Fancy footwork! (Reflexologist)

Member Name: hypno06

Product:	Reflexologist
Date:	01/03/09 (444 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great career if you feel passionate about it and put in the effort.

Disadvantages: Be wary of insufficient qualifications.

Those of you who have read my review on "self employment" will know that I changed career a few years ago, and embarked upon a new venture. I became a complementary therapist, and reflexology was one of my main treatments, and the one that I enjoyed the most.

**What is reflexology?**

Reflexology is an ancient way of treating the body's imbalances by gentle working of the feet. It can also be carried out on the hands, and on the face. Every part of the body, including organs, hormones, joints, etc is represented in the feet. The foot is divided into "zones" and by working a particular zone, you are indirectly working the corresponding part of the body. Although it has been documented in the pyramids of Egypt as having been in use for over 4000 years, it is only since the 1960s that it has gained in popularity in the USA and UK. It is used to help reduce stress, to ease aches and pains, and 101 other things. It is also a great relaxer, which in itself has huge benefits.

*Why did I choose it?"

Well, the simple answer is that I have no idea - it just suddenly became something I wanted to do. I had never had a treatment myself, and I don't actually like feet (I worked as a Saturday girl in a shoe shop when I was at school and I hated all those feet, cramming themselves into shoes that don't fit.....and don't even get me started on "back to school" week.....!). I was going through a "career crisis" at the time, and I knew I wanted to do something completely different. I cannot begin to explain why reflexology became so important to me, but it did, and before I knew it, I found myself searching for courses, and planning to set up my own business.......Sometimes you just have to run with these things!

**What qualifications are needed?**

Complementary therapy has been one of those areas that has been unregulated for many years. This means that, unfortunately, it is possible for people to grab a book out of the library on reflexology, read it, and call themselves a reflexologist......... However, thankfully, regulation is being rolled out, and has been taken very seriously by those who want to make a success of being a good therapist. This means that qualifications are required, ongoing training to update your knowledge once you are qualified, and, vitally important, adequate insurance.

I spent a great deal of time looking at the various qualifications that claimed they would be suitable for a career in reflexology - these varied from correspondence courses, with an "optional" practical day's training, to a one year college course leading to a level 3 qualification (about the same standard as an A level).

Correspondence courses - I think that these are fine if you want an insight into reflexology, as a pre-curser to embarking on a full course. BUT, I do think that there is no substitution for working with others, and doing practical training, and a correspondence course will not provide you with that. Some say that they will offer a "hands on practical day" as an optional extra, and I would again say that this is ideal if you want to see if reflexology is something you want to take further, but I do not feel that one day's practical training is enough to ensure you know your stuff properly. Correspondence courses can be picked up from people like BSY (British School of Yoga) and SNHS (School of Natural Health Sciences) both of which can be easily found online. BE WARNED though, that many insurance companies do NOT recognise these qualifications as being sufficient to practice.........need I say more?

**Short courses**

Some adult education departments offer short courses in complementary therapies - again, these are an excellent way of trying reflexology in order to see whether it is something you want to take further, without having to commit yourself to a full year's course. These short courses do not lead to a qualification in their own right, and so will only provide you with enough information to pursue reflexology as a hobby with your family and friends, not with enough to set up a business or charge clients (and get insurance).

**Recognised qualifications**

Many further education colleges offer level 3 courses in reflexology either as a stand alone course on a once a week basis for one year, or as part of a full time course in Holistic Therapy, or Beauty Therapy. Examining boards will vary, but you can be pretty sure that whichever board you are offered, it will be suitable for those looking to take this further and to make a career from it. Popular examining boards include VTCT and ITEC. These will be recognised by the professional bodies, and the insurance companies. Importantly, these courses are long enough and detailed enough for you to get lots of classroom theory and lots of hands on practice. You will also be expected to do a number of case studies (typically of 6 treatments each) with written reports for each treatment which are to be done in your own time. An exam at the end of the course will also be required and will consist of both practical assessment and written content. Course work will be submitted throughout the year, and it is a combination of all of those elements which will determine whether you pass or fail. So you can see that this is a much more thorough way of training than the two mentioned above.

**Where can I train**

As well as the local Further Education colleges, you can look at privately run therapy schools in your area. These should run the same sort of course as the FE college, with the same mix of classroom time, case studies, hands on practical work, and exams, and will lead to the same qualifications. Your choice will be down to the venue and the locality, the timetable and the cost. FE colleges generally do their courses one evening a week. The private schools may do one daytime a week, or every other weekend, so depending on your own circumstances, and whether you are trying to fit this in round an existing job, children etc, will have some bearing on where you train. Cost varies hugely, and depends on whether your local authority is subsiding classes in holistic therapy. When I trained, I was in the last intake to be subsidised by that particular LEA, so the cost of training at the local college was about a third of that provided by a private school. However, had I chosen to wait a year before training, there would only have been about 10% difference between the two options. Finally, whilst FE colleges start their courses in September only, many of the private schools offer a chance to start in January, or April, so you don't have to wait too long to get going!

Do your research thoroughly - the idea is that you enjoy your course as well as learn from it and obtain the qualification at the end. Ask the various course providers if you can visit, and sit in on one of their classes as a prospective student. You will get a good idea of they way they work, and a feel for whether this is the school for you - if it feels right, it probably is. If there is something you are uncomfortable with on your visit, it is better you find out now, not once you have parted with your cash and committed to a year long course. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the tutors AND of the students. Many schools will have an ongoing support network for ex-students.....look at this and it will give you a good idea of the networks that exist from this school, and if possible speak to ex students. Most will be happy to give you their honest opinion!

*So what is the cost?*

You should look at spending around £1000 on a full course. Many places will allow you to pay this in instalments. Of course, this will vary from area to area, but you should ask questions if the course is either much cheaper than this (is it providing you with the right level of knowledge and experience?) or much more expensive (what exactly are you paying for?).

**What else do I need*

As a requirement for my course, you either had to have an up to date anatomy qualification, or do one alongside the course. My "o" level biology was not sufficient so I did another evening each week at the same college to get a level 3 Anatomy & Physiology course. Some schools will combine the two courses, so again, check out the requirements. I also did an exam on Health & Safety which was required.

All that, coupled with your enthusiasm, and your practical experience will allow you to obtain insurance, and get started!

**I'm qualified, what next**

The world is your oyster really. Have a read of my review on Self employment to see some of the advantages and disadvantages of working for yourself, and the efforts that you need to put in to make a success of your chosen career. Don't forget to make use of any support networks that your training provider has - whether it is a summer bbq with ex-students or a formal "ongoing training" session, these are vital to swap ideas, discuss mistakes and successes and to know that you are not on your own.

On my course, there was a huge range of reasons why people were training.....some were looking for a "profitable hobby" in retirement, some, like myself, were looking to become self employed on a full time basis, some were beauty therapists looking to add something to their list of treatments in the salon or spa, and one lady was a qualified and very busy chiropodist with her own business, who wanted something to offer her clients in additional to the chiropody, and reflexology fits in nicely with this.

**What can I do next**

The courses that lead to full qualification will provide you with enough to be a good all round reflexolgy practitioner. But you may decide to specialise by doing further courses. Whether you want to combine reflexology with another therapy such as crystal healing or reiki, or whether you want to specialise in one particular area such as emotional issues, working with terminally ill people, etc, you will find courses to suit. Some of the most specialist courses will require you to travel to attend because they are only held in 2 or 3 locations in the UK, but they would generally be 2 weekends, 6 weeks apart, for example, which is usually quite workable. I chose to specialise in Maternity Reflexology - something that I find so amazing, and it is one of the few areas within the NHS where complentary therapists are encouraged. In fact, on my Maternity Reflexology course, a number of midwives were attending, in order to use it in the delivery suite.

You can choose to work from a room in your own home, with clients coming to you, you can rent a room in a spa or therapy centre, or you can be "mobile" - seeing clients in their own home. Each will have its advantages and disadvantages and you need to think carefully about which is most appropriate for you, your specialism, and the area you in.

**How much can I earn?**

Well, you have to be realistic, and to remember that when setting up any new business, you are unlikely to have a full diary from the word go - it takes time to build up a reputation. But it can happen if you put the effort in, and give amazing treatments! Most therapists in my area charge between £25 and £40 an hour, but realistically you would not see more than a few clients in a day, because you need time to write up case notes etc in between. Be prepared to work evenings and weekends to fit in with your clients who may have full time jobs and busy family lives. You may choose to offer incentives such as "get your 6th treatment free" or introduce a friend for a free treatment.

**What do I think?**

Well, considering that I don't like feet, and I don't really know why I wanted to do this in the first place, I think it is FAB!!!!! I love the results I get, I love the fact that my clients are giving themselves "me" time which is much needed, and therefore leave my treatment room relaxed, I love working with pregnant women, and their newborn babies. But the best thing for me, is that I find GIVING a treatment, incredibly relaxing and satisfying......sometimes I reckon I get just as much out of a session as my client does......and I am being paid for it!! How good can it get!!

**Is it for me?**

Well, I can't say, because I don't know you! But if you think it might be something you are interested in, why not try one of the short courses, or even one of the correspondence courses to get a bit of an insight. Talk to others who have done it in your area, go and visit the course providers, and look on the Association of Reflexologists website.

Anyone can become a reflexologist, but not everyone can become a GOOD reflexologist, and not everyone would have the same passion and get the same out of it that I do. But if you do...........well, enjoy!

Summary: I love it.......perhaps I should be paying my clients!!