Nutritional therapist
Nutritional therapists work with individuals to find out which nutritional factors are affecting a person’s general health and wellbeing. They suggest specific changes to each client’s diet in an attempt to prevent or alleviate illness. They will also use their specialist knowledge to promote good health.
Nutritional therapy is a complementary therapy and is often used alongside conventional medicine. Therapists cannot claim to be able to cure a condition or illness. They will often work with patients referred to them by medical practitioners and deal with chronic health problems that conventional medicine may find difficult to treat. Therapists will work with clients to conduct a holistic assessment of their nutritional requirements. They will then make a prescription for diet and supplementation.
Conditions helped by nutritional therapy range from relatively minor health problems, like fatigue, to more chronic complaints, like depression, arthritic joint pain, skin disease, childhood development disorders, migraines, eating disorders and asthma.
Tasks may typically involve:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree or HND in the following subjects will be useful:
Entry without a degree is common.
The study of science (chemistry, biology, human biology, food science, anatomy and physiology), to at least an A-level standard, is a requirement for entry to clinical courses offering training in nutritional therapy. Training courses can vary in length, cost and content, with some placing a different emphasis on dietary, naturopathic or biochemical aspects.
The Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC) is the regulatory body which administers all course accreditation. The NTC acts as an independent professional standards council and is working with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) . The NTC accredits courses against the National Occupational Standards (NOS) which are developed and updated by Skills for Health .
New students should check that their chosen course is likely to be fully accredited. Students enrolling on any course before accreditation is complete do so at their own risk. The NTC will publish a list of recognised training providers when the process of accreditation is finally complete.
Potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Mature entry is particularly common and the majority of therapists have trained as a second or third career. A level of life experience and interpersonal skills can be helpful to graduates as the ability to empathise and gain a client's confidence is crucial to a therapist's success.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The Nutritional Therapy Council (NTC) has an official national register of all individuals qualified to practise nutritional therapy. In January 2009 the NTC register was transferred to the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) . This is an independent voluntary regulator set up by the Department of Health.
In order to join the register, therapists must have completed training that conforms to the standards set in the NTC core curriculum. Therapists are not legally required to be registered but the NTC say that registration shows a willingness to be accountable.
Membership of other professional bodies is still a matter of individual choice rather than an obligation. Each body has its own aims and objectives; some operate as businesses while others have charitable status. Membership fees vary. One of the main professional bodies in the UK is the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) .
They offer a structure for professional development which includes lectures, seminars and other events. Other relevant bodies include:
Therapists are commonly expected to continue with their study and learning to enhance their professional status as therapists, and the profession as a whole.
Opportunities for advancement vary depending on individual interest, expertise and willingness to undertake different activities.
In the first five years after qualification, most nutritional therapists will concentrate on building up a solid client base and developing their experience of dealing with different people.
As a therapist gains in expertise, many will develop a specialist area, such as:
Some therapists network with GP practices and midwifery services to take referrals for complementary therapy. There are also opportunities to teach in adult education.
Within five years, a few therapists with enough experience and appropriate skills can consider lecturing in training colleges and universities, and possibly on the international conference circuit. In areas where local authorities actively support innovative approaches to public health, opportunities may exist in partnership with sports development workers or health promotion officers. Some therapists work, often on a consultancy basis, for healthcare charities or commercial organisations. Others are attracted to media-related activities, such as specialist journalism (food writing or radio/television appearances), public relations or marketing.
A few successful therapists will become directors of thriving enterprises employing other qualified therapists and administration staff (e.g. receptionists and web design specialists). As a result, geographical mobility can be essential for career development, especially in more rural areas.
Most therapists are self-employed. With increasing experience, a therapist can enhance their reputation and increase their portfolio of clients to operate a lucrative, thriving practice.
There are also opportunities in:
Interest in nutritional therapy, as well as the demand for qualified nutritional therapists, has seen a steady growth over the years but the industry has also been affected by the recent (2009) recession. This problem has largely been offset by an increase in media and public interest in the effects of diet and lifestyle on health.
Most nutritional therapists will work in private practice as self-employed therapists, though some vacancies are advertised.
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