Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Dr. Julia Christensen, ND is pleased to live, work and play in our beautiful city of Victoria, BC. Her dedication to natural medicine is built on a foundation of 25 years of education and experience in the health and wellness field. She has always been fascinated by the complexities of the human body and is committed to sharing her passion for holistic healthcare with our community at large and creating long-lasting relationships with her patients and colleagues.

In her private practice Dr. Christensen finds her inspiration in deeply getting to know her patients, guiding them through a range of experiences from the common cold to tackling difficult life decisions in a manner that is safe, non-judgemental, and built on informed consent and patient-centred care. For Dr. Christensen, medicine is not simply addressing your physical ailment, but meeting you as a whole person and walking with you as your path in life unfolds. The ideal doctor-patient relationship for Dr. Christensen is with individuals who are on a path of self-reflection and self-acceptance, and who would like to work long-term together making subtle adjustments along the way for optimal health. Her patients, colleagues and mentors describe her as “kind and approachable,” “gentle,” as well as “thoughtful, intuitive and wise” both in her personal and clinical approach.

Clinically, she focuses her practice in hormone restoration (including thyroid and reproductive hormones), digestive disturbance (IBS, SIBO, inflammatory bowel disease), and mental health concerns. These conditions may show up in a variety of forms that could include anxiety & depression, PMS/PMDD and irregular cycles, endometriosis, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood changes, poor sleep, and chronic pain. She feels it’s important to do comprehensive assessments which each individual to ensure we are addressing root imbalances and deficiencies. She also has a deep focus and interest in understanding and supporting the midlife transition through peri-menopause as well as during post-menopause and will be writing the exam to become a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner later in 2024. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, she has a passion for understanding the lens of how previous trauma(s) may manifest physically, mentally/emotionally and spiritually; and, values the importance of acknowledging this piece when providing recommendations.

Therapeutic approaches include deep listening, lifestyle and nutrition recommendations, nutraceuticals and supplements, prescription hormone replacement therapies, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and pharmaceutical prescriptions.

Dr. Christensen’s education background includes an undergraduate degree with honours in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University, which included the publication of her honours thesis work in the Journal of Experimental Physiology. As she earned her four year Naturopathic diploma from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) she also interned at the Family Naturopathic Clinic (FNC), here in Victoria, where she saw how deeply impactful naturopathic medicine can be for this community of patients. She then went on to be a clinical supervisor at the FNC where she guided students in clinical diagnosis and naturopathic treatment. She has also been an adjunct faculty instructor at BINM providing course content and instruction in Exercise Therapy.

In her private practice, she likes to work cooperatively with other care-providers to create a network of care to support her patients journey to health and wellness. Dr. Christensen lives her medicine and is a true advocate for the healing power of the body. Clinically, she strives to identify the root cause of disharmony in order to restore optimum health and balance for each patient.

Independent of her career, she is constantly striving for self-evolution by engaging in a lifestyle that includes weightlifting, yoga, meditation, whole foods, bare feet in nature, plant medicine,, cold water/sauna therapy, creating and participating in supportive community, and spending quality time playing with her niece and nephews.

Dr. Christensen is currently accepting new and returning patients via telemedicine (video consult or phone consult) and in person at Little Bird Farm and Naturopathic Clinic in Saanichton. She is available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for virtual consultations and Wednesday mornings from 9am to 1pm for in person sessions at Little Bird Farm.

Returning patients are welcome to schedule online.

If you are a new patient, please contact us via email office@drkristinschnurr.com or phone 778 351-2511.

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Dr. Julia Christensen, ND is pleased to live, work and play ... Read More

Dr. Kristin Schnurr has worked in Victoria as a Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist with a diverse and fulfilling naturopathic family practice since 2005. In addition to her family oriented Naturopathic practice, Dr. Schnurr’s clinical practice focuses on complex endocrine concerns and alchemical healing work. Alchemical work puts a central emphasis on one’s inner life, the psyche and spirit as well as our connection to the natural world as necessary for healing.

Dr. Schnurr graduated from Queens University with a B.Sc (Honours) in Life Sciences with a focus in Endocrinology. During her undergraduate years she studied traditional healing in Kenya and held a volunteer position at Delek Hospital in northern India where Ayurvedic Doctors work alongside Western Doctors in a respectful and integrative environment.

These experiences, along with her personal health journey, inspired her to pursue an education in medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto where she graduated as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine in 2005. She is certified to provide acupuncture in BC and has done extensive training and mentorship with Lorie Eve Dechar, R.Ac. Since 2009 she has held Prescribing rights in BC.

Originally from Waterloo, Ontario, she has spent more than 25 years on Vancouver Island working and exploring the backcountry as a guide, outdoor educator, and tree planter. The island has always held a place in her heart and she feels so fortunate to call this peninsula her home. When she is not with patients she loves to spend time with her family, exploring nearby trails or beaches and tending to their farm. Hiking in forest with her family and friends, running on trails, spending time in the mountains, being with animals, making and sharing meals with friends and creating space for her yoga and meditation practice are some of the ways she nourishes her spirit.

In 2020 she became one of only a few Naturopathic Doctors in North America accredited as a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Practitioner (NCMP). Dr. Schnurr also holds IMPART certification through the International Menopause Society and is an associate of the Newson Health Menopause Society. She is currently part of a small Fellowship within her profession focusing on advancing support of women at the perimenopausal/menopausal stage in Canada. As a small cohort they critically review and appraise recent research and build practice guidelines accordingly. She is also involved in a mentorship with Dr. Sharon Blackie focussing on this life stage as a spiritual rite of passage.

Because of her extensive experience in this area, Dr. Schnurr is currently prioritizing supporting patients navigating this transitional time of life.

Her practice is located in Saanichton, BC at Little Bird Farm and Naturopathic Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She is so grateful to live, learn and work on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples.

Given her current caseload at the clinic we are currently taking a waitlist for new patients. If you would like to work with Dr. Schnurr in the future please send us an email – office@drkristinschnurr.com.

In addition to her private practice, she is proud to be a partner and President of the FNC Care Society. She has been involved with the FNC since 2007 and historically served for 10 years as the Director of Clinical Education and a Clinical Supervisor for the Family Naturopathic Clinic (FNC) – a non-profit naturopathic teaching clinic serving young, low-income families.

Dr. Kristin Schnurr has worked in Victoria as a Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist with a d... Read More