Hi guys,
I know the subject of learning therapies by distance learning has been covered before, but im posting this because I feel quite strongly about it, and want to know how other therapists feel about massage distance learning courses (specifically massage) that call themselves 'practitioner diplomas, certificates etc.
My problem is, when people come on these forums for advice on massage distance learning courses, surely we, as massage therapists, should not be encouraging people to do a distance learning course (i have seen the lessons and they are exteremly poor), do a quickie one or two day workshop, watch a few video clips on YouTube, and then congratulate the learner who successfully 'qualifies', and goes out to practice as a massage therapist. :confused::confused::confused:
Surely its not just me that wants massage to be seen as a professional skill, which is learned and mastered over time, by attending a recognised (and there are lots and lots, with many different formats) course, which requires you to study A&P (distance learning courses do not), cover the theory in-depth, including contra-indication (which lets face it, is crucial), and ensures case studies are performed to ensure competence. On the previous thread, it was admitted that the distance learning course didnt even include draping.....surely surely surely this cant be right??
I do feel slightly guilty that in the last thread, I appeared to belittle the lady studying this way, but that was not my intention. If someone chose to do a distance learning course to study the theory, and perhaps try a workshop, to see if they wanted to progress to a recognised course, then fine, but to do it with the intention of setting up as a massage therapist, I think is wrong, and as a professional massage therapist, I could not or would not give advice to someone going down this route, its not fair to myself, genuine massage therapists, or the learners themselves.
And surley if they were REALLY all bad they would not be allowed to sell them and also my stonebridge course is excepted by the guild. If i could have done it your way then i would but we are not all as lucky as you and i have done it the best way i feel i could and i feel that perhaps may be you FULLY qualified therapists were more helpful in offering to help with practical training to help those like me who are not as fortunate to be able to do full time college we all would not be painting a bad picture. It would also give the therapist a good name as well as the studant so instead of putting us down why not help us?
Hi Susan,
I was not having a go at you personally, and I actually do help students that are training in massage, free of charge, but im afraid this would ever only extend to people that were doing recognised courses, as I want to see better standards in the industry, not worse.
I wouldnt say I was lucky enough to do it the right way, I would say I was steered in the right direction, which is the point I am trying to make on here. As a massage therapist, my advice would be not to undertake a distance learning massage course, and expect to become a practitioner when you have finished it.
I have checked on the website, and it does not say that the massage course is accepted by the Guild, and I know 100% that none of the Professional Associations that are members of the massage governing body (GCMT) accept distance learning massage qualifications, so surely THAT says something?
It would be nice if practising massage therapists gave their views.
It's simple: you can't possibly learn massage therapy by distance learning. It's a hands on, touch therapy. No argument, in my opinion - there's no way it can be learnt without a tutor and people to practice on in the flesh.
The guild does except the stonebrige because i asked the question a few weeks ago and if you look under general discussions on page three and click on advice you will see my answer. Like i say we can not be that bad or we would not be able to do them at all.
I stick with what I said before. How can you learn what a tense muscle feels like? How you can you learn how much pressure to put on? How can you learn to recognise non-verbal communication?
All of these have to be learned on actual people.
Hi Susan,
I was not having a go at you personally, and I actually do help students that are training in massage, free of charge, but im afraid this would ever only extend to people that were doing recognised courses, as I want to see better standards in the industry, not worse.I wouldnt say I was lucky enough to do it the right way, I would say I was steered in the right direction, which is the point I am trying to make on here. As a massage therapist, my advice would be not to undertake a distance learning massage course, and expect to become a practitioner when you have finished it.
I have checked on the website, and it does not say that the massage course is accepted by the Guild, and I know 100% that none of the Professional Associations that are members of the massage governing body (GCMT) accept distance learning massage qualifications, so surely THAT says something?
It would be nice if practising massage therapists gave their views.
I also checked the stonebridge site for the Holistic Beauty Therapist Course that Susan is doing and it states:
This course has also been accredited for The Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists Membership, insurance and 140 CPD points. For more information on the associated benefits of Guild Membership, please [DLMURL="http://217.160.184.75/beauty_guild/beauty_guild.htm"]click here[/DLMURL].
Susan and I have been swapping emails and i have said what i think about this course and i have highlighted its weaknesses and Susan is already proactively seeking support in her area for practical training.
If the intensive fast track courses or even home study are producing poor practitioners then why are insurance companies insuring them?? Surely in this day and age of people taking eachother to court over the slightest thing they simply wouldnt touch home study with a bargepole??
The Guild offer insurance to their members: http://www.beautyguild.com/membership.asp
Is the guild recognised by the CNHC?
Myarka.
hi Susan,
yes, we are both correct, as I stated, the Guild do NOT accept the stonebridge massage course, however, I have just read on your previous thread that they accept the holistic beauty course that you are doing.
Hi Isis-training, yes it is true, some insurance companies do accept these qualifications, however I do know that the vast majority of professional associations through the governing body and regulator are working toward lobbying the insurers to ensure that these courses are not covered.
We do have National Occupational Standards, which in fact are being increased.
I understand 100% why some people choose do to distance learning courses, however there are some things that you just cannot complete via distance learning, and massage is one of them!
Three Headed Lizard mentioned three things that you cannot do via distance learning, and I could add a long list to that, just the same as you cannot do it in a one day workshop.
I can understand that you will defend one and two day workshops, as that appears to be your livelihood, and you seem to be aiming these at those that have done distance learning courses, however, surely as a training provider you are aware that your massage courses do NOT meet current NOS, let alone any new standards, and as a training provider it is your duty to be aware of these.
Im afraid just because an insurer is willing to provide cover, you cannot justify allowing poorly trained therapists onto an unknowing and unsuspecting public, it is unethical!
and for the record, I also teach on a two day introductory massage workshop, so I know that you CANNOT teach practitioner level massage in this space of time, even if they have done a few lessons via home study.
Well done for the teaching.
If you go to my profile you can go through all of my posts on this matter as its been argued to death i feel, and i do have work to prepare for my students tomorrow and i would rather be putting effort into that than repeating myself over and over, its also only a small part of my "livelihood"
Hi Myarka,
no, the Guild are not recognised by the CNHC.
Hi Isis,
as you have responded previously to everything else, its a shame you didnt respond to the question I posed. It would have been good to hear a training providers perspective.
"surely as a training provider you are aware that your massage courses do NOT meet current NOS, let alone any new standards, and as a training provider it is your duty to be aware of these"
your question was posed about distance learning now you are arguing over short intensive courses, which one are we supposed to be debating, although its a bit of a one-sided debate as you've already formed your opinion.
your question was posed about distance learning now you are arguing over short intensive courses, which one are we supposed to be debating, although its a bit of a one-sided debate as you've already formed your opinion.
Point taken, I have gone off tangent, for which I apologise. My question is about massage distance learning courses. As far as I am concerned it definately isnt one sided, but yes of course I have already formed my opinion, and that is an informed opinion, borne from experience in massage therapy, in massage training and in distance learning courses
Point taken, I have gone off tangent, for which I apologise. My question is about massage distance learning courses. As far as I am concerned it definately isnt one sided, but yes of course I have already formed my opinion, and that is an informed opinion, borne from experience in massage therapy, in massage training and in distance learning courses
Thats fine, I am happy to debate this now we are back on track, I too have experience in all of the above too.