As a fully qualified holistic practioner, I went through the proper channels of obtaining my qualifications. I have done a few short courses aswell as studying full time in Senior College Dun Laoghaire and worked very hard to earn my diplomas. We all see the benefits in going to college so we can get that saught after position and further our carrers. But in holistics you don't necessarly need to have this it seems. I feel I should make the public aware that there are less qualified people out there who pass themseleves off as practioners of such topics. It is not my intention to cause you to panic but to be informed.
I have worked in a few centres over the past few years where I have come in contact with such people. In one centre there was a therapist who was only qualifed in basic massage but who regularly gave treatments in aromatherapy and hopi ear candling. As I've pointed out in my other blog about the cautions of using essential oils there are many, and so in the hands of someone with no knowlege of the topic working on the general public this can be dangerous.
I feel I also need to point out that the employer of this centre was well aware of each therapists abilities and chose to ignore there qualifications when it suited. I was even asked by my employer at one point to do a treatment that I wasn't qualified in. I of course turned the work down but my employer tried to persuade me and said I'm sure you can fake it. At this centre there were only two therapist that had any insurance (me included).
You can't get insured unless you have the paper work. This really did not concern the employer and was not an issue in obtaining the job.
At another centre where I worked briefly there was even a therapist that had failed the required anatomy and physology and so did not pass any of her exams and failed the entire course. This "therapist" then failed the repeats but continued to work. She also was then unable to get any insurance but this did not concern the employer.
If you are going for a treatment and are concerned about a therapists qualifications don't be shy in asking to see them. A fully qualified practioneer is not going to mind at all. There should be photocopies of every therapy practised by that therapist on the premises.
In Ireland the are many associations you can join and become a member but this is not a governing body. I really feel from my experience that there should be. There is no form of quality control. If a person is not qualified then they should not be allowed to work on the public.
About Christina:
I am a freelance mobile holistic therapist serving the Greater Dublin area of Ireland. For more information on my qualifications and services please see my main website.
Return to the Holistics Reference.More information about my therapy services.