A naturopathic doctor (ND) is a licensed healthcare physician trained in both conventional medical sciences and natural, holistic forms of medicine. What makes us uniquely Naturopathic is how we base our therapeutics on a model of healing vs a model of disease.

Naturopathic medicine is guided by a set of foundational principles:

• Remove the Obstacle to Cure - also know as treating the root cause — not just symptoms.

• First, do no harm - use the least invasive therapies necessary.

• The Healing Power of Nature - The body operates within consistent and unchanging laws of nature. Naturopathic medicine honors this inherent organizing force also known as Vital Force —the body’s innate capacity to heal—recognizing that health is restored not by overriding these processes, but by working in alignment with them.

• Doctor as teacher - empowering patients through education of sustainable health practices.

• Treat the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.

• Prevention and health optimization

Licensed NDs in the U.S.:

• Complete a 4-year, graduate-level medical program at an accredited naturopathic medical school including extensive clinical internship and preceptorship experience.

• Study basic sciences (anatomy, gross anatomy, physiology, pathology, immunology, biochemistry) alongside clinical diagnosis and treatment.

• Receive training in therapies such as:

  • Clinical nutrition

  • Botanical medicine

  • Homeopathy

  • Naturopathic interventions—ie hydrotherapy

  • Lifestyle and behavioral counseling

  • Physical medicine

  • In some states, including WA, prescriptive medications and minor office procedures.

They must pass a series of national board examinations (NPLEX) and meet state licensure requirements (varies by state).

Our work begins with a conversation—not just about your symptoms, but about your story, patterns, and the factors that have shaped your health over time. I take the time to listen closely and ask thoughtful questions so we can understand what’s driving your current state, not just label it.

From there, we build a plan that is clear, realistic, and tailored to you. This often includes a combination of thoughtful, targeted testing, nutrition, lifestyle shifts, other modalities such as hydrotherapy, homeopathy and craniosacral therapy, and—when appropriate—therapeutic supports such as supplements and medications. My goal is to help you make sense of your health in a way that feels grounded and actionable, not overwhelming.

You can expect our visits to feel collaborative and focused, with space to think, ask questions, and move at a pace that supports real change. I’ll guide you, but you’ll also be equipped with the understanding and tools to take an active role in your care.

This is not quick, transactional medicine. It’s what I like to call ‘slow medicine’—a thoughtful partnership designed to help you reconnect with your body and build a more stable foundation for long-term health.

Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic use of alternating hot and cold water applications to support circulation, metabolism, and the body’s natural healing processes.

Rooted in European water-based therapies, constitutional hydrotherapy was refined in the early 20th century by naturopathic physician Dr. O.G. Carroll and has been preserved and taught through generations of naturopathic doctors, including Dr. John Bastyr. It remains a distinctive and time-honored treatment within naturopathic medicine today.

In practice, treatments involve a series of warm and cool compresses applied to the chest, abdomen, and back, often paired with gentle electrical stimulation. This creates a rhythmic “pumping” effect on circulation—helping to optimize blood flow through the organs, enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery, and support detoxification pathways.

At its core, this therapy reflects a long-held naturopathic understanding: ‘Everything you do for your patients should vitalize the blood… The power to heal is in the blood.’
Hydrotherapy works directly through this lens—supporting both the movement and quality of blood so the body can more effectively nourish, repair, and restore itself.

Patients typically experience this as deeply calming yet restorative therapeutic. Over a series of treatments, it can support digestion, immune function, sleep and nervous system regulation. Each session is individualized, with careful adjustments in temperature, timing, and placement to meet your body where it is and support meaningful, lasting change.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on treatment that works with the body’s craniosacral and fascial systems to support nervous system regulation and overall function. It uses light, non-invasive touch— with the patient fully clothed—to assess and release areas of tension or restriction.

The craniosacral system includes the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. This system has its own subtle rhythm, which can be felt throughout the body through the connective tissue (fascia). Because fascia is a continuous, interconnected network, restrictions in one area can influence patterns elsewhere in the body.

During a session, light touch is applied to areas such as the head, spine, and sacrum, allowing the body to gently release tension and restore more balanced movement and flow—without force or manipulation.

This work is often subtle and gradual. Some patients notice clear shifts during a session, while others may feel very little in the moment. Changes often unfold over time, as the nervous system integrates and the body reorganizes at its own pace.

Patients commonly experience this work as deeply calming and restorative, with improvements in tension, nervous system balance, and overall sense of ease.

We are a cash-pay practice. We do not bill insurance, and do request payment for visits at the time of service.

This means our clinical decisions aren't shaped by coverage restrictions, pre-authorization requirements, or billing codes designed for a different model of care. This allows us to better serve you in a broader, more holistic scope of practice.

Dr. Semenza is considered an “out of network” provider for all insurance plans.  Many insurance plans, particularly ‘Preferred Provider Organization’ (PPO) plans, include out-of-network benefits that may allow patients to receive partial reimbursement for services. Because coverage varies by plan, we recommend contacting your insurance company prior to your appointment to verify your benefits. We are happy to provide the patient with a superbill at the end of the visit. A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes the diagnostic and procedure codes your insurance company needs to process a claim. You submit it directly to your insurer, and depending on your plan's out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for that partial reimbursement.

For more information check out these common questions to ask about out-of-network benefits.

We accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards for eligible medical services.

HSA/FSA cards function similarly to debit cards and can be used at the time of your visit for services that are considered qualified medical expenses under your individual plan. Please note that eligibility is determined by your specific HSA/FSA administrator, and not all services may be covered.

If your HSA/FSA card is declined, you may use another form of payment and submit your receipt directly to your plan for potential reimbursement.

We recommend contacting your HSA/FSA provider if you have questions about what is covered under your plan.

Please note: Payment is due at the time of service. Use of HSA/FSA funds is ultimately the patient’s responsibility.