Self-test: Is the "Complementary Therapist (Certified)" course right for me now?
Does working as a complementary therapist (certified) meet your expectations and needs? Take the free and non-binding self-test now and find out whether you are on the right path with the part-time course leading to a "school certificate".
Complementary therapist: What does your day-to-day work look like?
Complementary therapists work with individuals and/or groups. Some methods have standardized treatment sequences that extend over 6 to 10 sessions, while other methods view each session as a self-contained unit.
At the beginning, they clarify the current issue, wishes and needs with the client. The therapist may have the client perform certain movements or palpate something in order to get an additional picture of the complaints and possible causes. The actual treatment is then discussed. Depending on the method, this can take place in a standing, sitting or lying position. In most cases, the whole body is treated, which usually remains clothed. The therapy can be accompanied verbally or take place in silence. In some methods, the therapist instructs the client to perform certain movements, to be aware of the body and to pay attention to changes. In other methods, the therapist uses gentle pressure and massage techniques to balance the energy flows of the meridians, release blockages and tension points or realign the skeleton with micro-movements and loosen stuck fascia strands. The aim of each method is to stimulate self-healing processes on a physical, mental and spiritual level and to help harmonize the body's energies.
Complementary therapists often have their own practice. Other options include joining a group practice or working in medical facilities such as health centers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and clinics.
Good to know:
The training market offers courses in various complementary therapy methods. For example, in foot reflexology, classical massage, lymphatic drainage, nutritional counseling, etc. They conclude with a "school's own certificate (cert.)" from the respective school.
A federal qualification in complementary therapy has been available in Switzerland since 2015. The title "Complementary therapist with a federal diploma" can be obtained by passing this examination (Higher Professional Examination, HFP). The following methods can be used to complete the training (as of March 2024)
- Acupressure therapy
- Acupuncture massage therapy (APM therapy)
- Alexander Technique
- Respiratory therapy
- Aquatic bodywork
- Ayurveda therapy
- Movement and body therapy
- Biodynamics
- Craniosacral therapy
- Eutony
- Fascia therapy
- Feldenkrais Therapy
- Eurythmy therapy
- Kinesiology
- Polarity
- Rebalancing
- Reflex zone therapy
- Rhythmic massage therapy
- Shiatsu
- Structural integration
- Trager Therapy
- Yoga therapy
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a complementary therapist?
Great!
If you like the most important tasks of a complementary therapist, then you are basically right for a job in the field of manual therapies.
Then the next question is about whether this training is right for you right now.
If you don't like all the activities, think in detail about what exactly you would and wouldn't like about them.
Take a closer look at the following methods. Perhaps there is one that you would like:
- Acupressure (Cert.)
- Acupuncture massage (certified)
- Acupuncture (Cert.)
- Respiratory therapist (certified)
- Ayurveda (Cert.)
- Craniosacral therapy (certified)
- Fitness and exercise trainer (certified)
- Foot reflexology (certified)
- Hot stones massage (certified)
- Kinesiology (Cert.)
- Lymphatic drainage (cert.)
- Meridian massage (cert.)
- Pilates trainer (certified)
- Progressive muscle relaxation (cert.)
- Reflexology (certified)
- Shiatsu (Cert.)
- Sports therapist (certified)
- Tape courses (cert.)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM (Certified)
- Spinal column technology (cert.)
- Medical masseur / medical masseuse (BP)
- Specialist in exercise and health promotion (BP) (formerly fitness instructor)
- Activation specialist (HF)
- Occupational Therapy Bachelor (FH)
- Physiotherapy Bachelor (FH)
If you don't like the activities because you had completely different ideas about this profession, it may be a good idea to start again and look at other job profiles. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Would you like to find your vocation first? OurGuide "Finding your own calling"can support you in this.
Target group and skills: Who is the complementary therapist training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The target group for complementary therapist training (certification) depends, among other things, on the method.
Complementary therapy training is generally aimed at the following people:
- People who are interested in the relevant method and would like to acquire knowledge about it
- People who work in a therapeutic or counseling profession and would like further training in a specific method
- Professionals from the healthcare, naturopathic or curative education professions who wish to broaden their knowledge horizons and offer their clients and patients alternative treatment methods
The following qualities are required to work successfully as a complementary therapist:
- Be open to new things and enjoy discovering your own talents and abilities
- Physical and mental resilience
- Time reserves for self-study and learning groups
- Show willingness to integrate into groups and take steps together.
- Ability to run your own business
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! To the next step in the self-test.
- Are you already self-employed and/or do you have broad and in-depth knowledge of a complementary therapy method? Would you like to treat people who have complaints? Then you probably belong to the target group for the following qualifications:
- Industry certificate OdA KT
- Complementary therapist with federal diploma (HFP)
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in this job. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are suited to such a job, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to complementary therapist training:
The admission requirements depend, among other things, on the chosen method in which complementary therapist training is completed.
As a rule, complementary therapy training is open to all interested persons. No specific previous training or professional experience is required.
Some schools require the following points for admission:
- Age of majority
- Apprenticeship qualification with federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or several years of professional experience
- Sufficient knowledge of German
Good to know:
As there are no protected professional designations or titles (regardless of the complementary therapy method chosen), it is important to provide evidence of your own seriousness and professional competence. This is usually done by registering with the ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine) and/or the EMR (Empirical Medicine Register) and/or by becoming a member of an association.
For inclusion in the ASCA and/or EMR register, a minimum number of hours of basic knowledge (conventional medical knowledge / "Medical basics") and specialist training must be demonstrated. This minimum number of hours depends on the chosen complementary therapy method and is set out in the respective ASCA and EMR list of methods.
Input: Why is registration in the ASCA and/or EMR registry important?
Both the ASCA and the EMR are quality labels for activities in complementary medicine. Many health insurance companies are based on the ASCA and EMR. This means that therapists who are registered with the ASCA and/or EMR can often work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. But beware! This is not always the case. More and more health insurance companies are demanding an industry certificate or a federal diploma from the professional organizations (OdA AM, OdA KT, OdA MM, ODA ARTECURA, Swiss Association of Osteopaths FSO-SVO) in order to be able to work with health insurance companies. This will continue to increase in the future.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! You can start your training at the earliest possible date.
- If you are not yet of legal age, please ask the school. You may simply have to have reached the age of majority by the time you complete the course and can therefore start the complementary therapist training course even if you are not yet of age at that time.
- If you do not have the required knowledge of German, then take thePlacement test. Are your German skills not good enough? Then attend a German course.Hereyou will find schools with suitable offers.
- If you do not have a basic vocational qualification with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to catch up on the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance"
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of the complementary therapy method you are interested in, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
- If you are not yet of legal age, please ask the school. You may simply have to have reached the age of majority by the time you complete the course and can therefore already start the complementary therapist training, even if you are not yet of age at that time.
- If you do not have the required knowledge of German, then take thePlacement test. Are your German skills not good enough? Then attend a German course.Hereyou will find schools with suitable offers.
- If you do not have the necessary basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ), then look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to obtain the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have too little or no (relevant) professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If someone in your private or professional environment is already working in the field of the complementary therapy method you are interested in, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter of a complementary therapist training course is based on the respective complementary therapy method.
Furthermore, the learning content is determined independently by the school and can therefore vary.
In general, the following contents are covered:
- Basics of the chosen method or discipline (origin, development, topicality, etc.)
- Anatomy, physiology and diseases
- Principles, concepts, techniques and effects of treatment
- Structure and course of treatment
- Indicators, contraindicators and limits of treatment
The subject matter of some courses also includes the "Medical Basics" (as a prerequisite for admission to the ASCA and/or EMR register).
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
What exactly don't you like? For example, do you only want to gain specialist knowledge in the respective complementary therapy method without the "medical basics"? Take a close look at the various schools offering courses in the respective method; there may be some that only offer specialist training.
You can find a helpful checklist for comparing schools in ourGuide "How to choose the right training provider".
Would you only like to acquire knowledge in the "Medical Basics"? Then take a look atfollowing page. Under the link you will find simple and direct offers from various schools, as well as all information about the course. You can contact the appropriate schools directly via the inquiry form free of charge and without obligation and receive detailed information on the respective course and can ask your questions.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs for a complementary therapist training course leading to a "school certificate" depend, among other things, on the chosen complementary therapy method, the level (introductory, basic or advanced courses) and the duration (from a few days to several months).
In addition, the schools set their own costs, so these can vary from provider to provider.
The cost range (between CHF 800 and CHF 20,000) is therefore too broad to be meaningfully presented here.
Some providers also charge extra for
- Teaching aids
- Training documents etc.
Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out the actual costs.
Question 5:
Are you in a position to pay for the type of course you would like?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort
- Structure:Complementary therapist training is generally designed to be part-time and has a modular structure. This means that each module is taken and completed individually.
- Duration:The duration of courses in the field of complementary therapy varies greatly and depends on the provider and level, among other things. There are introductory and in-depth courses that only last a few days, but there are also basic courses that last several months. Finally, there are also intensive courses, which also have a shorter duration.
- Variants:The schools decide independently when the lessons take place. Some courses offer lessons two days a week and on selected Saturdays. Others only offer lessons one day a week. Still others also offer intensive variants.
- Teaching format:Complementary therapist training takes place in face-to-face classes at many schools. Depending on the situation, theory lessons can be offered in online lessons or hybrid lessons.
- Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the training over more than the specified time.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
Those who have successfully passed all modules of the complementary therapist training course are admitted to the final examination.
As a rule, the final examination consists of two parts: a theoretical and a practical part. In the practical part, a treatment in the corresponding complementary therapy method must be carried out on a client in front of the experts.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive a certificate / diploma from the respective school: "[complementary therapy method] therapist [name of school]" or "diploma [complementary therapy method] therapist [name of school]".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the complementary therapist training course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the complementary therapist training does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Complementary therapist training is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: the complementary therapist training does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in organizational terms?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Training in complementary therapy is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Brilliant, this course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: