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 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

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.

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

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.

Complementary therapists should meet the following personal requirements:

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.