Steps To Become A Naturopath In New Brunswick

To become a naturopath in New Brunswick, you must complete an undergraduate university degree followed by an intensive 4-year graduate program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. Training for naturopathic doctors is similar to that of medical doctors (MDs) in basic sciences and anatomy, but differs in treatment options and philosophy. Naturopathic doctors are trained to address the underlying cause of illness and provide relief from primary medical concerns, using treatments such as nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy. After graduating, naturopathic doctors must pass rigorous board exams to obtain their licence. In New Brunswick, naturopaths cannot call themselves medically trained or claim to offer family practice.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary healthcare profession

Naturopathic medicine is in the process of being regulated in New Brunswick, with the New Brunswick Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NBAND) working towards this goal. NBAND is the provincial association for qualified naturopathic doctors in New Brunswick. Their objectives include educating the public about naturopathic medicine, providing accurate information, and maintaining consistent standards in membership and practice to protect the public interest.

Training to become a naturopathic doctor involves completing an undergraduate university degree, followed by an intensive four-year graduate program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. The initial training covers similar topics to conventional medical school, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology. However, the training differs significantly in terms of philosophy and treatment options. Naturopathic students are trained to address the underlying causes of medical concerns and provide relief through treatments such as nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy. They are required to complete clinical internships during the last two years of their training, amounting to over 4500 hours of study and practice by graduation.

After graduating from naturopathic medical school, aspiring doctors must pass rigorous board exams to obtain their licenses. The practice of naturopathic medicine adheres to several principles, including:

• The Healing Power of Nature: Recognising the inherent self-healing process in individuals and facilitating this process by identifying and removing obstacles to healing and recovery.
• Identify and Treat the Causes: Seeking to address the root causes of illnesses rather than merely suppressing symptoms.
• First Do No Harm: Following guidelines to minimise harmful side effects, avoid suppressing symptoms, and respect the individual's self-healing process.
• Doctor as Teacher: Educating patients, encouraging self-responsibility for health, and recognising the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
• Treat the Whole Person: Considering the patient's physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors, including spiritual health.
• Prevention: Emphasising disease prevention by assessing risk factors and working with patients to make interventions that prevent illness.

Naturopaths cannot call themselves medically trained in New Brunswick

In the Canadian province of New Brunswick, naturopaths are not allowed to call themselves "medically trained" or claim that they offer "family practice". This ruling was made by a judge in 2018 and upheld again in 2024. The New Brunswick College of Physicians and Surgeons had sought an injunction to stop naturopaths from using these terms, as they may mislead the public about their qualifications and training.

Naturopaths in New Brunswick are not medical practitioners and are not allowed to use words or titles that suggest they are. This includes terms such as "medical practitioner", "doctor", "physician", and "family practice". The justification for using these terms is based on the assumption that people understand the meaning of the word "naturopathy" and can differentiate between a naturopath and a conventional doctor. However, Justice Hugh McLellan of the Court of Queen's Bench ruled that there is a risk that the public could be misled and believe that naturopaths are entitled to practise medicine.

Naturopathic doctors in New Brunswick must complete an undergraduate university degree followed by an intensive 4-year graduate program from an accredited naturopathic medical school. Their training covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology, as well as pharmacology, gynecology, dermatology, pediatrics, obstetrics, and geriatrics. While there are some similarities to conventional medical school curricula, the training received by naturopathic students in terms of philosophy and treatment options differs significantly. Naturopathic treatments focus on nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy.

The New Brunswick Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NBAND) is the professional association representing naturopathic doctors in the province. They are working towards achieving professional regulation and title protection for their members.

Training and education requirements for naturopaths

To become a naturopath in New Brunswick, you must complete an undergraduate university degree followed by an intensive 4-year graduate program from an accredited naturopathic medical school. The initial training at naturopathic medical school covers anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology, as well as pharmacology, gynecology, dermatology, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and diagnostic imaging and laboratories. However, the training a naturopathic student receives with respect to philosophy and treatment options is quite different from conventional medical school. Naturopathic students are trained to address the underlying cause of an illness while providing relief from primary medical concerns. This is achieved through learning about naturopathic treatments such as nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy.

To become proficient in these treatment modalities, naturopathic students are required to complete clinical internships during the last 2 years of their training. By graduation, they will have completed over 4500 hours of study and practice. After completing naturopathic medical school, naturopathic doctors must pass rigorous board exams to be licensed by provincial and North American standards.

While naturopathic education does involve basic science and clinical skills, a judge in New Brunswick has ruled that naturopaths cannot claim to be "medically trained" or offer "family practice". This ruling aims to prevent naturopaths from positioning themselves as medical doctors or claiming they have equivalent training. It is important to note that naturopathy is a distinct form of primary health care, and while it may offer reasonable, science-based advice, it is not a substitute for medical care provided by licensed medical doctors.

The New Brunswick Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NBAND)

The objectives of the NBAND are:

• To educate the public on the philosophies and values of naturopathic medicine and to promote the profession within the province.
• To provide up-to-date and accurate information regarding naturopathic medicine.
• To maintain consistent standards in membership and practice for the protection of the public interest.
• To unite the profession within the province of New Brunswick.

To become a naturopathic doctor in New Brunswick, individuals must complete an undergraduate university degree followed by an intensive four-year graduate program from an accredited naturopathic medical school. The initial training covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, gynecology, dermatology, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and diagnostic imaging. Naturopathic students also receive training in philosophy and treatment options, including nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy. Clinical internships are an essential component of the last two years of their training. After graduating from naturopathic medical school, individuals must pass rigorous board exams to obtain their license to practise.

The NBAND has members who are active, qualified naturopathic doctors in good standing with the association. These doctors adhere to specific medical practice principles, including:

• The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Recognizing the inherent self-healing process in individuals and facilitating their recovery by identifying and removing obstacles.
• Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam): Addressing the root causes of illnesses rather than merely suppressing symptoms.
• First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Following guidelines to minimize the risk of harmful side effects and respecting the self-healing process.
• Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Educating patients, encouraging self-responsibility for health, and utilizing the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
• Treating the Whole Person: Considering physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors when treating patients.
• Prevention: Emphasizing disease prevention by assessing risk factors and working with patients to make interventions that promote health.

Naturopathy consultations

To become a naturopath in New Brunswick, you must complete an undergraduate university degree followed by an intensive 4-year graduate program from one of the accredited naturopathic medical schools. The initial training is similar to conventional medical school, covering anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology. However, the training differs in philosophy and treatment options, focusing on nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle counselling, and homeopathy. Clinical internships are also required during the last 2 years of training. After graduating, naturopathic doctors must pass rigorous board exams to obtain their license.

Initial Consultation

The initial appointment with a naturopath is typically longer than a conventional medical appointment, ranging from 60 to 90 minutes. During this time, the naturopath will take a detailed case history, enquiring about your current health, diet, lifestyle, health history, and family history. This comprehensive approach ensures that the underlying causes of any health issues are identified. It is recommended to bring along recent medical test results and a list or photo of any supplements or medications currently being taken. Based on this initial consultation, the naturopath will determine if any further specific pathology tests are required.

Treatment Plan

Following the initial consultation, the naturopath will devise a personalised treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This plan may include a combination of herbal medicine, nutrition, diet and lifestyle advice, mineral therapy, homeopathy, and other modalities. The treatment plan is designed to address the root causes of your health concerns rather than merely suppressing symptoms.

Follow-up Visits

Regular follow-up visits are recommended to assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan and make any necessary adjustments. The frequency of these visits may vary depending on your health condition and its complexity. Initially, you may need to come in weekly or fortnightly, gradually reducing the frequency to monthly visits as your condition improves. It is generally recommended to continue the treatment plan for 6-12 weeks to ensure that changes are fully implemented. After completing the program, many individuals schedule a 3-monthly check-up for ongoing maintenance.

Treatment Methods

Naturopaths utilise a range of gentle, non-invasive, and natural treatment methods. These include herbal medicines, nutritional advice, diet plans, mineral therapy, homeopathy, flower essences, iridology, and other traditional and evidence-based approaches. The focus is on harnessing the healing power of nature and supporting the body's inherent self-healing abilities. Naturopaths also emphasise disease prevention by addressing risk factors and promoting optimal health.

Cost Considerations

Frequently asked questions