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What To Expect At
Be Well Collingwood
You'll notice a visit with us will feel different than one with your family doctor. Our Naturopaths will often sit with you and discuss your case in detail, doing our best to leave no stone unturned. Our Naturopathic Doctors work from a functional medicine approach which means their priority is to identify and address the root cause of your symptoms. This thorough case taking requires time, attentive listening and a commitment to doing good work. After your first visit, there may be more information we want from lab work, specialized lab testing, homework or previous health records.
Sometimes we'll get started right away with strategies to improve your immediate health/well-being but usually, your care plan comes together after the first few visits as this other information trickles in. When there are large shifts in what you're experiencing, taking or new concerns we will need to adjust our care plan. Our relationship ends up being dynamic and ever-evolving and we want you to feel that you're in the driver's seat.
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What Is Naturopathic Medicine?Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare integrating standard medical diagnostics with complementary and alternative therapies. Naturopathic treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying cause of your concerns rather than masking disease symptoms. Naturopathic treatments are tailored to the individual, and therapies are generally safe, non-invasive and well-tolerated. Working with a naturopathic doctor allows you to safely and appropriately incorporate natural therapies into your healthcare.
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How Do I Find a Licensed ND?In order to find a licensed naturopathic physician in North America go to the following websites and access the ‘Find an ND’. All Naturopathic Physicians in these databases have a current license which indicates that they have graduated from an accredited school. They have passed all required licensing examinations in their respective jurisdictions and have remained current with continuing education requirements. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors The College of Naturopaths of Ontario Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors
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How Are Naturopathic Doctors Trained in Ontario?Naturopathic doctors receive a minimum seven years of post-secondary education with training, licensing and continuing education similar to that of family doctors. Naturopathic medicine is a regulated healthcare profession in Ontario and many other provinces and states. Naturopathic doctors must be licensed in order to practice, follow a code of ethics, and must maintain a high level of continuing education in order to stay up to date on best practices.
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Can I Combine Naturopathic Health Care with Conventional Health Care?Naturopathic medicine complements conventional healthcare. Working with a naturopathic doctor does not interfere with the care you’re receiving from your family doctor or specialist. In fact, naturopathic therapies can decrease medication side effects and allow you to better tolerate conventional treatment. Our Naturopaths will refer you to and collaborate with other practitioners when needed, including your family doctor if your needs require their attention.
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How Often Should I Book Follow Up Appointments?Please follow-up with us at least every 4 months to achieve optimum benefit - this allows the ND to stay in touch with your concerns and work towards better results faster. As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t been in for 4 months - please book a 1 hour follow-up. If you have been in within the last 4 months, 45 minutes will likely do. It is always nice to have ample time to ensure no important case elements are missed. Should we wind up early, we will always adjust our service fee for the time used and not booked. Extending the time however is often impossible as that time is allocated to someone else's booking.
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When Should I Book an Appointment?Most people think of us for those chronic complaints but we also love doing acute care. We treat most everything your Medical Doctor would – so think of us next time you have a cold/flu, stomach bug, migraine, rash, etc. We are generally really good at helping you feel a whole lot better quickly and if we can't help, we'll know where to send you. We do try and accommodate urgent cases as they come up. If you would like to 'walk-in' check out our colleague Dr. Jennifer Corey as she provides a walk-in style of practice.
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What Should I Expect in Terms of Investment?Every patient is different and may require more or less time in the office in varying frequencies. Generally, there is a long first visit which includes a comprehensive history taking and if time allows – a basic physical exam. Any required laboratory work is then requested (either from your doctor or from the lab in-time for your second visit – when a proper plan of action is put into place. If you have been unwell for a period of time, expect the road to recovery to be longer. If your case is complex, we may need to implement a few things at a time and judge their efficacy over time To learn more about your investment please visit out Fee page here.
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Are Naturopathic Services Covered By OHIP or Insurance?As of yet, OHIP does not cover Naturopathic Physicians in the province of Ontario. Most extended health benefits insurance offer some coverage for naturopathic services [fees and tests, etc]. When you see a licensed naturopathic doctor you’ll receive official receipts that can be submitted to your provider for coverage or may be used as a medical expense deduction on your income tax return. Please inquire directly with them to see what coverage you are eligible for. Payments will be received upfront and a receipt will be issued so that you can submit your claim independently. Please talk to our office administrator directly if you wish to pursue direct billing or have financial constraints otherwise.
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