General Information & Frequently Asked Questions
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Naturopathic Medicine
Is this the right approach for me?
Naturopathic Medicine is a system of health care that uses a combination of modern medical and scientific knowledge and natural therapies in the prevention and treatment of illness and disease. The grounds of naturopathic medicine arise from the intention of preventing illness, promoting wellness, and encouraging the body’s natural ability to heal.
A Naturopathic Doctor is a practitioner of Naturopathic Medicine. With extensive education, including a pre-med degree and four years of training at an accredited naturopathic college, NDs integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. So, yes, NDs are legit and qualified health care providers!
NDs are eclectic, each with a slightly different approach. Regardless, NDs all believe that balancing the mind, body, and environment is the path to optimal health because it supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself. NDs are also experts at early detection, as well as prevention and treatment of chronic disease. NDs’ personalized treatment plans work with each individual patient’s lifestyle and body chemistry.
No, NDs are NOT medical doctors, if that is what you are thinking.
The word ‘doctor’ comes from the Latin word for "teacher," itself from docēre, meaning "to teach." More familiarly, a doctor is someone who is a qualified practitioner of medicine.
NDs and MDs are doctors; both provide primary care and both are similarly trained in the field of healthcare and medicine. The major differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. NDs treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, and emotional aspects of health. This allows NDs to find and treat the cause of the disease using a variety of integrative therapies. Conventional doctors generally address and treat the symptoms of disease and use pharmaceutical therapies or surgery. (Learn more here)
While NDs and MDs have different medical training philosophies and models of care, both professions require university education prior to pursuing medical studies. NDs must complete at least 3 years of pre-medical sciences in university prior to applying to the four-year full-time Naturopathic Medicine program from one of five accredited naturopathic colleges in North America. The program includes over 4200 hours of classroom training; over 1200 hours of supervised clinical training; and studies in biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, clinical education, and naturopathic sciences (integrative therapeutics, acupuncture, etc.). In order to practice in Ontario, graduates must have successfully completed two sets of standardized North American examinations and one set of provincial examinations.
The body of scientific, health and medical knowledge is continually evolving. NDs are expected to continuously improve and update their knowledge and skills, and so are required to participate in Continuing Education and Professional Development learning activities and opportunities to maintain licensure.
Yes, NDs are provincially-regulated primary care providers. Naturopaths practicing in Ontario are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Registration with a regulatory body helps ensure that NDs have the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to care for their patients safely and effectively. (FYI: “ND”, “Naturopathic Doctor”, and “Naturopath” are protected titles in Ontario.)
The Naturopathy Act was proclaimed on July 1, 2015 and the profession has been regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) since that date. NDs are regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, alongside all other regulated health professions.
Canadian NDs are also regulated in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Part of our information and investigation sessions involves figuring out whether or not we need to do more in-depth laboratory testing. You may already have had lab testing done (e.g. routine testing for physical exams facilitated by your MD), so we can utilize information you currently have access to.
However, this may not be enough to identify imbalances not just in serum levels of disease markers, but in the very function of the different systems of your body. We may do a variety of tests, or none at all.
We will definitely take your circumstances into consideration. Your management plan, which may or may not include lab testing, is completely individualized for you.
The rich variety of naturopathic treatments are chosen based on your individual needs as a patient. Devising a treatment plan always takes into account your physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environmental, and lifestyle factors. We may discuss diet and lifestyle changes. Depending on your comfort and inclination, we can also consider incorporating other integrative therapies such as botanical medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, nutritional counseling/supplementation, laboratory testing, and bodywork as part of your treatment plan.
Learn more about Integrative Care treatments below.
This depends on what you feel you may need. I believe everyone can benefit from having a ND in their care team. Employing a ND in your healthcare team can help you not only elevate your current state of health but also pick up on signs and symptoms and educate you with preventing disease before a potential issue becomes more serious.
Yes, it is highly encouraged that you have open communication and continued relationships with all your healthcare professionals, including your medical doctor. There are definitely some situations wherein it is appropriate to address certain health concerns with only Integrative Naturopathic Medicine and others where conventional medical approaches are required. NDs are trained to refer when necessary.
No, Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy are not the same. However, Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy overlap in certain areas. NDs may use homeopathy as part of a treatment plan, but may also use acupuncture, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling, nutritional counseling, or other modalities. Homeopathy is a specific form of complementary medicine that is based on the ‘law of similars’: using a low-dose of a substance that causes the symptoms of disease in a healthy person will treat those symptoms in a sick person.
Yes, Naturopathic Medicine is safe to use with prescription medications when practiced effectively. NDs are trained in assessing and preventing deleterious drug-herb, drug-nutrient, and health/disease-related interactions. NDs will only prescribe nutrients, herbs, and other integrative therapies that are safe to take with your prescription drugs and your health condition.
Yes, your Naturopath can give you a yearly physical exam, and it is highly recommended to do so. Doing annual health and wellness screens with your ND can help to prevent disease progression, sustain improvements and remission from chronic disease, and optimize your health and quality of life. NDs can order comprehensive lab tests for patients and/or can get an authorized faxed copy of recent lab results from your MD.
Depending on your unique situation and taking into account the severity/progression of your health concerns, we will assess how much change is required and how realistic and sustainable the pace of change will be for your life circumstances. For example, in severe chronic illness, we may need to incorporate more robust changes. In some conditions, we may require simple diet/lifestyle changes.
Integrative Care:
What kind of treatments can I expect as part of my health optimization plan?
Naturopathic Medicine is a system of health care that uses a combination of modern medical and scientific knowledge and natural therapies in the prevention and treatment of illness and disease. The grounds of naturopathic medicine arise from the intention of preventing illness, promoting wellness, and encouraging the body’s natural ability to heal.
Diet and lifestyle are the foundations of health. Our health concerns are part of a much bigger picture, and they are intricately connected to the way we nourish our foundations. Your naturopathic care can be made even more effective when supporting healthy habits. Part of your treatment plan may involve encouraging healthy eating, supplementing natural health foods, lab testing, incorporating strategies around busy work routines, etc.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points in the body to encourage healing and optimize the flow of energy. A more modern way of explaining how acupuncture works is that it stimulates the nervous system to release chemical messengers that reduce pain, balance hormones, and influence the body’s natural biochemical processes. Acupuncture has been proven to provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of a variety of conditions e.g. infertility, hormone imbalances, digestive issues, muscle and joint pain, stress, headaches, etc.
Botanical medicine involves using plants therapeutically. For many thousands of years, Mother Nature has been providing us medicine to treat and relieve us of disease. Plants have a wide range of healing properties. They can be used medicinally in their whole form, as standardized extracts, or in synergistic medicinal blends.
Physical medicine techniques (bodywork) and hydrotherapy are incredibly useful in the treatment of pain, musculoskeletal problems, and nervous system imbalances. Some examples of physical medicine techniques used are muscle stretching and strengthening exercises.
Hydrotherapy is an aspect of physical medicine that particularly works on reducing swelling, pain, and inflammation by enhancing your body’s circulation. These tools collectively engage your mobility and healing.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that involves treating the individual with dilute substances with the intent of stimulating the body’s natural process of healing. It is based on the premise of “like cures like” - that is a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy individuals will cure similar symptoms in sick individuals.
NDs are often mistaken as homeopathic doctors. Homeopathy is not the same as naturopathy. Being a ND means I am able to incorporate this powerful tool in my practice, but it is not the only thing I use. Homeopathy is something I always consider when I come up with my treatment plans because of its safety record.
Integrative medicine incorporates the expertise of many different disciplines to support and achieve individual health goals. Whether you need a family doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, osteopath, counselor, coach, or non-healthcare-related support, we will work together to build the team that can help elevate your life.
Reproductive Health Support
All people are worthy and deserving of support. I would be honored to help you navigate your reproductive health choices and participate in the betterment of health resources in your community. If you are curious about any offerings or services below, please feel free to reach out and book a DISCOVERY SESSION with me. Read below for more information on how we can work together.
Working with Dr. Kim:
How can I benefit from her support?
Support with Integrative Naturopathic Medicine for people navigating their menstrual cycles, birth control options, sexual health and wellness, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, abortion, miscarriages, loss, other reproductive health issues, and general health and wellness goals.
If you are experiencing overwhelm with navigating your reproductive health issues and/or your overall health goals, getting more information about your body and having support can help overcome your health challenges.
We can work together to identify obstacles affecting your health, consider incorporating evidence-based information surrounding your health challenges and integrative therapies, and provide education and counselling, so you can have a clear understanding of how we will meet your goals.
Support for people who wish to have more guidance in fertility, sexuality, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, abortion, and loss.
No matter where you are and what you are going through you deserve nurturing and non-judgmental emotional support. You deserve a safe space to voice your concerns and guidance to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Reproductive health services can be conducted both in-person or virtually, wherever you are more comfortable. Support can look different for everyone. Support can look like building birth preferences, answering your questions and curiosities about sexual health, unlearning misconceptions you’ve learned about reproductive health, building resource lists, holding your hand while you are in labor or birthing, providing you with breastfeeding support, or quietly witnessing you grow through an abortion or loss, I am here for you.
Support for Community Health Workers and Advocates looking to provide community-centered care
Whether you are new and curious or already a practicing community health worker, there is always more we can learn to incorporate in our practice so everyone is receiving the support they deserve.
We can work together by facilitating workshops or in a mentorship capacity, as we look into different ways we can move forward with centering community organizing and community care in practice.
Working with Dr. Kim:
Appointments, fees, clinic policies, etc.
Yes, you must be residing in Ontario in order to receive Naturopathic services.
Naturopathic Medicine Appointments
- Virtual Care for Reproductive Health & General Health Goals: Virtual and phone consults are available for patients located in Ontario. Naturopathic Visits are conducted virtually over a secure telemedicine platform. Book here.
MONDAYS: 8AM-11AM
THURSDAYS: 8AM-11AM
FRIDAYS: 8AM-11AM - In-Person & Virtual Fertility Care in Tripod Fertility in North York on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
TUESDAYS: 8AM-4PM
WEDNESDAYS: 8AM-4PM - In-Person Care at the Brooklin Natural Health Centre in Whitby on Mondays and Thursdays.
MONDAYS: 2PM-7PM
THURSDAYS: 2PM-7PM - In-Person Care at the Rouge Therapy in Scarborough on Fridays and every other Saturday.
FRIDAYS: 2PM-7PM
EVERY OTHER SATURDAY: 8AM-11AM
- Home visits: For residents in the GTA, a few times a month, I offer naturopathic visits conducted in your home (I am vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and I will be following safety precautions as per Public Health recommendations). Please note that an additional travel cost will be incurred when we bill your session. Book here
All other sessions are conducted virtually.
DISCOVERY SESSION
In this 15-minute complimentary consult, I will answer general questions you may have regarding naturopathic medicine and advise whether naturopathic medicine will be a good fit for your health concern. This is also a great chance for you to see if my expertise and approach will help you achieve the transformation and progress you need.
INITIAL INFORMATION & INVESTIGATION SESSION
(Initial Naturopathic Visit)
Your first full consultation session with me is where you get the chance to tell your story. We will review your health concerns, health history, and health goals. At the end of the session, we will work together to identify obstacles and your desired outcomes, and decide on the next steps of your health management plan.
INITIAL INFORMATION & FERTILITY INVESTIGATION SESSION
(Initial Naturopathic Visit)
This appointment is for individuals who are considering trying to conceive, are in the process of trying to conceive naturally or with fertility specialist clinic assistance. This is for people who may have PCOS, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, male factor infertility, thyroid disorders, unexplained infertility, etc. In this appointment, we will go through your medical history and lifestyle, and establish a fertility optimization management plan.
EVALUATION SESSIONS
(15-45 minute Follow-up Naturopathic Visits)
In these follow-up sessions, we will: review your responses to treatment, discuss new information, answer your questions, and continue working towards your health goals. We will be measuring your success and continually modify and evolve your management plan to ensure we are moving towards your goals.
FERTILITY EVALUATION SESSIONS
(30-45 minute Follow-up Naturopathic Visits)
This appointment is for patients following-up with their previous Fertility Naturopathic Consultations. Similar to Evaluation Sessions (see above), this follow-up session involves re-evaluating your fertility management plan and your responses to treatment, discussing new information or lab work, and continuing working towards your health goals.
ACUPUNCTURE SESSIONS
(30-45 minute Follow-up Naturopathic Visits)
Acupuncture can be part of your health management plan. This treatment is especially useful for fertility support, IVF support, pregnancy and labor induction, stress reduction, and pain management. Acupuncture visits are conducted in-person at my Toronto and Whitby clinic locations, during home visits, and before and after your IVF procedures on-site.
Pre- and Post-IVF Procedure Naturopathic Acupuncture Visits
(Total of around 2-3 hours)
This treatment includes two acupuncture treatments, one before your embryo transfer and then another one afterwards. We work with you and your health care team to ensure you have a smooth transfer day. The treatments will be 30 minutes each session on the same day of your transfer. Treatments will be done on-site or at your home.
Thank you for your interest in working with me! To get started, simply head over to my Booking Websites (check out the links below), depending on where you want to meet – virtually or in-person.
Become a patient of mine at a space you prefer (for people located in Ontario, Canada only).
Dr. Kim's fee schedule (effective July 1, 2023)
Virtual Care, Tripod Fertility, Brooklin Natural Health Centre, Rouge Therapy, Home visits (Base fee)
NATUROPATHIC FERTILITY CONSULTATIONS
- Initial Fertility Naturopathic Visit (~75-90 minutes) $300
- Initial Fertility Naturopathic Visit (Couple) (~120-150 minutes) $475
- Fertility Follow-up naturopathic visit (ACUPUNCTURE only) (up to 30 minutes) $100
- Fertility Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Standard, up to 30 minutes) $120
- Fertility Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Extended, up to 45 minutes) $160
- Fertility Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Extended, up to 1 hour) $200
- Fertility Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Brief, up to 15 minutes) $70
NATUROPATHIC CONSULTATIONS FOR GENERAL HEALTH
- Initial Naturopathic Visit (up to 75 minutes) $275
- Follow-up naturopathic visit (ACUPUNCTURE only) (up to 30 minutes) $100
- Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Standard, up to 30 minutes) $120
- Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Extended, up to 45 minutes) $160
- Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Extended, up to 1 hour) $200
- Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (Brief, up to 15 minutes) $70
Parenteral therapies
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, or cyanocobalamin) Intramuscular (IM) injections
- 1,000 mcg/1 mL - $25
- 5,000 mcg/1 mL - $35
Vitamin D3 IM injections
- 50,000IU Vitamin D3/1 mL - $30
- 100,000IU Vitamin D3 in 2 divided 1 mL IM injections - $42
Supplements and Labs
Note: Costs for supplements and labs are determined by patient needs, however, can always be secured outside the clinic at your preferred location.
Travel costs for In-Home visits
Please note that an additional travel cost will be incurred when we bill your session.
NDs do not charge HST for Naturopathic Visits or lab fees. (HST still applies to supplement sales).
Currently, OHIP does not cover ND visits.
Most extended healthcare plans include naturopathic medicine, so check with your insurance provider to see what your health care policy coverage is.
You can pay by cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and Email Money Transfer (EMT).
Insurance Direct Billing: I can also bill your insurance directly. While I am able to offer direct billing services to common insurance providers, please do confirm with your insurance coverage/health benefits provider what your policy/contract entails regarding coverage (for Naturopath services) and claim submissions.
Please confirm with your insurance coverage/health benefits provider what your policy/contract entails regarding coverage (for Naturopath services) and claim submissions.
In my private practice (separate from my Whitby clinic operations), I use the Telus eClaims, theclaimsXchange, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Green Shield, and SunLife Financial claim submission portals to access direct billing practitioner services. With these platforms, I am able to directly bill to the following insurance companies:
BPA (Benefit Plan Administrators)
Beneva by La Capitale
Blue Cross
Canada Life/Great West Life
Canadian Construction Workers Union
Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance
ClaimSecure
CINUP
Co-Operators
Cowan
Coughlin
Desjardins Insurance
Equitable Life
First Canadian
GMS Carrier 49 & GMS Carrier 50
Green Shield
GroupHEALTH
Group Source
Industrial Alliance
Johnson Inc.
Johnston Group Inc.
LiUNA Local 183 & LiUNA Local 506
Manion
Manulife
Maximum Benefit
Medic Construction
Nexgen-Rx
People Corporation
RWAM
SSQ Insurance
Sun Life Financial
Telus AdjuCare
Union Benefits
UV Insurance
INTAKE FORMS
Please complete all intake forms and the COVID-19 pre-screen assessment/consent that will be sent digitally to you before your appointment. It is important to take time to review our COVID-19 protocols.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
All appointments must be booked in advance. No walk-in appointments (please call the clinic beforehand to set this up) will be permitted without an appointment.
SCREENING & TEMPERATURE CHECK
You will be asked the COVID-19 screening questions upon your arrival to the clinic or before your home visit. Your temperature will also be taken using a contactless thermometer. Anyone with a temperature over 37.3ºC (99.1ºF) will be kindly asked to reschedule their appointment with no cancellation charge.
HAND-WASHING
Hand-washing sinks are located in the clinic building. Please wash your hands before and after your appointment.
PLEASE COME TO YOUR APPOINTMENT ALONE
At this time we are actively trying to minimize the number of people in the clinic and will not be admitting anyone into the clinic that does not have a confirmed appointment.
If you wish to have a support person with you, please let me know and have them be aware of the COVID-19 safety protocols that we will be applying to them as well.
MASKS
Please wear a mask to your appointment.
CASHLESS
My private practice is a cashless premises. Debit, credit card or e-transfer are the preferred methods of payment. Direct billing to your insurance provider can also be done.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR HEALTH
If you have been sick within the last 14 days or have been in close contact with someone who has been sick, we ask that you plan for a virtual visit or reschedule your in-person appointment
CANCELLATION POLICY
Anyone who cancels due to COVID-19 concerns, or does not pass our screening test will not be charged the late-cancellation fee (typically we require 48 hours notice of all cancellation).
To hold an initial appointment for new patients and follow-up appointments for returning patients, a $1 deposit is required. This is your commitment to provide 48 hours notice should you need to cancel, or you are responsible for the missed visit fee. Thank you for your understanding!
If you wish to pay by Email Money Transfer (EMT) or utilize Insurance Direct Billing, please let me know and we can set this up. You can proceed with booking online, and your deposit will be refunded after receipt of EMT or Insurance payment.
Your comfort and safety is my top priority. If you have any questions prior to your appointment, please feel free to ask. I hope my answers below can help to clarify my practice’s safety protocols.
Before every visit, all surfaces and seating in the clinic spaces are disinfected, as well as anything that is touched by patients and staff. Dr. Kim’s devices and medical equipment are also regularly sanitized.
Thorough cleaning and disinfection are done throughout the day using Health Canada approved cleaning products.
I (Dr. Kim) will always be wearing a mask within the clinic and in our home visits. Face shields and gloves are worn as needed.
The number of patients and staff within the clinic is limited to support adequate physical distancing and ventilation.
Handwashing and hand sanitizing stations are available in the clinic space. In home visits, Dr. Kim will always wash her hands before starting the appointment.
Dr. Kim and other practitioners in the facility will also be screened for COVID-19 before their shift at the clinic. I (Dr. Kim) use rapid COVID-19 antigen tests before my in-person clinic shifts.
We understand that life happens which means appointment cancellations and rescheduling are sometimes unavoidable.
We kindly request that you provide 48-hour notice for any appointment changes or cancellations. This allows us to offer the appointment spot to other patients waiting for visits.
Missed appointments and late cancellations will incur a 50% cancellation fee. We would like for you to avoid this, so please ensure to provide notice for all appointment changes. Thank you so much for your understanding and respect for this policy.
Do you still have questions that were not answered above?
Please contact me and I will be happy to answer your questions within 3-5 business days or schedule a Complimentary 15-minute DISCOVERY SESSION with me as well if it’s easier to chat.