This is the final stage of training, where the individual aspects of theoretical knowledge are brought together to enable you to practice your skills in a real clinical setting. The Clinical Practice level incorporates written assignments plus 50 hours of attendance at tutorials. A maximum of 5 students will be accepted for each Clinical Practice group. Tutorials are spaced at regular intervals – the College is flexible where dates are concerned and they will be discussed with individual students prior to enrolment on this final stage of Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy training. The overall aim of our Clinical Practice training is to enable students to work confidently, effectively and safely within professional boundaries
There are 4 coursework assignments to submit, each needing you to demonstrate knowledge and research skills. Written coursework includes:
- Complex case study scenarios – you’ll be using your skills to assess each case with regard to the causes of presenting symptoms and effective therapeutic protocols. At the tutorials we’ll compare various ways of assessing and offering appropriate recommendations for each case scenario
- Research into the causes and therapeutic approaches to diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) and Multiple Sclerosis
- Reflective practice
- Health and Safety
- Setting up in practice
- Basic counselling skills
Clinical experience at tutorials will incorporate:
- Consultation skills – you’ll be working with volunteer clients in a supervised setting
- Diagnostic techniques
- National Occupational Standards and Codes of Conduct & Ethics
- Therapeutic communication skills, including listening skills, body language and rapport
It’s natural for a complementary therapy graduate, with his or her head brimming with knowledge, to want to rush out and ‘heal the world’. The reality is that the greatest ‘technical’ ability in the world doesn’t automatically transfer into a competent and effective practitioner. Clients will expect a therapist to be knowledgeable but they’ll be looking for an understanding therapist who doesn’t try to baffle them with long, technical terms. Good therapists will listen to the client without judgement or criticism; they’ll listen for ‘clues’ between the words, and will be aware of the client’s body language and tone of voice
At Natural Healthcare College we teach students that the best therapists are those who understand the importance of working at the client’s own pace, taking into account the individual’s entire being and preferences, along with a realistic assessment of their capacity for change at each moment of time. The aim of Naturopathy isn’t to heal clients but to give simple explanations and to educate clients so that they can heal themselves. Your aim as a graduate should be to help people rediscover their appetite for life, with the mental and physical vitality and well-being to be vibrantly healthy. Our aim at Clinical Practice level is to equip you with the skills you need to make the transition from technical expertise to becoming a highly effective practitioner
''The whole course has been truly inspirational. The Clinical Practice work gave me the opportunity to not only try to put a therapeutic protocol together but it also allowed me to learn different approaches from other students. Clinical Practice encouraged me to think deeply about each protocol I was recommending and helped me to learn from any mistakes I may have made. Our volunteer clients at the regular tutorials provided excellent practice for the student ‘therapist’ and excellent observational experience for other students. This scenario enabled the student ‘therapist’ to gain valuable experience in a safe and supportive environment with guidance, if necessary, from our tutor. I would describe the clinical practice work as the icing on the cake.''
Shirley (Birmingham)