Holistic Practitioners
Holistic practitioners and wellness coaches are becoming more popular as people embrace alternative therapies. There are many types of holistic health practitioners. Although they may all approach healing from a holistic perspective, they differ widely in their training, licensing, and types of modalities used.
What is a Holistic Practitioner?
A holistic practitioner, or holistic health practitioner, includes everyone who offers alternative therapies as a service, with or without a license.
Holistic physicians and licensed practitioners
include medical doctors with additional holistic training, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, massage therapists and physical therapists. Note that licensing varies by state and country, and a license from one jurisdiction does not necessarily mean it carries over into another. For example, the Master Herbalist degree I earned from the Australasian College of Health Sciences here in the United States gave me access to professional organizations, but not licensing. If I were in New Zealand, I would have had the option to sit for the Medical Herbalist Board Exams. Such exams and designations don't exist in the U.S. People who practice holistic healing without a license have varying degrees of training. Some of the best, most knowledgeable and intuitive healers may have no formal holistic schooling at all. They learned at a grandparent’s knee, from mentors or are self-taught. They can provide you with a comprehensive holistic education in their field and and are gifted in using their modalities. Some herbalists, energy healers, and many others fall into this category. A good wellness coach or holistic health practitioner can help you supplement your conventional medical treatment and keep you on track. If you are well, s/he can help you stay that way. Many holistic practitioners have spent hundreds or thousands of hours studying,taking courses and gaining experience. They may have one or several certifications in modalities that can really help you improve your health and well-being.
If you are interested in becoming a holistic practitioner click here to read about holistic education and schools.
Tips for Choosing and Working with a Holistic Practitioner
Want to "Go It Alone"?
Holistic health is a vast field. Knowing where to start and what to do can be overwhelming, even if you already know quite a bit. Here are a few tips that will help you get started. 1-Take some time to educate yourself. Check out the tips and techniques in each section of this site and write down a few that would be very easy for you to incorporate into your lifestyle. As these become habit, make additional improvements. Every step you take in a healthier direction will pay off in better health. 2-If you prefer a course to going through the site on your own, I invite you to sign up for the free Natural Health ECourse. 3-Subscribe to (and read) the Holistic Happenings Ezine for additional tips, encouragement and some interaction with others on the journey to wellness. 4-If you appreciate a little structure, expert guidance and weekly advice, check out Dr. Carolyn Dean's Future Health Now! 48 week wellness program structured around her seven pillars of health. Dr. Dean is an MD, a naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, herbalist, and author. You are invited to download module one for free. Just click on the banner below.

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