DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A “NATUROPATH” AND A “NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR”?

6 Sep 2026

Upon graduation, a Naturopathic Doctor receives a post-graduate, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from an accredited naturopathic medical school.

There are seven accredited naturopathic programs across eight North American campuses:

– Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto

– Boucher University, Vancouver

– Bastyr University, Seattle and San Diego

– National University of Natural Medicine, Portland

– Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Phoenix

– University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bridgeport

– National University of Health Sciences, Chicago

Our Naturopathic Doctors, Dr. Harmonie Eleveld, Dr. Kelsey Duncan and Dr. Aleksandra Gasinski received bachelor’s degrees from accredited Canadian Universities and then went on to graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto.

CCNM’s curriculum includes four intensive years of post-graduate biomedical sciences, clinical nutrition, lifestyle management, mental health studies, traditional asian medicine, acupuncture, botanical medicine and physical medicine. During the fourth and final year of the naturopathic medical program, CCNM students complete at least 1,200 hours of clinical training, which involves the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients under the supervision of a licensed Naturopathic Doctor.

The post-graduate Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree program provides more than 3,000 hours of classroom curriculum and 1,200 hours of clinical training.

After graduation, Naturopathic Doctors take board certification exams and an extensive written licensing exam to become licensed to treat patients.

There are many careers and professions that are “naturopathic” or “natural”. However, if the practitioner did not successfully graduate from one of the seven schools listed above and did not take licensing exams, they are not a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and may not be qualified to treat all medical conditions.

Our Naturopathic Doctors at Natural Choice Medical Clinic use research based or evidence based medicine to develop a treatment plan specifically for you and your individual concerns. Your ND will look at you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. They will take into account your lifestyle, diet, stress levels, family history, personal history and environment. They will help you to remove those barriers which are keeping you from achieving optimal health.

Our Naturopathic Doctors at NCMC are licensed to treat all medical conditions. Among the most common ailments/concerns they treat are: menopause, infertility, PCOS, thyroid disease/dysfunction, hormone imbalances, cancer (adjunctive care), chronic fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, poor immune function, obesity and diabetes.

Please contact us today and book an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors. It is never too late to achieve optimal health.