What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a holistic healing approach that states that when given the right support, the body's healing capacity improves. It is used as an alternative to standard medical treatments as a way to help the body defend itself from infections. Naturopaths provide treatment plans that address a wide range of chronic conditions and improve patient health outcomes like:
- Skin conditions
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Hypertension
- Fibromyalgia
- Digestive problems
- Fertility problems
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Hormonal imbalance
- Depression
- Weight issues
- Arthritis
Naturopaths have the option of joining one of the many professional naturopathy or complementary health membership associations during their career:
- Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH)
- Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA)
- National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
- Complementary Medicine Association (CMA)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
Should you study naturopathy?
Are you looking for a career within the complementary health industry where you get to improve the health prospects of your patients? If this sounds like something that you want to explore in your professional life then naturopathy is the perfect career path for you! In Port Macquarie, some of the skills and attributes that employers look for when hiring naturopaths include:
- Strong listening skills to be able to pinpoint the factors that contributed to the client's problems and symptoms.
- An ability to create holistic treatment plans tailored to an individual's needs.
- Good communication skills to be able to clearly explain the proposed treatment plan to clients and its benefits.
- High levels of patience especially when addressing any questions or concerns that the client may have.
- An ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality when handling sensitive client medical history and personal information.
If you see a strong alignment between your career ambitions and interpersonal skills with those required by naturopaths, continue reading to learn more about your course and career options in the field of naturopathy in Port Macquarie.
What are the course and study options for naturopathy in Port Macquarie?
To work as a naturopath in the Port Macquarie region, it is highly recommended that you have completed either a:
- Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
- Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Naturopathy)
Depending on your preferred learning method and other commitments, you have a lot of flexibility in terms of delivery options. Naturopathy course providers based in Port Macquarie offer options such as on-campus, online or a blended learning system.
When studying, you will be introduced to a wide range of concepts in the field of naturopathy. These classes are taught by industry experts who have had many years of experience either working or researching. Some of the units that you will cover include nutrition, health sciences, natural medicines, anatomy, botany and pharmacology. During your studies, you will need to complete a clinical practice internship. This will help you gain valuable experience and apply the knowledge that you learnt in the classroom in a clinical setting under the supervision of a professional naturopath.
If this is the educational path that you want to pursue in the future, scroll up to the top where you will find a list of accredited naturopathy courses in the Port Macquarie region. After you have shortlisted your favourite courses, you can get in touch with the institution directly with any further questions you may have about the payment, curriculum or the registration process.
What happens after you complete your naturopath course in Port Macquarie?
After completing your studies, you will need to become a member of the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH). You will also need to complete the yearly training requirements of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program to maintain your accreditations as a professionally certified naturopath. Upon meeting these requirements you will be able to work in a variety of professional settings. This includes naturopath clinics, pharmacies, retreats or day spas.
Once you start to feel more confident about your skills as a naturopath, you have the option to pivot your career and start your own private practice. This is a rewarding and fulfilling career alternative where you get to have more control over your business management and client sessions in comparison to working for an employer. If you are looking to expand your client base by driving traffic and awareness to your services, Natural Therapy Pages can help you achieve this goal. This can simply be achieved by letting you list your face-to-face naturopathy services or online consultations.
Finally, if you want to increase your employability or expand your career opportunities into the field of research you will need to pursue further education. Some options available for you in Port Macquarie include a Master's in Health Science or a Doctor of Naturopathy.
