Expert: Kay Larson - 4/26/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I am a high school student hoping to become a traditional naturopath, but honestly, I don't really know what exactly they are allowed to do besides consultations. Also, what are some of the best programs available out there for this kind of degree? Thank you

ANSWER: Hi David-having an education as a traditional naturopath will allow you to consult with clients as a natural health educator, but you really have to make your own opportunities As an example, I know of a man who just got hired as an onsite naturopath at a large health food store in CA. His degree was from Kingdom College of Natural Health. If you are entrepreneurial and you want to teach, you may want to consider teaching classes in  yourself.
Your question is a good one--you're basically asking what can you do with a the first level of education you receive as you are a high school student. I see it as a springboard  to learn more, helping you to decide which path to follow.
As far as natural health programs (consider the holistic health practitioner programs which are similar to naturopathy programs), look at Kingdom College of Natural Health, Global College of Natural Medicine, Natural Healing College, New Eden School, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. University of Natural Medicine has very good programs as well, but I have been reluctant to recommend them because they have had some administrative programs in the past. I am hearing they are making efforts to resolve them, however. None of these schools are USDE accredited. That is a subject that if you are not familiar with, you need to be. I hope this answers your questions!

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QUESTION: Thank you for answering my question! I found the Natural Healing College's Holistic Health Practitioner program to be pretty nice. I also plan on becoming a licensed massage therapist to complement this as well. One last question though. I live in Texas, and I've read that there are laws to keep me from doing certain things. What exactly would I be allowed to do in Texas as a holistic health practitioner?

Answer
Hi David- As far as Texas goes, you can dispense information as natural health educator. Texas does have laws about advertising yourself in business with credentials from a non-USDE accredited school, which NHC is. Technically it's a misdemeanor, but to my knowledge, it has never held up in a court of law. As far as dispensing nutritional information, I refer you to the following website: http://lifestylemanagement.com/state_law_pages/laws_texas.htm
There are many issues you need to be aware of as a nonlicensed natural health practitioner. You need to get my book available on www.lulu.com: The Handbook for Starting a Business as a Natural Health Practitioner: A Guide for the Professional. It should answer a lot of questions you may have.
I think becoming an LMT would be a very good choice in addition to becoming an HHP.