To our knowledge and based on our original and current research, it is legal to call yourself a holistic doctor in the United States.
There is no legislation against it that we're aware of, but there is legislation against impersonating a physician or calling yourself a licensed medical doctor, MD, if you're not one.
The original meaning of 'doctor' or docere in Latin means 'teacher.'
Holistic doctors use natural, functional, and holistic medicine to target, reverse, and eliminate root causes for total mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.
Conventional medical doctors treat symptoms and diagnose conditions. Modern medicine, different from both, spurs medical miracles and gives humans more choices in healthcare.
At Rockwell, you become a holistic doctor, as a Ph.D., not a licensed physician MD.
There is professional etiquette regarding how to use 'doctor' in written and verbal forms and in advertising, that differs between PhD and MDs, which we educate you on inside our holistic doctorate programs.
We teach you how to discuss your career as a holistic doctor in conversational settings and in your written communication so you maintain professionalism at all times.
Rockwell, as an educator, exists to give holistic providers the confidence and credibility they want and need, which allows them to practice with dignity and gain the respect that they deserve.
Organizations that offer licensing and board certification to holistic providers do the same.
We always clarify the type of doctor we are in our printed materials and advertising, which is legally required and state-specific to certain modalities.
We never imply we are physicians unless we are. Some of you are.
We encourage total transparency in your practice.
This is why our traditional naturopathic graduates never use ND/NMD, which are professional designations for licensed naturopaths.
Naturopathy is a modality, but when discussing our practice, we use 'traditional' in front of it to avoid confusion with licensed naturopaths.
Naturopaths shouldn't be assumed as traditional or licensed unless otherwise specified. It's polite to specify the kind of naturopath you are.
You can learn more about our Doctorate of Traditional Naturopathy & Natural Medicine® here.
These are the values we hold at Rockwell and what practice ethics are all about.
Titles reserved for licensed medical professionals include MD, DO, NP, RN, ND/NMD, and PA.
Never use these designations unless they legally apply.
We have our own amazing practice titles, and you can earn them all at Rockwell.
Traditional Naturopath Doctor TND® / Doctor of Natural Medicine DNM®
Clinical Global Herbalist, CHD® / Medical Herbalist, MH®
Advanced Holistic Nutritionist, AHN® / Advanced Holistic Nutrition Doctor, AHND®
Spiritual Medical Doctor, SMD® / Doctor of Spiritual Medicine, DSM®
Doctor of Functional Blood Chemistry, DFBC® / Doctor of Functional Medicine, DFM®
You can sign up for a single holistic doctorate or practice minor or enroll in the Rockwell Tri-Doctorate® and gain access to complete all five of our holistic doctorates and seven practice minors.
To gain some perspective, here's an article written by our very first student, Michael Leonardo, PhD, TND, 'Why I Should Be Addressed as Doctor.'