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Anyone work in complementary or holistic therapy?

4 replies

tarotcard · 08/01/2009 20:08

Just wondering if there are any mumsnetters out there who work in these fields.I am seriously considering a career change from my current job in marketing and have always been fascinated by complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy and reflexology. I would love some advice on the best training to get and what day to day life is like for a practitioner. Thanks!

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PuzzleRocks · 09/01/2009 15:46

Bumping for you.

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WowOoo · 09/01/2009 15:50

My friend does this and thoroughly enjoys her job. I know she suffers from achey hands and backs from giving massages though. She needs one herself at the end of her day!

I can ask her specific Q if you have any but I won't speak to her until next weekend.

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tarotcard · 09/01/2009 17:43

Thanks for the bump Puzzle and for the reply WowOoo. Good to hear that she enjoys her job- thats exactly what I would like to be able to say about my work! If you could ask her what qualifications she has, and also does she work for herself or an employer. if she works for herself, how does she finds her clients? Thanks...

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notsoclever · 13/01/2009 19:27

I have a few friends who do this..

Typically they get qualifications in the therapy they want to practice and then start building up clients. It can take a long time to build up a business and most of my friends started while still working at other jobs, then moved to part time, then moved to full time.

Most therapists would say that irrespective of the number of clients you might attract, it is very difficult in practice to see more than 4 people a day, so don't base your financial calculations on much more than that. It can be very draining on your energy.

The most successful friend in this field does some direct client work, sells products (meditation CDs, therapy oils etc), runs teaching workshops, and has an online commercial service.

If you are going to be self employed you need to be able to do the "business" part of you work as well as the therapy, if you're not good at selling yourself then getting clients may be difficult.

Working for other employers pays very little - often just the minimum wage since (and only when they have clients) since the employer is bearing all the risk, the overhead costs and the marketing.

Hope this helps

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