Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Mental Health

Hi everyone, my name is Stef. I am thrilled to be part of the Kura team after years of running an independent practice, helping people improve their mental health with compassionate integrative medicine.

Our bodies are inherently intelligent.

The nervous system is our hero, they show up every day to keep us safe from harm and danger. Somewhere along the line we stopped listening as a culture and our medical system is now in the habit of trying to treat mood without questioning what the cause may be. We know that low blood sugar can trigger anxiety, low thyroid function can look like depression, and sleep deprivation can aggravate our mood, so it’s time we consider causes like these in mental health care.

I’m here to offer you something different, to ask why your nervous system senses danger, and help you make informed choices about the wide range of natural therapies out there. My approach is to consider both brain AND body, because we are more than a brain chemical imbalance.

My mission is to offer naturopathic and mental health care in a welcoming environment that feels safer and empowering.

Too often the effects of structural discrimination and societal norms are forgotten about in health care, factors that are known to negatively affect health. I continuously work on creating an environment where you are more at ease and empowered to improve the way you feel. A space that is actively anti-racist, queer and trans affirming, body positive, and judgement-free. Because a sense of safety is important to your health and your nervous system.

Because I know it’s not “all in your head”.

You can find out more about Stef and her practice at www.drcordes.com

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Mental Health Hi everyone, my name is Stef. I am thrilled to ... Read More

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Clinic Director

Healthy Aging and Cardiovascular Health

My Core Beliefs…

Aging doesn’t equal dysfunction. Everyday we grow a little bit older and I believe that can be positive! Great things fall into place as we age: It’s been proven that we’re generally more tolerant and less bothered by events, we’re more confident (having a higher sense of self-worth and caring less about what others think), and we’re happier. But these points are rarely at the core of the conversation. The fact that we’re not feeling our best or our bodies aren’t quite working right is no longer considered worth investigating thoroughly. We’re told to just expect and accept changes as we get older. Many of those changes are normal of course, but that doesn’t mean aging is necessarily to blame.

You should be able to have a discussion about your cardiovascular situation and understand why (and how, and to what degree) your high blood pressure or high cholesterol or diabetes influences your health today and tomorrow. I can walk you through your unique situation so you can gain a better understanding of what it means to your overall health.

I believe that getting older doesn’t automatically entail a cascade of prescription medications. There are so many often-disregarded factors that can contribute to such things as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritic pain, fatigue, memory changes, and indigestion. Let’s explore these factors together.

The Technical Version:

Dr. Alexandra Verge is a naturopathic doctor living and working in downtown Guelph. She contemplated becoming a veterinarian or a dietician before realizing that naturopathic medicine was a perfect fit that combined her interest in health and nutrition. She graduated with distinction from both the University of Guelph (with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences) and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She’s registered to practice in Ontario and is a proud member of both her provincial and federal associations.

Alex launched her solo practice, Verge Naturopathic Clinic, almost 20 years ago. The clinic has since grown into the multi-disciplinary Kura Clinic you see today. Through thousands of visits over that time, Alex has supported people from all walks of life on their journey to better health. In recent years, she has zeroed in on issues commonly experienced as we age: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, generational stresses and, in particular, cardiovascular disease.

As part of her commitment to her community, Alex has spoken about healthy aging to both the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association and at the Guelph Public Library a number of times.

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Clinic Director Healthy Aging and Cardiovascular Health My C... Read More