The biggest difference patients notice when establishing care with a naturopathic doctor is that we spend time with you! Quite a bit, actually. Forget waiting for 30 minutes to be seen mostly by a medical assistant before getting a measly 16 minutes face to face with your doctor. Your first naturopathic health consult will last 75 minutes, in which we establish the doctor-patient relationship and take a deep dive into your health concerns.

In addition to exploring your current health complaints, your doctor will ask questions to understand the details of your past medical history, family history, and lifestyle. This thorough review helps get a sense of your complete health picture. We will explore both your long-term and short-term health goals. Your doctor may review and discuss any prior lab results, or recommend additional lab work. You can also expect education regarding the following: your current health patterns and possible contributors, your existing diagnoses and disease processes, your current treatments (conventional and otherwise), and your options for supportive care.

You will receive a customized health plan including home care and naturopathic support, which may include nutrition, lifestyle medicine, herbal medicine, mind-body techniques, physical medicine, or homeopathy where appropriate. Your care plan may include referrals for other supportive services or additional recommended follow up with your primary care provider.

Depending on case complexity, your goals, and your commitment to care, we will discuss recommendations for follow up. It is important to understand that all problems won’t be solved in a single visit. If you’re dealing with a chronic health problem, it’s taken years for you to get there. Unwinding that process and re-orienting toward health will require your commitment as well as partnership in your care.