Something else to consider. In an \"unlicensed\" state, ND\'s are very restricted as to what they can and cannot do. They cannot diagnose and treat, and are supposed to defer to an MD. They can\'t order lab tests in my state. They certainly have a hard time getting the types of lab tests they like to have done ordered by MDs - like the IgM (the longer time-span one?) allergy test, for example.
My experiences with 2 different NDs were vastly different. The first treated western style, treating symptoms with multiple supplements and vitamins for each symptom. After months of doing this, with very little improvement (it takes a long time to treat this way), I couldn\'t afford it. About the only thing they can do is suggest diets, becuase even \"prescribing\" a vitamin implies they made a diagnosis that they are trying to treat. That\'s illegal. Anyone can go to the local Vitamin Shoppe chain store and get advice from a clerk, but it\'s illegal when done by an ND. And, therefore, anyone can go to a nutritionist or do the research on their own - the stuff the NDs talk about - whole foods, avoid wheat, dairy, preservatives, etc. - has now become mainstream. People on Craigslist give just a good advice in many cases.
So, spending a lot of money becoming an ND might be financially unsound.
Peta Cohen, a nutritionist in NJ, started out as a registered dietician, and then went on to get a masters in biochemistry, studied with Andrew Stoll, Parris Kidd (sp?), and other alternative types. Her services are covered by insurance, and she integrates her services rather well with the medical and alternative medicine community.
The 2nd was into more new agey stuff, but didn\'t say so up front. Very bright, very articulate, but he was more into doing the new agey stuff, blaming his patients for not being present, dismissing all the typical naturopathic training on diet, lifestyle, etc.