Holistic health, in plain words, means looking at the whole person instead of one symptom at a time. A practice that works this way asks about your body, your mind and your daily life together, and expects you to take part.

This article uses the home page of Marylee Marre Functional Medicine to show what that can look like, without the buzzwords. The page uses the term functional medicine, not holistic health, so I'll stick to what it actually says. It's general information, not medical advice.

Looking at the Whole Picture

Genetics, Environment and Lifestyle

The page says functional medicine looks at the whole picture: your genetics, environment and lifestyle, to restore balance and lasting health. That's the practical core of holistic health as this practice describes it. Instead of one cause, it looks at several areas and how they connect.

That's a useful way to think about your own health too. What runs in your family? What's around you at home and work? What do your days actually look like? The page doesn't give advice on each, but those three areas are a clear frame for a first conversation.

Body and Mind

The page lists wanting to understand your body and mind on a deeper level as a reason someone might be a good fit. That's a whole person idea in simple words. It treats physical symptoms and how you feel overall as parts of one picture, not separate topics.

It doesn't promise that one will fix the other, and neither should anyone. But it does mean the conversation isn't limited to a single organ or complaint. If you've felt that appointments only cover a narrow slice of what's going on, that's worth noting.

What Sets It Apart From Quick Visits

Unrushed Time

The page names unrushed, one on one visits with a medical professional who truly listens. It also lists frequent check ins and consistent, compassionate care. Time is the difference you can feel most quickly, and it's easy to judge from your first appointment.

A review on the page says the first appointment was comprehensive, and that Marylee spent time listening and asking thoughtful questions before offering suggestions. That's one patient's view, but it matches the page's own promise. Listening first is a good sign for any practitioner.

Root Cause Thinking

The practice describes functional medicine as addressing root causes of disease instead of treating symptoms in isolation, and sums it up as medicine that asks why, not just what. A whole person approach fits naturally with that. You can't ask why without looking at the bigger picture.

Ask any practitioner how they'd approach your situation. A good answer explains the thinking in plain words and mentions what information they'd need from you. The page also notes specialty lab testing and personalized care, so ask what might be involved.

What It Asks of You

Active Participation

The page says the approach suits people eager to learn about their health and take an active role in their wellbeing. It also mentions looking for support, accountability and a partner in your healing journey. So this isn't a passive service. You're expected to show up and engage.

That can be a good thing. People often do better with a plan they understand. But it also means being honest with yourself about time and energy. If you want something purely hands off, the page suggests this style may not be the right fit.

Six Months of Care

The page says the practice is for people committed to at least six months of dedicated care. That's a real commitment, and it's stated openly. Think about whether your schedule, budget and patience can handle regular check ins for that long.

If you're not sure, say so on a first call. It's better to talk about timing early than to drift away midway. The practice describes the work as consistent and transformative, so be realistic about whether you can give it steady attention.

Checking a Practice Before You Commit

Credentials and Reviews

According to the page, Marylee Marre is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in functional and integrative medicine. Credentials are worth checking for any practitioner you consider. Look at how they describe their training and what they say they can and can't help with.

The page also shows patient reviews, and one review mentions strong gut health and hormone related improvements? Not so. The reviews on the home page talk about listening, thoroughness and life changing experiences, and one mentions preconception support. Read them as opinions, not guarantees, and look for patterns rather than single stories.

The Discovery Call

The page offers a 15 minute discovery call as the place to begin: no pressure, no commitment, just a conversation. It's a low risk way to ask questions about gut health, testing, cost and whether the style fits you.

Virtual appointments are available, and the practice serves patients in Florida and New York. Come with questions written down. A short call goes fast, and a prepared list helps you leave with answers instead of more questions.

The Short Version

Holistic health, as this practice describes its work, means looking at genetics, environment and lifestyle together, caring about body and mind, and taking time to listen. It asks for active participation and at least six months of care.

Check credentials, read reviews as opinions and use the discovery call to ask your own questions about gut health or anything else on your mind. This is general information, not medical advice, so keep a licensed clinician involved.