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Rachelle S. Bradley,
N.D.
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Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Board Certified in
Homeopathy
State Licensed
Naturopathic Physician
State Licensed Mental Health
Practitioner
State Licensed Medical Nutrition
Therapist
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DR. RACHELLE S. BRADLEY
Rachelle S. Bradley, ND, CCH received an undergraduate
premedical degree in human biology and a Doctor of
Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from the National
College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. In
1982 she completed a post-graduate residency program in
homeopathy at Bastyr
University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Bradley is currently
licensed as a naturopathic physician in the States of Washington
and California.
In Nebraska, She is licensed as a mental health practitioner and
a medical nutrition therapist. Dr. Bradley has a specialty in homeopathy and
is board certified by the Council
for Homeopathic Certification (CCH).
NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION
The Council on Naturopathic
Medical Education (CNME) is the federally recognized
accrediting agency for naturopathic education. CNME accredited
naturopathic medical colleges require the same premedical
prerequisites as other types of medical schools and provide four
years of graduate level medical training. The programs include
intensive training in the basic, clinical and diagnostic
sciences and naturopathic therapeutics, as well as two years of
supervised clinical internship. Graduates receive an N.D. and
after passing a rigorous national board examination they become
licensed naturopathic physicians. There are now naturopathic
licensure laws in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut,
Kansas, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington, as
well as Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico.
Naturopaths also practice in other states under other laws
(i.e., as licensed acupuncturists or chiropractors) or without
official government sanction (i.e., as nutritionists or natural
health consultants). However, without standards in the states
without licensing laws, individuals with little or no formal
education may also proclaim themselves naturopathic doctors with
diploma mill "degrees" or purchased
certificates.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Naturopathic medicine has been a distinct natural health care
profession for one hundred years. It is based on the timeless
philosophy of Vis Medicatrix Naturae, "the healing
power of nature." This means that all true healing is the
result of the body/mind’s natural ability to heal itself.
Naturopathic physicians help to remove the obstacles to cure and
employ natural therapies that strengthen and stimulate the
body/mind’s own healing processes. They treat the whole person
(i.e. physically mentally and socially) with natural health care
tailored to meet the individual’s personal needs. Naturopathic
physicians use a variety of natural therapies, including:
Counseling (diet, lifestyle &
psychological)
Clinical Nutrition
Homeopathy
Botanical Medicines (herbs)
Physical medicine
Acupuncture
Functional Medicine
Bio-identical Hormone Therapy
In
the states where naturopathic doctors are licensed to practice
medicine they provide the standard services of primary care. For
example, in Washington state, naturopathic physicians are
covered by health insurance and are licensed to prescribe most
pharmaceuticals, do minor surgery, give IVs, provide preventive
care, and diagnose disease using the full range of diagnostic
laboratory tests and clinical exams. Most do a general family
practice, including offering gynecology and pediatrics; but some
doctors specialize in different clinical areas, such as
oncology, cardiology, chronic disease, anti-aging medicine,
research, etc. Naturopathic physicians function as part of the
larger medical community and collaborate with both alternative
and conventional specialists whenever indicated.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy
is one distinct and powerful type of natural therapy used by
naturopathic physicians. Homeopathy has its own specially
prepared natural remedies and rules of practice. These remedies
are made by homeopathic pharmacies according to FDA regulations.
A special dilution process makes homeopathic remedies very safe
while greatly enhancing their effectiveness. Homeopathic
remedies are not the same as herbal or nutritional
supplements. A variety of different types of practitioners (i.e.
N.D.s, M.D.s, D.C.s, etc.) may use some homeopathy. However, a
practitioner would be called a homeopath only if it was his or
her specialty. Dr. Bradley is both a naturopathic physician and
a homeopath. Most patients Dr. Bradley sees receive homeopathy as their
main treatment modality.
COUNSELING
With licensing in Nebraska as a mental health practitioner,
counseling is a growing area within Dr. Bradley's practice. Solution
Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is the counseling modality that is
most commonly used. The emphasis in SFBT is on creating change
in the quickest most effective manner, thus the term
"brief." It is not a focus on past problems but on
solutions that will work for the client now in their life. Each
counseling client is treated as an individual with the focus on
what goals he or she is interesting in achieving. Besides SFBT,
she will bring to the session whatever counseling tools
will help to achieve the changes that will move the client
closer to a fulfilling life. At this time Dr. Bradley does not
offer couples counseling or counseling with young children.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
In a growing number of states naturopathic physicians are
licensed as general practitioners. In these states they provide
preventive care, diagnose disease using the standard laboratory
tests and medical exams, and treat the whole family using
natural therapies. They function as part of the larger medical
community and refer to the appropriate specialists whenever
indicated. Naturopathic physicians successfully treat people who
have acute problems like minor injuries and infections, but
their greatest strength is the treatment of people with chronic
diseases. Dr. Bradley specializes in the treatment of people
with chronic health problems but does not offer
diagnostic or primary care services.
In Nebraska naturopaths are not
currently licensed because of the political environment. This
means Dr. Bradley may not function as a physician, diagnosis, or
replace the necessary services of a licensed primary care
provider. Fortunately, many people are still able to recover
their health despite these limitations. |
