I am sure this has been asked dozens of times, but I have had a look around and still haven't found a definitive answer...
I am wanting to train in a couple of holistic therapies, IHM being the first, (Probably), then moving onto IFM, hand massage, and eventually full body (I am unsure at the moment whether this would be aromatherapy, holistic or Swedish!)
My problem is once I start looking for training courses it just seems like a minefield...on the one hand I have The School of Natural Health Sciences, offering a block of home study courses for less than £300, which come accredited and enabling me to get insurance and practice in IHM, IFM and Aromatherapy! But there is not hands on in class time, it is all done through case studies...then there are the other end of the spectrum courses which take months and cost thousands...
I have studied distance learning before, (I am about to graduate from the OU with a BA in English, so I know I can do it, however I worry about the level of qualification...I don't seem to be able to come across 2 courses, provided by 2 course providers that are accredited to the same awarding body. They all sound very important and 'worthy', but I want to be safe, I don't want to waste my time or money on a rubbish course, that ultimately could put me or any paying client in danger.
Any pointers on this would be gratefully received! Obviously I would rather spend as little as possible, but I do not want false economy IYKWIM?
Yes distant learning in CAM therapies it is a false economy.
Yes there is 100's of threads on HP.
Accreditation for many of these DL courses is B_S_. They make up silly titles and letters after your name to sound impressive, but they don't have formal recognition within the CAM industry. The larger registers/professional associations won't accept DL, especially for core therapies.
That doesn't mean that DL is useless. It is a useful a modality, but you cannot learn hands-on skills using this mode of learning.
These DL courses are run by "diploma mills". Companies that set up to flog the public things that they may wish to learn with at least effort as possible. They offer easy payment schemes and use BS terms like "There is a great need for such or such therapy". And they know they will get customers because of feeding into their ego, whims and fancies.
To be a good, competant, successful therapist, IHM or otherwise, takes time, energy, study, practice, practice and more practice!!
If you truly wish to have a career (it's more of a vocation in reality) in therapies, you would be best to study body massage with anatomy and physiology first, then see where you wish to take it. Taking this route is the foundation to additional studies and can open (hopefully) many doors. The better qualifications to go for are ITEC, VTCT, C&G, BTEC etc etc at level 3. Level 2 should be avoided as it's as useful as a chocolate teapot.
I hope I don't come across as harsh, but don't waste your money on DL courses. Some people do them for personal interest, which is dandy, but you can learn the same info out of a book from waterstones.
Thank you for your really in depth and helpful reply. You kind of cemented what I already knew, deep down. I think I have now found a Swedish Massage course, which is VTCT accredited, part home study (A&P) and part classroom. And close to me Cost isn't astronomical and it looks fascinating!
I am just waiting to hear back from the school to see if they have space, and to answer a couple of questions and hopefully I can get signed up. I have lots of people who are willing to let me practice on them, and I intend to get as much practice as I can! I can not wait!
Thank you so much...if you ahve any more pearls of wisdom, I would love to hear them xx
I've been doing distance learning for Aromatherapy and Herbalism. I've found them very interesting. Aromatherapy I was struggling a little bit on the practical side of things but as part of my studies I need a set of case studies, which means I get to have hand-on experience. I've gradually built up a team of volunteers who want to try these therapies and are willing to provide me with very honest opinions on my techniques etc. Some distance learning courses also offer workshops as a side so there is some opportunity to get some practical experience.
I only have the ability to do distance learning and while the level of course I'm doing will not get me to a practicing level it is still worthwhile for me.
...as part of my studies I need a set of case studies, which means I get to have hand-on experience. I've gradually built up a team of volunteers who want to try these therapies and are willing to provide me with very honest opinions on my techniques etc.
Understand some folk have to do distance learning for geographic or financial reasons but bodywork is a practical skill and the biggest & best part of my training was experiencing a tutor & other students working on me and also getting feedback from teachers and other students who know what to look for.
Working on volunteers is great practice but, in my experience, unless they have a lot of experience of other practitioners in that therapy and/or are professional therapists you'll get loads of "it's lovely" or, if they're honest, "that hurts a bit" but they won't be able to tell you why.
Working on volunteers is great practice but, in my experience, unless they have a lot of experience of other practitioners in that therapy and/or are professional therapists you'll get loads of "it's lovely" or, if they're honest, "that hurts a bit" but they won't be able to tell you why.
I agree. When I was learning aromatherapy, sometimes the teacher would simply move my hand a few centimetres. Not much, but enough to make the whole thing flow much better. There are some things where you really need another person, with expertise and experience, to notice how you could improve. (Maybe IHM is different?)
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