Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Check our Frequently Asked Questions section! If you can’t find the answer here, contact us! Or if you’ve found your answer and are ready to set up an appointment, click here!
Functional Naturopathy is a science-based and lab-guided approach to health that seeks to uncover the underlying cause of symptoms and then restore proper function to the body by correcting the root dysfunction. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Functional Naturopathy recognizes that symptoms/diseases are simply the manifestations of underlying dysfunction in the body’s main systems. By focusing on underlying mechanisms and root causes, the symptoms (whatever they may be) tend to resolve on their own.
Functional Naturopathy differs in significant ways from conventional medicine:
- Instead of improving symptoms without improving function, it improves symptoms precisely because it improves function.
- Works from the inside out.
- It does not diagnose or treat disease, but rather focuses on improving the underlying health of the main body systems. To paraphrase Functional Medicine physician Mark Hyman, it is the system of “why” – Why this symptom, why this disease?
What is the difference between Functional Naturopathy and Functional Medicine?
They are very similar. Both recognize the importance of the body as a system and the crucial need for addressing the underlying cause(s) of symptoms/disease via a systems-oriented approach. Both approaches focus on individualized care as they seek to understand how each person’s environment, background, and experiences have contributed to their current health complaints. Both approaches spend fairly large amounts of time interviewing each person, doing the necessary detective work to uncover the most likely contributors to illness. I coined the term “Functional Naturopathy” in order to distinguish how I might be different from other Functional Medicine practitioners and to clarify what you can expect from me. As a Traditional Naturopath, I am a 100% drugless practitioner. While I am not unconditionally opposed to the judicious use of medications, my goal in my practice is to always strive to find solutions that are completely natural and in line with a truly Naturopathic tradition.
Also, as a Naturopath, I do not in any way diagnose or treat disease. This is certainly in line with the spirit of Functional Medicine, but unlike many of the medical doctors (MDs, DOs, etc.) within the Functional Medicine movement who are licensed and qualified for diagnosing and treating diseases, this is not the role or the right of the Naturopath.
Briefly, the goal of Functional Naturopathy is to:
- Recognize the inherent ability of the body to heal once proper order and function is restored.
- Identify and remove obstacles to healing.
- Correct and/or remove any root dysfunction(s) in the interconnected body systems.
Both Functional Medicine and Functional Naturopathy are valuable systems of healing. In my practice, however, the application of this healing philosophy is carried out without the use of medications, without a focus on disease, per se, and with an eye to traditional Naturopathic principles.
How do I contact you?
For those without an account portal, you may contact us via the blue Chat option at the bottom right-hand side of this page.
You may also contact us by phone at (805) 765-1514. Please note that we do not employ a receptionist to answer the phone (calls are often routed to voicemail). We do not handle emergencies and it may take us up to 72 hours or longer to respond to your inquiry.
For active clients, you may utilize the messaging center within your account portal to reach out to us.
Please note that direct messages between appointments are intended to clarify questions/concerns pertaining to a current protocol or wellness plan and should not be used as an open forum for discussion on matters not pertaining to the current wellness plan or protocol. Messages should contain simple, targeted questions of a comprehension or clarification nature that are able to be answered in 1-2 sentences each; not paragraphs. If further discussion is needed outside of these parameters, please schedule a follow-up appointment or hold this topic for a future consultation. We receive many messages per day, and the time available to answer questions between appointments is very limited.
How do I make an appointment?
The best way is to set up your own appointment, here!
What will I need for my first appointment?
Once you schedule your appointment, you will receive an email confirmation with a request to activate your account portal (Can’t find the email? Check your spam folder, just in case).
First-time appointments will need to fill out the requested intake and acknowledgments forms (you will receive reminders to fill these out within the portal prior to your appointment). These must be signed and completed at least 3 days prior to your scheduled appointment to ensure smooth proceedings. Failure to do so may result in appointment cancellation.
If you have any recent lab results from any other practitioners you have seen in regards to your current health status, you may upload those to the “Documents” section in your account portal.
What is your payment policy?
Due to the fact that we are a small, family business, payment must be made at the time services are rendered. After the appointment, you will receive an invoice in person or via email for the appointment time and any other tests or services rendered, which is expected to be paid upon receipt via cash, check, credit card, or online payment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We gladly accept cash, personal checks, credit cards, and online payments (for online payments, we accept PayPal and Square. Note that a 3% processing fee may apply for debit, credit card, and online payments). Return checks will incur a $25 fee to your account.
Do you accept insurance?
We are a direct-pay practice. We do not accept insurance or coordinate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Do you offer financing?
6-month, interest-free financing is available through Paypal Credit for purchases of $149 or more.
What if I can’t make it to my appointment?
Please cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment. Cancellations without notice or no-show appointments will be billed at the full rate of the scheduled appointment, due within 2 weeks, or at your rescheduled appointment within those 2 weeks. Remember, this is small, family-run office and we cannot afford to have appointment slots “wasted”! If you need to cancel due to an emergency that prevents notice, please call us as soon as possible and we will be glad to consider waiving the fee on a case-by-case basis!
How will I receive my lab results?
Test results are reported via the laboratory directly to me at my office and/or will be uploaded to your account portal. In most cases, you will be required to schedule a follow-up appointment in order to obtain detailed commentary or guidance on the lab results.
When will I receive my lab results?
Once submitted, most lab results are back within 2-3 weeks, but may take a month or sometimes longer depending on the lab.