Frequently Asked Questions

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is patient-centered health care that strives to treat patients as a whole vs. handling individual systems of the body. Naturopathic Medicine puts a heavy focus on partnering with patients to address every area of concern and understand each patient’s individual healthcare needs. Doing this allows doctors to provide preventative medicine to patients to keep them healthy and promote longevity.
Naturopathic Medicine offers patients an integrative healthcare solution that combines conventional medicine with a more holistic approach to maximize health outcomes and lower health care cost. Being medically trained, allows them to help patients manage referrals, write certain prescriptions and order lab testing. Naturopathic Doctors choose to focus their medical careers on providing patients with more natural treatment options as a first choice.

What is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?

A Naturopathic Doctor is often confused with a Naturopath but there is a difference. A person who uses the term Naturopathic Doctor (ND) has graduated from an accredited Medical School.

The following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice (taken from the AANP website, please refer to link below):

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam): The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:
- Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat;
- Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; and
- Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.
Prevention: Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.

How do I choose a Naturopathic Doctor for myself and my family?

When initially looking for a Naturopathic Doctor be sure to check their credentials. Choose a doctor that has attended one of the nations seven accredited Naturopathic Medical programs. These programs are a 4-year medical study recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Along with a medical degree be sure the doctor is licensed to practice in your state.

Next, schedule an initial visit with the doctor to talk about your personal beliefs and concerns to be sure that they are a good fit for your individual and healthcare needs. Feeling comfortable and open with your doctor is essential to them being able to provide you with the best Naturopathic Medical care. Much of Naturopathic Medicine is based on the doctor, patient communication, and partnership, so be sure you are open about your feeling and beliefs to allow the doctor to find appropriate solutions for your families needs.

What can I expect from my first visit?

Be prepared to talk about yourself and your health goals. The first visit can last 60 minutes and includes a thorough health history, discussions about labs, or treatment options.

Do you take insurance?

No, unfortunately in North Carolina, most insurance companies do not cover the services for Naturopathic Doctors.

Do you take a deposit and is it refundable?

Yes, we do take a $100 deposit to hold the visit and it is not refundable. We do allow patients to reschedule twice.

When is payment due?

Payment is due on the day of the visit.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, please contact us via email or call prior to your appointment to arrange for payments.

What are your prices?

Initial Consultation: $329 includes the initial visit (~60 minutes) and follow up visit (~30 minutes)
Follow Up Visits: $49 (~15 minutes), $59 (~30 minutes), $69 (~45 minutes) and $109 (~60 minutes)
New Issue Visits: $165 (~60 minutes, for established patients only)
Remote Initial Consultation: $225 includes the initial visit (~60 minutes) and follow up visit (~30 minutes)
Follow Up Remote Visits: $49 (~15 minutes), $59 (~30 minutes), $69 (~45 minutes) and $109 (~60 minutes)
New Issue Remote Visits: $165 (~60 minutes, for established patients only)
Constitutional Hydrotherapy: $75 (~1 hour)
Craniosacral Therapy: $75 (~ 1 hour)
Infrared Sauna: $30 (~20 minutes)
Quick Sauna: $20 (5-15 minutes)

Do you bill insurance for labs?

Most insurance companies do not cover Naturopathic doctors services or recommendations, so labs would not be covered under insurance. There are other options for cash pay labs through LabCorp that can be discussed during your visit.

Do you refer to specialists?

While this office does provide contact information for specialists, most specialists in North Carolina request a referral from your primary care provider. Since the state of North Carolina does not license Naturopathic doctors, this office does not offer primary care services in North Carolina.

What states do you practice in?

Dr. Yap-Belcher is licensed in New Mexico and California to practice Medicine or Primary Care. She does practice in North Carolina but services are limited, as Naturopathic doctors are not licensed in North Carolina.

Can you be my Primary Care Doctor or Nutritionist/Dietician in North Carolina?

No, Dr. Yap-Belcher does not practice primary care and is not a licensed Nutritionist/Dietician in North Carolina.

Can you diagnose my medical condition or manage my health condition or offer to treat my medical condition in North Carolina?

No, in North Carolina, I do not treat, manage or diagnose any medical conditions. In North Carolina, I work with patient to achieve their optimal health goals using lifestyle and herbalism.