Dr. Nicole Anderson Naturopath | Dr. Anderson Natural Medicine Bothell
Meet Dr. Nicole Anderson
Many of us have life events that take us places we never thought we would go. More than 20 years ago, I never dreamed I would be living in the beautiful northwest—and I never knew I would be doing work that meant so much to me.
Although I thought about becoming a physician, even as a teenager, I took an almost two-decade detour and became a chemical engineer. I was a research scientist for 11 years. I loved my work, but unfortunately, I became ill from exposure to some of the materials I worked with. My memory was failing, I had difficulty concentrating, and I was diagnosed with multiple skin conditions that were so severe, I could no longer work in my laboratory environment. I could no longer do my job the way I once had. Something was terribly wrong—and something had to change.
I learned about naturopathic medicine only after I was told by multiple specialists that I had to detoxify my own system and that I had exceeded my body’s ability to handle toxins. After realizing that I had to change my own life in order to save it, I left everything I knew to study medicine. With the care of my naturopathic physicians and with time, I slowly healed.
Natural medicine works! It works because the vital force within each of us has the capacity to heal. We start this process when we remove the obstacles to our healing and provide the body with the support it needs.
It’s my pleasure to help others achieve their optimum health at Anderson Natural Medicine.
Naturopathic doctors attend nationally accredited four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school. Enrollment in naturopathic medical school requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of medical school prerequisite classes, similar to conventional allopathic (Western) and osteopathic medical schools.
Each state currently maintains the authority to regulate and license naturopathic doctors. This licensure ensures that only qualified individuals, those who have attended an accredited medical school, can call themselves a naturopathic doctor.
In a state that offers licensure, naturopathic doctors are able to serve the community in a primary care capacity. They often work with community MDs, DOs, and ARNPs to provide well-rounded and comprehensive healthcare. Naturopathic doctor services in these states are often reimbursed by insurance carriers, and they are able to prescribe necessary medications within the Naturopathic Pharmaceutical Formulary.
Most naturopathic doctors provide primary care natural medicine through office-based private practice. Naturopathic doctors often work in collaboration with medical doctors and routinely refer patients to specialists for optimum management of a patient’s healthcare.
1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
This refers to the innate, organized healing ability/process of anything living, which is inherent in each person.
2. Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
By identifying and treating the cause of illness, rather than only suppressing symptoms, there is greater opportunity for healing.
3. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic methods aim to minimize risk and ensure the safety of patients.
4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
This refers to the empowerment of patients through education about their health. It is the naturopathic doctor’s role to educate their patients.
5. Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic treatment takes into account and addresses the many factors that influence health (lifestyle, dietary, mental-emotional, physical, spiritual, genetic, environmental, etc.).
6. Prevention
The practice of proactive medicine and lifestyle can help to minimize progression and prevent development of serious disease, which saves money and optimizes health throughout one’s lifetime.