Naturopathic Doctors in South Surrey & White Rock

At Semiahmoo Wellness Centre, our licensed naturopathic doctors work side by side with our chiropractor, acupuncturists and dietitian. Whether you're dealing with hormone changes, low energy, digestive trouble or pain that hasn't settled, we take the time to understand what's driving it and build a plan around you.

We're on Martin Drive in South Surrey, a short drive from White Rock, Morgan Creek and Grandview Heights.

Meet our naturopathic doctors: Dr. Bill Russell, ND · Dr. Justyna Sommer, ND · Dr. Desiree Caruso, ND

Health concerns we commonly see

Patients come to our naturopathic doctors for a wide range of concerns. Some of the most common:

• Women's health and hormones: irregular or painful cycles, PMS, perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including care with bio-identical hormones where appropriate. More on women's health
• Fertility and pregnancy: preconception planning and support through pregnancy and postpartum. More on pregnancy and fertility
• Thyroid health: support for underactive and overactive thyroid, including subclinical hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.
• Energy, stress and mood: ongoing fatigue, feeling stressed or anxious, and low mood. More on mental health
• Insomnia and sleep: trouble falling or staying asleep, waking unrefreshed, and sleep changes during perimenopause and menopause.
• Digestive health: bloating, reflux, irregular bowels, food sensitivities.
• Allergies: seasonal allergies and hay fever, environmental and food sensitivities.
• Immune support: frequent colds, slow recovery after illness, and support through cold and flu season.
• Autoimmune conditions: whole-person support for people living with autoimmune conditions, guided by thorough assessment and lab testing.
• Blood sugar and metabolic health: insulin resistance and weight concerns.
• Methylation support: nutritional guidance for methylation, including for people with MTHFR gene variants.
• Pain and injury recovery: chronic pain, sports injuries, recovery after concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
• Children's health: support for kids and families. More on children's health
• Nutrition: personalized eating plans, with our registered dietitian when helpful. More on nutrition

What to expect at your visits

Your first visit

During your first appointment, your ND will go through your main concerns, health history, medications and supplements, diet, sleep, stress and any recent lab results. Please bring recent blood work and a list of what you take to this appointment.

If it's indicated, your ND may also recommend and order testing. Our NDs can requisition blood work and arrange functional testing, such as hormone and digestive assessments. You'll leave with first steps, and your full plan gets refined once any results are back.

Follow-up visits

Follow-ups go over results, check how you're responding, and adjust your plan. Your ND may also use applied kinesiology (muscle testing) to help guide those adjustments. Depending on your needs, the plan may include nutrition and lifestyle changes, supplements or botanical medicine, IV therapy, or prescription support such as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) where appropriate.

Fees and insurance

Many extended health plans cover naturopathic visits. Please check your plan for coverage. We offer direct billing to Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, GreenShield, Canada Life and more, so you may not need to pay up front and wait for reimbursement.

Advanced lab testing

Testing helps us find what's driving your symptoms and track how you respond to care. Your ND will recommend tests based on your health history and goals, and walk you through your results.

• Blood work through LifeLabs: complete blood count (CBC), iron and ferritin, vitamin B12, lipids, inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR, liver function tests, autoimmune assessment, and more.
• Comprehensive thyroid testing: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies.
• DUTCH hormone testing: the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones measures sex and adrenal hormones and how your body processes them.
• Digestive testing: advanced GI stool profiles and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) breath testing.
• Glucose and insulin tolerance testing: a closer look at blood sugar regulation and insulin resistance.
• Food sensitivity testing
• Organic acids testing: a urine test that gives insight into nutrient status, energy production and gut health.
• Mycotoxin testing: screening for exposure to mold toxins.

We also offer in-office assessments:

• Body composition analysis: measures muscle mass, body fat and body water, so you can track changes beyond the number on the scale.
• Applied kinesiology (muscle testing): your practitioner gently checks how specific muscles respond to different stimuli. In applied kinesiology, these responses are believed to reflect how well different body systems are functioning, including the nervous, musculoskeletal and circulatory systems and the body's energy meridians. The findings help shape your treatment plan.

Cost and coverage: many extended health plans include coverage for testing recommended by a naturopathic doctor, so it's worth checking with your benefits provider before your test.

Our approach to naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine combines modern medical training with nutrition, botanical medicine and lifestyle care. In BC, naturopathic doctors complete a four-year, full-time naturopathic medical program after university-level science prerequisites, pass board exams, and are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Our NDs follow six guiding principles:

1. First, do no harm: start with the gentlest effective option.
2. Look for the root cause: ask why symptoms are happening, not only how to quiet them.
3. Doctor as teacher: explain what's going on so you can make informed choices.
4. Support the body's own healing: build on what your body already does well.
5. Treat the whole person: consider physical, emotional and lifestyle factors together.
6. Prevention: help you stay well, not just recover.

Serving South Surrey, White Rock and nearby

Our clinic is at 1656 Martin Dr #305, Surrey, BC V4A 6E7, in South Surrey, located in Semiahmoo Shopping Centre. Patients visit from White Rock, Ocean Park, Crescent Beach, Morgan Creek, Grandview Heights and Sunnyside, and from Cloverdale and Langley.

Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Sat by appointment

Frequently asked questions