How I Became a Naturopathic Doctor

Wilderness Survival:
My journey to becoming a naturopathic physician began when I discovered The Tracker School, a wilderness survival school that teaches a profound philosophy and relationship to the Earth around us.  I became intrigued, possibly obsessed, with learning the many skills taught at that school.  I began spending all of my free time learning and refining new skills and then testing them in Nature. 

Discovering Herbalogy:
As I began to learn about medicinal plants, a cord was struck in me that made me reevaluate my role in society.  I realized that as an herbalist, I could really contribute to society in a profound way that felt consistent with my own philosophy.  I had no idea how I would do that, but I began my journey nonetheless.

Occupational Therapy and Autism:
At the same time, I had been involved in healing for some time.  I had worked with my mother, Irene Ingram, OTR/L who is a pediatric occupational therapist.  I was also working as an ABA tutor with an autistic child.

Discovering Homeopathy:    
As fate would have it, I soon met Robin Murphy, ND in Savannah, Georgia.  He was teaching homeopathy, qi gong, and alchemy in Georgia at the time.  I was totally fascinated by these courses.  I began self-study of homeopathy, and decided that I would also use homeopathy along with herbology. 

Discovering Naturopathic Medicine:     
I was getting pretty overwhelmed by all of the self-study I had placed before me, when I finally looked up the meaning of "ND" that was on the end of Robin Murphy's name.  I started reading about naturopathic medicine and knew immediately that it was what I had been looking for.  I immediately applied to NCNM, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (recently renamed the National College of Natural Medicine), in Portland, OR and began study there the next Fall.

Education at NCNM:
At  NCNM, I continued my study of homeopathy and herbology; these continue to be my two favorite modalities.  I also received an extensive education in basic and clinical sciences, nutrition, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and counseling.  I also continued my study and interest in autism.  I continued working as an ABA therapist while in medical school, and wrote my graduate thesis on autistic spectrum disorders.

Natural Foot Care:   
After graduation, I spent a year practicing with a very progressive and innovative podiatrist named Ray McClanahan, DPM at Northwest Foot and Ankle in Portland, Oregon.  We brought together the philosophy and therapeutics of naturopathic medicine and the natural, conservative foot care that Dr. McClanahan has developed.  So now one of my specialties is natural foot care.

My Portland Practice:
I practiced at Health on Hawthorne for one year with a wonderful group of alternative health care practitioners including a chiropractor, naturopathic doctor/acupuncturist, and two massage therapists.  I worked with patients with a wide range of conditions focusing on chronic disease, foot health, and autistic spectrum disorders.

My Practice in Brevard:
I am now in the process of opening a practice with my wife, Marty Ingram, ND, in Pisgah Forest, NC, just outside of Brevard and 30 miles from Asheville.  We will be sharing space with Monarch Natural Healing.  In our practice, we help people optimize their health.  We see people of all ages with a variety of conditions including autoimmune, musculoskeletal, hormonal, gastrointestinal, and many others.  I also specialize in autistic spectrum disorders and help active people optimize their foot health.

Jan 2006 - November 2007	Homeopathic Practice Using Cycles & Segments by The New England School of Homeopathy
October 2007	Defeat Autism Now! Conference by Autism Research Institute
July 2007	2007 Northwest Herbfest at Wise Acres Teaching Farm
April 2007	Primary Care: Classical Archetype, Modern Application Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention
December 2006	Pharmacy and Pain Management Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians
August 2006	Practical Medicine: A Seminar for Young Doctors by Jared Zeff
July 2006	2006 Northwest Herbfest at Wise Acres Teaching Farm
November 2005	Treating Chronic Illness with Herbal Medicine AHG Symposium
August 2005	The Arnica-like Remedies by Massimo Mangialavori
July 2005	2005 Northwest Herbfest at Wise Acres Teaching Farm
February 2004	Philosophy and the Healing Arts by Tom Brown, Jr.
July 2002	Personal Vision Quest course by Earth-Heart, Inc.
June 2002	Isopathic Medicine course by Robin Murphy
April 2002	Infancy and Early Childhood Training Course by Stanley Greenspan, MD and Serena Wyeder, Ph.D
February 2002	Tibetan Qi Gong course by Robin Murphy, ND.
December 2001	Philosophy II at The Tracker Wilderness Survival School.
September 2001	Advanced Standard at The Tracker Wilderness Survival School.
August 2001	Rasayana:  Fountain of Youth course by Robin Murphy, ND.
January 2001	Philosophy I at The Tracker Wilderness Survival School.
August 2000	Standard at The Tracker Wilderness Survival School.

2003 – 2006	Writer, The Student Naturopath and The Seer (Previously called ND Updates) Research and write homeopathy columns for the school journals.
2006	Diagnosis and Treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders with a Focus on Homeopathic Prescribing, Thesis, National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
March 2007	"Treatment of Plantar Fasciosis," Naturopathic Doctor News and Review Coauthored with Ray McClanahan, DPM