tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post2512703540481728901..comments2023-03-19T02:26:58.347-07:00Comments on The Herbalist's Path: There Is NO OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION for "herbalist" in the USAngie Goodloe LMT, Herbalisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17909719885319666896noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-70601082309822544622008-11-16T20:02:00.000-08:002008-11-16T20:02:00.000-08:00Hello,I'm interested in adding herbalism to my mas...Hello,<BR/><BR/>I'm interested in adding herbalism to my massage practice and have begun exploring the options.<BR/><BR/>It looks like a nutritionist or dietician license (in the state of Washington where I am) is the most direct way of becoming certified to give advice about use of herbs (and perhaps minerals also.)<BR/><BR/>From the legal standpoint, setting up a Limited Liability Company and having clients sign waivers looks like two key ways to somewhat protect oneself from lawsuits and damages. However, personally, I believe that the people most likely to sue will ignore any protections, licenses and waivers in place anyway, and can bankrupt a business simply through legal fees - so certification, competence and adherence to scope of practice will only offer partial protection.<BR/><BR/>In my experience avoiding the hard sell - and engaging people who may have some doubts about a particular natural modality to begin with - is a good way to screen out some of the possible problem clients. Not promising too much is part of that. So far, the biggest problems I've had myself (and have seen in offices where I worked) came from people who are emotionally detached - this is just a generalization for sake of this posting - but a clear common denominator.<BR/><BR/>In contrast I have seen a number of patients who were victims of accidents and mistakes - and who would actually have a good reason to sue - who took the incident in stride and with understanding and were open to simple recourses like refunds or extra care.<BR/><BR/>While I am just exploring this, it seems to me that the places where we are most likely vulnerable is in situations where a particular practice is licensed and there is a regulatory agency for the particular service, which can initiate an investigation in response to a complaint - where the client would have to do little beyond writing a letter. An example I heard recently involved a client asking simply why something wasn't covered by insurance and inadvertently triggering an 'investigation' by a state agency which found nothing but still cost the acupuncturist involved, $20,000. Scary to consider, but ultimately I don't really want my choices limited by fear of the worst possible scenario.<BR/><BR/>Personally I am not supportive of exclusivity of licensing and believe there could be developed a general methodology for providing services that allows for both licensed and unlicensed or unregulated practitioners. A good example here is the recent 'life coach' phenomenon - where qualifications varied wildly, there was no state or federal licensing involved and still people managed to do this as a business. <BR/><BR/>What I see evolving in my practice (which relies heavily on intuitive perceptions) is something similar to what I've read about Edgar Cayce - the information I intuitively receive in the course of working with my clients involves bodywork, food, herbs, minerals and vitamins, mental and emotional patterns, events and experiences and feng-shui. What I rely on is an understanding with my clients of what is my scope of practice and what is information they need to follow up on their own or through another professional. Typically I advise my clients to take small (reversible) steps and make note of any progress before following any particular idea that resonates with them.<BR/><BR/>I think this kind of process is something that we in the natural health field should evolve and maybe even eventually formalize. Until then we can always classify ourselves as 'entertainment' ;)excaliburhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08769839540350987063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-67361524845126175302008-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:002008-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:00There is nothing wrong with degrees in any subject...There is nothing wrong with degrees in any subject, there is just not a degree for herbalism in the US that enables you to get a license as an herbalist. Any program that claims this in the US is false advertising. ND's are great! There are 2 places you can receive a ND (Naturopathic Doctor) Here in Portland Oregon- National College of Naturopathic Medicine and Bayster in Washington state. An herbalist is not a Doctor (ND, MD, or DC), they do not treat or diagnose disease. If you want to practice as a Doctor in the US you must first receive your ND, DC or MD, if you do not have this and you are practicing as a doctor, you are open for prosecution period, it does not matter what other "formal" education you have received as an herbalist. There are some other programs out there (other than the official colleges mentioned) that claim to give you a naturopath degree, you can study Naturopathy, but if you do not have the ND after your name you cannot practice as a Doctor- no correspondence school can offer a ND, you must go to one of the 2 colleges listed above. Unless you have passed the board exam by the NABNE get the letters ND after your name you are not recognized by the U.S. Government to practice as a doctor, no matter what professional organization you belong to or what formal education you receive.Herbalists are not Doctors or ND's just want to make this clear- I need to do a post about what herbalism is, there is a lot of misconception out there.Angie Goodloe LMT, Herbalisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17909719885319666896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-82705983671518765832008-04-08T00:11:00.000-07:002008-04-08T00:11:00.000-07:00It's all very well not to believe in degrees (I, m...It's all very well not to believe in degrees (I, myself, come from a trade) but the modern landscape which is peppered with guidelines, lawsuits and liability demands that we do.<BR/><BR/>I am self taught but did marry what I learned with a naturopathy qualification. This enabled me to gain a licence and insurance which protects me in practice. In addition, professional quals allow one to be a bit more discerning about what programs one enrols in. I mean, Herb Mentor is fine but you don't really know what you're getting until you pay your money to sign up... I'm not suggesting they're shonky but a landscape without formal pathways does encourage shonky people to breed and profit.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, lack of formal education leaves you wide open for prosecution and I've watched a few go down that path. It's not fun to watch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-49178560443897392332008-02-20T18:44:00.000-08:002008-02-20T18:44:00.000-08:00In France, where I come from, there's no herbalist...In France, where I come from, there's no herbalist degree (there used to be herbal school but I believe except for 1 or 2, they're all closed).<BR/><BR/>There was once an interview of the owner of one of the most famous herbal shops (herboristerie) in Paris and he admited that he never had a degree. He learned his craft from a teacher.<BR/><BR/>I am self-taught myself and don't believe in degrees. If you wish to learn, you can do it on your own. My passion and love for this craft is what draws me to go further and keep on learning, experimenting...etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-37477514306387069172008-02-16T14:06:00.000-08:002008-02-16T14:06:00.000-08:00Indeed Angie, we get asked this too. BlessingsIndeed Angie, we get asked this too. BlessingsGrowing in the Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04623050224757254873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-91787565806583826692008-02-13T21:04:00.000-08:002008-02-13T21:04:00.000-08:00Hi Angie,Great post and very informative! RachelB...Hi Angie,<BR/><BR/>Great post and very informative! <BR/><BR/>Rachel<BR/>Balance Boostrachelbalanceboosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04489331676950893620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2790417431815963620.post-66073063267844650492008-02-09T07:38:00.000-08:002008-02-09T07:38:00.000-08:00Nice post, Angie! And too true, I get the same ide...Nice post, Angie! And too true, I get the same idea/question all the time as well.Oakmoss Changelinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04859460712415875912noreply@blogger.com