FAQ
Your Questions, Answered
Common questions about naturopathic medicine, costs, insurance, and what to expect. If your question isn't here, start with a free meet & greet.
Getting Started
Do I need a referral to see a naturopath in Saskatchewan?
No. You can book directly. No referral from a family doctor needed. If you want to meet me before committing, I offer a free 15-minute meet & greet where you can ask questions and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your initial visit is 75 minutes. I ask a lot of questions: health history, what's going on now, medications, supplements, how you eat, sleep, and move, what's stressing you out. The goal is to figure out what's going on and build a plan that's actually sustainable for your life. If I suggest something that doesn't work for you, tell me and we'll adjust.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book online through Summit Sports & Health's booking page or call the clinic at (306) 979-8753. If you'd prefer to start with a free meet & greet, you can book that the same way.
Can I bring my partner or a family member to my appointment?
Absolutely. Some people feel more comfortable having someone with them, and for fertility appointments especially, it can be helpful to bring your partner or support person.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Any recent lab work, a list of current medications and supplements, and your health concerns, even if they seem unrelated. The more I know, the better I can support you.
Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes. All initial and follow-up visits can be done virtually for anyone in Saskatchewan. I'm licensed in SK only, so virtual visits are available province-wide but not outside the province.
Cost & Insurance
How much does a naturopathic appointment cost?
Here's the full breakdown. No surprises:
| Visit Type | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Initial visit | 75 min | $275 |
| Pediatric initial | 45 min | $195 |
| Extended follow-up | 60 min | $225 |
| Follow-up | 45 min | $195 |
| Follow-up | 30 min | $130 |
| Quick follow-up | 15 min | $80 |
| Acupuncture / cupping | 50 min | $125 |
| Craniosacral therapy | 50 min | $125 |
| Meet & greet | 15 min | Free |
Is naturopathic medicine covered by insurance in Saskatchewan?
Yes. Most extended health plans cover naturopathic medicine. My clinic offers direct billing, so depending on your plan you may have no out-of-pocket cost at all. Check with your benefits provider to confirm your naturopathic coverage and annual limit.
What does direct billing mean?
It means the clinic bills your insurance company directly so you don't have to pay up front and wait for reimbursement. Not every plan is set up for direct billing, but most are. We'll sort it out at reception.
Does Saskatchewan Health (the provincial plan) cover naturopathic medicine?
No. Saskatchewan's provincial health plan doesn't currently cover naturopathic visits. Coverage comes through private extended health plans, the benefits you get through your job or your partner's job.
Does insurance cover lab work?
Lab work I order through LifeLabs is out of pocket. It's not covered by provincial healthcare the way it would be if your GP ordered it. That said, many extended health plans have a "lab testing" category that covers some or all of the cost. It's worth checking your plan.
Do you offer payment plans or packages?
I don't offer packages or programs. Naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan aren't permitted to. Each visit is booked and billed individually.
Conditions & Services
Can a naturopath help with PCOS?
Yes, and it's one of my primary areas of focus. I use lab work, nutrition support, targeted supplements, movement guidance, and acupuncture to address what's driving your PCOS: insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal patterns. Without restrictive diets or making your weight the focus. Learn more about PCOS support.
Can a naturopath help me get pregnant?
Yes. Lauren works with individuals and couples to figure out what might be getting in the way of conception. That includes preconception optimization, lab work, nutrition, supplements, and cycle tracking for natural cycles, IUI, and IVF. Your team might include a partner, a donor, or just you. Learn more about fertility support.
Can a naturopath help with perimenopause or menopause?
Yes. Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, brain fog. There's a lot that can be done with nutrition, targeted supplements, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. The goal is supporting you through this transition without pretending it's something you just need to push through. Learn more about hormones & menopause support.
Can a naturopath help with anxiety, depression, or ADHD?
Yes. Your brain is part of your body, and it deserves the same thorough, whole-person approach. I offer evidence-informed naturopathic support for mental health, including nutrition, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle strategies that actually have research behind them. Learn more about mental health support.
Do you work with children?
Yes. Pediatric initial appointments are 45 minutes ($195) and cover things like eczema, constipation, allergies, sleep issues, anxiety, nutritional gaps, and immune support. The approach is gentle, well-researched, and realistic for families. Learn more about children's care.
Do you do food sensitivity testing?
It's available if you really want to explore it, but it's not something I lead with. Food sensitivity panels have limitations, and I'd rather figure out what's going on with your digestion first before jumping to elimination diets. Learn more about digestive health support.
What kind of lab work do you order?
I run serum labs through LifeLabs: iron, thyroid panels, vitamin D, preconception panels, hormone testing, and more. It's the same lab work you'd get through a GP, ordered based on your specific picture. I also offer DUTCH hormone testing, comprehensive stool testing, SIBO breath testing, and organic acids testing when they're clinically useful.
Do you treat eating disorders?
I don't formally treat eating disorders, but I use an anti-diet, Intuitive Eating lens with all patients. In a world of diet culture, disordered eating patterns exist on a spectrum, and I'm mindful of that in every appointment. If you need specialized eating disorder treatment, I can help you find the right support.
About Naturopathic Medicine
What's the difference between a naturopath and a family doctor?
Both are trained healthcare providers. I completed a four-year naturopathic medical program focused on thorough, whole-person care. My appointments are much longer (75 minutes vs. 10-15), and my treatments include clinical nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle support. Many of my patients see both me and their family doctor. We're not in competition.
Is naturopathic medicine evidence-based?
Yes. Everything I recommend is grounded in current research and clinical evidence. I don't prescribe things that don't have data behind them, and I'll be the first to tell you when a wellness trend is nonsense. I'm also not going to fear-monger you into buying supplements you don't need.
Can I see a naturopath if I'm already seeing a doctor or specialist?
Absolutely. Naturopathic medicine works alongside conventional care. I'm happy to coordinate with your GP, OB-GYN, endocrinologist, or any other provider to make sure your care plan is cohesive.
Are naturopaths regulated in Saskatchewan?
Yes. I'm a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (SANP) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND). Naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan complete regulated training and maintain professional standards.
Anti-Diet & Weight-Neutral Care
What does "weight-neutral" mean?
It means I don't use your weight as a measure of health or progress. No weigh-ins, no calorie counting, no "you need to lose X pounds." Your health is about how your body functions, how you feel, and your relationship with food and movement. Not a number on a scale. This applies to every patient, every appointment.
What is Health at Every Size (HAES)?
Health at Every Size is a framework that recognizes people in all body sizes deserve respectful, evidence-based care, without weight being treated as the problem. It doesn't mean ignoring health. It means addressing health without weight stigma, shame, or the assumption that a smaller body is a healthier one.
What is Intuitive Eating?
Intuitive Eating is a research-backed approach to healing your relationship with food. It moves away from restrictive diets, which don't work long-term, and toward trusting your body's signals around hunger, fullness, and satisfaction. I'm certified in Intuitive Eating and weave this into my practice.
Will you put me on a diet?
No. I don't prescribe restrictive diets, elimination diets without clear clinical reason, or meal plans designed around calorie restriction. Nutrition is a big part of what I do, but it's about nourishing your body and supporting whatever condition we're working on. Not shrinking it.
I've been told by other doctors to "just lose weight." Will that happen here?
It won't. Everyone who walks through my door deserves care without weight stigma. If you've been dismissed or shamed in a healthcare setting because of your body size, I want you to know that's not how it works here. We focus on what's actually going on, not what you weigh.
Still Have Questions?
That's exactly what the free meet & greet is for. 15 minutes, no cost, no commitment.
Summit Sports & Health, Riversdale, Saskatoon · Virtual appointments available across Saskatchewan