Complementary health associate professionals

You can do a healthcare play specialism foundation degree, which you'll need to register with the Society of Health Play Specialists.

To get onto the course, you usually need:

• a childcare qualification at level 3 or above
• GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
• at least 2 years' experience of working with children – paid or voluntary

This is a 2-year, day-release course. It combines academic study with work placements.

If you're not already working in a healthcare setting, you'll need to arrange a placement during the course. You will need to complete at least 200 hours of work placements for each year.

You may be able to apply for the Health Play Specialist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, if you have at least 2 years' experience of working with children. You should also be employed in a healthcare setting, for example a hospital or clinic.

You can find vacancies through NHS Jobs.

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it.

You could take a college course like:

• aromatherapy
• complementary therapies

Courses like these may help you to get a trainee position, for example with a professional aromatherapist or business offering spa services.

You could apply to do a Wellbeing and Holistic Therapist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This typically takes up to 2 years and is a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

You could take a training course offered by a private training organisation or professional body, like the International Federation of Aromatherapists.

It's important to check courses carefully to make sure what's being offered is right for you.

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course, then take further training in social and therapeutic horticulture.

Subjects include:

• horticulture
• health and wellbeing
• occupational therapy
• mental health or learning disability nursing

Some universities offer horticulture courses that include modules on social and therapeutic horticulture.

You could take a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job, which may help you when looking for work.

Courses include:

• horticulture
• garden design
• practical horticulture skills

You may be able to work towards this role by doing an apprenticeship before taking further training in therapeutic horticulture.

Apprenticeships include:

• Horticulture Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Horticulture or Landscaping Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

You could do a course recognised by a professional bodies related to hypnotherapy, including:

• National Council for Hypnotherapy
• The National Hypnotherapy Society
• British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
• General Hypnotherapy Standards Council and General Hypnotherapy Register

Courses usually involve practical workshops, self-study and written assignments. You might have an advantage when applying for courses if you have a background in healthcare or counselling.

Some hypnotherapy courses are aimed at qualified psychologists or healthcare professionals. You'll need a relevant degree or professional qualification for these.

You could take a course at college to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need for a trainee position.

Courses include:

• massage
• sports massage therapy
• beauty therapy massage
• complementary therapies

You could apply to a health spa or wellness clinic to do an advanced apprenticeship like:

• Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner Level 3
• Advanced Beauty Therapist Level 3

You'll need to get a qualification that is recognised by one of the professional organisations for naturopathy.

The General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) is a professional body for naturopathy and recommends that courses should last at least 3 years, should involve attendance and not be done by distance learning alone.

You should also check the course content covers all of the competencies you will need to meet voluntary registration as a naturopath and that it includes enough practical work experience.

You could take a foundation degree or diploma in higher education in complementary healthcare.

A course in complementary healthcare can include a number of different therapies, so you would need to check how much of it covers reflexology.

You could do a college course that will give you some of the skills and knowledge required for this role.

Courses include:

• reflexology
• complementary therapies
• holistic health and complimentary therapies
• practitioner reflexology

You may be able to start in this career by doing a Wellbeing and Holistic Therapist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

You could start with an introductory course at a college or community learning centre, then take further training in Reiki healing.

Before you begin a training course, you could get personal experience of Reiki treatments, so that you have an understanding of the practice and the methods used.

You can train with a Reiki master to become a practitioner by going through a series of 'attunements' or initiations.

These are procedures performed by the Reiki master to 'attune' or connect you to energy so you can receive it and pass it on to others.

It can take up to 3 years of training to become a full Reiki master and to teach. You'll be expected to practise Reiki regularly on yourself and others during this time.

Your training should include the Reiki core curriculum, which is needed to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).