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For the past 4 years I have dreamed of becoming an holistic therapist, I have been studing with the OU for the past 2 years but this year I have decided to put my degree on hold for a year and train in holistic therapies. I phoned the local college and enquired about the course and the fees and was told that VTCT Level 3 diploma in Holistic Therapies would cost around £3000 including exam fees and materials, but if I earn less the £15,000 a year then I would have my fees paid for me. However my combined income is £17,000 but I am wary of giving up my part time job just to get my fees paid. The other option is to do the Reflexology (the area I am really interested in) and A&P diplomas (VTCT) part-time which I can afford plus I can still work.
What I would like to know is, is it better to be a master of one trade or a jack of all, would just offering reflexology enough or should I bite the bullet, give up my part-time job and do the holistic therapy diploma?
My partner says that its my decision but with the current financial climate would it be wise to give work as I understand that I wont be earning much as a therapist.
Could any therapist give me some advice?
Thanks Renax
Hi Renie,
My advice would be to study one subject really well and get an indepth understanding of it. Be prepared to give up your social and home life for the duration of the course as it will be very intensive 
Good Luck
Wesam
Hi Renie
It is quite a difficult decision to make but my head tells me that it is much better to specialise than to diversify. Choose the therapy that grabs your attention (you mentioned reflexology) - and thoroughly research the training that is available to best suit your timetable - try to get the best training within your budget. You know the saying "a jack of all trades and a master of none" - become a master of the one that you are drawn to.
Love Binah
x
As a student of reflexology who is taking exams next month:eek:, comcentrate on 1 , there is so much to learn in reflexology, I would focus on that Just be really good at 1 or 2 therapies, and maybe add to them in the future, I would love to do acupuncture when my kids are older. Just a thought chose an examining body which does a seperate A&P exam, if you do chose to study further therapies the chances are you wont need to do A&P again
I too am in the same quandry. I have my A & P and wonder whether to take the rest of the A & P Hlistic Diploma, thoughts please.
Hm. I did the VTCT Level 3 diploma last year and gave up my part-time job to do it, and am still suffering from the resultant debts. But I couldn't have done it unless I gave up that job because it really was a full time course. My advice would be to get an idea of the time commitment from the college before you make a decision. Remember that you have to get 30 hours worth of case studies for Aromatherapy, Reflexology and also other case studies for whatever therapies you study, and it's nigh on impossible to get these case studies all done in college time.
Thank you all for your replies but I have decided to go with the Reflexology diploma. I understand that it is a challanging course so I want to ensure I put my all into it and I am not sure I would be able to do that if I am studying several therapies at once, not to mention bringing up two children and working!. As an OU student I am already used to having no social life :p so I am not to worried about that. I have already completed level 2 Human Biology with the OU which has been my favourate course, so I am looking forward to the A&P diploma.I have already completed Health and Social care level 1 and Perpectives and CAM and am currently studying Challenging Ideas in Mental Health, which ends in July, both level 2's.
The Reflexology course is on a Monday evening and A&P
Thursdays,for 30 weeks, plus I only work a 4 day week 4 hours a day so I feel that I am able to rise to the challange.
Right I am off to fill in my application form so wish me luck!
Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on.
Reniexx