Have you been curious about seeing a Naturopathic Doctor but unsure of what treatments I offer or how I can fit into your current healthcare team? Here you’ll find answers to my most frequently asked questions.
Have more questions? As your Naturopathic Doctor in Victoria I am here to support you in your health journey. Please reach out for a meet & greet to get started.
Frequently asked questions
I offer lab testing through LifeLabs, skin prick testing for environmental allergens, and pap testing for cervical cancer screening. Lab testing is often a critical part of a thorough assessment and necessary for reaching an accurate diagnosis. Regrettably, LifeLabs testing ordered through a Naturopathic Doctor is private pay (not covered by MSP).
One of the beautiful aspects of Naturopathic Medicine is that we are trained in many different treatment approaches. I offer botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, lifestyle counselling, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and acupuncture. Please visit this page for more details.
Each treatment plan is unique and often draws from several approaches. It’s incredibly important to me that your treatment plan feels good in your soul! If one or more of those approaches are not of interest to you, that is A-okay, we will build a plan that works for YOU.
Yes – I can prescribe medications that are covered by the scope of practice of Naturopathic Doctors in British Columbia. Prescription medications can be a great tool for many people. I believe in having the same honest and open discussions around the use of medications as I would around any other treatment.
No – Naturopathic Doctors in British Columbia do not have the ability to order imaging. If I believe imaging is important for your case, I will recommend that you see a Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner at a walk-in clinic or urgent & primary care centre.
No – care provided by a Naturopathic Doctor is not covered by the Medical Services Plan in British Columbia.
Yes – please note that each extended health benefits plan is unique and offers different coverage. I encourage you to take a look at your plan and ask your insurance provider for more information if you have questions. Please visit this page for more details.
TIME
With more time to spend with patients, I can:
- Learn the full scope of your health story
- Conduct a thorough assessment to help ensure we reach an accurate diagnosis
- Provide education about your condition
- Discuss all of your treatment options
- Discuss a preventative health strategy
TREATMENTS
Naturopathic Doctors are trained in many different treatment approaches, which means that we can work together to find the treatment(s) that work best for you.
COLLABORATION
I have such respect for the many other healthcare providers that are working to care for their community – Medical Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists, Counsellors, Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Registered Massage Therapists, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists, Registered Herbalists, and many others. I encourage my patients to build a healthcare team they trust, and I believe in working collaboratively and respectfully with all members of that team.
Absolutely not! I believe in working collaboratively and respectfully with all other healthcare providers, and I strongly recommend that my patients continue their relationship with their Family Doctor and any other members of their healthcare team.
No – you are never obligated to buy supplements directly from me. I will always provide you with dosing information so that you can shop for supplements wherever you prefer. Some great options in Victoria include: Lifestyle Markets, The Vitamin Shop, and Pure Pharmacy.
I’m so glad you asked! A preventative approach to healthcare is a wonderful strength of naturopathic medicine. I offer:
- Through LifeLabs:
- Lab screening for blood sugar, cholesterol, liver function, kidney function, and more…
- Colon cancer screening via the fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Cervical cancer screening via pap testing
- Blood pressure screening
- In your appointment, we may complete risk calculators (e.g. Framingham, ASCVD, FRAX, breast cancer risk assessment) which help us understand your risk of developing certain conditions so that you can make more informed choices about your care.
Please note that breast cancer screening (via mammography) can be booked without the assistance of a healthcare provider. Please visit this page for more details.
To sum it up in three words: thoughtful, honest, thorough.
I believe in leading with compassion. I believe in complete honesty – when giving you my clinical opinion, when presenting you with benefits and risks of a treatment, when admitting I don’t know the answer. I believe in being thorough – to build a complete picture of your case and to practice with a high standard of safety. If this approach resonates with you, let’s connect 🙂
