--- title: "How to pick the right naturopathic doctor" entity: "blog" canonical_url: "https://www.drdanwool.com/blog/how-to-pick-the-right-naturopathic-doctor" markdown_url: "https://www.drdanwool.com/llms/blog/how-to-pick-the-right-naturopathic-doctor" lastmod: "2025-08-17T22:00:00.000Z" --- Medically reviewed by [Dr. Dan Wool, NMD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanwool/) Arizona-licensed Naturopathic Physician and Gastroenterology Specialist Updated: November 20, 2025 Summary: - Verify Naturopathic Doctor Credentials and Patient Reviews: Check authentic patient reviews mentioning specific positive experiences and healing journey details rather than generic or solicited testimonials. Verify the naturopathic doctor holds an active ND license without complaints through the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Board. Confirm membership in professional associations like AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) or AZNMA (Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association), indicating ongoing education in latest treatments and techniques. - Assess Naturopathic Doctor Specialty and Holistic Approach: Choose a naturopathic doctor whose specialty aligns with your diagnosis or symptom set. Unlike Western medicine specialists who work in silos, quality NDs specialize in specific areas while maintaining holistic perspective to connect health dots and identify root causes. Look for practitioners who take comprehensive big-picture views rather than isolated symptom treatment for effective healing outcomes. - Evaluate Accessibility and Initial Consultation Options: Prioritize naturopathic doctors offering free discovery calls allowing you to ask questions about their practice approach without obligation—shopping for NDs like any service is acceptable. Consider location convenience for multiple appointments, checking if "naturopathic doctor near me" options exist. Confirm availability of telehealth visits for flexible appointment scheduling and reduced travel requirements. - Consider Integrative Care and Search Strategy: Select naturopathic doctors open to collaborating with MDs and building integrative healthcare teams for optimal patient outcomes. Don't rely solely on top Google search rankings, as paid advertising doesn't guarantee best fit—MDs dominate online attention forcing many NDs to advertise. Research multiple naturopathic doctors in your area, comparing qualifications, specialties, patient feedback, and collaborative care philosophy before deciding. How do you find a reputable naturopath in Arizona? Here are some tips to find the best naturopathic doctor for you: - Look at patient reviews. The doctor should have good reviews that don’t look fake or solicited. Reviewers should mention specific things they liked about their experience with the naturopathic doctor or how this person supported their healing journey. - They offer a “discovery call”. Many people don't know they can shop naturopathic doctors like any other service. A good doctor will offer the opportunity to get to know them and ask questions about how they work with a free, no obligation [“discovery call”. ](https://www.drdanwool.com/booking) - Has a specialty that fits you. Many naturopathic doctors have a speciality that should fit your given diagnosis or set of symptoms. Many Western medicine specialists don’t talk with one another. A good ND may specialize in one thing but has a holistic view that looks at the bigger picture to connect the dots and get to the route cause so you can heal. - Is the naturopathic doctor “near me”? Since you will likely have multiple appointments with the doctor, make sure you don’t have to drive too far each time. While the right fit might require this and be worth it, this is still a consideration.You should also see if the doctor offers tele-health visits for convenience. - They have an active ND license without complaint. NDs are licensed in Arizona and you can check the [Naturopathic Physicians Board](http://nd.az.gov) for any activity. - Active in professional associations . Is the ND member of their national association [AANP](https://naturopathic.org) or local [AZNMA](http://www.aznma.org) and other speciality associations relevant to their medical practice. This says that the ND is actively learning the latest treatments and techniques. - Not necessarily first on Google. Because MDs get the lion’s share of attention online, many NDs will advertise to obtain top ranks on Google. While that gets your attention, they may not be the right fit. Search for multiple docs in your area. - Open to working with MDs. Sometimes having an integrative team is best. A good ND should be willing to work with other doctors to get the best outcomes for you. About the Author ## Dr. Dan Wool, NMD Dr. Dan Wool is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in gastroenterology, hormones and men's health in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Set up a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Wool today! ](https://drdanwool.com/booking) [Read more about Dr. Wool's Gut Health Journey](/about)