Naturopathic Education
Dr. Harley is committed to helping people achieve optimal health through natural medicine & lifestyle balance. As individuals, our bodies require unique treatment plans to promote immunity and strengthen our wellness for the long term. At Naturopathic Optimal Wellness we conduct thorough health histories with each client to identify underlying causes and offer the most safe and effective natural treatments. Laboratory testing, medical imaging, and functional lab work may be used to further reveal imbalances and measure progress. This combination of science and natural medicine defines our approach to achieve optimal wellness.
Naturopathic Education
Currently, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or registration laws for Naturopathic Doctors and in 4 Canadian Provinces. In theses states, Naturopathic Doctors are required to graduate from accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical programs and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license or registration. For information about the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX) and the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), please see the Education page at Naturopathic.org.
Licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctors must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually and have a specific scope of practice as defined by their state’s law. The education, training, and licensing of naturopathic doctors distinguish them from lay practitioners called “traditional naturopaths”.
California became a licensed state in 2004. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) complete a four-year undergraduate program that must include all premed requirements. After completing the undergraduate degree, they attend a four-year, graduate-level, accredited naturopathic medical school where they are trained as primary care doctors of natural medicine. The training consists of comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, pharmacology etc., in addition to an in-depth study of natural therapeutics. Unlike conventional medical doctors, naturopathic medical doctors complete two years of nutrition courses. The medical training is similar to conventional medical schools, yet with pronounced differences in philosophy and treatment protocols and special focus on preventive medicine. ND’s practice as independent primary care general practitioners, with the ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions, perform physical exams, and order and interpret laboratory testing.
Naturopathic doctors use a variety of natural and non-invasive therapies, including clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, mind/body medicine and counseling. Many naturopathic doctors have additional training and certification in acupuncture and natural childbirth. Naturopathic treatments are effective in treating a wide variety of conditions without the need for additional intervention. Naturopathic doctors are also able to function within an integrated framework, and naturopathic therapies can be used to complement treatments used by conventionally trained medical doctors. The result is a patient-centered approach that strives to provide the most appropriate treatment for an individual’s needs without the side-effects of pharmaceutical medications.