What Is a Naturopathic Doctor? Naturopathic Medicine Explained
How naturopathic doctors are trained and licensed, and what to expect from a consult in Richmond, VA.
If you've searched for a "naturopathic doctor near me," you've probably noticed the term gets used loosely online, sometimes describing anyone offering natural health advice on social media. A true naturopathic doctor (ND) is something more specific: a healthcare provider trained at an accredited, four-year naturopathic medical school in the same foundational sciences as a conventional physician, plus extensive additional training in nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, and physical medicine. This article walks through what naturopathic medicine actually is, how NDs are trained and licensed, what principles guide the approach, and what you can realistically expect from working with one, including important differences in how naturopathic care is regulated from state to state.
What Naturopathic Medicine Actually Means
Naturopathic medicine is a system of care that blends the diagnostic tools of conventional medicine with a philosophy centered on supporting the body's own capacity to heal. Rather than treating a naturopathic doctor as an alternative to a family physician, it's more accurate to think of naturopathic medicine as a distinct clinical lens: one that takes time to ask why a symptom is happening, not just what medication might quiet it down. As explained in more depth on our naturopathic medicine page, this often means longer visits, a detailed health history, and a treatment plan that draws on nutrition, lifestyle change, botanical medicine, and other natural therapies alongside conventional medical knowledge.
This whole-person orientation is also what connects naturopathic medicine to the broader idea of holistic medicine, which looks at physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors together rather than treating each symptom as its own isolated problem. Naturopathic doctors are sometimes described as the original functional medicine doctors, since the emphasis on interconnected body systems and root-cause thinking predates the more recent popularity of the functional medicine label.
Both approaches share a conviction that lasting relief comes from understanding the underlying pattern, not just naming the symptom.
The Six Principles That Guide Naturopathic Care
Most accredited naturopathic programs teach care around a consistent set of guiding principles, and understanding them explains a lot about how a visit unfolds.
Do no harm
Using the least invasive, lowest-risk approach appropriate to the situation.
The healing power of nature
Trusting that the body has an inherent capacity to move toward health once obstacles are identified and removed.
Treat the underlying cause
Looking past symptom suppression to find out why a problem developed in the first place, rather than chasing symptoms indefinitely.
Doctor as teacher
Spending real time educating patients so they understand their own health rather than simply issuing instructions.
Treat the whole person
Accounting for physical, emotional, social, and lifestyle factors together, not as separate categories.
Prevention
Focusing not just on catching disease early, but on building enough resilience and healthy daily practice to avoid it altogether.
These six ideas shape everything from how a visit is structured to which therapies end up on your care plan.
How Naturopathic Doctors Are Trained
Licensed naturopathic doctors follow a defined path:
Bachelor's degree
With pre-medical coursework.
Doctoral program
A four-year, in-residence program at one of a small number of accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America.
Licensing exam
A rigorous two-part examination covering biomedical sciences and clinical subjects.
State exams
Jurisprudence exams specific to the state in which they intend to practice.
Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical diagnostics such as lab interpretation and imaging, alongside specialized training in clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, and physical medicine, including manual therapy and massage.
It's worth noting that online or correspondence "naturopath" certificate programs are not the same credential as a licensed ND, and graduates of those programs do not qualify for licensure in states that regulate the profession. When researching a provider, asking where they trained, whether their program was accredited, and whether they currently hold an active license is a reasonable and genuinely useful question to ask before booking, regardless of how a practice markets itself online.
Licensing Varies Significantly by State
Naturopathic medicine is currently licensed or regulated in roughly two dozen U.S. states, along with Washington, D.C. and a couple of U.S. territories. Where it is licensed, NDs may be authorized to order labs and imaging, prescribe certain medications, and in some cases serve as primary care providers. Where it is not licensed, an ND's scope of practice is far more limited by law, regardless of how extensive their training is.
This distinction matters here in Virginia. The Commonwealth does not currently license or regulate naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathic consulting
Dr. Darcy Ries holds an active naturopathic medical license in Oregon, where she previously practiced as a primary care physician for more than a decade, specializing in women's health, digestive health, and physical medicine.
In Virginia, she serves clients in the role of a naturopathic health consultant rather than as a licensed primary care provider, and by law she is not able to diagnose or treat disease under an ND scope of practice in this state.
Licensed bodywork
She does, however, hold an active Virginia massage therapy license, which allows her to provide massage therapy and Mayan Abdominal Therapy directly under that separate credential.
This layered structure, part naturopathic consultation and part licensed bodywork, is fairly common for NDs practicing in states where the profession isn't yet regulated, and it's worth understanding clearly before you book a visit.
The Tools in a Naturopathic Doctor's Toolbox
A naturopathic consult can draw on several categories of therapy, chosen based on your individual case rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Clinical nutrition
Looks at how specific foods and nutrients affect energy, digestion, mood, and long-term disease risk.
Botanical (herbal) medicine
Uses the therapeutic properties of plants, many of which were the original inspiration for modern pharmaceuticals.
Homeopathy
Uses highly diluted remedies intended to gently nudge the body's own regulatory systems, a modality with a long history in naturopathic practice though one that remains debated within conventional medicine.
Physical medicine
Includes bodywork, therapeutic movement, and manual therapies such as massage.
Lifestyle medicine
Addresses the daily habits, sleep, exercise, and stress patterns that form the foundation of long-term health.
A consultant will typically combine a few of these tools rather than relying on just one, tailoring the plan to what's realistic for your life and your budget.
What a Naturopathic Consult Typically Involves
A first visit is usually longer than a typical primary care appointment, often 60 to 75 minutes, and includes a detailed intake covering diet, sleep, stress, past medical history, and current symptoms.
From there, recommendations might include:
- Changes to nutrition
- Targeted supplementation
- Botanical medicine
- Homeopathy
- Lifestyle adjustments
- A referral back to your primary care physician for labs, imaging, or medications outside a consultant's scope
Follow-up visits track progress and adjust the plan as needed. Many people pursue naturopathic consulting alongside, not instead of, their existing medical care, especially for women's health, digestive health, and chronic disease concerns.
Is Naturopathic Care Right for You?
Naturopathic consulting tends to appeal to people:
- Who feel rushed in conventional appointments
- Who have chronic or hard-to-pin-down symptoms
- Who simply want a more collaborative, prevention-focused approach to their health
Keep in mind:
- It is not a substitute for emergency care.
- It works best as part of a coordinated care team that includes your primary care physician, particularly if you take prescription medications or manage a serious health condition.
If you're weighing whether this style of care makes sense for you, a short conversation is often more useful than another hour of searching online for answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a naturopathic doctor the same as a medical doctor (MD)?
No. Naturopathic doctors attend a different four-year accredited doctoral program with a distinct curriculum and licensing exam. Where licensed, NDs can serve as primary care providers, but their training, philosophy, and scope of practice differ from an MD's.
Can a naturopathic consultation replace my primary care physician?
In Virginia, no. Because naturopathic medicine is not licensed here, care is provided in a consulting capacity and is meant to complement, not replace, the care of a primary care physician, especially for diagnosis, prescription medication management, and emergency concerns.
What conditions do people typically seek naturopathic support for?
Common reasons include hormonal and women's health concerns, digestive complaints, chronic fatigue, stress-related symptoms, and general wellness or prevention goals. You can read more on our conditions we support page.
Is naturopathic medicine safe?
Generally, yes, when provided by a qualified practitioner who understands your full health history and coordinates with your other providers. As with any therapy, it's wise to discuss new treatments or supplements with your primary care physician, particularly if you take medication, are pregnant, or manage a chronic condition.
How is this different from just researching natural remedies myself?
A trained naturopathic doctor evaluates your specific history, current medications, and lab work before recommending anything, which reduces the risk of harmful interactions or wasted time on approaches that don't fit your situation. Self-directed research online is not a substitute for individualized clinical guidance.
Curious whether naturopathic consulting fits your health goals? Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Ries, or visit our FAQ page for more on what to expect as a new client.
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