CPD – How to be an Efficient and Competent Complementary Therapist

I am one of those fortunate few living out their true passion in life. For me, my job is not merely a job. In fact, most of the time it doesn’t even feel like work. It is not unusual to find me beavering away on an article, long into the night. I often lose track of time as I become engrossed in the subject matter I am dealing with. Like many other people I spent years searching for my ‘role’. In doing so, I clocked up the qualifications and a stream of inappropriate stress-inducing jobs. But it was my (largely misspent!) youth, blighted by ill-health to which I owe full credit. If I hadn’t had such a rotten time dealing with ‘medically incurable’ health complaints, I would never have given Complementary Therapies a second thought.

This article was inspired by a CPD seminar that I recently attended. Geographically I am most fortunate. I live within easy reach of a wide and varied array of Complementary Therapy events. Being spoilt for choice I am able to pick and choose accordingly. As you can imagine I attend a fair few. However, this month I was privileged enough to attend one that reaffirmed the reason that I chose this route in life.

 

I don’t need to tell you that Complementary Therapy is all about helping people to improve their quality of life. In order to do so, we as therapists owe it to our clients to be equipped with the latest information. CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is a vital part of this process. I view each event I attend almost as a ‘pep talk’. They serve both to reignite my interest and add to the development of my knowledge in the field. I have been fortunate enough to listen to many well-known, established practitioners. Some I even regard as ‘living legends’ in the field of naturopathy. However, on this occasion I can honestly say I was completely blown away by the event, for a number of different reasons.

 

It was my first time hearing renowned nutritional biochemist, Dr Jeffrey Bland deliver a seminar. At a cost of £150 (yes, really - ouch!) I was unsure of what to expect. The talk covered Advanced Nutritional Strategies for Autoimmune Disease, a subject close to my heart. This event was attended by a broad cross-section of the Complementary Therapy community. People had travelled from all over the country to hear him speak. Once settled in, I could see why. Coupled with excellent presentation skills (my mind didn’t wander once during the 5-hour extravaganza!) the man’s knowledge was unsurpassable. As a teacher myself, I was amazed to watch him deliver the entire seminar without once making reference to any notes! The accompanying handout booklet was a weighty tome containing more than sufficient reference material and additional notes to keep me going for another few weeks.

 

Apart from Dr Bland’s incredible knowledge, what struck me the most about this man was his humble nature. In an ever-expanding field of ‘celebrity’ therapists, it is easy to become sceptical about the intentions of the presenter. In this case, it was clear that here was a man passionate about his subject, but also with the very real intention to apply his invaluable knowledge to the greater good of mankind. I was also pleasantly surprised to note the overwhelming presence of medical doctors from the allopathic community in the audience. With a conventional healthcare system heavily leaning towards drug therapy over naturopathy, this instilled some hope in me. Overall, this was an experience that served to enhance my personal nutritional knowledge whilst also reinstating my faith in people – a concept hard to hold onto in a world seemingly obsessed with financial gain. 

 

Samantha Flower is a qualified nutritional therapist and iridologist living in London. She is also a qualified tutor at The Kevala Centre holistic health college based in Torquay, Devon where she lectures in nutritional therapy, detoxification and integrated health management. She is currently practising at the Haelan Centre in Crouch End. You can contact her on 07745 578 347 or 020 8888 3869 for appointments. Website: http://www.samanthaflower.co.uk