Holistic Health Practitioner
Holistic health practitioners are in demand. But, what exactly is a holistic health practitioner? To the average person, a holistic health practitioner is likely to be an acupuncturist, or a massage therapist, or a natural healer, or some other healthcare provider who makes use of non-traditional medical procedures. While there is some truth to such beliefs, there is much more to consider. It is not the healing specialty that determines an individual’s status as a holistic health practitioner.
Reiki Energy Healing
Generally speaking, a holistic health practitioner is a healthcare professional who has trained at a holistic school. As part of their educational experience, practitioners may specialize in any of several non-traditional healing specialties. They may train to become naturopaths, music therapists, homeopaths, reflexologists, massage therapists, or energy healers, to name just a few. But, again, it is not the healing specialty that determines an individual’s status as a holistic health practitioner. Rather, it is the overall healthcare orientation acquired as part of their educational experience that makes someone a holistic health practitioner.
The holistic approach to health and healing is a broad one. It acknowledges the importance of modern, conventional medicine. But, it tends to be more focused on achieving optimal health and is more open to a range of non-traditional therapies. The holistic approach begins with the assumption that body, mind, and spirit are deeply intertwined. Thus, it is not sufficient to treat only the physical symptoms of a disease or disorder. Psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual factors need to be taken into account. For example, healing tends to be enhanced and recovery accelerated when the person has a positive attitude and a strong social support system. The holistic approach also encourages people to take an active role in their own health and healing. The best holistic schools convey these assumptions and attitudes both explicitly and through the mix of educational experiences provided.
The amount of coursework required to become a holistic health practitioner varies greatly across holistic schools and programs. Indeed, programs range from full degree programs, to extensive licensure programs, to online, home study courses. For example, people interested in becoming a holistically-oriented chiropractor, would have to complete an extensive degree program in chiropractic. In contrast, training in the basics of Reiki energy healing could be fairly brief.
Consistent with the larger holistic approach, holistic health practitioners typically take courses that introduce them to a variety of healthcare concerns and healing therapies. A prospective holistic health practitioner is often introduced to such topics as energy healing, nutrition, spirituality, natural remedies, and body work as part of required educational experiences.
If you are interested in becoming a holistic health practitioner, be sure to check with the holistic school of your choice before enrollment. Find out what their requirements are, how their courses are structured, and how you can become certified if you complete their programs.