Holistic Health and Me

A Better Answer – Choosing a Holistic Health Care School

A question came in to Yahoo Answers a while back that was brought to our attention just recently. ‘Jessica’ wrote that she was looking for a holistic health care school to attend and interested in holistic nutrition. An answer posted by ‘Dave’ was chosen as the best one by the Yahoo voters. Unfortunately it is just wrong. Also unfortunately, the question was marked as resolved so no more answers could be posted.  I learned that after I crafted a more supportive answer for her.

Below is the question, Dave’s answer, and then mine.  Let us know what YOU think, and how you would answer Jessica!

I’m looking for some help choosing a school to attend for holistic health care?

Help?? I’m having a hard time deciding which holistic school would be best for me to attend.. I already have my BS degree from U of A in psychology I have all my sciences and chemistry classes completed up until bio chem, I would like to go back to school for something in holistic health care, especially in nutrition. I am moving to san diego and have been researching a few different schools there but always run in to some dead ends. I keep getting all these schools recommended that our online such as clayton college but feel as though they are just interested in making money.. I kind of understand the limitations of these schools in there accreditation’s but am still interested.. I guess I would like to hear some feedback from others who have attended some holistic schools online or in southern california or arizona..such as the natural healing institute in san diego or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in az!! I would like to learn more about holistic nutrition for my self and maybe become a nutrition coach and help others prevent diseases through whole foods and stuff.

-Jessica

Yahoo Answer  (Chosen by Voters):

Nutritionist isn’t a real occupation, any one can call themselves it (and most do) without any training and just rely on silly websites with made up advice. You could become a health dietitian, this at least requires proper study and education, but to be honest if you’ve already got a good degree then looking at nutrition as an occupation seems like a step backwards.

Edit: There’s only one school like that in england for a very good reason, the subject isn’t a real occupation.

-Dave

The Better Answer:

Jessica, your desire to expand the health care-based education you already have into holistic nutrition is an excellent choice and would be a wonderful step forward.  To say it is not a real occupation and belittle your desire to become a successful holistic nutritionist is simply wrong. I would agree that it is not an ‘occupation’, but rather a fantastic career path—one that you could take in many directions. Many holistic nutritionists go into business for themselves and do quite well working with individual clients, or as consultants with health clubs, spas, whole food stores, personal trainers, retirement homes, chiropractic offices, and working and partnering with many other various health-related businesses and individuals.

Healthcare is one of the few industries that has actually grown in employment during the recession.  Also expanding is the trend towards holistic healthcare as a complementary addition to allopathic medicine practices.  Sure, anyone can call themselves nutritionist, a doctor, an architect or a nuclear physicist, but that doesn’t mean they are one!  Getting the right education and certification gives you the knowledge, credibility and tools to move you onto a real career. You are on the right track looking into Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) for your Holistic Nutrition Certification.

From www.swiha.edu: The Holistic Nutrition Specialist program at SWIHA teaches the fundamentals of human nutrition, integrating the physical and psychological aspects of our diets. Learn how profoundly nutrition affects your life and total well being. You will study the therapeutic properties of unrefined nutrients from whole foods, healthy shopping habits, high-quality seasonal recipes and cooking techniques, alternative theories on body detoxification, and weight management strategies. This certificate program will prepare you assist others to determine healthy eating practices.

All of our Nutrition program classes are also available online! Featuring instructional videos, discussion forums, and dedicated instructor guidance, you can take all of these great classes anywhere in the world.

What SWIHA offers sound perfect for you, Jessica, with you moving to San Diego and all of the Nutrition classes offered online. If you wanted to take your Holistic Nutritionist Certification a step further and combine it with even more to offer your clients, online courses for Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy are also offered at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.  For more about all of SWIHA’s online classes, click HERE.

Best of luck!

~Merry L.