Welcome to
Ahimsa Naturopathic
A Naturopathic Wellness Clinic in the historic town of Merrickville, Ontario. Sharing space with Healthily Merrickville.
About
Dr. Katie Weststrate, MScCh, ND
Katie is a Naturopathic Doctor and yoga teacher; a passionate wellness advocate, she loves to inform and inspire through one-on-one clinical consults, group wellness workshops and retreats.
Katie completed her Undergraduate in Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph, her MSc in Community Health, Addictions and Mental Health at the University of Toronto and her Naturopathic training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
As a ND, Katie resonates strongly with the World Health Organization’s definition of health as a ‘state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease’. She has a profound belief in the ability of education and awareness to motivate and empower change and is passionate about inspiring health and wellness in others.
In her private life, Katie’s #1 priority is being a mom to her two rambunctious kiddos and three equally energetic pets. A country girl at heart, she is thrilled to be back in small-town Ontario, living in the boondocks, surrounded by nature!
A·him·sa
noun: ahimsa
(In the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist tradition) respect for all living things and avoidance of violence toward others.
Na·tur·op·a·thy
noun: naturopathy
A distinct system of primary health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies.
Naturopathic Medicine
Principles Of Naturopathic Medicine
- First, do no harm, by using methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
- Treat the causes of disease, by identifying and removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.
- Teach the principles of healthy living and preventative medicine, by sharing knowledge and encouraging individual responsibility for health.
- Heal the whole person through individualized treatment, by understanding the unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and spiritual factors that contribute to illness, and customizing individualized treatment protocols.
- Emphasize prevention, by partnering with the patient to assess risk factors and recommend appropriate Naturopathic interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.
- Support the healing power of nature, by recognizing and removing obstacles to the body’s inherent self-healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with many other licensed health professions, an ND is required to first complete pre-medical studies at university. NDs then enter into a four year, full-time medical program at an accredited school of Naturopathic medicine. There are two accredited Naturopathic medical programs in Canada: - The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (New Westminster, British Columbia) - The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario) .
Naturopathic training includes basic, medical, and clinical science; diagnostics; naturopathic principles and therapeutics; and 1500 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of licensed naturopathic doctors. Upon successful completion of an accredited program, students are then eligible to sit for the second stage of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX) and take provincial or state board examinations to obtain licensure. Graduates receive the title “ND” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Providing safe, effective, individualized treatment is the goal of Naturopathic medicine. Each patient has a unique story; history, genetics, dietary habits, lifestyle and associated health concerns. Your ND will work with you to determine the underlying cause(s) of your health concerns and create an individualized treatment plan to support your body’s innate healing ability. A primary role of the ND is that of teacher – patient’s are educated in order to make informed, effective self-care choices to optimize health and wellness.
Naturopathic diagnosis and therapeutics are supported by scientific research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines, including naturopathic medicine, conventional medicine and functional medicine, European complementary medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), clinical nutrition, phytotherapy, pharmacognosy, homeopathy, psychology and spirituality. Treatments are also guided by epidemiological evidence, as indicated by centuries of traditional use, or practices, demonstrating both effectiveness and safety.
Please see our diagnostics page for a description of tests NDs may order should clients wish testing.
ND’s in Ontario are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)
Please see our Contact and Fees page. Fees for Naturopathic visits are based on the CAND fee schedule. Please see the CAND website for more information to this and other questions you may have pertaining to Naturopathic Medicine.
Privacy of personal information is an important principle for Dr. Katie Weststrate, Naturopathic Doctor at Ahimsa Naturopathic. At Ahimsa, we are committed to collecting, using and disclosing personal information responsibly and only to the extent necessary for the services we provide. We also try to be open and transparent as to how we handle personal information. This document is an outline of our privacy policies.
As your Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Katie collects personal information pertaining to your home address, phone numbers, emergency contact information, health history, results of medical tests, and present health complaints. We collect this information primarily for your healthcare practitioner to assess your health needs and to facilitate your treatment. Like all organizations, our secondary purpose for collecting information includes invoicing for goods and services, processing credit card payments, and to collect unpaid accounts.
Katie Weststrate, ND is regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). This regulatory body has the right to review our records and interview our staff as part of their regulatory duties to protect the public. Should they do an audit of the clinic, they would have legal access to your personal information.
We understand the importance of protecting your personal information. Paper information is stored behind two locked barriers. Electronic information is password protected, files are encrypted and information is stored on secure servers on proper data centres. All servers are SOC2 certified at a minimum, which means that only authorized individuals have access to the facilities. Electronic information is encrypted using 256 bit encryption when being transferred between the staff member’s device and the server (in the same way as your banking information would be). Our support staff is trained to collect, use and disclose personal information only as necessary to fulfill their duties and in accordance with our clinic privacy policy.
We are required by our regulatory body to keep client files for a minimum of ten years. You have the right to access your personal information at any time. After ten years, we destroy paper information by shredding and permanently delete electronic information.
Wellness Webinars
Yoga & Retreats
All regular classes are currently based on pre-registration and are at capacity. We hope to resume offering outdoor yoga for all later in the spring once the ground is dry! Please watch our website or Facebook page for updates about class options.
Clinic Resources
Clinic Resources
ONLINE BOOKING:
To book a Naturopathic appointment please go to our online booking system.
PATIENT SUPPLEMENTS:
Patients are welcome to purchase their prescribed supplements at Healthily Ever After, Merrickville’s Health and Local Foods Store, also owned by Dr. Katie, ND; co-located at 118 Brock Street West in Merrickville. Alternatively, patients may be able to source many of their supplements at neighbouring health-food stores in Smiths Falls or Kemptville, or through the online supplement dispensary Fullscript (see below).
ONLINE SUPPLEMENT ORDERS:
Many of our recommended supplements can be obtained through Fullscript. Orders are typically delivered within 2-5 business days. To place an order, please click the button below.
Fees & Insurance Coverage
Fees for Naturopathic Consultation
Fees for Naturopathic visits are claimable under most extended health care plans and are based on the CAND fee schedule.
At Ahimsa Naturopathic, we strive to make Naturopathic care accessible to all. If your circumstances are such that you are unable to afford the suggested fee, payment installations and/or sliding scale based on need are available, please contact the office to discuss payment options if needed.