Being a skilled and knowledgable therapist requires continuous training at a certain level, so it is important to do your research, because so many courses out there promise everything but actually deliver very little, even when they have been accredited. It is important to really reflect on what it is that you want to gain from your training and what your long term goals are.
Practical Hours
Many of my courses are focused on gaining the knowledge needed to adapt the techniques you will already have, but some courses do require practical hours, so it is recommended that you find out how many hours will be covered and how easy it will be for you to build your confidence in that time. I also offer one course where a placement is advised, and can recommend places where you could arrange this. While I do not assist with finding employment, I can offer some guidance regarding starting up or referring you to other people who may help you to find additional opportunities.
Tutors Experience and Qualifications
Do your research as your learning experience will be much more positive with an experienced tutor. My experience and qualifications are very easy to find on my websites. My background is medical with dual qualification as a nurse and a midwife, and I mentored students as a nurse.
Since returning full time to massage, I have completed another 30+ qualifications and certifications, many of which are in specialist areas. I am also the senior Executive Contirbutor for an international magazine, which, combined with my nursing mentality means that I have kept up with research.
Reputation and Reviews
Looking into the reputation and reviews of a training school can offer some insight into the likely standard and the experiences of other students. My websites cover my experience, awards, links to published articles and features, and if you cant find my reviews online, I am happy to forward them to you.
Class Size and Support
A higher number of students participating in a course usually means that the amount of individual support you receive witll be less. I generally work on a 1:1 basis so there is plenty of time for questions or repeating things that you might have difficulty with. Outside of the in person sessions, I am always available by email or whatsapp should you need further support.
Course Planning
Specialisation
When choosing a specialisation for your training, make sure that you are selecting a tutor who has specialised in the same field, so that you can be sure to receive focused instruction from an experienced professional. For example, many therapists come to me for pregnancy training because I was a midwife, so they know that I have specific knowledge and experience in that field.
Time
Always look at how long the course will take to complete so that you can be sure that it will fit in with other responsibilities you may have. The theory parts of my courses can be done online at your own pace, and I am available to answer any questions. Many of the practical sessions can be completed over a half day or a full day in Tunbridge Wells, but the Swedish diploma will generally take around 7 weeks on the basis of one half day session per week.
I do not run specific training dates as I work on a 1:1 basis, so I try to fit in with you.
Cost
Let's face it, training is never cheap, and if it is, you might need to question the factors already mentioned, because sometimes more expensive might mean more experienced tutors. While most of my student pay through paypal, there is also the option to pay by bank transfer or cash. If you book multiple courses at the same time, I can offer a discount. I will also offer payment in installments, but full payment must be received by the start of the course.
Speak to the Training School
It is worth finding out what is included in the course material prior to registration so you can be sure that the course will cover the subjects, techniques, and the amount of anatomy and physiology that you require. Anatomy is one area that is often cut short on many courses, but with my medical background, you can feel confident that I will supply all relevant anatomy.
Also find out about the methods used to deliver the course material as every student will have their own preferred learning style.
Speaking to the tutor in advance prior to making a commitment is always advised to ensure that this will be the right training option for you. You can contact me by email or phone.
Your Goals and Further Training
It is always worth looking at your long term objectives and thinking about where a course could lead to. Is there the potential to develop that topic further? Could this be a stepping stone to something bigger? This is why many of my courses focus on the knowledge, because anybody can learn practical skills but they are useless without a sound knowledge base. By expanding your knowledge, you will really open up the possibilities of where you can go.
What area are you wanting to work in? What kind of therapy do you want to offer? Sports therapy at the local gym will require very different training to working at a spa. Generic courses will not help if you are wanting to specialise in something. Most of my courses are one of a kind specialist courses for this purpose, with the focus being on knowledge rather than pracrtical skills.
Accreditation and Certification
Finding a course that is accredited by a recognised professional body should give some assurance that the material is of a high standard. However, my own experience taught me that even this is often not the case. All of my courses are IGCT accredited and I also have additional accreditations and memberships with the CHP and CNHC. Most of my courses are CPD courses which offer CPD points, but a couple are diplomas. All courses are certified and insurable.
Becoming a skilled therapist requires continuous training and commitment, but choosing a tutor who has a comprehensive understanding of the human body and can cover the theory in detail, while also offering practical training and relevant hands on experience, will certainly guide you in the right direction.
