Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is Naturopathic Medicine?

    Naturopathic Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on treating the root cause of illness rather than just symptoms. It combines modern medical knowledge with natural therapies, including nutrition, lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, and more, to support the body’s ability to heal itself.

    The 7 Pillars of Naturopathic Medicine inform our philosophy of practice. They are…

    First, Do No Harm – Use the safest, least invasive treatments to support healing.

    The Healing Power of Nature – The body has an innate ability to heal when given the right support.

    Identify & Treat the Root Cause – Address the underlying issue, not just symptoms.

    Doctor as Teacher – Educate and empower patients to take charge of their health.

    Treat the Whole Person – Consider physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors.

    Prevention is Key – Focus on proactive care to maintain long-term wellness.

    Optimize Health & Wellness – Go beyond disease management to help patients thrive.

    Naturopathic Doctors offer a range of wellness services, including:

    Comprehensive health assessments
    Nutritional counseling
    Herbal and botanical medicine
    Lifestyle and stress management
    Functional lab testing
    Homeopathy
    And more, depending on individual needs.

  • A Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is a regulated healthcare professional who has completed a four-year, full-time doctoral program at an accredited naturopathic medical school, followed by rigorous national board examinations.

    NDs are trained in biomedical sciences, clinical diagnosis, laboratory testing, pharmacology, and evidence-informed natural therapies, with supervised clinical training as part of their education. They maintain licensure through a regulatory body and are trained to assess complex medical histories, interpret lab work, and collaborate with other healthcare providers as part of patient care.

    A Naturopath, on the other hand, is a general term that can refer to anyone practicing natural health, often without formal medical training or licensure.

    Always ensure you are working with a licensed ND for safe, evidence-based care.

  • I work with individuals seeking structured, evidence-based naturopathic care for concerns such as digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, metabolic health, and complex or overlapping symptoms.

    This practice works best for people who are comfortable addressing questions and treatment decisions during scheduled appointments, and who are ready to engage in care collaboratively over time.

  • Adding a Naturopathic Doctor to your healthcare team can be valuable even when you’re feeling well.

    Establishing care proactively means you already have a provider familiar with your health history should concerns arise in the future (and ideally, before they do).

    Appointments in this context often focus on prevention, long-term health planning, and identifying opportunities to support overall well-being, rather than responding to urgent symptoms.

    If you’re interested in a proactive, structured approach to your health, you’re welcome to book an appointment.

  • No referral is required to book an appointment. You can schedule directly through the online booking system.

    If you are working with other healthcare providers, coordination of care can be discussed during your visit, and referrals or reports can be provided when clinically appropriate.

  • Virtual care is available in some cases and can help improve access to naturopathic care across Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Because virtual visits limit the ability to perform physical assessments, they are not appropriate for every concern. For this reason, a brief Discovery Call is required before booking a virtual appointment to determine whether virtual care is clinically appropriate for your situation.

    To request a Discovery Call for virtual care, please email hello@drerinwoolridge.com. If virtual care is a good fit, next steps will be discussed at that time.

  • Your first visit is a 75-minute consultation focused on understanding the full context of your health. During this appointment, we’ll review your current concerns, health history, lifestyle, diet, and other relevant information related to your case.

    This visit allows time for a focused physical exam (when appropriate) and a review of any recent, relevant lab work.

    Based on this assessment, we’ll identify key patterns and priorities and begin developing a comprehensive treatment plan. This may include nutrition and supplement recommendations, lifestyle modifications, and medical counseling.

    In more complex cases, elements of the treatment plan may be refined or provided after the appointment to allow for careful clinical review and decision-making. Every concern may not be addressed in the first visit, and longer or additional follow-up appointments may be recommended as part of a step-wise care approach.

  • Appointment fees vary based on the type and length of the visit.

    Current pricing is outlined below and is subject to change with notice.

    Initial Assessment – $180 + tax
    15-minute Follow-Up – $65 + tax
    30-minute Follow-Up – $95 + tax
    45-minute Follow-Up – $130 + tax
    75-minute Extended Follow-Up – $180 + tax

    Most patients are typically seen for 30-minute follow-up visits; however, visit length is individualized based on the complexity of the case and clinical needs, and can be discussed during appointments.

    All appointments are offered at standard rates.

    Sliding scale or reduced-fee appointments are not available at this time.

  • Naturopathic services are covered by many extended health insurance plans.

    Coverage varies by provider and plan, so it is recommend to confirm your specific benefits directly with your insurance company.

    Payment is made at time of visit, and receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement where applicable.

    Direct billing is not available at this time.

  • The scope of practice for Naturopathic Doctors varies by province. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Naturopathic Doctors are not currently permitted to prescribe pharmaceutical medications, modify existing prescriptions, order public lab work, or make referrals within Eastern Health.

    Where clinically appropriate, there may be options to order private or functional laboratory testing, depending on your case and the information required. This can be discussed during an appointment.

    Although Naturopathic Doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador cannot prescribe medications, we receive extensive training in pharmacology. This allows for informed discussions around medication mechanisms, potential interactions, timing, and adverse effects, and supports collaborative care alongside your prescribing provider.

  • In Newfoundland and Labrador, Naturopathic Doctors are not permitted to administer injections or IV infusions. As a result, these services are not offered in this practice.

    If injectable or IV therapies are being considered, inquiries should be directed to a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Medical Doctor (MD), who are authorized to provide these services within the province.

    Care in this practice focuses on nutrition, oral supplementation, lifestyle interventions, and medical counseling, with treatment plans tailored to your individual needs and clinical context.

  • I am currently accepting new patients. Appointments can be booked directly through the online booking system HERE

    Appointment availability is released in 4-week scheduling blocks. This allows for predictable scheduling while accommodating the reality that availability can change.

    If appointments appear limited, you’re welcome to join the waitlist to be notified of cancellations. Individuals on the waitlist are notified first when openings become available, before new scheduling blocks are released publicly.

    If appointments look sparse - don’t worry! The schedule is released in 8-week blocks. Life can be pretty unpredictable, so this helps us all stay accountable to appointments :)

    You can add yourself to the waitlist to be notified of any cancellations. Those on the waitlist get priority booking before the schedule goes live to the public.

  • Appointments are offered on a scheduled basis during the following clinic hours:

    Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
    Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    Appointments must be booked in advance. Availability may vary, and hours are subject to change.

  • Appointments are offered on a scheduled basis during the following clinic hours:

    Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
    Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    Appointments must be booked in advance. Availability may vary, and hours are subject to change.

  • Care in this practice is provided primarily through scheduled appointments. This allows concerns to be addressed thoughtfully, thoroughly, and within the appropriate clinical context.

    Email is used for:

    • scheduling

    • billing

    • administrative questions

    • brief clarifications related to an existing treatment plan

    Email is not used for:

    • ongoing symptom assessment

    • new or worsening concerns

    • treatment changes

    • medical advice

    If a question feels clinical, it’s best addressed during an appointment.

    Phone calls:
    Phone calls are not used for patient communication in this practice. Please contact the clinic by email for scheduling and administrative questions.

    Social Media:
    To protect privacy and maintain clear communication, social media is not used for patient communication and is not monitored for messages. Appointment changes or cancellations sent via social platforms cannot be accepted.

    This structure helps ensure care remains focused, respectful of everyone’s time, and clinically appropriate.

  • Yes. Discovery Calls are available for new patients who would like to determine whether this practice is a good fit.

    Discovery Calls are brief (15 minutes) and are intended to clarify logistics, scope of care, and whether working together makes sense.

    No medical advice, treatment recommendations, or symptom assessment is provided during these calls.

    One Discovery Call is available per new patient. Discovery Calls are booked by email only.

    Please contact hello@drerinwoolridge.com to inquire.

  • Great — I’m looking forward to meeting you. The information below will help you prepare for your appointment.

    Before your appointment:

    • You will receive a confirmation email after booking. Please read this email carefully, as it contains important information about your appointment.

    • A credit card is required to secure your appointment in accordance with the clinic’s cancellation and no-show policy. This is standard practice and is required to hold your appointment.

    • Credit card details are not visible to the clinic. Booking and records are managed through Jane, a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic medical record and scheduling system that protects personal, medical, and financial information.

    Cancellations and rescheduling:

    • A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for all cancellations or appointment changes.

    • This policy allows sufficient time to offer appointments to individuals on the waitlist and helps keep the schedule running smoothly.

    Forms and intake:

    • Intake and consent forms must be completed at least 48 hours before your appointment.

    • Automated reminders will be sent if forms are incomplete in the days leading up to your visit. Appointments may be cancelled if required forms are not completed within this timeframe.

    Lab work and records:

    • If you have recent lab work or relevant medical reports from the past 12 months, you’re welcome to bring them to your appointment or email them in advance for review.

    • Lab work is not required for an initial visit. Testing recommendations, if needed, will be discussed during your appointment.

    Referrals:

    • If you do not currently have a primary medical provider, referral options can be discussed during your visit when appropriate.

  • To cancel or reschedule, please use the online booking system HERE.

    A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for all cancellations or appointment changes. This allows time to offer the appointment to another patient on the waitlist.

    Automated email reminders are sent prior to your appointment. You can manage reminder and communication preferences through your patient profile.

  • A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to the following fees:

    • First late cancellation: $20 fee

    • Second late cancellation: 50% of the appointment fee

    • Third late cancellation: 100% of the appointment fee

    After repeated late cancellations, we may need to discuss whether ongoing booking is appropriate.

    Missed (no-show) appointments are charged 100% of the appointment fee.

    Cancellation fees are not eligible for insurance reimbursement.

    If an unexpected emergency prevents you from attending your appointment, please notify the clinic as soon as possible by emailing hello@drerinwoolridge.com.

    Situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.