Self-test: Is a course in naturopathy (cert.) right for me?

What does working with naturopathy look like in everyday working life?

The term naturopathy covers a broad spectrum of naturopathic, alternative medical and complementary therapeutic methods and traditional health systems. The activities can vary accordingly, such as those of a radiesthesist (commuter) who offers his medial skills in his free time and free of charge, or a federally certified naturopath specializing in Ayurvedic medicine with her own practice and employees.

Depending on the method or healing specialty, different methods are used, for example manual massage, sensory massage with sounds or olfactory impulses, heat or cold (e.g. in the form of compresses), mental meditation, movement sequences, the administration of remedies, etc.

Naturopathy clients are people with health problems who want to be treated and thus stimulate their self-healing powers - often in addition to conventional medical treatments. At the beginning of a treatment, the practitioners ask about the client's life situation and complaints. This is followed by treatment using the respective method. Some naturopathic specialties also include detailed examinations and analyses, e.g. blood tests, palpation and tapping, kinesiological tests, pulse diagnosis, etc. In this way, for example, energetic blockages or metabolic stresses can be identified.

Many people who work in naturopathy run their own practice and not only take care of treatments, but also administration, correspondence, appointments, advertising, bookkeeping, etc. Doctors or other people in the healthcare sector often expand their specialist knowledge with naturopathic knowledge and skills and incorporate them into their conventional medical practice as a supplement.

Target group and skills: Who are training courses in naturopathy aimed at? What qualities and skills are important?

The training objectives in naturopathy and the target groups are different:

Introductory and taster coursesare aimed at

• Anyone interested in gaining an insight into a therapeutic direction or method
• Healthcare and naturopathy professionals who want to expand their skills and learn new methods

Method-specific specialist trainingare aimed at

• People who want to work practically with it and are willing to acquire basic medical knowledge and other necessary skills, depending on the desired degree
• Healthcare and naturopathy professionals who want to expand their skills

Method-specific continuing education, further trainingare aimed at

• Healthcare and naturopathy professionals who wish to expand their skills and maintain their qualifications or recognition with associations and other organizations
  
  

For a successful activity in naturopathyfollowing propertiesimportant:

• Interest in medical and psychological issues
• Willingness and ability to familiarize yourself with the theory and methods of a healthcare system
• analytical thinking, good communication skills and dexterous hands
• if you have your own practice: economic skills to run your own business

Requirements for admission to naturopathy training courses:

Naturopathy training courses are generally open to all interested persons (apart from specific further training courses for specialists). Specific prior training or certain professional experience is not generally required.

Many degrees in naturopathy require medical knowledge (to varying degrees). This knowledge can usually be acquired as part of the training. If you already have the relevant knowledge, this will be credited.

Some schools set their own conditions for admission, for example:

• Age of majority or minimum age of 20 years
• Apprenticeship qualification with Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Federal VET Diploma) or Matura or several years of professional experience
• good knowledge of German
   

Subject matter and content

The subject matter of naturopathy training courses is based on the respective naturopathic method and depends on the type of course and the training objectives. The schools are free to design their courses and the certificates they award. Training courses that prepare students for the "Branch Certificate OdA KT" or the "Certificate OdA AM" (with which a federal diploma can subsequently be obtained) must comply with the requirements of the two organizations of the working world (OdA). Here is an overview:

Basic topics for all methods and introductory course forms:

• Basics of the chosen method or discipline (origin, development, topicality, etc.)
• Anatomy, physiology and diseases
• Principles, concepts, techniques and effects of treatment
• Structure and course of treatment
• Indicators, contraindicators and limits of treatment

Contents of OdA KT-recognized training courses (complementary therapy)*:

• Method training: basics of the chosen method, method-related medical knowledge, method-specific personal process (i.e. experience gained by applying the method to oneself)
• "Tronc Commun": profession-specific basics (e.g. understanding of health, ethics, practice management), social science basics, medical basics
• Internship

Contents of OdA AM-recognized training courses (alternative medicine):

• Module M1: basic medical training
• Module M2: Training in AM specialization (possible in Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM, Traditional European Naturopathy/TEN, Ayurvedic Medicine or Homeopathy)
• Module M3: Health and ethics
• Module M4: Working as a therapist
• Module M5: Leading and managing operations
• Module M6: practical training

* possible with the methods: Acupressure therapy, Alexander technique, APM (acupuncture massage therapy), aquatic bodywork, breathing therapy, Ayurveda therapy, movement and body therapy, biodynamics, craniosacral therapy, eutony, fascia therapy, Feldenkrais therapy, eurythmy therapy, kinesiology, polarity, rebalancing, reflex zone therapy, rhythmic massage therapy, shiatsu, structural integration, Trager therapy, yoga therapy

Costs of continuing education, further training

The costs for taster and short introductory courses start at a few hundred francs, but if you want to train to become a professional yourself, you have to dig deep into your pockets.

The most expensive training course is the OdA AM certificate, which can cost a total of CHF 35,000 to 60,000 depending on the school. The OdA KT industry certificate and many method training courses with a degree from a school and the relevant professional association are around a third to a half of this amount.

Some providers charge extra for teaching materials and examinations, and there may also be external examination fees and costs for travel and accommodation for bock events etc.

Training in naturopathy is only part of the official Swiss higher vocational training at the highest level. In concrete terms, this means that only those who pass the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for a federal diploma as a complementary therapist or naturopath at the end of their training and after working under supervision will receive a federal contribution (max. CHF 10,500) towards their training costs.

Duration and scope

Training courses in the field of naturopathy vary in length. They are usually designed to be part-time and take place in classroom teaching. At some schools, certain (theory) lessons can also be completed online.

Duration and scope according to training type:

• Taster and introductory coursesusually last a few days and often take place at weekends or as a block event.
• WithTraining in a specific methodThe duration and scope depend on the method. As a rule, the method associations specify how many teaching units are required to teach the subject matter so that the method can be practised with recognition.
  Lessons take place on certain evenings or weekdays and are spread over several days, weeks or months. Sometimes there are also intensive courses, which are correspondingly shorter.
• Training courses leading to the OdA KT industry certificateare modular in structure and can be completed in three years. They comprise at least 1,190 teaching/contact hours (at least 500 hours of method training, at least 340 hours of Tronc Commun, at least 250 hours of practical training)
• Training courses leading to the OdA AM certificateare modular in structure and can be completed in three to four years. The six required modules together comprise at least 3,550-4,450 teaching/contact hours:
  • M1- basic medical training: at least 1,500 hours.
  • M2 - Specialist training - depending on direction: at least 1,000-1,700 hours.
  • M3 - Health and ethics: min. 60 hrs.
  • M4 - Work as a therapist: at least 300 hours.
  • M5 - Managing a business: min. 90 hrs.
  • M6 - practical training - depending on direction: min. 600-800 hrs.

The advantage of longer training periods is that they offer more opportunity to consolidate what you have learned and to try out and practise on yourself, friends, acquaintances and family.

However, it should be noted that modular qualifications are often only valid for five years.

Degree, diploma and title

The type of degree and certification of naturopathy training courses depends on the type of training:

• WithTaster and introductory coursesthere is usually no final examination; graduates often receive a certificate of attendance.
• WithTraining in a specific methodthere is aFinal examination.This is usually divided into a theoretical and a practical part (depending on the method). In the practical part, a treatment in the corresponding method must be carried out on a client under supervision.
  
  Those who pass the final examination receive aDiploma of the school"[Method] therapist [name of school]" or also "qualified naturopath [method] [name of school]". This gives you more options:
  • If the school and its training are recognized by the relevant method association, you often automatically receive the association certificate or the right to apply for it.
  • If the training meets the requirements forIndustry certificate OdA KTor to theCertificate OdA AMthe corresponding OdA certificate can be obtained with the school certificate. This enables access to one of the two federal Advanced Federal Professional Examinations "Complementary therapist with federal diploma [method]" or "Naturopath with federal diploma [specialty]".