The best naturopaths in Canberra

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Where to find the best naturopaths in Canberra. Photo: File.

Every now and again, our bodies can feel completely off balance. Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping, your digestion is causing you trouble, or you’re experiencing pain in your muscles. As it turns out, a lot of these kinds of issues can be attributed to poor gut health, nutrition and mental health. Naturopathy is a field of alternative medicine that specialises in treating exactly these kinds of issues.

Based on the belief that the body is capable of healing itself, naturopathy employs an array of natural and non-invasive therapies to treat a wide range of physical and mental issues. Through a revitalising combination of vitality-rich foods, supplements, medicinal herbs, and lifestyle changes, naturopaths help you live your healthiest, fullest life.

If you are looking for a naturopath in the Canberra region, you’ve landed in the right place. We’ve done our research and have come up with a list of three reputable naturopathic clinics in Canberra.

What makes a great naturopath?

Not sure what to look for in a naturopath? We suggest keeping an eye out for the following traits:

  • A holistic approach. There is no one, quick-fix, magic-pill solution to many physical and mental health solutions. The best naturopaths take a holistic approach, incorporating diet, therapy, medicinal herbs, and supplements to instigate real change.
  • Years of experience. More experience means a greater knowledge base. If they’ve seen it all before, your naturopath may have a better understanding of your specific condition.
  • A stellar reputation. The last thing you want is to be ripped off by a dodgy naturopath. Ensure you find an individual with a proven track record and stellar reputation.
  • Specialist knowledge. If you are battling a specific condition – such as asthma, infertility, or poor sleep – look for a naturopath with expert knowledge in that area.
  • Personalised service. When it comes to your physical and mental health, there is no one-size-fits all. A skilled naturopath will listen to your problems with care, and work with you to design a treatment plan that you are comfortable with.

The best naturopaths in Canberra

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Bees Knees Naturopathy Canberra

Maryanne Picker, the qualified naturopath at Bees Knees Naturopathy Canberra, offers ‘alternative’ solutions to ails such as digestive issues and anxiety. With over a decade of experience, Maryanne supports clients to reach their optimal health with a holistic and compassionate approach.

As Juanita Caddy writes on Google, "I've just undertaken a practicum with Maryanne as a student nutritionist. She is an excellent naturopath with a very holistic approach to wellness. She also has a strong interest in nutrition. My daughter has since become a client and is already benefiting from Maryanne's recommendations."

iNaturally

iNaturally is a local women’s health practice specialising in naturopathy and weight loss management. Through traditional knowledge and the latest scientific research, founder Catherine takes great care with all her patients to help restore vitality and all-round health.

As Denise Fattorini writes on Google, “Thank you for all your help Catherine, I no longer feel stressed, have more energy, and sleep soundly after struggling for years with anxiety. (…) I highly recommend Catherine at iNaturally.”

Artemisia Natural Health Clinic

Artemisia Natural Health Centre is led by leading Naturopath and BodyTalk Practitioner Lesa Rusher. Lesa holds a Bachelor of Health Science and has been practicing as a naturopath for 18 years. Skilled in herbal medicine, nutrition, food sensitivity testing and homeopathy, Lesa specialises in treating musculoskeletal problems, issues with the respiratory system, digestive problems, weight management and women’s health.

As happy client Joanna Wood writes on Google, “Lesa provides a safe and nurturing healing space. I've been seeing Lesa for years and she's excellent at what she does. I highly recommend Lesa.”

Canberra Wellness Centre

Canberra Wellness Centre offers a comprehensive array of treatments and programs for a variety of issues. From improving gut health, renewing your energy and reducing anxiety to restoring your microbiome, detoxifying your liver and improving your fertility, the team of experienced and qualified naturopaths promise to have you feeling stronger and more energetic than you could have imagined. Led by gut and energy restoration specialist Michelle Kirby, Canberra Wellness Centre offers state-of-the-art testing and personalised treatment plans to help clients from all walks of life become their healthiest and happiest selves.

As Lisa Jane Settin writes on Facebook, "Michelle is amazing at what she does and is so easy to communicate with. Would highly recommend her and cannot thank her enough for the impact she has had on my health over the past couple of years!"

Live Well

Live Well offers a wide range of natural medicines to help nurture their client's wellbeing. They offer psychotherapies, remedial massage, acupuncture and naturopathy-which may treat sleep issues, mental health and physical pain. The team of dedicated and passionate physicians work with their clients to support their wellbeing and help their bodies heal.

On Google, Bradley Chenoweth writes, “Have used the services of Live Well for years and recommend them professionally to my own clients and friends. The team are professional, knowledgeable, highly skilled and very sensitive to client needs.”

If you’re struggling with your health and are looking for alternative solutions, check out our articles on the best acupuncturists and the best remedial massage clinics in Canberra for some handy guides.

Your experience with naturopaths in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you ever worked with a naturopath in the Canberra region? Were they able to help you on your journey toward health and wellness? Or, did you leave feeling ripped off? Share your experience in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy is an alternative form of medicine that uses natural, non-invasive techniques to treat a wide variety of issues. The core belief of naturopathy is that the body is capable of healing itself, and the holistic approach incorporates mental and physical treatments. The aim is to target the root cause of health problems with treatments such as diet change, vitamin supplements, remedial massage, and psychotherapy.

What issues can naturopathy help with?

Naturopathy might help treat issues such as insomnia, stress and anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, hormone imbalances, digestive issues, and even fertility.

Are naturopaths doctors?

Naturopathic doctors are not recognised as medical doctors. However, to become a qualified naturopath, physicians must attend a naturopathic medical college, where they also take board exams to become licensed.

Is naturopathic medicine safe?

As is the case with every field of medicine, whether or not it is considered "alternative," there is no 100% guarantee of safety. However, naturopathy doesn't include surgical treatments or the use of hardcore medicines, which greatly lowers any risk. As long as your naturopath listens and develops a treatment plan that works best for you, naturopathy is a very safe field.

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ScienceRules6:29 pm 17 Feb 14

justsomeaussie said :

Angelina said :

Jim Jones said :

Uri Geller in Israel is really good.

He claimed to be a psychic didn’t he? Not a naturopath. I’ve never been to a naturopath or a psychic but i’d imagine there’s probably a little bit of a difference. I was actually talking to my doctor about naturopaths a little while ago and he reckons they are harmless if they are qualified and may even work psychosomatically..

I would recommend anyone else with this logic (or lack thereof) to visit http://whatstheharm.net/

Rather than just play the placebo game realise that the “natural” industry does cause real harm. Unsurprisingly those against “big Pharma” pushing chemicals into their bodies are perfectly happy with the same companies selling “natural supplements” which are of course chemicals too but and are classified as food as if they had any medicinal properties they would be regulated like any medicine.
In essence Contemporary and Alternative Medicines that work are called medicine.

You can come to dinner at my place anytime!

🙂

justsomeaussie4:43 pm 17 Feb 14

Angelina said :

Jim Jones said :

Uri Geller in Israel is really good.

He claimed to be a psychic didn’t he? Not a naturopath. I’ve never been to a naturopath or a psychic but i’d imagine there’s probably a little bit of a difference. I was actually talking to my doctor about naturopaths a little while ago and he reckons they are harmless if they are qualified and may even work psychosomatically..

I would recommend anyone else with this logic (or lack thereof) to visit http://whatstheharm.net/

Rather than just play the placebo game realise that the “natural” industry does cause real harm. Unsurprisingly those against “big Pharma” pushing chemicals into their bodies are perfectly happy with the same companies selling “natural supplements” which are of course chemicals too but and are classified as food as if they had any medicinal properties they would be regulated like any medicine.
In essence Contemporary and Alternative Medicines that work are called medicine.

Pork Hunt said :

Deref said :

So what’s with all these resurrected threads?

Well, Easter is coming up…

Christ we’ll need divine intervention to save RA 🙂

ScienceRules8:55 pm 16 Feb 14

Deref said :

So what’s with all these resurrected threads?

Well there aren’t any new ones anymore…

Deref said :

So what’s with all these resurrected threads?

Well, Easter is coming up…

So what’s with all these resurrected threads?

“Good naturapath” is an oxymoron.

I do, however, know where you can get some great tinfoil hats.

JacquieE said :

The majority of commentators on this thread are so ignorant and rude … people are so easily gulled.

People are so easily gulled by naturopaths. Most of what they prescribe is pure quackery, not at all supported by science.

Some people try to justify naturopathy by saying that it works psychosomatically. What’s the point of it then? If someone with any slight level of critical thinking uses it, then it won’t do anything for them or their outlook.

I’m in favour of signs along the lines of “this does not work” (worded more diplomatically and science-y) on “alternative medicine” products and on the front doors of naturopathic practices.

At best, most naturopathic practitioners do nothing for their patients, and at worst, they steer them away from real medicine, causing dire health problems.

Thoroughly Smashed said :

neanderthalsis said :

I think that some aspect of naturopathy are ok; many modern medicines are based on herbal remedies used for many centuries by some cultures, massage is a good relaxant and a balanced diet is good for both mind and body.

Certainly, but that also means that naturopaths don’t have a monopoly on such practices or advice.

And being shown to work generally moves a herbal remedy under the umbrella of conventional medicine.

Medicine is medicine.
“Alternative” medicine is stuff that doesn’t actually work (or is as yet unproven), but in which various people have decided to devote emotional investment.

Having said that, I used to share a house with a chick who told me that some kind of extract of horse chestnut, although very poisonous, was very effective for piles. Once, overseas, my ridiculously unhealthy lifestyle led to said complaint, upon which I remembered my previous housemate’s advice and the fact there was a dark and dusty herbalist’s shop up the road and I went and asked the shopkeeper for some of this stuff. The wizened little Indian crone had to consult a monstrous tome to figure out what I was asking for (I didn’t tell her what I wanted it *for*), but after a while her lightbulb moment occurred, she looked at me knowingly and sniggered, and said she had it. She filled a small brown glass bottle from a larger jar, but was a little bit reticent to hand over until I assured here I was aware it was nasty sh!t and could use it without killing myself, and I went home and the piles were history. Of course I can’t be sure I didn’t just enjoy the natural end of a self-limiting complaint, but piles are ^#%$@ing nasty and you have to do something.

emj – if you’re still looking. Irene Hesterman is said to be good. Also, Diane Barton in Queanbeyan has a very good reputation. Lots of luck finding the right person.

The majority of commentators on this thread are so ignorant and rude … people are so easily gulled.

Cathy Meadows at Scullin Shopping Centre, at the Energy Healing Centre, has a good reputation. Not expensive as some of the others mentioned. It depends on which side of town you are and if you have the time, and are well enough to travel.

I was chatting socially with one of the Naturopaths from Vitality in Woden couple of months ago. She said her treatment consisted almost exclusively in giving her client a placebo saline solution which people were to take at home to trigger the expert advice she gave her clients at the appointment. What that advice was I cannot say, but it seemed a very odd admission to make?

Thoroughly Smashed12:43 pm 21 Sep 11

neanderthalsis said :

I think that some aspect of naturopathy are ok; many modern medicines are based on herbal remedies used for many centuries by some cultures, massage is a good relaxant and a balanced diet is good for both mind and body.

Certainly, but that also means that naturopaths don’t have a monopoly on such practices or advice.

And being shown to work generally moves a herbal remedy under the umbrella of conventional medicine.

neanderthalsis10:06 am 21 Sep 11

While I am extremely skeptical about psychosomatic processes such as vitalism, iridology, crystal healering, faith healing, gong therapy, re-aligning my shakras and the value of Union membership in a modern workplace, I think that some aspect of naturopathy are ok; many modern medicines are based on herbal remedies used for many centuries by some cultures, massage is a good relaxant and a balanced diet is good for both mind and body. The rest, however, is just quackery akin to bloodletting and leech therapy.

Thoroughly Smashed9:26 am 21 Sep 11

Watson said :

There is opinionated and then there is insufferably arrogant and self-important.

…and then there’s good advice.

MsCheeky said :

My advice, which I trust will be helpful, is to google something like ‘naturopath scam’ and educate yourself.

+1

Or, alternatively, you could give all your money to me. I’ll slaughter a chook and read its entrails for you. Guaranteed to be at least as efficacious as any naturopath.

Watson said :

There is opinionated and then there is insufferably arrogant and self-important.

Such as people who doctor shop to get an opinion which agrees with their own.

Watson said :

Posts like these can be a valuable source of information for others looking for advice on similar topics.

They can indeed, and the valuable source of information garnered from this thread is; “don’t waste money on fraudulent snake oil salesmen, aka “naturopaths”.”

Clown Killer1:18 am 21 Sep 11

“There is opinionated and then there is insufferably arrogant and self-important.”

Too true. Here’s another example: spending a couple of hours googling your ailment du jour and then berating your GP for not referring you to a specialist.

Naturopathy: 100 per cent placebo effect, 100 per cent charlatanism (albeit often not deliberately so). Save your money and spend it on healthy food, massages, things that make you laugh, and things that get you exercising. If you wish to medicate yourself with herbs, look them up on the internet and purchase the herbs from the upstairs place at the Griffith Shops (Hierophant?) You don’t need a naturopath to tell you stuff you can teach yourself …

Where in the OP did you read the question: “Do you think it’s a good idea for me to see a naturopath?”???

There is opinionated and then there is insufferably arrogant and self-important.

Sorry to hijack your post too emj. Just had to get that out of my system. Hope you find what you are looking for. Posts like these can be a valuable source of information for others looking for advice on similar topics.

I am a Naturopath. I am more than happy to scam your money from you. Call me on 0438 198 453 for a free first consultation.

AQS said :

I’m training to be a Naturopath and it isn’t quackery.
.

I’m sure you believe this but it doesn’t make it true.

I’m training to be a Naturopath and it isn’t quackery.
I’m required to study complex concepts in nutrition, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the things which are more traditionally associated with naturopathy such as herbal medicine and massage.
The concepts which are at the core of Naturopathy such as nutrition have sound science behind them.
Further the courses are accredited and can be studied at a University level as part of a Bachelor of Health Science.
Most naturopaths aren’t the sole healthcare provider for their clients rather they offer something specific, often in the realm of nutritional inadequacies or herbal extracts (rather than whole herbs) for medical conditions which convential medicine can’t offer treatment without unfortunate side effects. Often these conditions are things such as obesity where Western medicine has failed the person.

It’s the same reason why some people see chiropractors for back pain or why you see a neurologist for brain issues. You see a naturopath for common health conditions such as colds and flus or weight loss.

Call Maryanne Picker from Belconnen Naturopathy and Massage Centre 0438510109. She is a qualified nutritionist and is quite good.

Angelina said :

To draw on another post, do people seeking alternative medicine not deserve the same tolerance from you as Muslims?

To refer to that post about Muslims: No-one is claiming that naturopaths are extremist terrorists who will murder us.

Taking naturopathy seriously – an ‘alternative’ medicine that has never been proven to have any positive health effect, and is widely condemned as being simplistic quackery based on a discredited philosophy that is incompatible with scientific thinking – is potentially dangerous. At the very least it’s a scam.

And as for ‘qualified’ naturopath. Lolz:

“There is no state licensure in Australia, rather the industry is self-regulated. There is no protection of title, meaning that technically anyone can practise as a naturopath. The only way to obtain insurance for professional indemnity or public liability is by joining a professional association, which can only be achieved having completed an accredited course and gaining professional certification. Currently the only registered modalities of natural medicine in Australia are those relating to Chinese medicine, and only in the state of Victoria.”

Not sure about naturopaths but I know a lovely little psychopath.

I’m a naturopath, I can enable a special energy called vital energy or vital force to guide your bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation in order to honors your body’s innate wisdom to heal. Send me $1000 asap, and I will not interfere in any way in the way in which your wise body heals itself. You can stop taking any and all medicines now, throw them in the bin. Just send me the money (the clock is ticking) and you will be fine.

Thoroughly Smashed12:59 pm 20 Sep 11

Angelina said :

Jim Jones said :

Uri Geller in Israel is really good.

He claimed to be a psychic didn’t he? Not a naturopath. I’ve never been to a naturopath or a psychic but i’d imagine there’s probably a little bit of a difference.

This is true, however a psychic and a naturopath do have something in common; they both peddle unproven nonsense.

Angelina said :

I’ve never been to a naturopath or a psychic but i’d imagine there’s probably a little bit of a difference.

Far less than you seem to think. The trimmings are different, but the scam’s the same.

Jim Jones said :

Uri Geller in Israel is really good.

He claimed to be a psychic didn’t he? Not a naturopath. I’ve never been to a naturopath or a psychic but i’d imagine there’s probably a little bit of a difference. I was actually talking to my doctor about naturopaths a little while ago and he reckons they are harmless if they are qualified and may even work psychosomatically..

A cursory investigation shows me that, among other things, naturopaths offer a lot of natural remedies for many minor problems (headaches, hayfever, period pain, stress etc) that people might otherwise take drugs for. I think they also encourage a relatively organic and environmentally friendly way of living too which I would imagine you’d be a fan of. Of course there’d be some crazies out there but I reckon they’d be pretty easy to spot if you had a brain. But there are also a lot of crappy/crazy doctors out there too. Butcher of Bega, anyone??

There’s probably a very large gap between a qualified naturopath in the ACT and someone like Uri Geller. To draw on another post, do people seeking alternative medicine not deserve the same tolerance from you as Muslims?

Uri Geller in Israel is really good.

MonarchRepublic10:37 am 20 Sep 11

While I have never been to her myself (having never been to a naturopath), I have heard many great things from a number of people about Irene Hess Oates in Kaleen.

Guy Clews in Jardine St, Kingston. Very good.

Give all your money to a Nigerian prince.

My advice, which I trust will be helpful, is to google something like ‘naturopath scam’ and educate yourself.

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