Holistic health practitioners use various natural healing techniques and wellness therapies, including nutritional therapy, herbal medicine and meditation.
They take into account mental and emotional factors in their client’s life which could be contributing to health concerns – for instance, headaches could be brought on by poor eating habits or stress levels.
Education and Training
Are You Wanting to Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner, Acupuncturist or Yoga Instructor? First you will require some form of education or training; options range from 1-day workshops up to four-year degree programs at various educational institutes – many schools also provide online courses as an option for you!
No matter which holistic health practice you’re interested in, all programs offer an overview and introduce fundamental concepts and practices in that field. This is especially essential as many therapies require an in-depth knowledge of their scientific foundations – this might involve studying things such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, herbalism and chemistry among other things.
Volunteering or interning will also allow you to gain practical experience in the field, giving you firsthand knowledge of its practical aspects while making connections within the wellness community and helping determine if a certain therapeutic approach suits your needs.
Holistic practitioners tend to be deeply committed to helping their clients attain total-body wellbeing, acting in an empathic, compassionate and curious manner throughout the treatment process. Furthermore, these lifelong learners take care of themselves so they can provide optimal guidance to their clients.
Some practitioners opt to register with an industry body, like the Federation of Holistic Therapists, in order to demonstrate their credentials and offer consumers a code of conduct. Others prefer self-regulation by joining professional networks and attending regular events or workshops that develop new skills.
Successful holistic health practitioners understand that physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing are inextricably interlinked, while each person’s needs for healing require personalized strategies. Finally, they must be willing to invest both their time and efforts into helping their patients attain full-body wellbeing – this career path offers great satisfaction to those committed to holistic health practices and leading a balanced lifestyle; particularly rewarding is being an empathic person interested in how the human body functions.
Licensing Requirements
Aspiring holistic health practitioners should be mindful that each state may impose unique requirements on them when practicing holistic healthcare. Some modalities require licensing and regulatory oversight – according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook massage therapists and nutritionists are both licensed in their respective states – which may be particularly important considering many in this field open private practices with sole proprietors as sole owners and incur additional costs such as insurance premiums, office space rentals and materials purchases.
Holistic practitioners should understand that competition for this work can be fierce, so they must work tirelessly to build up their clientele. Many who become holistic healers do so because of a passion for helping others reach wellness. Their clients usually tend to appreciate alternative medicine or natural remedies as part of the solution and appreciate sensitive, compassionate individuals with great verbal communication skills who remain open-minded and committed to ongoing education.
Most states have laws in place which prohibit holistic health practitioners from diagnosing or treating certain diseases or conditions, so these professionals should familiarize themselves with and adhere to state regulations. Furthermore, it is imperative that they recognize all contributing factors – which could include emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and environmental elements.
Holistic health practitioners are trained to identify and address these issues, often suggesting lifestyle or nutritional changes as well as natural remedies. For instance, naturopathic doctors might use herbal medicines and supplements to treat cardiovascular problems while therapists might suggest practicing meditation or yoga to manage stress and relax the body.
Holistic practitioners frequently refer patients to outside medical professionals for further treatments such as surgery or psychopharmaceutical support, which is an integral part of healing processes and usually mutually beneficial for both parties involved.
Certifications
Certification as a holistic health practitioner is necessary, and you can pursue this through various paths depending on your education and field of interest. A graduate certificate in holistic health offers an ideal entry point for those wanting a deeper knowledge of this area but are hesitant about earning a full master’s degree.
American Holistic Nurses AssociationExternal link:open_in_new offers certification that allows you to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Holistic Nurse (APHN-BC). This credential represents the pinnacle of holistic nursing professionalism; to obtain it requires either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing along with completion of an approved nurse practitioner program as well as ongoing education encompassing at least 50 hours in holistic nursing topics.
Many states have laws protecting consumers’ right to choose alternative health care practitioners, including homeopathic remedies and naturopathy practices. Furthermore, certain states mandate licensing requirements for naturopathic doctors.
Attaining national board certification in holistic nutrition will add credibility and set yourself apart from other nutrition professionals. Passing an intensive exam and adhering to stringent ethical standards are required for this credential; additionally, it demonstrates your understanding of scope and limits of practice.
Holistic healthcare careers involve working with clients to heal on all levels, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They offer rewarding careers for those passionate about helping improve people’s lives.
High school students interested in becoming holistic practitioners should enroll in a range of academic courses, such as science and math classes to enhance their college applications, language arts classes for speech development and debate team participation to build communication skills, a comprehensive personal wellness plan as well as an eagerness and commitment to serving others are essential ingredients of success. HAI’s Holistic Health Practitioner Program offers an affordable solution to learn all the techniques you need to open their own holistic healing business or integrate holistic therapies into other professions like medicine or massage therapy.
Career Opportunities
As holistic practices gain in popularity, more career paths have emerged for holistic practitioners. These careers include yoga instructors, massage therapists, nutritionists and life coaches; medical practitioners may incorporate holistic treatments into their standard treatment protocols as well. Selecting a career depends upon which philosophies resonate most closely with you as well as your approach to working with patients.
Many holistic practitioners work in clinics, private practices, spas and wellness centers. Some work independently while others may be employed by mainstream medical providers that specialize in integrative medicine or manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal system.
Holistic practitioners employ holistic practices in addition to traditional healing modalities, including meditation, yoga and deep breathing techniques. Some may also recommend herbal supplements and diet modifications in order to achieve optimum health and wellbeing for their clients. The overall goal is balance among body, mind and spirit for maximum results in health and wellbeing.
Holistic practitioners are known for providing unconditional love, support and hope to their patients. They teach their patients to evoke positive emotions as a means of healing themselves from feelings such as shame, anxiety and depression.
Holistic practitioners enjoy many advantages when practicing holistically, including improved patient outcomes and the empowerment of their patients to take an active part in their healthcare. Holistic practitioners aim to find out the source of symptoms rather than simply mask them with medications – they believe that imbalance in any aspect of one’s life affects other areas.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that job growth for holistic practitioners is above average, with careers such as massage therapy and nutritional counseling projected to experience growth of up to 18.3% over the next decade, while others such as acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine could see 12.5%. If you are considering becoming a holistic practitioner, make sure that you check state licensing requirements prior to beginning training; shadow an experienced practitioner for insight before making your decision on whether this field fits with your goals and lifestyle.
