“I don’t believe in population health — so why should I try to fit you into a population you are different from?”
✓ 20+ Years Experience | ✓ LLM
Master of Laws | ✓ Ottawa, ON | ✓ CNO
Dr. Burns on precision medicine
"I focus on the gut-brain connection and how it impacts hormonal, immune, nutrient and mental health."
Hello! I’m Dr. Shelley Burns, a Naturopathic Doctor with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Montréal, I moved to Toronto to further my education in naturopathic medicine. Before transitioning to naturopathy, I worked as a social worker with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns — a foundation of empathy and systems-thinking that still shapes every clinical decision I make.
I completed my training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, receiving the NaturoMedic Award for proficiency, and hold an Honours BA in Psychology and Philosophy, a Master of Laws in Health Law, and a certification in Complementary and Integrative Medicine from Harvard Medical School.
My passion for naturopathic medicine led me to establish the Naturopathy Act, 2007 during my tenure as Chair of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. I currently sit on the council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, supervise at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic, and work at the Sherbourne Health Centre with individuals diagnosed with HIV.
I believe you deserve the best possible health outcomes — and I look forward to being a part of your health journey.
Foundation
Social Work — Developmental Disabilities & Mental Health
Before naturopathy, Dr. Burns worked as a social worker — building a clinical empathy and systems-thinking perspective that remains foundational to her practice.
Education
Naturopathic Doctor (ND) — CCNM · NaturoMedic Award
Advanced Degrees
Master of Laws in Health Law · Harvard Certification
2007
Established the Naturopathy Act, 2007 in Ontario
Current
Council Member, College of Naturopaths of Ontario
What Dr. Burns specializes in.
Dr. Burns works at the intersection of precision medicine and the gut-brain axis — with deep expertise in the conditions where these systems drive the most complex and often under-addressed presentations.
Digestive Health & Microbiome
BS, SIBO, leaky gut, dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel conditions, and microbiome assessment and enhancement. The gut is where Dr. Burns often begins — because it’s where so many other systems either stabilize or unravel.
Autoimmune Conditions
Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune presentations — addressed through a root-cause lens that examines gut permeability, microbiome diversity, immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers.
Hormonal Imbalances
Perimenopause, menopause, thyroid dysfunction (including Hashimoto’s and subclinical hypothyroidism), adrenal fatigue, cortisol dysregulation, estrogen dominance, and DHEA imbalances — assessed individually, not by population norm.
Appointment Types
Now Booking
Naturopathic Medicine - Virtual · Ontario-Wide · Dr. Shelley Burns, ND
Discovery Session – 15 minutes · Virtual video call
Meet Dr. Burns and see if her approach is right for you
Free
$275
$200
$120
$75