FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are a very small boutique practice focused on personalized care. All visits are by appointment only (no walk-ins), and we do not offer callback or live reception services (no front desk staff to pick up phone or schedule appointments). Instead, we fully embrace technology for scheduling, communication, and patient support. ​

The practice is focused on complex women's health related concerns from digestive health, hormones regulation, mental health, autoimmune, skin/hair concerns, to weight management.

And we see teenagers and kids as well for such conditions, however we currently do not see men.  

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• To see cost of the visits, please visit this PAGE 

• To schedule your initial visit, please self-book HERE

• To schedule your follow up, please login to your designated patient portal and request your session HERE - if you do not have an account please find your login invitation in your inbox and create a password, or email us to send you a new invite.

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No. Naturopathic doctors cannot be contracted with insurance in CA. However, you can use your HSA/FSA account to cover visits. 

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** Dr. Sharhan's NPI# 1871255984  

Yes. Depending on which type of insurance you have, labs can be covered by insurance typically. If not, we contract with private labs for low cost wellness, hormones and other labs.

Dr. Sharhan believes in being fully transparent with her patients: no one can guarantee complete recovery, and any promise otherwise is not the truth. The human body is complex, and what she can assure her patients is that she will give her very best effort to help them achieve optimal health.​

This is a very hard question to answer. While Dr. Sharhan witnessed remarkable success in the majority of her patients, outcomes always depend on a two-way commitment. The most inspiring stories come from individuals who are determined, engaged, and open to investing in their health. Dr. Sharhan understands that not everyone begins their journey in this place—she has been there herself. However, without active participation and consistent follow-through, meaningful recovery becomes much less likely.

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That said, Dr. Sharhan has seen some patients improve noticeably within just 1-2 visits, while most experience excellent results after 2-4 follow-up appointments when they fully implement her recommendations. Beyond that, each patient’s path is unique: some continue monthly visits, others quarterly, annually, or simply as needed. Ultimately, progress depends on the individual, their motivation, and their goals.

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From her experience, healing rarely happens with a rigid mindset—it blossoms when openness, flexibility, and willingness to grow are part of the process.

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Naturopathic medicine and functional medicine are often seen as interchangeable—and for good reason. Functional medicine is essentially an outgrowth of naturopathic principles. In fact, many of the early pioneers of functional medicine were treated and heavily influenced by naturopathic doctors and drew from their philosophy and skill set. While functional medicine as a field is relatively new (less than a few decade in widespread practice), naturopathic medicine has been established for centuries with a much deeper historical foundation.

The real difference lies in training: naturopathic doctors spend their entire medical education learning these principles in depth, while most functional medicine providers either have no standardized medical training in this area or complete only a certificate program. Both share a philosophy of finding root causes and treating the whole person, but the naturopathic doctor’s education is far more comprehensive and longstanding.

Yes! Naturopathic doctors are licensed medical providers regulated by a licensing board in both the United States and Canada. They complete a four-year accredited medical doctoral program—amounting to over 8–10 years of total education (often accompanied by significant educational debt). This training grants them the legal authority to prescribe medications and order laboratory tests. Additionally, they must pass two rigorous, centrally administered board examinations to become licensed to practice medicine.

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In contrast, unlicensed individuals who call themselves “naturopaths” typically complete short online certificate programs. They are not recognized as medical providers and are not legally permitted to diagnose, order or interpret laboratory tests or imaging, or provide medical treatment.

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Always verify the license status of your provider here: https://search.dca.ca.gov

Dr. Sharhan often receives this question and decided to break it down in a post Here to provide clear answers and helpful resources for further information.

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She no longer allocates time during medical visits to discuss career prospects, as doing so can significantly impact scheduling and her energy reserves as a solo practitioner. Those interested in discussing career-related questions are encouraged to book a separate visit dedicated to that purpose.

As naturopathic doctors, they already spend considerable time during each visit actively listening, scribing, analyzing, and formulating treatment plans simultaneously—tasks that require substantial focus and energy. Dr. Sharhan appreciates patients’ understanding and respect for these boundaries when approaching their appointment time.

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