Course Details
The path to becoming a practitioner
Year 1
Theory
◦ The Five Elements and Twelve Officials
 ◦ The Natural Laws

◦ Blocks to Treatment
 ◦ Treatment protocols


Practical
◦ Point location 
 ◦ Pulse taking

◦ Physical diagnosis
 ◦ Needling and moxibustion


Diagnostic skills
◦ Colour Sound Odour E
motion
◦ Conducting a Traditional Diagnosis

Rapport skills and reflective practice
◦ The patient / practitioner relationship

â—¦ Self reflection
Home Study
We require students to undertake around 10-15 hours of study at home each week.
The bulk of home study time should be spent on point location practice. Some study time will be spent learning the theory taught in class. Students are required to keep two journals: a seasonal journal, documenting the student's observations of nature as the seasons change. The other is a trigger journal, which helps the student to recognise their triggers and ultimately learn as practitioners not to bring their own 'stuff' into the treatment room. As we train them to perform the Traditional Diagnosis (initial consultation session) they must interact with volunteer patients and write up the dialogue that takes place during these interactions.
Year 2
Clinical Practice
The clinical phase is when students bring all the skills learned in the first part of the course into practice. They will treat patients under full supervision at first, and gradually over these months we step back in supervision as the student grows into a fully competent, confident practitioner. Patients pay a reduced price for treatment. We never allow our students to use the term 'guinea pig' to refer to their patients in the student clinic - there is no test or trial about the treatment. The patient benefits from the input of the experienced supervisor as well as from the focus and enthusiasm of the student who has worked hard to reach this point. We don't expect every student to gain their confidence and independence at the same rate, so while some students may achieve qualification in 6 months, we allow up to 9 months for those who need a little longer.
Year 3
Postgraduate
You are a new practitioner. It's exciting yet often daunting to be alone in clinic with your patients. "Have I made the correct diagnosis?" "Have I chosen the right points?" "Have I located them correctly?" "Did I miss something in the pulses?"
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These are all common questions we ask ourselves as reflective practitioners. It takes time to build confidence and so our unique post graduate year is an important phase in your journey. Graduates bring the triumphs of their new practice as well as the challenges to these sessions, and we continue to advise and support them in their growth. We revise skills learned and teach some new material.
These supervision sessions provide invaluable ongoing support and once the year is complete, practitioners are invited to continue to join them as and when they wish (for a daily fee) for continued mentoring through their career. My aim is to build a supportive community of practitioners of all levels of experience where we all learn from each other.