You can't expect to begin a new career with just a couple of weekends of study -- life's not like that. To make it worth the time and money you will invest in your training, firstly check that the training courses meet the following criteria:
Does the course provide a truly comprehensive training program?
Will you achieve a comprehensive skill base by the end of your training to become an holistic practitioner?
Is the holistic therapy school well established and has it achieved some type of outside accreditation (ie Open College Network OCN or NVQ?)
Is the training establishment recognised by a
professional body or organisation
so that you can gain a professional qualification?
To achieve a comprehensive skills base you will be looking at spending at least 150 hours of tutor-directed learning with an equivalent time spent for home study and practical case studies in your chosen field. Does the training you have chosen do this?
Depending on the professional organisation that you aspire to, you must expect to also train in Anatomy & Physiology, Counselling skills, Business skills and Nutrition.
(These additional subjects must also be taught by recognized, fully qualified professionals in their field).
Check out the qualifications of the tutors at the holistic therapy school you have chosen. All training establishments are now required to employ tutors with teaching qualifications and in some cases Assessors' Awards as well.
Does the course include a complete set of documentation, or is your future career dependant on your note-taking skills?
How effective will you be as a practitioner?
Will the training you receive give you the ability to make a real difference to those who seek help?
Get in touch with past graduates of the training school and ask them how effective their training was to enable them to practise professionally.
How easy was it for them to get their new holistic practice off the ground?
What on-going support is there from your training school or organisation?
What promotional activities do the school you have chosen offer to support you to get your business up and running / promote the therapy nationwide?
Are they running an effective central website with on-line referrals?
Do they produce full colour professional leaflets, cards, posters which have been approved by the Advertising Standards Authority for you to use to promote your practice?
Do they actively promote your chosen therapy to increase the awareness of it nationwide?
Do they attend exhibitions to promote the therapy?
Is there further optional training for practitioners so that they can maintain and build on their skill base once they have qualified?
