A virtual naturopath visit in Ontario is a video appointment with a registered ND, structured the same way as an in-person visit. Virtual care works well for follow-ups, for patients in rural Ontario, and for anyone whose schedule, location, or childcare situation makes in-person visits difficult. The requirement is that you are physically located in Ontario at the time of the appointment.
This guide covers how virtual visits work, what they cover, who they suit, and how to book.
Who virtual visits work well for
Virtual visits are a good fit when:
- You live outside the Woodstock area and prefer not to drive in.
- You are in a rural part of Ontario without a nearby ND.
- You have limited childcare, transportation, or scheduling flexibility.
- You are managing a chronic concern with ongoing follow-up that does not need an in-person exam.
- You travel within Ontario for work and need flexibility on the appointment location.
- You prefer the privacy of a home appointment.
Most of what an ND does day to day (history, labs, lifestyle, supplementation, prescription support within scope) does not require an in-person exam. The cases where in-person matters are limited.
How virtual visits work
The structure mirrors an in-person visit:
- Booking and intake. Book online and complete the intake forms in advance.
- Secure video appointment. The first visit is 60 to 75 minutes. You receive a video link before the appointment.
- Initial plan. Lifestyle, dietary, and supplement recommendations, plus any lab requisitions.
- Electronic follow-up. A written summary, lab requisitions, and supplement recommendations are sent to you electronically after the visit.
- Lab work. Requisitions can be completed at any LifeLabs or Dynacare collection site in Ontario.
- Follow-up appointments. 30 to 45 minutes, virtual or in-person, depending on what fits your schedule.
For the full walk-through of what a first visit covers, see what to expect at your first naturopath visit.
What a virtual visit covers
Everything an in-person visit covers, with the exception of hands-on physical exam:
- Detailed health history.
- Lifestyle review (nutrition, sleep, stress, energy, digestion, menstrual cycle, movement).
- Review of recent labs and imaging.
- Working assessment and initial plan.
- Lab requisitions for further testing.
- Supplement recommendations with dosing.
- Prescription support within scope, where indicated, sent electronically to your pharmacy.
Hands-on physical exams are uncommon in the practice regardless of visit type. When clinically relevant, an in-person follow-up can be scheduled at WOMB Woodstock or InsideU Woodstock.
The legal and regulatory side
CONO regulation applies to where the patient is located, not where the ND is. To see a registered Ontario ND virtually:
- You must be physically located in Ontario at the time of the appointment.
- The ND must be registered in good standing with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).
- The platform used must be appropriate for protected health information.
If you spend part of the year outside Ontario, the timing of your appointments needs to align with when you are physically in the province.
Lab work and virtual visits
Lab work is straightforward with virtual visits. The ND sends an electronic requisition; you complete the bloodwork at any LifeLabs or Dynacare collection site in Ontario. Results come back to the ND and are reviewed at your follow-up.
Many of the foundational tests can also be ordered through your family doctor or nurse practitioner under OHIP. If cost matters, the ND can outline which tests are worth requesting from your MD before scheduling private labs.
For descriptions of common tests, see the lab test glossary.
Cost and coverage
Virtual visits with Dr. Mariah, ND are priced the same as in-person visits. Most extended health benefit plans cover virtual ND visits at the same rate as in-person, since CONO and most insurers treat them equivalently.
For full pricing and coverage detail, see the cost of a naturopath in Ontario and is a naturopath covered in Ontario.
When in-person is the better choice
A few situations where booking in person is worth the trip:
- A new concern where a focused physical exam (thyroid palpation, abdominal exam, vitals) is likely to be useful.
- A preference for the in-person experience for the first visit, with follow-ups switched to virtual.
- Acupuncture, where in-person is required.
Most patients find that a hybrid approach works well: an in-person first visit and virtual follow-ups, or fully virtual care with one in-person visit per year for any focused exam needs.
Booking a virtual visit
Online booking is the simplest path. Reserve a virtual consultation and select the virtual option. Intake forms are sent in advance so the appointment time is focused on the actual conversation.
For more on the practice and Dr. Mariah, ND’s background, see the about page, or the services page for an overview of what is covered.