How to Choose Holistic Health Schools and Programs That Are Right For You

Depending on your goals, you can attend holistic health schools on-line, in person or by correspondence. Programs often include written lessons, audio and video instruction, and teleclasses. Modern technology even offers people attending on-line classes or seminars the chance to talk with the facilitator and communicate with other participants in break-out groups.

Here are some steps to take to help you choose the best holistic medicine school or program for you.

• Decide what you want to achieve with your education. This is a major determining factor in deciding which holistic health school to attend.
  
  
  • Do you want to extend your conventional medical training and become a holistic doctor, nurse or dentist?
  • Do you want to become a licensed professional?
    
    Not all, or for that matter, not many of the holistic healing arts are regulated. In order to be licensed, you will be looking at a holistic health school that offer acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, nutrition and naturopathic medicine. Expect these to be on-campus programs, with few exceptions. You will be required to spend up to four years to complete your education. If you are interested in becoming a licensed naturopath there are seven certified schools at the time of this writing:
    
    
    • Bastyr University
      Kenmore, Washington

    • Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
      North York, Ontario

    • National College of Natural Medicine
      Portland, Oregon

    • Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences
      Tempe, Arizona

    • University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine
      Bridgeport, Connecticut

    • Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
      New Westminster, BC Canada

    • National University of Health Sciences
      Lombard, Illinois

    All the other holistic health schools that offer programs in naturopathy, such as Clayton College, are by correspondence. You can receive a very good education through these schools and can be a good choice if you are not interested in obtaining a license.
    
    Massage generally requires 500-1000 hours, depending on licensing requirements. Do not assume that a license from one state, country or province is valid in another.
    
    Certified programs are expensive and time-consuming. Do your research first. Likewise, once you establish a practice as a licensed provider, you can make a good income. Clients/patients may even be able to bill their insurance companies for treatment.
    
    I suggest that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with the healing system you are considering. Book some sessions and talk to your providers about the holistic health schools they attended, variations of the system, different philosophies, and required and elective complementary modalities as well. Be sure to research the different holistic health schools on-line as well. Most will happily provide you with a catalog.
    
    

  • Do you want to have a full or part-time career in the holistic health and wellness industry without having to operate under the constraints of a license?
    
    You can be a holistic health practitioner, a wellness coach,health food store or wellness spa owner. You can write articles, and teach workshops and classes. You cannot diagnose, treat or prescribe. You must be very careful not to break the local laws. Examine the laws of your area before committing to training if this is important to you. Consult with your State Department of Education or Department of Health for this information.
    
    There are many holistic health schools that operate on-line and through correspondence. Your local college may even have a program. Some of these programs are specific to a particular modalitiy, such as nutrition. Others offer a more general education in holistic health.

    Local energy healers, herbalists and practitioners may offer workshops and courses. You can often earn a level one energy healing certificate in a day or two.
    
    

  • Do you "just" want to study holistic healing for your benefit and to help family and friends?
    
    See the suggestions above. If you aren't interested in a formal education, an alternative medicine school may not be right for you. In that case, there are many excellent books that cover all facets of wellness at bookstores and local libraries. You can also find holistic health programs available for purchase that will suit your needs. See the TapInfinity Store for some programs that may be of interest.
    
    Check at you local college for classes and workshops offered through adult or continuing education. Health food stores sometimes offer classes for free or for a small fee. Check their listing boards for classes offered through localhealers or the yoga center. There are usually many opportunities for learning out in the communities.
  
  
  Now that you've decided on the purpose of your training and the level of education you need, the next step is to
  
  
  • choose a modality or healing method that interests you.
    
    Energy healing, or herbalism? Homeopathy or flower essences? Acupuncture or massage therapy? These choices represent just a few of the options available to you.
    
    Let's say you choose energy healing. Okay, is that healing touch, pranic healing, reiki or quantum touch, to name a few. Herbalism is more your cup of tea. I love working with herbs too. Do you choose a Western or Eastern herbs? Do you study the Chinese system, the Western system, wise woman ways or sacred plant medicine?
    
    I'm not asking these questions to confuse you. But like I said, there's a lot out there. That's why I suggest that you:
    • peruse the net and bookstores to see what interests you
    • take a few classes that are offered locally
    • have a few sessions with local healers.
    • send away to a few holistic medicine schools that interest you and research their programs. Look at their book lists and check out some of the books.
    • start small. Choose one modality. Then you can always expand on it later or pursue another one. I've taken courses through several on-line schools, some in person and another by DVD. There is always more to learn, and amazing teachers to learn from.
    • subscribe to (and read) the Holistic Happenings Ezine for more holistic wellness information and updatescheck out the TapInfinity Store and take advantage of the free downloads, ebooks and audios offered there.
    
    
    Just by following the above process for exploring your interests and the different modalities, you will already have made a giant step forward. You will have learned a great deal about yourself and the healing methods that are available. Good luck with whichever holistic medicine program or school you choose.
    
    
    
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