Reflexology Qualifications?

[rachelar]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum so if this thread is in the wrong place please move it.

I currently work in insurance but I'm looking to start training for a career change. I've always wanted to study reflexology and have decided to finally take the plunge.

My local college offers a VTCT Diploma Level 3 in Reflexology, which I was thinking of enrolling on. My problem is that I'm not 100% certain exactly what it will qualify me to do.

I want to set up my own business and work part time alongside my job as a professional reflexologist- I don't have any other skills so I won't be working in a salon. Is this qualification enough? Will I be able to get insurance? How widely is it recognised?

I've been trying to find out about regulatory bodies- is there an official one for reflexology? Which ones accept the VTCT? I know there is at least one that does not, and the Britreflex seems to only push their own training courses.

The college hasn't been all too helpful, so I was hoping some of the Salon Geek professionals would be able to give me some advice.

Thanks!

 

[sukic]

VCTC will allow you to practice reflexology. It is widely recognised and insurance shouldn't be a problem. You can look at the AOR, Association of Reflexologists for more info. ITEC also do Reflexology qualifications. hth :green:

 

[AnnB]

Hi Rachelar
My VTCT Reflex qual has been recognised overseas too (USA & Aus) so don't worry about that, the qual is international. The qual will only enable you to practice reflexology which is a beautiful & rewarding treatment. I am an ex lecturer from teaching in this field and hopefully your lecturer will discuss all this type of thing as you progress in your course & point you in the right direction of insurance and memberships.
Go for it

 

[Martin Duffy]

Although the qualification is fine; just a word of advice, check the demand in your area for reflexology as in my experience it can be very limited & quite hard to make a go of it. I used to go along to a semi-regular group for qualified reflexologists & very few of them were ever able to make more than a bit of pocket money from it.

 

[rachelar]

VCTC will allow you to practice reflexology. It is widely recognised and insurance shouldn't be a problem. You can look at the AOR, Association of Reflexologists for more info. ITEC also do Reflexology qualifications. hth

My VTCT Reflex qual has been recognised overseas too (USA & Aus) so don't worry about that, the qual is international. The qual will only enable you to practice reflexology which is a beautiful & rewarding treatment. I am an ex lecturer from teaching in this field and hopefully your lecturer will discuss all this type of thing as you progress in your course & point you in the right direction of insurance and memberships. Go for it

Wonderful, thank you both. You’ve helped me make my decision, I’m going to do the course.

Although the qualification is fine; just a word of advice, check the demand in your area for reflexology as in my experience it can be very limited & quite hard to make a go of it. I used to go along to a semi-regular group for qualified reflexologists & very few of them were ever able to make more than a bit of pocket money from it.

Thanks Martin. To be honest there probably isn’t, and I don’t know anything about the market yet. All I know is that it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. If I don’t end up making a career out of it, well that’s ok: I don’t hate my job. Reflexology is just something I think I could be passionate about and I think it’s worth doing it, even if the only clients I get are my friends (who will probably pay me in cake!). But I really welcome your advice and I’m grateful that you cared about me enough to post

 

[Joanna W]

Good luck with your course, you will love it

 

[Martin Duffy]

Thanks Martin. To be honest there probably isn’t, and I don’t know anything about the market yet. All I know is that it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. If I don’t end up making a career out of it, well that’s ok: I don’t hate my job. Reflexology is just something I think I could be passionate about and I think it’s worth doing it, even if the only clients I get are my friends (who will probably pay me in cake!). But I really welcome your advice and I’m grateful that you cared about me enough to post

That's OK! If it's something you enjoy it's always worth learning, especially if you get paid in cake!! I only posted as I've met a few people over the years who have gone to college & invested time & money into a course in a specialised therapy only to later been disheartened that it couldn't provide a career. Hope you enjoy your course!!

 

[hippy-chick]

reflexology is in my top 3 popular treatments, so there is call for it in some areas (especially the feet! lol!).

 

[jacqueline]

I think the hardest part is to get people to try it once and then the rest is relatively easy if they liked and got something from it, they will rebook. It runs the equiv of about £50 up a session where I am based in Florda and you actually need to be a Massage Therapist before you can practice reflexology.

I did my training in the States and was lucky to be taught by my mentor who was educated at St Petersburg Institute many years ago so I know I have a good base training but I still refer to the charts ocassionaly whilst with clients: although they can't see me doing this as they are floating elsewhere!

The best result I had was my other half who thinks a lot of things are hocus pocus but I even had him rethink things.

Good luck with it all.

 

[TracyJayne72]

I have just started the VTCT Reflexology course in my local college & i'm loving it. You can get student insurance that covers you for all your case studies for the FHT.