Complementary therapist: training, information, self-test, schools at a glance

Ein Komplementärtherapeut setzt Craniosacral-Therapie ein
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Would you like to support people's emotional, mental and physical balance and recovery? Then you should find out here about further training in complementary therapies (cert.), an OdA KT industry certificate or the acquisition of a federally recognized diploma (HFP). As a complementary therapist, you use holistic methods such as kinesiology, shiatsu or yoga therapy to promote the holistic recovery of people with physical complaints, impaired health and performance.

Would you like personal advice on the training courses on offer? Contact the provider of your choice via the "Free information on the topic..." button - without obligation, quickly and easily.

Self-test "Complementary therapist training (cert.)": Is this course the right one for me?

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Complementary therapist training: Contributing to people's recovery with holistic methods

Activity:Complementary therapists are health professionals who use holistic methods, such as shiatsu or kinesiology, to support the recovery process of people who are ill or have limited capacity. They promote their clients' self-regulation by activating existing resources and strengthening their self-awareness.

All complementary therapy is based on the assumption that recovery is dependent on individual factors that involve the interaction of body, mind and soul. Complementary therapists work on this interaction, promote a holistic understanding of health and thus make a significant contribution to healthcare in addition to conventional medicine.

Complementary therapists are usually self-employed and work in their own practice or in a group practice. They can also work in an interdisciplinary team, for example in hospitals, rehabilitation or health centers or as part of a company's workplace health promotion program.

Educational pathway:The range and training courses in complementary therapy are supervised by the Organization of the Working World of Complementary Therapy (OdA KT). The OdA KT recognizes 22 methods (as of March 2024), including acupressure, APM therapy, respiratory therapy, craniosacral therapy, fascia therapy, Feldenkrais therapy, polarity, yoga therapy, etc.

An OdA KT certificate can be obtained for each complementary therapy method through accredited training. This industry certificate entitles the holder to practice the therapy method professionally.

Anyone who can demonstrate at least two years of practical experience in addition to the OdA KT certificate and meets other requirements linked to the respective method can be entered in the Empirical Medicine Register (EMR). Entry in the EMR is a prerequisite for the billing of complementary therapy services via supplementary health insurance.

Since 2015, complementary therapists with an OdA KT certificate have been able to take the higher professional examination (HFP) in complementary therapy. In addition to their method-specific expertise, they must also demonstrate their basic knowledge of the natural and social sciences.

With the Federal Diploma in Complementary Therapy, graduates of the HFP hold an official qualification from Swiss higher vocational education and training. This is highly regarded and gives them access to courses and further training at universities.

Personal requirements:Empathetic and communicative people who are interested in holistic health concepts, are good at setting boundaries and have no problem with physical proximity to strangers are in the right place with complementary therapy training. If you want to set up your own business as a complementary therapist, you also need entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.

Questions and answers

After the complementary therapist training, the following advanced courses can be attended:

  • Courses and offers from training providers accredited by the OdA KT
  • Specialization in specific target groups such as
    • Infants
    • Children
    • Teenagers
    • Occupational groups exposed to risk
  • Specialization in specific complaints
    • Consequences of stress
    • Consequences of an accident
  • University of Applied Sciences
    • Bachelor/Master of Science (FH) in Osteopathy
    • Bachelor of Science (FH) in Nutrition and Dietetics

The path to becoming a complementary therapist with a federal diploma leads via the KT industry certificate, supervision, professional experience and passing the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE). A preparatory course can be very useful as support for the examinations.

The methods of complementary therapy recognized by the OdA KT are (as of March 2024)

  • Acupressure therapy
  • Alexander technique
  • APM therapy (acupuncture massage therapy)
  • Aquatic bodywork
  • Respiratory therapy
  • Ayurveda therapy
  • Movement and body therapy
  • Biodynamics
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Eutoni
  • Fascia therapy
  • Feldenkrais Therapy
  • Eurythmy therapy
  • Kinesiology
  • Polarity
  • Rebalancing
  • Reflex zone therapy
  • Rhythmic massage therapy
  • Shiatsu
  • Structural integration
  • Trager Therapy
  • Yoga therapy

For many interested people, the training path to become a complementary therapist is unclear. Training to become a complementary therapist can be completed in many different methods, such as craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, yoga or breathing therapy, all of which are classified as complementary therapy. As a rule, you complete a basic course in the chosen method. This allows you to find the method that suits you best. The individual methods are then combined to form the Tronc Commun courses. The Tronc Commun course teaches the basics of conventional medicine, psychology and profession-specific principles such as ethics, human nature, marketing and therapeutic communication. The training generally takes at least 4 years, as it is very extensive and is usually completed alongside the profession. The intermediate qualification is a specialist certificate. An internship is also part of the training in order to internalize and apply what has been learned. The goal of the training in complementary therapy is the federal qualification, i.e. the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE), after which you are awarded the title of federally certified complementary therapist.

After training as a complementary therapist HFP, you will have the following skills and responsibilities:

  • Competencies
    • Sound method-specific knowledge
    • Leadership skills with own practice
    • Communication skills when advising patients
  • Responsibilities
    • Advice and support for clients
    • Company management with own practice

Complementary therapists should meet the following personal requirements:

  • Willingness to undergo continuous further training
  • Communication skills
  • Empathy
  • Physical and mental resilience

Thanks to the complementary therapist training, the following tasks can be performed:

  • Complementary therapists respond empathetically to the needs of clients and support them in developing their own personality.
  • Complementary therapists design the therapy process in a method-specific way with interactive touch, movement, breath and energy work. They specifically challenge the self-regulatory powers of their clients. They convey new physical experiences and initiate self-awareness and recovery processes.
  • Complementary therapy therapists work mainly independently and on their own responsibility, but are also employed and work as part of an interdisciplinary team, for example in a health or rehabilitation center, in hospitals or clinics.
  • The title of complementary therapist with a federal diploma can be obtained by therapists with an industry certificate KT in various methods of complementary therapies.

Depending on the school, the courses for the OdA KT industry certificate take place at different times of the day, so please check the exact dates directly with the individual providers for continuing education, further training to become a complementary therapist. The courses are often offered in several blocks or two-day courses, rarely as full-time training.

Since 2015, the examination regulations have been approved by SERI, the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation SERI, and now make it possible to obtain a federal diploma as a complementary therapist.

In further training as a qualified complementary therapist you learn:

  • Training in the complementary therapy method
  • Conventional medical principles and emergencies
  • Social science basics
  • Occupation-specific basics
  • Mentored practical work
  • Written work
  • 24 h self-experience
  • Diploma thesis

In order to be admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) "Complementary Therapist with Federal Diploma", interested candidates must have a degree at upper-secondary level or an equivalent qualification as well as the industry certificate of the Organization of the Working World of Complementary Therapy (Oda KT). In addition, at least two years of professional experience in complementary therapy with a workload of at least 50 percent in the last two years prior to registration or three years of professional experience with 30 percent professional activity in the last three years must be proven. In addition, 36 hours of supervision with approved supervisors in the last two to three years before registering for the examination.

Tips, tests and information on "Complementary therapist"

Is working in complementary therapy my vocation?
» Test your vocation
What can graduates do after completing the "Complementary therapist" course?
» Skills and competencies
What are the advantages of this training?
» 10 advantages
What are the possible disadvantages of the training?
» 4 Disadvantages
What educational paths and qualifications are there for naturopaths and complementary therapists?
» Overview of the professions in alternative medicine recognized by the federal government
Overview of the occupational field of health
» Health and medicine guide
What is required in the complementary therapist job? How are the activities divided up?
» Information from job advertisements

Redaktionelle Leitung:

Stefan Schmidlin, Bildungsberatung, Content-Team Modula AG

Quellen

Website des Schweizerischen Sekretariats für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI , Website www.berufsberatung.ch (offizielles schweizerisches Informationsportal der Studien-, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung) sowie Websites und anderweitige Informationen der Berufsverbände und Bildungsanbieter.

Erfahrungen, Bewertungen und Meinungen zur Ausbildung / Weiterbildung

Preview of the video «4 Schritte zur richtigen Weiterbildung»
Preview of the video «Der Weg zum eidgenössischen Diplom als Komplementärtherapeut/in»
Preview of the video «Shiatsu Ausbildung Komplementärtherapie»
Preview of the video «Komplementärtherapie Ausbildung Shiatsu»
Preview of the video «Shiatsuausbildung Komplementärtherapie»
Preview of the video «Komplementärtherapeut Ausbildung Yoga»
Preview of the video «Ausbildung Komplementärtherapeut / Komplementärtherapeutin Yoga»
Preview of the video «Yoga als Komplomentärtherapeutin - Ausbildung»

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Training providers in your region

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Address:
Schweizergasse 33
4054 Basel
Bio-Medica technical college
Bio-Medica Fachschule stands for living medicine. Our name is also our vision. We have clear ideas and are committed to meaningful and healthy medicine. Bio-Medica Basel wants to challenge, set an example and lead the way for professional complementary therapy (CT) and alternative medicine (AM).

We are competent in the following areas: Asian healing arts, selected forms of massage and Western conventional medicine. The dialog between complementary and conventional medicine is important to us. However, we are also open to selected, reputable energetic therapy methods (Open Therapy). Our aim is not to find the "absolute form of therapy", but rather to recognize and support what helps, alleviates and heals.

We want to train responsible therapists. Our students are prepared for their degree by being supervised by highly qualified lecturers and through goal-oriented assignments and learning assessments. Practical transfer is very important to us.
Strengths: Part-time / Modular educational pathways / No long-term training commitment / Start immediately / High quality
Region: Basel
Sites: Basel
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
Akupressur
ASCA
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Address:
Aarestrasse 30
3600 Thun, Aarau und Rapperswil
Bodyfeet AG
Bodyfeet is one of the leading specialist schools for naturopathy and manual therapy

Our wide range of courses and interesting training programs are available at our main locations in Thun, Aarau and Rapperswil.

We also offer basic courses in classical massage and foot reflexology at our branch offices.

Enter the world of Bodyfeet!
Region: Aargau, Bern, Ostschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Aarau, Jegenstorf, Landquart, Muttenz, Rapperswil, Root, Rotkreuz, Thun, Visp, Wil
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA mm
Download info
Address:
Obere Bahnhofstrasse 58a
8640 Rapperswil
IKT Institute for Complementary Therapy
Well-founded training in the field of complementary therapy, comprehensive support for participants from the start to the desired goal - this is what the IKT stands for.

Our offer: Complementary Therapist Yoga Therapy, Complementary Therapist Shiatsu Therapy, Tronc Commun KT (medical basics, profession-specific and social science basics), supervision, SVEB AdA M1 certificate.

Our institute is based on three independent pillars - yoga, shiatsu and bekompetent - which are not separate from each other, but rather cross-fertilize each other through clever networking. In this way, we promote a learning environment in which different methods come together and enrich each other. Our training courses have a modular structure. You plan the path through your training at the pace and exactly as your knowledge and experience develop.

Your training goal is our motivation!
Strengths: >30 years of experience, modern, part-time, modular, recognized, certified and networked. We accompany you with heart and competence on your individual learning path.
Region: Ostschweiz, Zentralschweiz
Sites: Bern, Luzern, Rapperswil
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
SHIATSU
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
Hybrid-Unterricht
OdA KT
SVEB
Yoga Schweiz
Address:
Scheibenstrasse 20
3014 Bern
SAKE Education Center AG
The SAKE Training Center is your qualified partner for the training of therapists in the field of Western and Eastern naturopathy. Students at the SAKE Education Center are trained competently, holistically and comprehensively with a great deal of passion and commitment.

Our offer: Naturopath with a federal diploma specializing in TCM and TEN according to the guidelines of the OdA AM. In the field of complementary therapists with a federal diploma in Tronc Commun and the reflexology method. Our training and qualifications are based on the guidelines of the OdA KT and the current requirements of the Canton of Berne, EMR, ASCA and TCM professional association. We are committed to high and verifiable quality.
Strengths: Training of therapists in the field of western and eastern naturopathy and reflexology. Our advice: personal and tailored to your needs. For over 30 years.
Region: Bern
Sites: Bern
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
Bildungsberatung
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Address:
Jonaport / Bühlstrasse 1
8645 Rapperswil-Jona
Apamed technical college
(5.4) Very good 65 65 Ratings (100% )
We're glad you're here. We have been offering training and further education in the health sector for over 30 years. Our accredited training courses and over 150 seminars per year are characterized by a holistic view and approach. We are happy to support you with competent advice and modern training concepts.

APAMED is eduQua-certified and stands for innovation, quality and constant movement at the cutting edge. You too can move with us!
Strengths: Recognized, certified, networked. We offer well-founded training and further education with qualified lecturers.
Region: Ostschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Jona
Next start date Next info event
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
Hybrid-Unterricht
OdA KT
Online-Unterricht
SGFB
Address:
Stationsstrasse 1
8442 Hettlingen
Academy QuintaMed GmbH
Our Academy for Holistic Medicine and Naturopathy TEN in Hettlingen near Winterthur is known above all for the high quality of its training courses. With more than 30 years of practical experience and 20 years of educational experience, we are one of the leading academies in the industry. Thanks to our well-maintained network, you benefit from luminaries, lecturers and specialists in the respective subject areas. Practical teaching is one of our trademarks. The academy in the countryside is easily accessible by private and public transport. The school premises offer a special atmosphere. Just visit us and see for yourself. Focusing on people - that is our credo.

Training courses such as medical basics, nutritional advice, phytotherapy, massages, psychology, detoxification methods and refresher courses round off our offer.

We look forward to your visit or your call.
Strengths: Personal - Practice-oriented - Professional Small classes, personal support, experienced lecturers, from practice for practice, we make learning tangible
Region: Ostschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Hettlingen bei Winterthur, Gais AR
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Blended Learning
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Online-Unterricht
Address:
Steinhauserstrasse 51
6300 Zug
SHI Homeopathy School
(5.2) Very good 30 30 Ratings (96% )
Welcome to the School of Classical Homeopathy in Zug!

The SHI Homeopathy School has been a renowned training institution for over 30 years and is the only homeopathy school in Switzerland to offer the CHE diploma (College of Higher Education level).

At the school we train qualified homeopaths and animal homeopaths at the highest level. The courses are modular, individual and flexible.
In addition to the largest field of homeopathy, they also cover important and well-founded medical principles. In animal homeopathy, another focus of the training is behavioral science.

You can find out more about the course at the regular information evenings. The SHI Homeopathy School also offers lectures and continuing education, further training for the public, which is also a good opportunity to get to know homeopathy.

We look forward to meeting you!
Strengths: Part-time or full-time study possible, can be planned individually, several entry options per year
Region: Zentralschweiz
Sites: Zug
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
Address:
Flughofstrasse 41
8152 Glattbrugg
Biomedica Zurich
We have been training adults in the field of alternative medicine on a part-time basis for over 40 years. In addition to teaching by highly qualified, experienced teachers, we also offer in-house internships (M6). Our students benefit from the comfort of treating patients under supervision during their studies.

As an accredited educational institute for the AFPE, we offer the study program Naturopathic Practitioner with Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Attention: English as Dipl. HF!) in the field of Complementary Therapy. The modular study programs give you the freedom to set your own pace.

Enjoy your studies - medical basics (M1), acupuncture, Tuina, Chinese medicines (M2) and in-depth continuing education, further training such as medical Qi Gong, Western medicines, psychosomatics - with us everything is under one roof. We look forward to seeing you!
Strengths: warm, friendly, attentive in our dealings - professional, loyal, great is our team - respectful, structured, enthusiastic - we are all that!
Region: Zürich
Sites: Glattbrugg
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Blended Learning
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
Hybrid-Unterricht
OdA AM
OdA KT
Online-Unterricht
Download info
Address:
Akademie für Komplementärtherapie, Akupunktmassage und Wirbelsäulen-Basis-Ausgleich
Im Schörli 3
8600 Dübendorf ZH
Academy for complementary therapy, acupuncture massage and basic spinal balancing
(5.6) Excellent 48 48 Ratings (100% )
Training program:
- Complementary therapist APM with federal diploma based on the resources of the "METID APM (504 hours) for EMR no. 4011 and 401
- Basic spinal balancing (37 days) for EMR no. 206
- Acupoint massage (APM) (incl. neuromuscular relaxation, fascilitation and regeneration with the vibrating cushion) (21 days) for EMR no. 6
- Manual osteopathic treatment techniques. incl. spiral dynamic muscle chain training (16 days)
- Neuromuscular relaxation, fascilitation and regeneration with the vibration cushion (2 days)
- Spiral dynamic muscle chain training (movement coordination and stabilization) (2 days)
- Myofascial manual techniques and trigger points (6 days)

Our school is eduQua certified and is certified for training as a complementary therapist APM with federal recognition.

Rolf Ott, Swiss Certified Complementary Therapist APM, specialized in holistic bodywork at a very early stage.
In 1980, he founded the Academy for Acupuncture Massage and Basic Spinal Balancing according to Rolf Ott®.
Strengths: Benefit from our more than 30 years of experience and the limited class size. WBA is a training program that will continue to offer stability in the field of complementary therapy in the future.
Region: Basel, Bern, Zürich
Sites: Dübendorf
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA KT
SvWBA
Address:
Hügelweg 83
4143 Dornach
Heileurythmie Ausbildung Schweiz
Eurythmy therapy training in Dornach
This new basic eurythmy therapy training is an innovative training project. It combines basic eurythmy training with eurythmy therapy training and after 4 years (full-time, including proseminar and all compulsory internship periods) leads to the industry certificate (BZ/OdA KT), Complementary Therapist, Eurythmy Therapy Method. The EMR registration application can be submitted with this industry certificate. Successful EMR registration allows you to
professional activity with health insurance and AHV coverage.
Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern
Sites: Dornach
Download info
YOGA VEDA ACADEMY
Our training gives you the tools and knowledge to develop your style as a yoga teacher and start teaching. You will learn the basics of yoga and deepen your knowledge of the central techniques of Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga and learn about the benefits of an integral yoga path. You will be accompanied on your yoga path by 2 experienced, internationally sought-after instructors.

The course has a modular structure and is offered in accordance with the guidelines of the International Yoga Alliance (YA), the world's leading certification body for yoga teacher training, and is recognized throughout the world and concludes with a certificate from the International Yoga Alliance (YA).

The course offers Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga techniques. It also focuses on alignment, personal development and the art of teaching. Yoga styles: Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Integral Yoga, Health Yoga
Region: Basel, Zürich
Sites: Basel, Zürich
Next start date
Address:
Uferweg 11
88131 Lindau / Bodensee
Academy for Complementary Therapy
(5.9) Excellent 17 17 Ratings (100% )
Our training courses in complementary therapy and conventional medicine are accredited by the examination board for the Swiss Higher Professional Examination in Complementary Therapy (OdA KT): Kinesiology KT, Tronc commun KT and Medical Fundamentals KT. Whether you successfully complete parts of it or the entire package with us: Our certificate is recognized by the OdA KT, all health insurance companies and all accredited training providers. If you complete the entire KT training course with us, you will receive the industry certificate required for the HFP directly from us. Recognition by health insurance companies is also no problem (ASCA, EMR, Visana).
Located on the beautiful island of Lindau on Lake Constance, our academy is also extremely attractive in terms of location: in the Luitpold-Park training center with great rooms, ideal for learning. The park on one side, the lake on the other. And it's also close to the train station. Combining vocational training and recreation - with us it's effortless.
Strengths: Relaxed. Lecturers: Teaching and professional experience. Didactics: Always up to date, currently everything in hybrid teaching (on-site + web). Our goal: Appreciative relationships. Quality: Recognized by all.
Region: Aargau, Basel, Bern, Ostschweiz, Zentralschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Lindau / Bodensee
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
EMR
KineSuisse
OdA KT
TÜV Rheinland ISO 29990
Address:

Limmatquai 112
8001 Zürich
IKAMED Institute AG
(5.2) Very good 6 6 Ratings (100% )
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
The IKAMED Institutes have one thing in common: that people have and live strong, positive relationships. Relationships with themselves, their partner, friends and their own work. Relationships make life more dynamic.

We pass on a holistic method that enables everyone to recharge their batteries and find what delights and enriches them in life. With us you will find inspiring things for your life, as well as courses that move and make a difference.
Strengths: Personal, Many years of experience, Central location, Qualified lecturers, Practical training
Region: Zürich
Sites: Zürich
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
Bildungsberatung
ASCA
Blended Learning
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
OdA KT
Online-Unterricht
SCA
SVEB

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