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What Happens In An Initial Appointment
Curious what a first naturopathic visit involves? Here's a warm walkthrough of your initial appointment, from health history and testing to your personal plan.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Reg. #3726). Last reviewed July 2026.
Congratulations on taking the first step towards reaching your health goals.
You've booked an initial appointment and are curious what it entails. Here's a quick rundown.
Initial appointments are 60 to 75 minutes long and give us the chance to go over your health history and goals and outline a plan. During our first visit (usually over a tea), I'll ask a lot of questions to get a clear picture of all aspects of your health. As an ND, I believe health goes deeper than your symptoms, so getting to know the ins and outs of your health helps me tailor a plan to treat the root cause and your individual needs.
We'll chat about digestion, nutrition, hormonal health, sleep, energy levels, your health history and your goals.
I'll do physical exams or requisition laboratory or diagnostic testing if necessary. I encourage you to bring any current medications, supplements and recent lab tests, and to fill out our online intake form beforehand. From there, we'll work together to build a comprehensive plan focused on nutrition, hormone balancing, sleep, energy and more.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and working together as partners in health.
About the author
Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND is a board-licensed naturopathic doctor and the founder of Somewhere Health. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. Her clinical focus spans hormonal health, fertility, digestion, and women's health, with advanced training in pelvic floor therapy and integrative fertility care.
