I had a meeting this morning with another therapist who actually owns his own clinic and rents out rooms to differing complimentary therapists. After only 18 months, he has three complaints........................

i] the GPs are loathe to promote preferring to retain control over the patients by handing out scripts for antidepressants/anxiolytics

ii] that clients would rather spend money on doing their nails than deal with the problematic issue[s] causing the emotional conflict

iii] the therapists had high expectations that he would bring in the customers without any input from themselves.

So, what are we as therapists doing? It is not about joining expensive networking groups. And it is not about joining expensive groups where you are given a plaque to hang on the wall for the year that you are a member.
And it is not about one therapeutic model being one better than the other!

What it should be about is all of us being united somehow being big and strong enough that helps make the govt change and allow the clients [not patients] to have the choice they insist in their various white papers should have access too. Right now, the drug companies, the GPs, and the govt agencies have far too much power and the patients have little or no choice and it is certainly not holistic.

Any comments? Any ideas?
Thank you,
Lavinia

Last edited: 4-09-2008 09:47:15 PM

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Hi Lavinia

Thank you so much for writing this!! I just logged on for a quick look before bed, I'm so glad I did!

I feel exactly the same about this as you, and have been really down today, after attending a brilliant course, learning techniques which could help many people. Then realising I can't reach these people, because they have no knowledge of, or faith in any therapeutic model not handed out by doctors - agh!!!
I don't want to knock the NHS, it's great when your leg breaks. But, we've handed the power over our own health to people who, often, have other agendas besides helping us to heal. Power, greed, control etc. Not to mention the many well-meaning 'rescue' addicts. It makes me seethe with frustration!

We need a united front of all comp/alt therapists, of whatever persuasion. It's time to stop arguing over what works, what doesn't, who is qualified enough, who isn't. If we all supported each other, the dangerous chumps would have nowhere to hide anyway.

I'm really glad you've raised this issue, I feel better just knowing I'm not alone.

Keep shining
Anna x

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Thank you, Anna, until this meeting today I assumed it was because I was dealing with Mental Health openly!!!!!!!!! But, it was great to realise it was not me but us dealing with holistic health where other "health professionals" use this service as LIP SERVICE!!!! [How much money do they pay for these White papers anyway?]

Lavinia

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I feel this is a reflection of society as a whole, not merely mainstream medicine/pharmacology. The latter is a reflection of the world within which they have been trained and operate within. Stop 100 people at random and ask them who they would go to for their healthcare. I'll bet only a minority use holistic/complimentary sources - an increasing one, mind you.

I spoke with a doctor recently who said that he had recently come to the conclusion that wellbeing was not just about medicine/pharmacology, and that it should be more holistic. Obvious to us, but a fascinating insight into how GPs view the world of healthcare.

We can all contribute to the shift towards holistic healthcare and wellbeing on all levels, but should also be discerning enough to realise that as we operate within society, not all holistic practitioners walk the talk. They too are part of the world we live in.

Last edited: 6-09-2008 12:09:44 PM

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Lavinia wrote: What it should be about is all of us being united somehow being big and strong enough that helps make the govt change and allow the clients [not patients] to have the choice they insist in their various white papers should have access too. Right now, the drug companies, the GPs, and the govt agencies have far too much power and the patients have little or no choice and it is certainly not holistic.
Unfortunately, Lavini, this is the way of the world at present (google David Icke), so perhaps the best way to go about your work as a Natural Therapist is to 'think globally, act locally'. I see what is happening in NZ and around the world, and I am so frustrated and angry, however, I use my practice to help people understand about health. It is only a small number in the scheme of things, however, if we all do this, I believe we can cause a ground swell. I do not see the point of trying to fight big chem, big pharma, big petro on a large scale, the have the media under control and too much money to advertise their poison. I do see that I can make a difference in a persons life who comes into my clinic. I can explain, one on one, how the whole system works, show them evidence etc. and hopefully lead them to health. I believe if every natural therapist worked this way we would achieve a whole lot more than joining associations, or shouting from the rooftops.

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I totally agree, Jon. It's a much-quoted saying, but here goes - "Be the change you wish to see in the World."

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Thank you, Chris. This is what we talked about where many practitioners insist their style of therapy is better when actually we should all be singing the same song of holistic therapy.

Regards,
Lavinia

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