Naturopathic Doctors: Primary Care & Beyond

by Dr. Emily Lesnak

As a Naturopathic clinic, we often get asked WHAT Naturopathic Doctors can and can't do. So, we wanted to take a little time to answer this question!

Can naturopathic doctors be your primary care doctor?

Yes! We have numerous patients who see us for the full primary care needs, from well visits to annual lab work and sick visits too.

Can naturopathic doctors prescribe medications?

In the state of Washington, naturopathic doctors are able to prescribe all medications, except for the following: ADHD stimulant medications, opioid pain medication, and certain anti-anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines.  Some medications like testosterone and codeine cough syrup need a special DEA license and both Dr. Taylor and Dr. Lesnak are licensed to prescribe.  

Are you able to do pap smears?

Yes, we can do pap smears and we follow the American College of Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines on the frequency of pap smears.  Now we can wait every 5 years if the last pap smear was normal and negative for HPV, sometimes we do them sooner than this given someone’s history or preference.  

What type of screening lab work do you order?

We recommend annual screening labs that include a blood count, metabolic panel, blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol panel, thyroid screen, screening for HIV and Hepatitis C if needed, and will often include nutrient  testing like B12 and Vitamin D.  These labs really depend on someone’s risk factors and medical history and this is a discussion that we would have with you during your well visit.  We also offer sexually transmitted infection testing.

What if I need to see a specialist?

We regularly refer to specialists as needed, either to manage a condition we are not familiar with treating or when we need a second opinion.

What are the benefits of seeing a naturopathic doctor as my primary care physician?

Time is the biggest difference.  Well visits are scheduled for 45 minutes, so you generally get 45 minutes of face to face time with your doctor - this is a big factor as to why our current patients continue to see us for their primary care needs.  We also regularly discuss important health factors, like sleep, exercise, and nutrition.  Another benefit of seeing a naturopathic doctor is that offer many options for treatment, from herbal medicine, to nutrient therapy and lifestyle changes.  

What can’t a naturopathic doctor do?

Naturopathic doctors cannot prescribe certain medications (can read more about this above).  We also cannot directly admit someone to the hospital, so in this instance we have people go through the emergency department to be seen and then they are admitted from there if needed.  We don’t have imaging equipment in our office so we refer out when this is needed.

We are currently accepting new adult and pediatric patients for primary care and we can’t wait to see you in our office! Call the office at or request a visit here.

See you in clinic!