Naturopath / Naturopathic training: Experience report by Marina Tobler, head of the course and school director - She accompanies her students in the best possible way on their way to becoming a therapist with a lot of experience in the naturopathic training sector

Marina Tobler-Soldo

Tell us about your background.

My name is Marina Tobler and I am the principal of Biomedica Zurich. After basic training in Western medicine, I switched to alternative medicine and found a wealth of experience in TCM that fascinated me. Over the years I have acquired TCM diplomas in acupuncture, Tuina, Chinese and Western medicines, as well as in medical Qi Gong. I have been working as a therapist in my own practice since 1999. In the field of adult education, I have qualifications as a trainer with a federal certificate and am a vocational trainer in the commercial sector. In spring 2014, I took part in the first pilot examination for the higher professional examination (HFP) for naturopathic practitioners in TCM and am entitled to hold the title of naturopathic practitioner with a federal diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM. I have also completed further education and training in psychotherapeutic support and communication, adult education and systemic work. My certified qualification as an IGPSE energy therapist (psychosomatic energetics) complements my practice and is the perfect combination of Western and Far Eastern medicine.
I have been involved in various committees in the TCM landscape for many years, such as the Association's Quality Assurance Commission (QSK), as President of the TCM Interest Group (IG TCM) and in the equivalence procedure (GWV) of the Organization of the Working World for Alternative Medicine (OdA AM). I am happy to get involved wherever the development of TCM and the profession of TCM therapists is concerned. As a lecturer and examination expert for traditional Chinese medicine, psychosomatics, interviewing, various specialist training courses and as an internship supervisor, I am always close to the action and, in particular, in close contact with our naturopath students, which is very important to me personally. In my private life, I am a mother and enthusiastic grandmother and live with my long-term partner Jan Zwarthoed in the Zurich Unterland.

What are the aims of the Biomedica Zurich Training Institute?

Since 1980, Biomedica Zurich has been committed to training high-level naturopathic therapists and thereby contributing to the well-being of society. We therefore train people and therapists who can take the best of Western medicine and the Far Eastern art of healing and want to put it at the service of health.

Which naturopathy courses can be attended at the Biomedica School Zurich?

We offer training courses to become a naturopath with a federal diploma in traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture/Tuina and Chinese medicines) as well as the basics of medicine. We also offer practical training in our own building. We also offer major further training courses in Western medicines, psychosomatic process support, medical Qi Gong and various practice-related further training courses.

What requirements must be met to become a naturopath with a federal diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

The courses at Biomedica Zurich are aimed at people who are interested in traditional Chinese medicine and have the following qualifications:

• Openness to new ways of thinking and other value systems
• Serious interest in people
• Enthusiasm for Western and Far Eastern medicine and ecology
• the goal for the federal diploma in TCM
• Communication skills
• Empathy and a sense of responsibility
• Sense of holistic thinking in the field of health
• Willingness for personal development
• Motivation for lifelong learning and independent educational skills

The courses to become a naturopath in Traditional Chinese Medicine are suitable for adults on the second educational pathway as well as for career starters. Admission requires a SEK II qualification (a completed apprenticeship or Matura), a good knowledge of German and a minimum age of 22 at the start of the course.

What career prospects do graduates have after graduating as naturopaths in TCM?

After graduation, graduates can work in their own practice or as an employee. Naturopathic positions in hospitals or individual clinics are becoming increasingly widespread.

What do participants learn at Biomedica Zurich as part of the courses to become a naturopath in TCM?

The course content for the naturopath in Traditional Chinese Medicine includes the following broad content:

• TCM basics
  - Physiology of TCM
  - Pathology patterns of TCM
  - Nutrition
  - Diagnostics with tongue, pulse, face, medical history
• Acupuncture, point localization
• Tuina and acupressure
• Cupping
• Moxa
• Gua Sha
• Chinese medicines (general knowledge or entire course)
• TCM in the context of the most common diseases in Western medicine

How is the TCM training program structured?

The TCM training program consists of six HFP modules. The first module, M1, is the part on conventional medicine as a medical foundation, comprising 700 hours of direct instruction and 800 hours of self-study. M2 is the actual TCM course with a focus on acupuncture/tuina or traditional Chinese medicinal therapy. The third module, M3, is about health and ethics. M4 is about working as a therapist. Management topics are covered in M5 and the internship is completed in M6. All modules comprise 2,193 direct teaching hours and 2,315 hours of supervised self-study. Each module is completed with an examination. After these confirmations have been converted into an OdA certificate, the mentorship begins with M7. During this time, you are already working as a naturopath in your own practice or in employment. This mentorship lasts at least two years, but a maximum of five years, and is subject to the OdA regulations. Two to four mentors accompany the practitioners and prepare them for the HFP qualification. This consists of parts P1 to P4 in the form of case studies. After successfully passing the examination, you are awarded the title dip. Naturopath TCM. Some cantons now only issue licenses with an HFP degree and some health insurance companies only accept therapists with a federal diploma. We assume that in the future the higher professional examination will become an even more important requirement for licenses and health insurance recognition. We therefore recommend that our students, whenever possible, complete this federal qualification, which does justice to this well-founded training in alternative medicine with a lot of conventional medicine basics.

How much does the training course for naturopaths with a federal diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine cost?

The path to becoming a federally certified naturopath in TCM is part-time and takes around three to four years. If you take breaks, you will be studying for longer. After graduation, mentoring begins and you work independently or are employed for 2 - 5 years until you are admitted to the higher professional examination (HFP). There are two training options:

• M1-6 for the OdA AM certificate in Acupuncture/Tuina, it costs around CHF 49,000 (incl. conventional medicine and internship as well as the supplementary compulsory subjects as complete training)
• M1-6 for the OdA AM certificate for Chinese medicines, which costs around CHF 46,000 (including conventional medicine and internship as well as the supplementary compulsory subjects as a complete course)

The M1 examination is held by the OdA AM and the M2 examination by the IGTCM (TCM interest group). The naturopath examinations M3 to M6 are held by Biomedica Zurich. Many of our students first take the OdA AM certificate in Acupuncture/Tuina and complete the 300-hour Chinese Medicines method at the same time or afterwards. The cost is around CHF 10,000.

What makes the Glattbrugg training location particularly interesting for students?

The training provider Biomedica Zurich is located in Glattbrugg near Zurich Airport (3 minutes by streetcar from the building). Various highway exits are nearby. Parking is available in the paid hotel garage next to the building. Another special feature of the Biomedica Zurich are the rooms furnished according to Feng Shui. The rooms are spacious and color-coded to suit the subject matter and create an optimal learning environment for students. Comfortable couches, tables, chairs, a cafeteria and cozy sofas for retreat or exchange make the stay in the high rooms pleasant.

Why should prospective students choose the Biomedica Zurich Training Institute?

Humanity is a top priority at Biomedica Zurich. "There's no such thing as can't" is a motto that we live by. We not only have paying customers, but also people who want to be trained as therapists - we are happy to accompany them on this path. The school management and secretariat are close to the TCM students. The school, which has been in existence for 40 years (2020 is its anniversary year), has a great deal of expertise in traditional Chinese medicine and is one of the oldest TCM schools in Switzerland. Our highly qualified team of lecturers, some of whom have been with us for many years, are extremely dedicated and committed to imparting their knowledge to prospective naturopaths. Another popular factor is the freedom. You are not bound by a contract for the entire naturopathic training course with a federal diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but can register for a course again and again. And of course we love the complete package: the Biomedica Zurich educational institute offers all courses under one roof (both specializations in TCM / the complete medical basics / the internship / the supplementary courses in ethics, management and working as a therapist / exam preparation courses for the HFP and group mentoring).

What are the advantages for graduates of attending the Biomedica ZH course?

Because we are a school that has already proven itself for 40 years, we have a lot of experience in the naturopathic training sector as well as specialist knowledge. In addition, every student is a person we want to get to know during their TCM studies and accompany them as best as possible on their path to becoming a therapist. Our teaching method consists of theory and practical lessons - during the Corona period, online lessons are also offered as an innovative learning method, which was previously not possible in HFP training programs.

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