Frequently Asked Questions

What is a naturopathic doctor?

Licensed naturopathic doctors, sometimes referred to as naturopathic physicians, are regulated at the state level to practice naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medical students attend accredited, four-year, in-residence, naturopathic medical schools where they study biomedical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. Their medical education incorporates the latest advances in science and natural approaches to illness prevention and management. Students complete a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training, including over 1,200 hours of hands-on, supervised, clinical training.

Naturopathic doctors can order diagnostic tests such as blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and, in some states, prescribe drugs and hormones and perform minor surgery. According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) 2015 survey of alumni, 50 percent of naturopathic doctors practicing full-time self-report as primary care physicians, while 28 percent report working as natural health specialists. In addition, like conventional medical doctors (MDs), a growing number of naturopathic doctors choose to focus their practices in specialty areas. Specialty associations currently exist for Endocrinology, Environmental Medicine, Gastroenterology, Intravenous Therapies, Pediatrics, Primary Care Medicine, and Oncology.

A naturopathic doctor must pass rigorous professional board exams prior to being licensed or regulated in a state that regulates the practice of naturopathic medicine. State mandated regulatory bodies oversee standards of practice, complaints, and discipline for all licensed jurisdictions. Licensed naturopathic doctors also carry malpractice insurance and maintain a commitment to lifelong learning through continuing education. These requirements are safeguards to ensure patients’ rights to quality naturopathic care.

Source: American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

*Learn more about naturopathic medicine & naturopathic doctors here.

What health conditions does the doctor support?

  • Anti-Aging

    • Skin & Hair Rejuvenation

    • Healthy weight management

  • Autoimmune Diseases

    • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus

  • Cardiovascular Diseases

    • High blood pressure, High cholesterol, High triglycerides

  • Chronic Infections

    • Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, EBV

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders

    • “Leaky gut”, IBS, Gas/Bloating, GERD, Constipation, Diarrhea, IBD

  • Hormone Health

    • Adrenal, Thyroid, Sex Hormone Imbalances

  • Menstrual Irregularities

    • PMS, Irregular cycles, Missing cycles, Post-birth control support

  • Skin Conditions

    • Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis

  • Other:

    • Adjunctive Cancer Care

    • Allergies

    • Chronic Fatigue

    • Diabetes (& Pre-diabetes)

    • Fibromyalgia

    • General Wellness & Prevention

    • Immune Support

    • Insomnia

    • Neurological Pain

*Many natural modalities may be implemented while partnering with the conventional care system. Many TLAS patients are part of an integrative medical community and receive treatment from all types of care.

What do I need to do as a new patient?

  • Start by submitting the form here.

How long is each appointment?

  • New Patients: 60 minutes

  • Established Patients: 30 minutes / 60 minutes

  • Facial Rejuvenation & Hair Restoration

    • Coming soon. Email us to be notified: drchangteam@gmail.com

Do you accept insurance?

No. We are a cash-based practice (out-of-pocket) and do not bill insurance. However, most HSA/FSA accounts are accepted. The decision to remain out-of-network was driven by the desire to offer the utmost individualized care for our patients, uninterrupted by third party limitations.

Naturopathic doctors are generally considered out-of-network providers and we recommend patients to ask their private insurance company regarding steps for possible reimbursement and coverage of out-of-network providers. After your visit, the doctor can provide you with an itemized receipt for you to submit for possible reimbursement purposes; however, depending on your insurance plan and deductible, there is no guarantee any fees will be covered.

*For routine and specialty lab testing, most companies are out-of-network as well; however, we work with them to provide the most reasonable and affordable test pricing for patients.

How do I book and pay for my appointment?

Start by filling out the short form here to become a patient. Currently, we are taking payment from credit card only (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover). We do not accept cash or checks at this time. Payment is due in full upon booking.

What is your cancellation policy?

The Light At Seven has a 24 hour cancellation/reschedule policy. If cancellation or rescheduling is requested less than 24 hours of the appointment, an additional fee equal to 50% of the total scheduled appointment fee is charged to your card on file. If requested within 60 minutes of the appointment, or if you are a no-show, an additional 100% of the appointment fee will be charged to you. Both penalty fees are in addition to the fee already paid for the appointment, which will not be refunded.

Do I need primary care while seeing Dr. Chang? 

While the doctor has received primary care training in her medical school eduation, she is only choosing to provide wellness services such as naturopathic consultations and regenerative procedures at this time and does not act as your primary care provider.

It is important for you to have a primary care provider (PCP) on board for ‘standard of care’ annual tests and physicals or to be seen by your PCP for medical and mental health emergency services, or to address any chronic medical concerns that Dr. Chang does not treat.

Dr. Katherine Chang is not available for 24/7 after hours ‘on call’ coverage. We ask that you call 911, or your primary care physician on call for emergency services.