Thrive Wellness Holistic Education
About Our School
The following information is to help you better understand what to expect when immersing yourself in the holistic certification programs offered through Thrive Wellness and The Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
Just like a university course, outside reading assignments are critical in this learning process. Books will need to be purchased to participate in this program. During class, your instructor will spend a significant amount of time reviewing pertinent information on each topic. You can choose to take notes, or simply listen. The classroom is the place where what you have read and practiced is reviewed and questions are answered. Class is also a forum for ideas and experiences to be shared with one another.
What to Expect
About    Holistic Nutrition   Holistic HealthcareÂ
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About Our Programs
Holistic Nutrition Certification
Course Description
There is a large difference between nutrition taught by mainstream medical institutions and holistic nutrition taught through Thrive Wellness Center. Holistic nutrition requires the practitioner to look at the whole person, all aspects of their health, and how the food they are consuming affects their body and mind. This includes topics such as the importance of organic foods, and non GMO foods, inflammation caused by food allergies and immunoglobulin response to foods, gut health and the microbiome and how that is affected by food,
Learn how nutrition can affect the body on a cellular and systemic level. Learn how vitamins and minerals, amino acids, macronutrients and micronutrients from food affect the digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, and how the foods we eat are an integral part of immune function and the process of detoxification and healing.
By the end of this course you will have a greater understanding of how food affects the entire body and the client’s mental and physical well being. You will understand what foods are best to recommend for certain health challenges and be able to support individuals with coaching on how to adjust their eating habits to support greater health as well as create customized nutrition and juicing plans.
Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology
This level familiarizes the student with each system of the human physiology and introduces the world of medical terminology. This level will help the student understand the client’s description of symptoms and how it relates to the physical body as well as understand a physician’s written diagnosis.
Principles of Nutrition
Learn the nutritional needs of the human body which include macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, enzymes and antioxidants. Learn how nutrition can affect the body on a cellular and systemic level.
Nutrition & Body Chemistry
The student will learn the effect of the twenty-one chemical elements on colon health, how soft tissue is built, the importance of electrolytes and the importance of bone builders and blood builders. Every part of the body is connected through the nervous system and the endocrine system, learn how the foods we eat are an integral part of the healing process.
Carbohydrates & Fats
Meal Planning Guidelines
The student will learn dietary planning for optimal health for both adults and children and nutritional healing protocols for chronic ailments including irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, diabetes, obesity, celiac disease, autoimmune issues, and more.
Clinicals: Working with Clients
Holistic Healthcare Certification
Course Description
Iridology, Japanese Hara Study, Traditional Chinese Medicine Observations of the Skin, Face, Nails, Pulse Analysis and Tongue Observation. Herbal Medicine, Food as Medicine, Homeopathy, Supplements and Essential Oils.
Learn about various health conditions and ailments and how they affect the body and and what natural remedies to use for them.
Through this certification course you will learn to understand the client’s symptoms and how to use holistic methods to support the body in self healing and re-balancing.
After completion of this program and submission of the written exam the student will receive a certificate from the American Naturopathic and Holistic Association. We are an approved Clinical site for First National University. First National University gives experiential learning credit for the classes that Thrive Wellness Center teaches.
Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology
This level familiarizes the student with each system of the human physiology and introduces the world of medical terminology. All Cellular, Tissue, Organ and System functions will be discussed. This level will help the student understand the client’s description of symptoms and understand physician’s diagnosis as well as how various organ systems are connected to strengthen knowledge for selecting wellness protocols for balancing. * Students who have already taken Anatomy and Physiology with a grade of C or better can opt out of level 1 by submitting their transcripts.
Detoxification, Pathology & Holistic Philosophy
This course reviews different types of Detoxification Programs and how to determine the best one for holistic healing, including information on how to create and guide a customized detoxification plan. This course also reviews the philosophy of Holistic healing, how disease manifests in the body and various ways to support the body in alleviating symptoms.
Chinese Medicine: Philosophy & Meridian Theory
This course is co-taught with Dr. Kathy Wang, Thrive’s Acupressure Practitioner. The student will learn the philosophy and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 12 major Meridians, yin and yang philosophy, as well as the organs associated with these meridians. Students will be familiarized with the symptoms associated with various meridian blockages and how to bring the body back into balance using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques.
Chinese Medicine: Tongue & Pulse Analysis
The student will learn how to interpret the appearance of the tongue in relation to various organs and how to feel the pulse to determine the status of the client’s health. These methods are a quick and non-invasive way to see what is going on inside the body and how this relates to current physical symptoms.
Iridology & Japanese Hara Analysis
The student will learn the analysis of the iris and how it relates to the human anatomy. Visible indications of lymphatic stagnancy, acid levels, bowel health issues, inflammation and more can be seen through the muscle tissue of the iris making it an excellent tool to support customized healing regimens for individuals. Hara Analysis is an ancient Japanese technique of palpation of the abdomen used to determine status of energy centers and organ energy.
Aromatherapy & Herbal Medicine
Essential oils are a wonderful non-invasive way to support the body in healing. They are one of the most enjoyable therapeutics to work with due to their mood enhancing effects. The student will learn the history and guidelines for proper use of essential oils and herbal remedies. They will also learn how to blend balanced essential oil and herbal formulas for various symptoms and ailments.
Energy Medicine & Homeopathy
The student will learn about various energy centers in the body and how they relate to overall health. Rooted in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese energy theories this information links emotional trauma to disease and symptoms. In the second portion students will learn the history of Homeopathic medicine and how it can be used to support acute and chronic ailments. Homeopathy is vibrational medicine and is excellent as complimentary care due to the fact it has no drug interactions.
Clinicals: Working with Clients
The student will interview the client, perform observations, make recommendations and test remedies. Each day of clinical practice is 6 hours and cannot be discounted. Class times may change depending on student availability.
Each level includes 7 Contact Hours and 4 Homework Hours. After completion of this program and submission of the written exam the student will receive a certificate from the American Naturopathic and Holistic Association through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine, Washington D.C. The student must complete all levels, turn in all homework, and complete a take home exam to receive certification. Each level is an independent module; therefore, the student may take classes out of sequence except for Level 7-10. CEU Credits Available for Nurses.
FAQs
What You Need to Know
Preparing to be a Practitioner
Because of this, In addition to taking all of the course levels for certification, students taking the HHP certification and HNC Holistic Nutrition Certification are required to schedule an initial wellness exam and Holistic Nutrition appointment with the instructor, as well as a follow-up. This is so you can experience the exams first hand. The appointment must be scheduled before registering for the third course level.
All students planning on pursuing a career as a practitioner and planning to take the board certification exam are required to do this to pass the course.
Homework
The purpose of the homework is to prepare you for the exam at the end of the program. It is also to give you practical application experience with what you learned in class. The homework will consist of a few questions regarding each topic discussed in class as well as one assignment where you will be asked to put what you learned into action with practice clients. Notations from the practical portion of the homework will need to be turned in with the answers to the questions. Homework from the previous level will be collected at the beginning of class and homework from that days lecture will be given out at the end of class. Homework is on average a four to six-hour commitment.
Clinical Practice
This is where it all comes together! This is the practical portion of your educational experience and is where you have a chance to use what you have learned through direct application. All of your homework will have prepared you for each portion of the clinical exam. Each of these courses is a full day. Students and the instructor schedule 3-4 appointments per day and work on completing the client paperwork. The instructor models the first appointment and students then work together on the rest of the exams with the instructor present as an advisor. The HNC Clinical level 6 includes interviewing 5 clients.
Final Exam
The Final exam is a six-page take home exam. It will consist of fourteen written response questions and two sample case studies where you will be required to write a recommendation for each case, including food, herbs, homeopathic, essential oils and lifestyle changes. Students will be given 1 month from date of administration of exam to turn it in. The take home exam will be given to the student once all clinical paper work and homework has been turned in for levels 1-10.
Final Exam for HNC: Consists of 16 questions that cover all topics reviewed in class.
Certification
The student must complete all levels of the course, turn in all homework and complete a take home exam to receive certification. Each level includes 7 Contact Hours and 4 Homework Hours. After completion of this program and submission of the written exam the student will receive a certificate from the American Naturopathic and Holistic Association through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine, Washington D.C.
Board Certification
Once you have completed both the HHP and HNC certifications, you can now become board certified through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine and the National Association of Drugless Practitioners. This is only for serious applicants. The Board Certification exam costs $270.00 and requires that you have completed 25 additional exams on your own time since receiving your HHP certification. These files will be reviewed along with an application expressing your intent as a practitioner. Not all applicants will be approved to sit for the exam. The exam consists of 2 essay questions, 100 multiple-choice questions and a practical where you are observed doing a full exam with a client. It is your responsibility to find your client for the exam. If you do not pass the written exam you can sit for it again for a $75 fee. If you do not pass the clinical portion, you will be required to take more clinical classes for further one on one experience and training at the regular class price of $425.
Post Certification
Here are some suggestions for what you can do after certification:
Option 1:
Use your knowledge for yourself and for family and friends. Continue reading and studying. Re-watch courses that you feel you need more experience with. Build your confidence with your knowledge through experience.
Option 2:
Start seeing clients within a local wellness center or online.
Option 3: Open your own practice or wellness center in your community.
Option 4:
Continue your education to higher levels. These programs are prerequisites for additional education programs through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. You can opt to continue your education to obtain other certifications and/or a masters or doctorate degree through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. Please request information from the instructor if you are interested in pursuing a professional degree.