Over the years as I’ve been battling to regain my thyroid health I’ve gained a massive interest in these areas through reading books, blogs and watching online summits and YouTube videos. I’ve also been working with practitioners in the U.K. and the USA.
I was wondering if anybody in here in the U.K. has taken this on as their career or studied say at the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM)?
I’m not sure what I want to do exactly but your experiences and knowledge would be gratefully received. This whole area is a confusing minefield on what’s valuable and what’s not. Some courses are accredited with the AFN some not. Thanks.
Thanks for your reply. I’ve been reading their articles for some time. At this stage I’d much rather study something in the U.K. Maybe in the future I can get some additional training or qualifications through them. However, according to their website in order to get accredited with them you need to:
“Hold at least a bachelor’s or advanced diploma level degree in a health-related field from an accredited university.”
Oh - that does make it more difficult - sigh ! Many years ago they had something for people like you - a qualification for interested folk. I considered it myself. The next time I looked it was not there. Do they have anything you can study on-line ? Quite a few UK practitioners on their list - do they all go to the US to qualify ?
Yes. I started CNM Naturopathic Nutrition Diploma classes in Manchester at start of November 19 after postponing for a year due to health (not directly thyroid). I think you can register to do online instead around now (though online doesn't offer BANT certification) or you could delay until next year.
So far, we've covered several areas of Biomedicine including thyroid with Clinics to come in years 2,3.
My plan is to qualify in 3 years then do private practice thus helping people to recover naturally from diseases that traditional, Allopathic medicine doesn't get (root cause). It is my passion to do that after my own ~4 years of hell that medical doctors dont understand.
Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. I've since done a lot of research and I'm not sure CNM is the right choice for me, at least not at the moment. What made you go for it? I've heard that the BCNH do a Level 6 accredited course whereas the CNM course doesn't appear to be accredited?
I even met a girl today in a health food shop who said that much of the CNM Nutrition course is online and even when she goes to the college the lecturers just read through slides? They clearly spend a lot of resources selling and promoting their courses.
So is the BANT certification is only given to those who go to the college?
Ultimately you can only do your own research and decide after considering personal circumstances etc. In my case, I did a lot of research (including calls!) and both BCNH and ION reached my 2nd round assessment along with CNM and NHC. My preference for CNM over BCNH and ION was essentially based on my understanding that :
(i) BCNH and ION required me to do an Access/Foundation course
(ii) """""""""""""""" are based in the South England whereas Im in the Northwest
(iii) As per your link, I think it takes longer via BCNH if you wish to practice (my vocation)
CNM is accredited by NTEC with immediate BANT/CNHC status after qualifying. In general, BANT is seen as important (and yes only applies with College attendance not remote study). I contacted various people including an advisor for a major supplements supplier who said "I was expected to be BANT and CNHC registered". That said, my main contact at a prominent health testing organisation didnt see BANT as a showstopper which is good as I could switch to online at CNM if I wish.
CNM is thus accredited by 2 other Associations (ANP, NNA) as well as GNC. I did look at AFN but cant recall the details but I dont recall it being a better Association. As you said at the outset, it's a minefield!
I think it is fair criticism that (some) CNM lecturers just read through slides but, to be equally fair, youd have to ask about those at the other Colleges. Its more difficult to compare all accessible information as it is obviously not disclosed until you register. On balance though, I would recommend CNM (and have spoken to others that do) albeit <3 months in.
So, in summary, my decision was largely based on wanting to get qualified asap so I can start to help people and finding somewhere suitable in the Northwest.
PS I dont have science qualifications as theyre unnecessary. My father is interested and so doing some study with me and, whilst he has a BSc and PhD, he admits to not understanding it any better than I (but he is 66!!!)
Thanks for your input. I've been looking at CNM, ION, BCNH and CNELM. I'm going to rule out CNM as I don't think the content is going to be scientific enough for me judging by the videos of lectures they have on their website. Is that what a typical lecture is like?
I'm learning more physiology just by watching online summits which I find fascinating. Just things like how energy is generated at the cellular level through our mitochondria and the biochemistry involved. I have Biology and Chemistry at A-Level so fortunately I have further options. CNM is Level 5 but BCNH is Level 6 which is degree level and CNELM even offer a BSc, MSc and a L6 Diploma.
I do like their facilities and it seems easy to manage for those with hectic work/home lives. I can see its a good route for those without science qualifications or maybe even without an interest in biochemistry. I think I'll look into ION, CNELM and BCNH.
I should advise that 2 minute sample videos cannot demonstrate the scientific depth of the actual videos which are typically 2-3h. I hadn't heard before but, after listening to the Biomedicine 2-minute video, it just presents and links the different sections of Biomedicine (respiratory, cardio etc) each of which are 2-3h long. I find I need to listen to each video at least twice to understand the technical details sufficiently - aided by further parts of the course eg quizzes, case studies.
As indicated previously, you should check out the other courses' details. As mentioned previously, I do recommend CNM.
Note that I didn't choose CNM for academic content but for practical application (to maximise patient benefit) albeit with sufficient technical detail I'd expect. Also I plan to supplement the latter on an ongoing basis after the course eg by linking to US organisations I think you mentioned earlier. BANT should be helpful for that.
I think they should have better videos which show a better representation of their course content because when you watch the ones on the website they give the impression that they've just employed somebody to talk about supplements or how to body is connected to another part of the body. It's not very encouraging.
The US organisation I was thinking of were The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) and their minimum requirements are at least a BSc or an advanced diploma level degree in a health-related field from an accredited university. Applicants should also hold a current healthcare license to practice by the appropriate authority in the federal district, province, or country of the applicant’s clinical practice.
Plus Nutritional Therapist applicants from GB need to submit the following:
Because of differences in regulation, naturopathic physicians or nutritional therapists from Great Britain should send a copy of their advanced diploma and documentation of registration with a copy of their medical practice insurance policy.
Not sure how they can reflect technical content without uploading the actual 2-3h video(s) for free. If you've got an actual video for one of the other courses', I'd be happy to watch it so I can compare with CNM.
Otherwise comparison difficult?
I had seen IFM but more likely I'll try to link with Kresser, JustinHealth etc later. Again I'm more interested in practical applications than theory.
My point was that they could have given a clip of a scientific part of the video. It didn’t have to be long. Yes I’m looking into videos and course content for all the other institutions.
I’m definitely interested in practical application because often you can learn lots of theory on the internet albeit it isn’t structured and regulated. The Kresser Institute definitely sounds interesting.
My intention is to practise as a private Naturopathic Nutritionist to help people recover from medical conditions which I and others have suffered - a growing number unfortunately. Whilst I see it as more of a patient-focused vocation, I hope to make a reasonable living from it even if I have to supplement income by other, related work.
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