Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat acute and chronic health conditions using natural therapies, such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, nutritional supplements, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and homeopathy. NDs believe in treating people holistically by looking at all influencers of health in order to understand what might be contributing to disease. They aim to find and treat the root cause rather than simply treat the symptoms. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself and NDs act to support and encourage this process by not only giving the body what it needs to heal, but by identifying and removing any interfering obstacles that stand in the path of healing.

To become a naturopathic doctor, one must have a (4 year) bachelor’s degree before they attend a four year accredited naturopathic medical school. NDs are educated in all the standard biomedical/clinical sciences and clinical skills as an MD or DO, and must learn both conventional and naturopathic treatments. During the last two years of school, they are required to intern in clinical settings under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. In order to graduate and become licensed, one must pass three practical clinical exams (OSCE I, II, III) and two licensing exams (NPLEX I, II).