Frequently Asked Questions:

What should I bring to my appointment?

Please fill out your intake form & diet diary online before your appointment, and send in any recent or relevant lab work or imaging as a document in the patient portal or fax it to 631-282-8910.  Please bring any supplements and medications you are currently taking or have questions about.  

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy combines centuries-old, natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in medicine, covering all aspects of health, from prenatal to geriatric care. Naturopathic medicine is tailored to the individual patient , as we look for patterns, underlying causes and your whole health picture, rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. NDs also emphasize prevention and self-care to ensure recovery and prevent recurrences.

What should I expect from an appointment?

Your first appointment will be a 75-90 minutes in length, and will cover your entire medical history in depth,  depending on the complexity of your case.  You will receive a treatment plan at that first visit , which may include supplement recommendations, and pharmaceutical prescriptions or lab requisitions if you are a patient in Vermont or California.  Follow up appointments will be shorter, unless a new problem develops, and will be a chance for you to ask questions and give an update on your condition, and for me to adjust my recommendations to further advance your health.  

Will insurance cover my visit?

In California and Vermont, I can give you a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for out of network care.   Some patients use a Health Savings Account to pay for some of their care and sometimes supplements.

How do I find you?

I am currently practicing at Sojourns Community Health Clinic in Westminster, VT during normal working hours, and have a few evening and weekend slots available for telemedicine patients. 

 Do you do phone or VIdeo visits?

Yes, I do.  Laws vary from state to state.  If you live in a state where there is no naturopathic licensing, I will serve as a consultant only, and can only make general recommendations.  In California, telemedicine is legal from the first visit, so I can work with you remotely, although I do insist that you have a local doctor to manage acute care.  In Vermont, we need to have an in-person visit before we can do remote visits, and be aware that insurance doesn't cover remote visits unless you are physically unable to travel. 

Do you do house calls?

I will do house calls for an additional fee, and they are not covered by insurance.  House call services are limited to an area within 30 minutes of the office.

Do you still do massage?

At the current time I do not, as I have not obtained a Vermont massage license. 

Are you a homeopathic doctor?

"Homeopathy" can be a confusing term, often confused with the concept of "home remedies".  I am a holistic doctor, and include homeopathy in my practice. Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses minute amounts of a substance to trigger the body's own healing response, under the principle of "like cures like".  However, homeopathy is just one of the modalities I can use to help you feel better - I may also recommend pharmaceuticals, herbal formulas, nutritional interventions, hydrotherapy, lifestyle changes and supplements in your customized plan.

What kind of training do Naturopaths have?

NDs are trained to be primary care physicians with an emphasis on holistic health, nutrition and prevention.  Our training includes all aspects of diagnosis using blood work, imaging and physical exam as well as pharmacology, minor surgery, IV therapy, chiropractic manipulation, nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and counseling. . Naturopathic medical training differs from conventional medical school in the following ways: (much) more time studying nutrition, physical medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutritional supplements and less time in pharmacology. Additionally electives can be taken in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, sports medicine, advanced botanical medicine.. NDs are considered experts in complementary and alternative medicine as well as drug/nutrient and drug/botanical interactions.

Training in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, laboratory medicine, microbiology, pathology, physical and clinical diagnosis and radiology is virtually the same as conventional medical school.   See here for a comparison chart of MD and ND trainings.

Are you a licensed doctor?

I am a licensed Naturopathic Physician in both California and Vermont, where I am considered a primary care doctor.   

I am also a Certified Nutrition Specialist, and credentialed to provide nutritional counseling.