As a Canadian institute teaching Reflexology in Canada, we are asked many questions from prospective Reflexology students. Frequently we are asked about licensing.
The Canadian government is specific on this issue. Very few therapies in Canada are licensed. This is where Reflexology currently sits as an unregulated or unlicensed health modality.
So, what training do Canadian Reflexologists receive? Without federal or provincial regulations, there are no national training standards in Canada. The range of training in Canada varies tremendously. Some certified Reflexologists are, in fact, very well trained through internationally recognized and legitimate institutions such as the Universal College of Reflexology. On the other end of the scale, some “Reflexologists” may receive their “training” by simply reading a book, attending an evening class, spending a weekend at class and receiving a certificate of attendance on Sunday before they go home, or simply purchasing a certificate from a clearing house on-line.
Many people teach Reflexology in Canada without having any formal education or certification as a Reflexology teacher, with little or no practical experience. In Canada, it is caveat emptor, buyer beware.
The Government of Canada suggests that users of Complementary and Alternative Medicine be proactive in seeking practitioners and suggest the following.
“Whichever health practice you use, it's a good idea to check the practitioner's credentials. These are usually listed on their brochures and business cards. Many practitioners post their degrees or certificates in their office or waiting area.
Practitioners may also display a certificate showing that they belong to a national association.”
An article from Health Ethics Today, November 2000 states
“Physicians and other practitioners of the various complementary therapies must be competent in their practice. This means that they must be fully qualified and certified as acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths, homeopaths, reflexologists, hypnotherapists and so on. It is important to have formal certification from the leading institutions and programs in the field.”
An article titled “Certification what does that really mean?” in The Healing Journal
“When signing up for a course, one would like to receive the very best of teaching that is available. When booking a session with a practitioner one would like to know that the credentials have meaning. When a course is advertised “with certification”, then you would surmise that you will receive teaching of high calibre. But that “certification” word can have various meanings and is sometimes misleading!”
Given the current lack of Reflexology regulations in Canada, the Universal College of Reflexology aligns itself with the highest standards of Reflexology in the world, the Complementary Medical Association (CMA) of United Kingdom where Reflexology training is taken very seriously and is even a part of the health regime of the Royal family.
Acceptance by the CMA, especially for an international school, is no small matter. In fact, vetting of the Universal College of Reflexology training programs plus an in-depth review of faculty members and their credentials took nearly two years by the CMA. The result is that the Universal College of Reflexology is North America’s only registered “centre of excellence” by the CMA. See letter under about us http://www.universalreflex.com/staticpages/index.php/CentreofExcellence.
What does this mean to the public? When booking a session with a graduate of the Universal College of Reflexology the public will be confident of receiving a session from a highly trained certified Reflexologist. One who has completed programs, passed assignments and testing to earn certification .
What does this mean to the prospective student? When signing up for a course, one will be confident that he/she will receive the very best of teaching and quality programs that are available.
What does this mean to the Universal College of Reflexology certified Reflexologist? Confidence, knowing he/she is providing his clients with the best possible Reflexology and that when the Canadian Government elect to regulate Reflexology that his/her credentials will exceed even the highest standards.
What does this mean to the industry in Canada? Credibility.
“Now, with an aging population concerned about the uncertain future of a changing public health system, the demand for complementary care practitioners in numerous disciplines is rapidly growing.”
Sun Career Connection
Did you know that Canada’s population is approaching 32,000,000?
Edmonton, Alberta is Canada’s sixth largest metropolitan area having reached 1,000,000 people in 2005. Only Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa-Gatineau and Calgary are larger.
IF YOU WANT TO LIVE LONGER move to Richmond, British Columbia which enjoys the highest life expectancy in Canada at an average of 83.4 years and to live even longer – take regular reflexology sessions and live in Richmond, British Columbia.
