How To Become a Naturopathic Doctor

See more careers at: http://howtobecome.tv/

See more of Dr.Vlahopoulos at: http://www.kihc.ca


Intro: What do you want to be when you grow up?

CV: The word "doctor" is Latin in origin, and it actually means teacher. And that's because they're an educator.

Second Intro: This is How to Become.tv.

CV: I'm Christina Vlahopoulos. I'm a naturopathic doctor, and I practice out of Kingston Integrated Healthcare.

What excites me most about the profession, is when I have a person who comes to see me and they've gone through years of a condition or aliment or they feel a certain way [and then after they receive treatment from me they say] "I feel so much better." That's really what excites me.

[Education to become a naturopathic doctor]

It's 8 years; 4 years of naturopathic medicine, and 4 years of undergrad. I guess the obstacle is specifically the education itself. In the second year we had exams everyday, 5 days a week for 3 weeks straight. So, it really is a question of endurance. You really have to make sure you're taking care of yourself while you are going through the education.

In undergrad, people take 5 courses maybe 6 per semester. At the Naturopathic College you're taking anywhere from 7,8,9. Not only taking the didactic portion, or the in class time, but also the practicum portion. It really felt right when I got to the school, and when I started doing the program. Probably by my second year I really felt comfortable. And [felt like], "this is it, I'm home." When you're done, it's really a phenomenal feeling.

Why [did I] become a naturopathic doctor?

Growing up in a family where we used more alternative forms of therapy, my dad using an onion pulp-ice on his foot for instance, and my mom using potatoes and handkerchief around her head for headache, it made sense when I found out about the school, and when I found out about the college. Having an interest in biology and environmentalism, the two sort of fit together with respect to naturopathic medicine because [naturopathic medicine] looks at the whole body.

[Difference between conventional medical doctors and naturopathic doctors]

I guess the biggest difference between conventional medical doctors and naturopathic doctors is naturopathic doctors go for root cause or getting a better understanding as to why a person is exhibiting the symptoms and not just treating the symptoms themselves.
I would do absolutely nothing differently. This is exactly where I would be.

Ending: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• becoming a naturopathic doctor
• Dr. Christina Vlahopoulos
• how to become

[drevyl]

Yes more details about the education itself and the career after, thanks!

[HowToBecomeTV]

@drevyl Anything specific you would find most helpful? Thanks for the input!

[drevyl]

@drevyl

1. How is the environment in the medical school?

2. What sort of people attend naturopathic med. school?

3. Do you think naturopathic medicine will become more popular?

4. How much can you expect to make in income?

5. Do you include the emotional/spiritual component in a patient's healing, if yes, how?

[HowToBecomeTV]

@drevyl Great feedback. We will keep this in mind for our next one!

[MegaMrname]

I think naturopathy followers aren't supposed to wear glasses. Please get your facts straight

[HowToBecomeTV]

@tootoo1upper You'd likely advocate we go back to "blood letting" too yes? Evolve from "real" to what is proven to work better in some cases.

[tootoo1upper]

@hellokelliebean my advice is to work hard in college and get into a real medical school lol

[HowToBecomeTV]

@hellokelliebean At the moment, we don't have that up to date information. But we will soon. I will send you info when we do. Until then keep learning and asking questions! Thanks for watching and best of luck in pursuing such a worthy career!

[hellokelliebean]

@HowToBecomeTV I want to be a doctor of naturopathy and im 17 about to start my senior year. What (in your opinion) is the best school to go to? What tips can you give me? Also im moving to CA after college bc I heard they make more money there. Where do you work? A hospital? Thanks! :)

[StyleElegance]

Great job again! VERY informative and interesting!

[HowToBecomeTV]

@wansze9 Thanks Wan! ;)

[wansze9]

Good insight into a semester of schooling at the Naturopathic College.