Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a traditional Naturopath?
• Are your services covered by insurance?
• Can the Assertive Wellness Center help me if I’m already sick?
• I just feel blah…
• How much is this all going to cost?
• I’ve been told I’ll need to be on prescription drugs for life. Do I have to take your recommended supplements for the rest of my life as well?
• I doubt that you can help. Everyone tells me it’s just my age.

Q: What is a traditional Naturopath?
A: Very simply put, a traditional Naturopath works with your body to optimize and utilize the healing power of nature. We do not do surgery, prescribe drugs, take x-rays, deliver babies or fix broken bones. Our emphasis is on wellness and disease prevention through detoxification, non-invasive natural treatments, nutritional guidance and lifestyle support. In contrast, allopathic medicine is primarily focused on treating specific symptoms, while Naturopaths are more oriented toward prevention and finding the underlying causes of disease. Comparatively, allopaths generally don't put as much stock in the damage done to your body from incorrect foods and eating habits, toxins, pesticides, etc., and these factors are of the utmost importance to Naturopaths. Allopaths feel that you can do without organs and parts of your body that are giving you problems, and Naturopaths believe that everything in your body was put there for a crucial purpose and can be encouraged to function correctly if given the opportunity. 

Q: Is a Naturopath a medical doctor?
A: No. Shauna Young is a Certified Traditional Naturopath (CTN) with both the American Naturopathic Certification Board (ANCB) and the Natural Therapies Certification Board (NTCB). As the title might suggest, we practice non-invasive traditional Naturopathy, exclusively. Your general or specialized physician is most likely an "allopathic" Medical Doctor (M.D.), as opposed to a "naturopathic" practitioner.

Q: Are your services and products covered by insurance?
A: Unfortunately not at this time, as natural medicine is still not recognized by the vast majority of insurance carriers. Some clients have been able to cover at least part of our services and products with their “cafeteria” plans or private medical savings accounts, and some states will allow you to write off at least some of the costs as medical expenses on your taxes. You’ll have to ask your accountant or tax preparer to be sure, but save those receipts anyway! It’s important to note however that most supplements we recommend may not cost you any more than the deductible portions for most prescription medications.

Q: Can the Assertive Wellness Center help me if I’m already sick?
A:The basis of natural medicine is to keep you from getting sick in the first place, but if that has already occurred there is still plenty we can try to do. We’ll work together with you to stimulate your body to heal itself as it was intended to do and show you how to stay and remain healthy.

Q: I just feel blah …
A: Join the club! Although we do lots of work with specific conditions, most people come in because they just don’t feel “right”. Feeling “off” or “not myself” can come from a bewildering variety of reasons. Our job is to figure out the underlying causes and go from there. You might even say we specialize in relieving the “blahs”!

Q: How much is this all going to cost?
A: Your charges depend on the amount of time and products you need and want. Generally on an initial office visit you will meet with a Naturopath for one hour, and the charge for that consultation is $150. Most people see us for half an hour on subsequent periodic visits, and that office charge is usually only $50. Any supplements that we recommend and you choose to purchase are in addition and vary greatly depending on your particular issues and wellness goals.

Q: I’ve been told I’ll need to be on prescription drugs for life. Do I have to take your recommended supplements for the rest of my life as well?
A: Not usually. However, if you have had an organ removed, then probably yes. For example, if you’ve had your gallbladder removed, then you'll always need digestive enzyme supplements to deal with proteins. Since your gallbladder is no longer there to do its job, you have to replace what you’re missing. If you’re not missing internal organs, then there's a very good chance that you can improve the deficiencies in your body through detoxification, nutritional changes, toning and short-term supplementation.

Q: I doubt that you can help. Everyone tells me it’s just my age.
A: Unless you’re at least 125 years old, don’t say that to us! Since its been estimated that your body is genetically designed to last 200+ years, we don’t think much of classifying symptoms as simply age-related. Your body is designed to function correctly and to feel healthy. If it doesn’t, don’t just blame it on your age. There are lots of ways to de-age yourself. You certainly have the right to be healthy, but it’s your responsibility to create a state of wellness for yourself.