Image by D Sharon Pruitt

Complementary therapies are popular, and therapists usually are self employed, working the hours that they choose. More people are making a second career as a complementary therapist just because of the freedom and flexibility offered. It is a career which offers the chance to make a difference too, with many therapists training in a discipline that has worked well for them.

Jo Lunn offers training in Bowen Technique. She  believes that Bowen provides the perfect opportunity for people to build a new career, create a second income or simply have a fresh start and try something new. “Courses are easily affordable and provide people with an ideal opportunity to add a further skill to their CV and even start a new business”.

Sarah Worne practises as a homeopath in Hastings. She describes why she retrained, “When my children were around six and eight years old, I decided I wanted a change of direction in my work-life. Up until that point, I had worked from home as a freelance journalist. After helping out with some PR work for a new self-help cancer centre in Hastings, my eyes were opened to the amazing and fascinating world of alternative health therapies that were being used to support those patients.  My own experience of Homoeopathy generated a keen interest to learn more and become a practitioner myself.  It was an enormous step but a decision I took, which has given me so much pleasure in helping others and I hope will continue to do so for many years to come.”

Almost all complementary career courses can be studied part time, and with many there is a choice over whether you learn at weekends, evenings or during the day. Most therapists are registered with a professional body now: there are a selection below to contact if you want to find out more about qualifying. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council is the new national voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners in the UK www.cnhc.org.uk

• General Osteopathic Council 0 207 357 6655 www.osteopathy.org.uk
• General Chiropractic Council 020 7713 5155 www.gcc-uk.org
• The British Acupuncture Council 020 8735 0400 www.acupuncture.org.uk
• The National Institute of Medical Herbalists 01392 426022 www.nimh.org.uk