With the huge growth of complementary therapists in recent
years, how can you be sure you're finding a professional
therapist?
What about letters after their name?
Unfortunately there is an increasing number of bodies &
associations, offering membership on payment of a joining
fee, and sending a copy of a basic training course certificate. There are of course varying levels in quality, however, more often than not, nothing else is required, except on certain occassions they'd like to see a copy of the insurance certificate.
With the lack of regulation in complementary therapies, these courses can often be manufactured by someone setting
up a taster course, run from their living room. (It's not that
all courses run in someone's living room are bad, and
not that all courses run at a college are good, but you get
the idea).
There are currently no restrictions with the Intellectual Property Office (the Patent Office) on the use of any letters after your name. There only real restrictions we can track down, are with 'Trading Standards' laws, whereby people may not attempt to pass themselves off as holding qualifications they don't have, if the general consumer considers these letters as recognition in a particular sector. As a result, virtually anyone could set themselves
up as a 'professional association' and then offer
new letters for 'members' to place after their
name. (We've just done it, for the 'Complementary Therapists Register', and 'MCTR').
Again, just because some questionable associations and individuals offer countless letters after their name, doesn't mean, that all associations are bad.. it just means don't take what you read on face value.
We were recently contacted by a therapist who'd apparently gained 'training' with a distance learning course, in massage therapy! By paying a much higher fee than would be paid in an NVQ course at a local government backed training college, even the distance learning course's own website claimed all their courses weren't to a professional standard, and they did not recommend anyone set up a therapy practise with their training (these terms were hidden deep in their 4500 word disclaimer), but yet, on the face of it, the distance learning college claimed their courses were accredited by a seperate professional association, that was actually one and the same of the 'college' providing the false courses!
They've been recommended to me:
This is normally the best way to find a good therapist
Speak to them on the phone first, do you feel comfortable
talking to them?
Do they have professional liability insurance?
There are an increasing number of brokers providing insurance
to therapists, generally for at least up to £1million,
with some premiums providing support of claims in excess of
£6million. If they can't provide a certificate
supporting their current insurance when visiting a therapist,
don't proceed.
Many therapists set up a separate Therapy Room in their home,
for the ease of providing treatments, to help save on costs
to you, etc.
On arrival, is the room clean, clutter free, of a comfortable
temperature?
Complementary therapies have been categorised into
three groups: Group 1 CAM therapies – Osteopathy,
Chiropractors, Herbalism, Acupuncture. – Those treatments
which have some government accredited regulation, which are
proven under rigorous medical research to be beneficial Group 2 CAM therapies – Massage, Aromatherapy,
Reflexology... – Those treatments which are recognised
to provide significant benefits to recipients within trial
groups, but for which there is currently no legal requirements
on training, or registered titles. Group 3 CAM therapies – Crystal Healing,
Spiritual... – Those treatments which have been seen
to be beneficial to some clients, but with which there is
currently little supporting evidence into their effacy.
The Therapy Agency focuses on working within Group 2 CAM
therapies, for which there is little regulation, and where
standards in training vary considerably, from an evening 'certified'
taster workshop, to full time year long diploma courses. We've
even heard of hands-on professional treatment courses being
taught by distance learning with very few practical sessions
(which not surprisingly, The Therapy Agency doesn't currently
accept).
The above text was written by Jason Parlour, founder of The
Therapy Agency, and professional massage therapist since
1996, Jason has worked with thousands of clients around the
world in a range of professional therapeutic sessions, and
now utilises his knowledge and background to support the careful
selection of carefully selected therapists around the UK for
a host of businesses, events, and individual treatments.
If you would like to replicate the above text in an alternative
publication, please contact The Therapy Agency directly for
fees and a commercial release. Otherwise, please do feel free
to direct your readers to this page instead: http://www.therapyacademy.com/howtofindagreat/massagetherapist.html
To find quality massage therapists carefully selected to
the highest standards in the above criteria (including a professional
interview with every applicant), do contact The
Therapy Agency, who may be able to provide you with professional
massage therapists in the following areas:
You can also look to bring the effective business training
methods of 'Minutes a Day' into your workplace. A range of
professional and accessible techniques to promote well-being,
improve self-awareness, and develop understanding. One of
the most effective session of which includes Self-Hypnosis
training for all staff, enabling them to learn the techniques
of self-hypnosis for themselves
Just view the website 'minutes
a day' for more information.
