About

Dr. Lauren Pichichero Naturopathic Doctor Victoria BC

"My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, informed and empowered to take charge of your health".

About Me.

From a young age, I’ve been deeply fascinated by the human body, how it functions, how it heals, and what happens when it falls out of balance. My passion for medicine stems from a lifelong desire to help others achieve vibrant health and to empower individuals and families to live fuller, more meaningful lives. As a licensed Naturopathic Doctor serving Victoria, BC and surrounding communities including Sidney and Saanich, I offer natural, evidence-informed healthcare tailored to your unique needs.

Naturopathic medicine stood out to me as the perfect path, combining modern science with traditional wisdom and giving me the time and tools to truly understand each patient’s story. It allows me to treat the root cause of illness, not just the symptoms, and to guide patients through gentle, holistic approaches that support the body’s natural ability to heal.

My Education

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Victoria and began my healthcare career as a vision therapist. Working closely with both children and adults to improve their brain-vision connection helped me see the profound link between physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. This experience deepened my appreciation for whole-person care and ultimately led me to pursue a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

My Focuses

In my practice, I focus on family wellness, with a special interest in pediatrics, hormonal health, immune support, and digestive health. I’m passionate about helping children and families thrive, by addressing concerns like chronic infections, gut health, skin conditions, and behavioral challenges from a root-cause perspective. I work collaboratively with parents to create sustainable, personalized treatment plans that empower families with long-term tools for healthy living.

My Story

I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, and I feel truly privileged to serve my community here in beautiful Victoria. When I’m not in the clinic, you’ll find me snowboarding in the winter, paddle boarding in the summer, lifting weights, camping, or experimenting with whole-food recipes in the kitchen.

Whether you’re seeking support for your well-being, managing a chronic condition or hormonal health or simply looking to optimize your overall wellness, I’m here to help. I invite you to explore my services page to learn more about how naturopathic care can support your health journey naturally and effectively.

About Naturopathic Medicine.

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic, patient-centered form of primary healthcare that blends modern science with natural and traditional healing. At its core, it supports the body’s ability to heal itself. Instead of masking symptoms, naturopathic doctors (NDs) aim to uncover and treat the root cause of illness, whether it stems from nutrition, lifestyle habits, stress, environment, or emotional well-being, recognizing that symptoms are often the body’s way of signalling that something is out of balance.

 

As a naturopathic doctor, I use a range of natural therapies tailored to each patient. Treatments may include nutrition and lifestyle counselling, herbal medicine, acupuncture, physical therapy, IV therapy, and vitamin injections. Each treatment plan is personalized and evidence-informed, with the goal of restoring balance and promoting long-term health.

 

Naturopathic medicine is guided by core principles: do no harm, treat the root cause, support the body’s natural healing ability, and care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. NDs also serve as teachers, helping patients understand their health and make informed, empowered decisions.

What is the role of Naturopathy & Who needs a Naturopath?

Prevent Illness and Stay Well If you want to stay proactive about your health, naturopathic medicine offers personalized strategies focused on disease prevention and healthy living. By emphasizing nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes, we help you build strong daily habits that support your overall well-being.

Address Chronic or Unexplained Symptoms If you’re dealing with persistent symptoms or ongoing health concerns without answers, naturopathic care provides a new perspective. We look at the full picture, your habits, environment, emotional state, and physical symptoms, to uncover underlying imbalances and guide you toward lasting relief.

Complement Conventional Treatment Naturopathic care can work alongside traditional medical treatments to improve outcomes, reduce side effects, and enhance recovery. We focus on strengthening your body’s natural healing ability, offering additional support for chronic conditions or recovery from illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect during my first visit to a naturopath?

During your first visit to a naturopath, you can expect a thorough, one-hour consultation. The naturopath will take a detailed account of your health concerns, review your medical history, and discuss key lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, and stress. They may perform relevant physical exams, suggest lab testing if needed, and offer some initial treatment recommendations tailored to your needs.

Yes, naturopathic doctors can help manage hormone imbalances and menopause with a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplements, and botanical medicine. In British Columbia, licensed NDs can also prescribe Hormone Replacement therapy (HRT) when appropriate.

Yes, many naturopaths offer virtual consultations for health assessments and treatment planning, though some care may still require in-person visits.

Naturopathic doctors are happy to collaborate with your healthcare team when appropriate. While NDs cannot refer directly to specialists, they can provide consultation letters to your other providers when needed. We believe in a collaborative, team-based approach to care.

Prevent Illness and Stay Well
If you want to stay proactive about your health, naturopathic medicine offers personalized strategies focused on disease prevention and healthy living. By emphasizing nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes, we help you build strong daily habits that support your overall well-being.

Address Chronic or Unexplained Symptoms
If you’re dealing with persistent symptoms or ongoing health concerns without answers, naturopathic care provides a new perspective. We look at the full picture—your habits, environment, emotional state, and physical symptoms—to uncover underlying imbalances and guide you toward lasting relief.

Complement Conventional Treatment
Naturopathic care can work alongside traditional medical treatments to improve outcomes, reduce side effects, and enhance recovery. We focus on strengthening your body’s natural healing ability, offering additional support for chronic conditions or recovery from illness.

Yes! Licensed naturopathic doctors complete a minimum of seven to eight years of post-secondary education. This includes a four-year undergraduate degree (typically in science or health-related fields) followed by four years at an accredited naturopathic medical school.

The naturopathic program includes intensive study in biomedical sciences, diagnostics, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, pharmacology, physical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and hands-on clinical training. After graduation, NDs must pass rigorous national and provincial board exams—including the NPLEX—to become registered to practice naturopathic medicine in British Columbia and across Canada.

Yes, Naturopathic Medicine is regulated in Canada, but regulation varies by province. Provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have regulatory colleges that license and oversee naturopathic doctors (NDs). These provinces require NDs to complete accredited education and pass standardized exams.

In British Columbia, naturopathic services are mainly covered through extended health care plans from employers or private insurers. Coverage typically ranges from $200 to $500 per year and may include consultations, IVs, and injections. Many clinics offer direct billing. Lab tests and supplements usually can’t be directly billed but can be submitted for reimbursement.

An example of a naturopathic doctor’s approach: If a patient presents with symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and heart palpitations, a naturopathic doctor (ND) would take a thorough health history, perform a physical exam, and order lab tests—similar to a medical doctor. If the results indicate iron deficiency anemia, the ND would recommend iron supplementation and also explore potential underlying causes such as hidden bleeding, poor digestion, or heavy menstrual periods. In addition, they may suggest dietary changes, including iron-rich foods and nutrients like vitamin C to enhance iron absorption.

“Medically trained. Naturally focused.”

Book a free
15-minute
discovery call

Curious about how naturopathic care can support your health goals? Dr. Lauren offers a complimentary 15-minute discovery call to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and help you explore a personalized path forward.