Functional medicine aims to find and treat the root causes of illness.  At Nurturing Pediatrics, this means moving beyond a one-size-fits-all symptom-based treatment model that to one that creates personalized care plans grounded in each child’s biology, lifestyle, and environment. in order to promote long-term health and wellness.  

Integrative medicine is a whole-person approach to care that thoughtfully combines the best of conventional medical treatment with evidence‑informed complementary therapies. The goal is to promote healing, balance, and long‑term health by using the most effective tools available. 

The pre-consultation is a virtual meeting with caregivers only.  It allows families to share general areas of concern, learn about the structure and scope of services offered by Nurturing Pediatrics, and determine whether pursuing a consultation is a good fit. 

Developing a thorough understanding of a child’s clinical picture typically takes about 2 hours for straightforward cases and up to 10 hours or more for complex cases. A physical exam is also a vital part of an evaluation. Providing medical advice based on partial information obtained in a brief virtual encounter could be helpful but it may also be harmful.  This is why medical guidance is only provided within an established clinical relationship where we can devote the time and attention each child deserves.

Dr. Bruce is licensed to provide care only to children residing in North Carolina. Due to limited capacity, we are unable to respond to inquiries regarding care for children in other states. Please visit our Resource page for information to help you advocate for and support your child.

Dr. Bruce’s practice is limited to children and adolescents, with occasional exceptions for young adults ages 18–21. Due to limited capacity, we are unable to respond to inquiries regarding care for adults. Please visit our Resource page for information and tools to support self-advocacy or advocacy for your adult child.

Our care model allows us to focus on patients rather than insurance requirements, ensuring adequate time for thoughtful, individualized care.

Yes, you may pay for services using HSA or FSA cards.  We can provide a receipt for services if needed.

Most physician time and professional services are concentrated in the initial weeks of consultation. The base consultation fee is $2,000, divided over two months for convenience. For children with recent hospitalization, crisis-level needs, or significant hands-on intervention and care coordination requirements, fees may be adjusted to reflect the greater scope of physician involvement. This is typically identified during the pre-consultation meeting or discussed after the initial consultation.

Additional clinical expenses during your work with Nurturing Pediatrics will likely include:

• Labs (see next FAQ)
• Supplements (more about that here)

We will order appropriate lab testing based on your child’s history and examination, and we will work together to find the most cost-effective option.

• The first tests ordered through Labcorp are generally routine labs that are often well-covered by insurance; however, insurance pricing varies widely. Out‑of‑pocket costs have ranged from no cost to over $1,000, with higher amounts most commonly associated with high‑deductible plans prior to meeting the deductible.
• The cash-pay rates for the above mentioned Labcorp labs range from $130-350, with higher costs associated with more extensive testing.
• Functional testing involves specialized labs that evaluate how the body is functioning by identifying patterns and imbalances, rather than diagnosing disease. These tests are typically not used first, as most children benefit from addressing common, treatable factors first. Functional tests are self-pay, not covered by insurance, and typically range from $90-$400. We do not mark up lab fees. Any additional charges for physician time needed for review or follow-up will be discussed ahead of time.
• We may consider genetic testing through Labcorp’s Invitae to further assess children with neurodevelopemental disorders. Insurance coverage varies and will be determined prior to testing.

With your permission, we will provide your pediatrician with a summary of our work together and coordinate care as needed.

Please visit our Resource page for information to help you advocate for and support your child.

No, Dr. Bruce has shifted her practice away from primary care so she can make specialized consultation services available to more families.

Please complete the form at the bottom of the page of the service you are interested in.  We will contact you within 2 business days regarding the next steps.

Consultations are typically billed per child, as each child requires individualized review, assessment, and recommendations, even within the same family.