Natural Health Practitioner Diploma

Core Modules

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Swedish Body Massage
• Pathophysiology
• Chinese Medicine
• Introductory Counselling Skills - Level One

Subject-specific Modules and Qualifications

Aromatherapy

• Study of 60 essential oils, infused oils, hydrosols and carrier oils. Energetics of essential oils, pharmacological and clinical research data
• Oriental-holistic massage including acupressure points and basic Shiatsu movements
• Contraindications and safe practice, skin care, sensitivity, allergy, patch testing
• Special clinical needs including pregnancy, cancer and palliative care and paediatrics

Reflexology

• Definitions, body zones, vertical and horizontal divisions
• Mapping of feet and hands
• Visual and palpatory signs of imbalance
• Special clinical needs including pregnancy, cancer and palliative care, paediatrics
• Meridians and acupressure points

Therapeutic Massage

• Physiology and effects of Neuro-muscular and Muscle energy techniques
• Strain and counter-strain
• Deep tissue muscular work
• Psychogenic aspects of massage
• Visceral massage
• Assessment of postural and muscle imbalances
• Back pain, postural problems, sprains, strains, oedema

Indian Head Massage

• Anatomy of head, face, neck & shoulders
• Study of skin, scalp and hair conditions
• Location and importance of the Chakras
• Grounding of the therapist

On-Site Massage

• Pressure point techniques
• Massage in offices, exhibitions and restricted spaces
• Combining classical movements with Shiatsu

Nutrition Advisor

• Macro and micro nutrients
• Effects of nutrition on health and disease
• Allergies and intolerance
• Dietary analysis and evaluation
• Healing properties of food
• Facilitating dietary change and promoting healthy eating

Holistic Clinical Practice
During your training you will have learnt a great deal and accumulated skills in many therapies. This can occasionally make choosing the most effective therapy, or combination of therapies, for any given case complex and difficult. This course aims to help you, as a Natural Health Practitioner, accurately to assess your clients’ needs; discuss treatment options, determine the optimum treatment methods and to encourage self-help practices with your clients.

Options

Option1. Homeopathic First Aid OR Counselling Skills – Level Two OR Herbal Medicine
Each of these optional modules runs as a separate 10 day module. You can choose any ONE of them as part of this diploma. However, please note that the Introductory Counselling Skills – Level Two module is designed to be followed by the Level Three Counselling module, within the second option, below. Here are some details about the modules offered in Option 1:
Homeopathic First Aid

History, the Law of Similars, vital energy, constitutional types, common physical ailments, influences of mind-body approaches, major first aid remedies, potency, remedies for selected situations, precautions against antidoting, suppression and the theory of Miasmas.

Introductory Counselling Skills – Level Two
Builds on the skills developed during the Introduction to Counselling Skills module and explores other Counselling Models. This introduces you to a wider range of counselling skills.

Option 2. Facial Massage OR Introductory Counselling Skills - Level 3
Both of these modules are run as separate 5 day modules. However, please note that you must have completed Counselling Level 2, in option one above, before doing the Counselling Level 3 option.

Herbal Medicine
History and philosophy, important chemical and active constituents of herbs used therapeutically, an introduction to the systematic approach of using herbs to treat common disorders and making herbal creams and using herbal teas .

Facial Massage
This can be used both as a stand-alone therapy and in conjunction with other treatments. Classical massage movements are combined with more modern, innovative techniques. This therapy is not a beauty treatment but is designed to induce a state of complete relaxation in the client. As a treatment in its own right, it is particularly effective when working with patients in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and other caring environments.

Introductory Counselling Skills – Level Three

This further broadens your counselling skills. Introductory Counselling Levels 1, 2 and 3 have been designed to meet the entry requirements for access to a further recognised qualification as a Counsellor. Therefore, on successful completion of the Level 3 course, you could apply to train as a qualified counsellor. You could then be fully insured to work as a counsellor for your natural therapy clients

Weekly college attendance

Full-time study equates to three to four days per week and part time is anything from one day per week. Most courses can be studied in a flexible way.

Study Days

118 studied over three days a week for four terms. It is possible to study one or two days a week and the course duration will be extended accordingly.

Weekends: major modules are available at weekends. Weekday attendance will be required to complete the full programme