Many different types of people become holistic health practitioners, from traditional doctors who believe in the benefits of a holistic approach, to people who want to use their interest in holistic health to help others.
The health and wellness industry in Australia is booming, so it makes sense to want to become part of it. There is also more of a leaning towards finding natural remedies to a problem which forms a major part of the holistic approach to health.
What does it mean to be a holistic health practitioner?
For anyone looking to join the world of holistic health, it's important to fully understand what the term means. Having a holistic approach to health means taking the whole person into account; not just the body but the mind and spirit as well. Holistic therapists believe that the best way to have good health is to achieve balance.
This is why holistic therapists spend so much time talking to patients. They need to understand the whole person in order to make a real difference. Many practitioners of holistic health use a combination of traditional and non-traditional methods to solve a person's health problems. For instance, a regular doctor may prescribe painkillers as well as a course of holistic massage.
The benefits of becoming a holistic health practitioner
The major benefit of becoming a holistic health practitioner is that you get to help others. It's a real boost to see people you have assisted going on to live their life to the full, because their health has improved.
Most holistic health practitioners work for themselves which can bring other benefits, such as a better work life balance. It's possible to convert part of a private residence into a holistic health consultation area, so that work and family life can be better fitted around each other.
Qualifications required to become a holistic health practitioner
Depending on what type of holistic therapy you want to provide, you may need a degree in areas such as counselling or medicine. For instance, many qualified doctors use holistic therapies in their practice. There are also online courses which can help with certain fields of study. You can see some of these course here.
There is no one mandatory qualification as the field of holistic health is so wide; therapies such as massage, herbalism, counselling and traditional medicine can be combined under one umbrella. However, anyone who wants to register with the Australian Traditional Medicine Society or the Australian Natural Therapists Association needs to meet certain standards in order to become a member. These organisations can provide more information about accreditation if they are contacted.
Becoming a holistic health practitioner can be extremely rewarding as you get to have a positive impact on people's lives. If you set up in practice on your own, you can also have freedom in how you work, and how your practice fits in with other aspects of your life.