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SERVICES
Welcome! I'm Dr. Despina Michailidis, ND. My naturopathic visits are designed to provide the education, motivation and gentle accountability you need to overcome your most persistent health challenges. I offer evidence-informed natural supports to my patients, including dietary, lifestyle, herbal and supplemental treatments, while helping them navigate their medical care in an integrative way. I do my best to keep my recommendations simple and reasonable because naturopathic medicine is about improving your quality of life - we don't need it to be complicated.
Dr. Despina's Perimenopause Method
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Get clear on hormone replacement therapy: Let's have the discussion your medical doctor may not have time for! Whether or not you decide to use hormone replacement, you have options.
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Get lab insights on your hormones for brain, bone and whole-body health: We also look at other hormones like thyroid, cortisol and insulin, inflammatory measurements, gut and liver health, blood sugar, cholesterol and nutrients to help individualize your plan.
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Get your mood and brain back: Brain and mood-related symptoms are among the most common in perimenopause, far outnumbering hot flashes and night sweats. Get your mood back, get your life back.
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Hit snooze on 3AM wake-ups: Let's do our best to get to the bottom of your sleep struggles!
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Get a handle on your periods: Perimenopause typically means that periods become less regular; they can also become heavier, more painful, with more bloating and headaches. You can achieve healthier cycles, even during transitional years!
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Address perimenopausal weight gain: You might be noticing your clothes fitting more tightly (or not fitting at all) despite no changes to your eating or exercise habits. That's extremely common - and you may be lacking the tools you need to get a handle on it.
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Beat incontinence and urinary tract infections: This is about more than comfort - it's necessary for healthy aging.
IMPORTANT BILLING INFORMATION:
Every visit is billed individually, even for my Perimenopause Method.
Coverage is available through most extended health plans.
The amount of coverage available to you will depend on your plan.
Receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement.
FAQ:
Are you going to make me go on a restrictive diet?
Probably not! While I sometimes make use of temporary elimination of certain foods, I believe most people feel better without heavily restrictive diets or intense lifestyle regimens.
I'm a busy person. How can I contact you / book with you?
Through Jane app, I offer flexible scheduling for virtual appointments to accommodate your needs. You can easily set up your own account! Otherwise, please see the Contact section to reach me by email. I look forward to hearing from you.
Do you have prescribing authority in Ontario?
Yes! In addition to my naturopathic medical license, I've also met the standard of practice for prescribing in Ontario. I offer certain prescriptions - namely bioidentical hormones (topical / local estrogen and progesterone), natural desiccated thyroid, nebulized N-acetylcysteine, nebulized glutathione, high-dose vitamin D therapy, and guidance around higher dose vitamin K, vitamin A and activated folate supplementation. Vitamin D injections and methylated B12 injections will be added to my offerings soon!
What exactly does a naturopathic doctor do?
A naturopathic doctor (ND) works with you through an in-depth analysis of your health history, goals and lab testing. We then build a realistic plan for your biggest health concerns. Each ND practices a bit differently, but our main tools include dietary and lifestyle therapies, optimizing your use of supplements and herbs, and certain physical therapies like acupuncture for patients who want hands-on support. We also safely integrate our plan with medications, depending on each patient's needs and preferences.
Do I need to pay for visit packages?
Nope, patients are always billed per single visit, at the end of each visit.
Do you work with a nurse practitioner?
As a matter of fact, I do! I collaborate with a nurse practitioner when it's suitable for the patient's case.
Are your services OHIP-covered?
No, naturopathic services are not covered by OHIP in Ontario.
Are your services covered by my benefits?
Many extended health plans offer at least partial coverage for naturopathic visits, but please verify with your insurance provider. Lab testing through your naturopathic doctor is typically NOT covered. However, even if naturopathic services aren't fully covered by your plan, the level of care you receive and the capacity to transform your health far outweighs the cost.
Do you offer direct billing?
Currently, I don't have an automated direct billing system. Instead, I provide detailed receipts that you can easily submit to insurance for reimbursement. On request, I may be able to manually direct bill for certain plans.
What sets you apart as a provider?
I'm a perfectionist and continuing education nerd, wholeheartedly dedicated to seeing my patients succeed. I've been in the trenches with my own health, which gives me the kind of understanding no textbook can teach - a balance between hope, gentleness, empathy and a fighting spirit.