How Can I Become a Certified Holistic Health Counselor?

Research what it takes to become a certified holistic health counselor. Learn about education requirements, job duties, average wages and job outlook to find out if this is the career for you.

What Is a Holistic Health Counselor?

Certified holistic health counselors apply the principles of holistic health to help ill and injured people achieve wellness. Rather than treating a specific disease or body part, practitioners of holistic health employ techniques that are designed to promote overall health, including both physical and psychological wellness. There are several careers in which it is possible to utilize the principles of holistic health. For example, massage therapists use muscle and soft tissue manipulation techniques to promote circulation, reduce stress and alleviate pain. That way, after a treatment, the client feels both physically and mentally better than before. Similarly, chiropractors perform spinal adjustments to help patients overcome musculoskeletal injuries and prevent future illnesses and injuries. They also offer patient's advice on topics such as exercise, nutrition and sleep. A third career possibility is a job as a nutritionist. Nutritionists design meal plans for their clients, based on the idea that food and nutritional supplements can improve overall health. They may also counsel clients on lifestyle issues related to food, such as exercise and the timing of meals.

Read on to see what the education and training requirements are for this job, and check the career outlook in the following chart.

Degree Required	Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in a health-related field may be required
Education Fields of Study	Acupuncture Chiropractics Naturopathy Massage therapy
Certification Required	Available through American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and similar organizations
Key Skills	Compassion, attentiveness, knowledge of holistic health practices
Job Growth (2020-2030)	32% (for massage therapists), 11% (for dietitians and nutritionists), 11% (for chiropractors)*
Average Salary (2020)	$47,350 (for massage therapists), $64,150 (for dietitians and nutritionists), $83,830 (for chiropractors)*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Degree Do I Need to Practice Holistic Health Care?

The level of schooling needed to practice holistic health care depends on what kind of practitioner you'd like to be. For example, you may wish to become a holistic nurse, physician or psychologist--choosing one of these means pursuing the relevant coursework and licenses necessary to each of those career paths. However, you may wish to specialize in a certain aspect of holistic care, such as chiropractics or acupuncture. These options may require significantly less schooling, plus the pursuit of hands-on training and certifications.

Post-secondary schooling options dedicated to holistic care are commonly available at the graduate level and result in a certificate or master's degree. Some schools may offer classes or even minors in this area of study at the undergraduate level, but individuals may wish to major in a related health or science field and then specialize in their advanced studies. A complete list of schools and programs is available on the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) website.

Focusing on a specialty early in your academic career can help you choose the programs that are best suited to your goals. Some options are: integrative nutrition, homeopathy, naturopathy, herbalism, massage therapy, and Eastern medicine.

What Are My Certification Options?

The AADP approves qualified candidates to become Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioners. It requires that you have documentation of holistic education and training, including formal classes as well as any seminars you have taken or work experience you've collected.

Licensed physicians may also become board certified in integrative holistic principles through the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. This requires filling out an application, paying requisite fees and passing an exam.

What Will My Career Look Like?

Holistic health practitioners may work together to offer clients a wide range of treatment options. You can work with colleagues to help clients and patients receive comprehensive care by creating an all-inclusive health plan, or you may choose to start your own private practice and serve clients on a one-on-one basis.

What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?

Another healthcare industry career that you could consider is a job as a physical therapist. They employ a variety of techniques, including stretching and exercise, to support patients who are recovering from injury or managing illnesses that affect their mobility. Physical therapists must complete a doctoral degree program before they can practice. Alternatively, if you would rather pursue a career in counseling, you could consider becoming a substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor. In this job, you would treat patients who are dealing with health issues that have both mental and physical aspects, such as alcohol addiction and eating disorders. The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree.