly explaining your test results and an initial nutrition, lifestyle and supplement recommendation. Wholistic ALIGNment Program (Initial Assessment): Once you schedule and pay, you'll be added to Practice Better, my HIPAA-compliant client portal. You'll receive two emails: one to activate your account and one containing your new client forms. Those forms need to be completed and submitted within five days of scheduling your appointment. This is important. If your paperwork isn't received on time, your appointment may need to be canceled and rescheduled once completed forms are received. Once your forms are in, you're all set for your visit. We'll use that initial session to get a clear picture of your health history and where you are right now. From there we'll talk through whether the Wholistic ALIGNment Program is the right next step for you.

Question 8

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No referral is needed. Both the Mineral Foundations Assessment and the Wholistic ALIGNment Program are offered as nutrition and lifestyle coaching services (which are not billable to insurance), so you can schedule directly without involving your healthcare practitioner.In the rare case where insurance billing may apply (you're wanting medical nutrition therapy for a diagnosed condition), your physician will need to provide ICD-10 diagnosis codes for Cigna or United Healthcare to process a claim. If you think that applies to you, reach out to support@wholisticworks.com before scheduling and we'll help you figure out next steps.

Question 9

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation policies vary by service, so please read carefully before scheduling.Mineral Foundations Assessment with HTMA: Once your lab kit has been ordered, no refunds are available. Kits are typically ordered shortly after purchase and usually no later than 24 hours after purchase, at which point the HTMA test kit has been paid for. If you cancel immediately after purchasing and the kit has not yet been ordered, a refund minus a $15 processing fee can be issued.Initial Assessment: Your appointment fee is fully refundable (minus a $15 processing fee) if you cancel within 24 hours of scheduling. If you cancel after that 24-hour window but no less than 72 hours before your appointment, a partial refund of $145 will be issued. Cancellations made within 72 hours of your scheduled appointment are not eligible for a refund.

Question 10

What is a functional dietitian, and how is that different from a conventional dietitian? How do they differ from a nutritionist?

Accepted Answer

Both start with the same foundational credentials. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) completes a accredited degree program, a supervised clinical internship, and a national board exam. That part doesn't change regardless of how a dietitian practices.What does change is the approach. A conventional dietitian typically works within the standard medical model. That might look like managing a diagnosed condition through specific dietary guidelines, calculating nutrient needs in a clinical setting, or providing nutrition support in a hospital. It's important work, but it's largely focused on managing something after it's already been identified and diagnosed.A functional dietitian uses that same foundation but looks deeper. Instead of waiting for a diagnosis, we look for patterns. We use functional lab testing, a detailed health history, and a whole-body perspective to understand why you feel the way you do. The goal is to identify what's driving your symptoms, support the body's underlying systems, and build a plan around your specific needs rather than a textbook condition.As for nutritionists: it's a broader, less regulated term. In many states virtually anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their training or education. Some nutritionists have strong backgrounds and real clinical experience. Others completed a short online course. It's always worth asking about credentials and training before working with anyone.

Get Started

Schedule Your Appointment

BEFORE YOU SCHEDULE

Questions

What is HTMA?

What is the Wholistic ALIGNment Program?

Which starting option is right for me (Mineral Foundations or Initial Assessment?)

Do you work with men?

What forms of payment do you accept?

I’m not in Colorado. Can I still work with you?

What is the process for working with you?

Do I need a referral?

What is your cancellation policy?

What is a functional dietitian, and how is that different from a conventional dietitian? How do they differ from a nutritionist?

Ready to reclaim your health and feel whole again?

Root-cause wellness for women ready to feel whole again.

Functional Nutrition Dietitian
Certified Holistic Health Practitioner
HTMA Certified Practitioner
FODMAP Trained Dietitian
Certified LEAP Therapist
Food Sensitivity Specialist

Appointment Only

Based Out of Colorado

Marissa Mekelburg MS, RDN, CLT, HHP, hTMA-P

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Get Started

Schedule Your Appointment

BEFORE YOU SCHEDULE

Questions

What is HTMA?

What is the Wholistic ALIGNment Program?

Which starting option is right for me (Mineral Foundations or Initial Assessment?)

Do you work with men?

What forms of payment do you accept?

I’m not in Colorado. Can I still work with you?

What is the process for working with you?

Do I need a referral?

What is your cancellation policy?

What is a functional dietitian, and how is that different from a conventional dietitian? How do they differ from a nutritionist?

Ready to reclaim your health and feel whole again?

Root-cause wellness for women ready to feel whole again.

Functional Nutrition Dietitian Certified Holistic Health Practitioner HTMA Certified Practitioner FODMAP Trained Dietitian Certified LEAP Therapist Food Sensitivity Specialist

Appointment Only

Based Out of Colorado

Functional Nutrition Dietitian
Certified Holistic Health Practitioner
HTMA Certified Practitioner
FODMAP Trained Dietitian
Certified LEAP Therapist
Food Sensitivity Specialist