What Will I Do With My Holistic Health Practitioners Credentials

Several of my readers have asked me what I will do with my GCNM Holistic Health Practitioners credentials. I thought I'd take a minute to answer their question.

When I began the GCNM program in August 2008 (2+ years ago) I had many ideas of how I would practice Holistic Medicine. My main goal was to finish within a year and open up a Holistic Health Consultation Practice. Well, as we all know, very rarely does life goes as we plan it.  This is no longer my goal. Why, you ask?

My life and view of Holistic Medicine has changed dramatically since I began my course. I still have yet to finish. I hope that GCNM will still award my efforts when I do finish even though it has taken me so long. I have three little boys now who take my full attention. And I am still on a personal mission to heal Myself.  I have been chronically ill since 2006. Therefore, my research has become more of a gigantic trial and error type case study, with myself as well as my children being the main participants of the study. I have come a long way, but I feel I probably have a long way to go.

I have learned a very valuable lesson. Not one that I like, but one that I have come to accept.
One of the most frustrating truths about becoming a Holistic Health Practitioner is that 90% of the people whom you want to give suggestions to, to help them help themselves, will never follow through with your recommendations. Our clients have to want the advise. They have to be ready to make the changes, no matter what the suggestions. They have to be ready to trust outside of the box. From my experience it is the people who come to you for help that are ready. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why I enjoy blogging. I can share my knowledge and experience, people can come to me, and they can choose to take it or leave it and my heart is spared the ache of watching those in need go away from the help they need without accepting it. As well as blogging, perhaps I should consider my home and family my current Holistic Health Clinic and Practice? That sounds about right.

And finally, my view of natural medicine has evolved and changed over the years. I have said this before, I personally should have taken the Nutritionist Program. Personally, I have found that at this point I only use herbs on occasion. My main focus has become on lifestyle, diet, and nutritional supplementation. I also have a respect for Western Medicine being used in its place along side Holistic Medicine. Similar to what Dr. Wiel calls Integrated Medicine. As you study with GCNM you will find that they are strongly bias to Alternative Medicine and quite close to Anti-Western Medicine. I do not agree with their philosophy in this regard. It is important to find a good balance and not fall too deeply into the traps of conspiracy theory's and wild or unfounded opinions. Find a balance and strive to maintain it within you practice. Don't rely too heavily on one way of thinking and remember to look at the whole picture of things before making a final conclusion.

So, this is what I am doing with my knowledge and experiences that have stemmed partly from GCNM. Sharing with anyone and everyone who is willing and ready to listen. I pray that I may be an instrument of change and well-being in at least one person's life every day.

Update: Final Stretch With GCNM

I say that I am in the final stretch of my GCNM schooling. This may be the case when it comes to the date. However, I wish I could say I was closer to complete when it comes to the course work. I've completed all of my workbooks and the quizzes. I've completed all of the in person Case Studies. I've read the things that are required. I have listened to the Dr. Weil Seminars twice. And I have posted several Forum Responses. Now that I write it down, it looks like I may be doing better then I feel like I am doing.

Now I'll list those things that I still need to complete. Technically I have about three more months until I need to have everything wrapped up and sent in. I have half of the Anatomy Coloring finished. This is one of the most monotonous and time consuming parts of the course work. It does give a good picture of the anatomy. But I can't promise I'll remember very much of it. I'm in the middle of writing down the answers for the Dr. Weil Seminars. I can't believe I didn't fill in the answers as I listened to it the previous TWO times I listened to them. I have the book report to complete. The Thesis. Case Studies to complete. The Final Exam. And the Herbal Remedy to make. Luckily I have an idea of what I am hoping to make. I plan on writing about the Course Book titled The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford. This has been the most useful book by far that I have from these studies.

So how am feeling about my experience with GCNM (Global College of Natural Medicine)? I think on a scale from 1-10, 1 being "I want my money back!" and 10 being "OUTSTANDING" I give it a 5. I have certainly learned a lot. However, I believe that the course work was only a small foundation for what I have learned. I have done a lot of personal research outside of my coursework as well. So overall I feel prepared to answer questions and give advise. The one section that I feel is sorely lacking in the Holistic Health Practitioner course is more information on exactly HOW to make different Herbal Remedies. They give information. But I think more is required to help us understand the details of it all more clearly.

On a personal note, I realized half way through my studies that I probably would have been happy with the Nutritionist Course rather then the Holistic Health Practitioner course. I find that I am not as likely to use herbs as I am to advise someone to use quality vitamins and Omega 3s. But in the end I'm sure I won't regret the studies.