
About Naturopathic Medicine
The Problem
YOU'RE SICK & TIRED
OF BEING SICK & TIRED
You don't feel well. You can function, but you're not at your best. You've seen the specialists, and you're taking your medication. You're trying to eat well and exercise, as much as possible. Perhaps you would like to be proactive and prevent a problem in the future. You've done all you can, and it's time for some fresh ideas.
The Solution
A MULTIFACTORIAL APPROACH
Using a combination of the latest research and traditional healing practices, explore the physiological, biochemical, nutritional, mental, social and environmental factors impacting your health. The goal is to establish and address the root cause, identify contributing factors, and support your body's innate ability to heal by giving it what it needs to function at it's best.
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Guiding Principles

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A Naturopathic Doctor is a private investigator for your health, forming individualized wellness plans so that you can feel like yourself again.
DO NO HARM
Selecting the gentlest diagnostic procedures and treatments.
HEALING POWER OF NATURE
The body is intrinsically wired to heal. Provide it with what it needs to do what it does best.
Determine all contributing factors, and address them individually.
IDENTIFY & TREAT THE CAUSE
TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
You're unique, and your health care plan should be as well.
DOCTOR AS TEACHER
Learn why you feel the way you do, and understand how each puzzle piece is important to your overall health. Have the opportunity to engage in your own health care.


About Erika

We need to change our focus from reactive
medicine to proactive, preventative health care

My Story
I discovered naturopathic medicine while completing my undergraduate Honours thesis in a laboratory at NOSM. At the time, I was working with human cell cultures, trying to discover how tiny signalling molecules altered protein expression. It was gruelling work- I have the utmost respect for the brilliant minds who contribute to the body of scientific knowledge that allows us to practice evidence-based medicine. I knew I needed to be able to see a tangible change in the people we were trying to help. I didn’t belong in a lab.
Family members closest to me had struggled with chronic illness for a decade. I had witnessed their struggle towards health, their desire to get back to themselves. Medical doctors offered them everything they could, but they were still barely getting by. After seeking naturopathic care, things began to shift. Not quickly-very slowly. But after a year, there was such a significant difference in quality of life, that I couldn’t ignore it. I had to know more.
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I googled naturopathic medicine, and my journey began. After completing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at Laurentian University, I enrolled at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, one of two schools in Canada. After four years, including 16 months as an intern at the Brampton Naturopathic Teaching Clinic, the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic and Anishnawbe Health Toronto, I graduated in 2017, and returned to my home town to begin a practice.
I love northern Ontario- the nature, the people, our heritage. My hope is to help change our focus from reactive medicine to preventative health care.
To learn more about naturopathic services offered by Dr. McDonald, click here.