Homeopath

Homeopaths aim to treat people’s health problems by using the principle that “like treats like”. They use highly diluted doses of substances that would produce similar symptoms to the disease or illness in a healthy person. Homeopathy is a holistic medicine. Homeopaths believe that it helps the natural ability of the body to heal itself.

Work activities

Homeopathy is a holistic medicine that uses remedies which are highly diluted and succussed (vigorously shaken). It is based on the idea that “like treats like”. This is the belief that a substance which can cause symptoms in larger doses can be used in small amounts to treat similar symptoms. Homeopaths believe that their treatments work by encouraging the body’s natural healing system. They prepare treatments for individuals, according to the patient’s specific set of symptoms. For example, the homeopathic remedy for insomnia (not being able to sleep) might be coffea, a remedy made from coffee, which in larger doses usually keeps a person without the condition awake. Homeopaths can be dealing with a wide range of physical health problems, as well as mental health and emotional difficulties. For example, they see patients who suffer from:

Infections such as tonsillitis.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Arthritis.
Asthma.
Anxiety and depression.
Skin conditions such as eczema.

On the patient’s first visit, the homeopath carries out a lengthy consultation (usually lasting one hour but sometimes longer). As well as exploring the illness that the patient is seeking help for, the homeopath will ask the patient about things such as diet, exercise and lifestyle. This is because the approach is holistic - it is not just about treating the symptoms but instead looks at the “whole person”. Taking everything into account, the homeopath will then decide on the remedy. This will depend on the individual, so 10 patients who suffer from hay fever, for example, are each likely to need a different homeopathic medicine or “remedy”.

Homeopaths use remedies mainly in the form of tablets, and sometimes liquids and powders, supplied by specialist pharmacies. These remedies come from a wide variety of mostly natural substances, including plants, minerals and animals. Homeopaths often advise the patient not to eat certain foods immediately before or after taking the remedy. Some homeopaths also believe that strong substances such as coffee and peppermint might interfere with the way homeopathic remedies work, and they advise the patient not to eat these things while the treatment is ongoing. They must also check to find out if the patient is taking any other medication from their GP, as these might also affect homeopathic treatments. The homeopath gives the patient instructions on how to take the medicine and will sometimes give general advice on healthy living and diet. There will be follow-up appointments with some patients to assess how the treatment is working. Homeopaths usually work in their own private practice and have to deal with financial matters, letter writing, and booking patient appointments.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a homeopath, you’ll need:

To enjoy working with people.
Communication skills, including the ability to ask questions that draw out information, and to give clear instructions and advice.
Patience, sensitivity and tact.
An interest in science, especially human biology and medical sciences. You’ll study things such as anatomy, physiology and pathology during your training.
Observational skills.
A methodical, scientific approach for making decisions.
To know when to refer patients to their GP.

You’ll usually be self-employed, so you’ll need to be well organised and willing to learn about all aspects of running a small business.

Pay and opportunities

Earnings for homeopaths vary depending on the number of clients they see. Charges vary a lot and can depend on location. Self-employed homeopaths usually charge a rate per session. However, they may earn less when they start out compared with what they end up on later on in their career. Many homeopaths work part time and many have another job.

Self-employed practitioners may choose their hours of work to suit their clients.

Demand for homeopaths is growing. Complementary and alternative therapies such as homeopathy are growing in popularity, leading to an increase in trained practitioners.

Most homeopaths are self-employed practitioners. Homeopaths can work in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Some homeopaths work from home or hire a room at a complementary therapy centre.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Because most homeopaths are self-employed, there are very few advertised vacancies. Established practices might advertise through local newspapers, job boards and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

There is no one set way of becoming a homeopath. Instead, there are professional bodies that register people as being professionally competent homeopaths. Belonging to one of these registers will demonstrate to your patients that you have had recognised training and are competent to practise. The Society of Homeopaths is the largest professional body that registers homeopaths as being professionally competent. The Society publishes a list of courses that it recognises. The academic level of these courses is equivalent to a degree.

People who successfully complete these courses can join the Society’s register straight away. The letters RSHom after your name can help to tell your clients that you are qualified, registered and insured. If you haven’t completed a recognised course, you might still be able to join the register through the Individual Route to registration. This allows your education and/or experience to be taken into account. The Faculty of Homeopathy offers training for qualified doctors of medicine, and various other medical professionals, for example, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists and veterinary surgeons.

You could progress into teaching, research or writing. Some homeopaths train in another type of therapy.

Qualifications

The entry requirements for diploma/licentiate courses vary, depending on the college or school that provides the course. For some courses, there are no set entry requirements. Course providers might give more importance to personal qualities, life experience, past learning, and the ability to complete the course. Some schools and colleges set entry requirements of up to two A-levels and 5 GCSEs (9-4) or equivalent. However, course providers might accept people without these qualifications if they have relevant work experience and suitable personal qualities.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

For many homeopathic training courses, there are no set entry requirements. Course providers who do set entry requirements will often accept candidates without the qualifications they ask for, providing they have relevant skills, personal qualities and life or work experience. You should check the admissions policy of individual course providers.

If you don’t have the qualifications you need to enter a recognised degree course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

You can apply for loans and bursaries from the relevant professional associations.

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