How Are Complementary Therapies Regulated?
Obviously different laws, rules and regulations apply in different countries around the world, but mostly complementary and alternative medicine is not governed by the same regulations that apply to conventional medicine, unless there is a chance of injury such as with the services offered by an osteopath or chiropractor.
The International Guild of Complementary Therapists was created, not so much as a regulatory body, but as an organisation that performs certain necessary checks on the qualifications of every therapist and course provider who wishes to join. We provide certification and add them to our directory if their work and experience is of the highest standard.
Why is this important?
This is important because holistic practices, although some are based on teachings that stretch back centuries, are still considered new age and are in their infancy in the West. They are still occasionally frowned upon, mocked or face hostility in some quarters – usually by those who have not even tried the therapies themselves! This means that our practices must be held to the highest possible standard.
In an age where social media rules people’s perceptions of the world, negativity travels much further and faster than positivity so any bad press can damage the public view of complementary and alternative medicine. What our holistic therapists provide is an excellent quality of service to improve peoples’ lives and health, and what our holistic teachers provide is useful and usable knowledge to pass on and hopefully make the world a better place.
Insurance For Holistic Therapists
Is getting the right insurance important for complementary therapists?
Of course it is! Even if you are renting a room at an established practice that is owned by someone else and they assure you they have practice insurance, it is worthwhile sourcing your own insurance for holistic therapists. You have no idea what is in their small print, and you could find yourself carrying the burden of liability if an accident occurs while you are performing a treatment.
Where do I find complementary and alternative medicine insurance?
The International Guild of Complementary Therapists provide the details of a range of insurers who specialise in covering holistic therapists and will go through your options with you to give you complete peace of mind.
Courses in Alternative Therapies
If you want to take a course and learn an alternative therapy, you might be wondering which one you should try because there are so many to choose from.
First of all, which are you drawn to? Many people when they are first starting out in their holistic journey find themselves drawn to one particular discipline, this is not unusual because the universe will help you decide what is right for you.
Before you choose though, it would be best to try them out for yourself by booking a holistic treatment to see if it were something you would want to do and something you would feel comfortable offering. Another good idea might be to receive your treatment from someone who also offers the relevant holistic courses in your area; that way you will find out if you get on with them on a personal level which will help your learning.
Alternatively, if you feel you do not thrive in a classroom situation – and many don’t – you could choose a distant learning course in complementary medicine. If you choose this route then you can learn in your own time in a setting of your choice. If you choose to learn your holistic course distantly, make sure there is support offered wherein you can ask questions as they arise and can go over anything you are stuck on with your tutor.
Accredited Holistic Therapy Courses
There are many different CAM courses to choose from, and even more course providers offering those courses. How do you know if the courses they are offering are comprehensive and worth paying for? How do you know whether you are paying good money to a reputable teacher with the right credentials? Do they even possess the necessary qualifications to teach?
Like we mentioned before, this is why the International Guild of Complementary Therapists came in to being, to ensure that only the teachers and therapists with the correct qualifications and experience receive IGCT accreditation. If you see our heart symbol on the certificate that we award them, or appearing on their website or marketing materials, then you know they have passed our stringent vetting process and are the right choice for you.
Importance of Continuing Professional Development
It is just as important to your holistic business, indeed your own personal holistic journey, to continue your professional development as it is in any industry. There are many reasons why you should continue to grow, both professionally and spiritually.
In business, standing still is the same as going backwards. You may be happy with the therapy you have learned and are passing on in the form of treatments, but as in any field you will have competition. Your competition working just down the road may offer the same holistic treatment you do, but they may have taken it to the next level; who would you choose to visit for your treatment (and let’s take Reiki as an example), someone who is certified at 2nd degree or someone who is a qualified Reiki Master?
Your competition may be offering different forms of treatment from the wide range complementary and alternative medicine has to offer. You need to learn new skills to compete, but also to grow yourself in a spiritual sense.
The International Guild of Complementary Therapists gives its course providers the opportunity to offer CPD points. More than that, our directory of course providers allows you to select a new course to grow your skillset and who knows where your holistic journey will take you next.
