It’s almost every day that we get calls from Florida, Utah, Wisconsin and even overseas, asking us how to find a qualified craniosacral therapist near where they live. They love the descriptions, testimonials, blog posts and information on our site, but can’t travel to where we are in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Although we have had clients that drive hours to see us specifically, we know that’s not realistic for every client (especially if you are on another continent!). So how can you find a craniosacral therapist near you who is trained, professional and experienced? Read on for more information on how to find someone.
Finding a Trained Craniosacral Therapist Near Where You Live
Here are some tips on finding a qualified craniosacral therapy provider no matter where you are in the world.
Look for specialization. Although many chiropractors, massage therapists or other body work practitioners will advertise offering craniosacral therapy as part of their work, we highly recommend someone who specializes specifically in craniosacral therapy.
While someone who offers multiple modalities can be helpful and qualified, finding someone who specializes in craniosacral therapy probably means they have spent more time and gotten more training in this specific form of gentle bodywork. Taking a one-weekend course in craniosacral therapy and incorporating it into your practice isn’t the same as spending several years obtaining the training and hours you need to specialize in craniosacral therapy. We highly recommend someone who has done the latter.
Look at their training background. There are many schools and training facilities that offer craniosacral therapy, but one of the most highly-respected is the Upledger Institute. Based on the work of John Upledger, who pioneered and developed craniosacral therapy and studied its impact as a professor at Michigan State University, the Upledger Institute offers some of the most advanced and serious training for craniosacral therapists.
Upledger offers many levels of certification and comprehensive courses that require learning in anatomy and physiology, indications and contraindications, pathology, evaluation and techniques, requiring numerous hands-on hours for a therapist to complete their certification. UI also offers advanced classes in specific conditions or techniques, meaning therapists are always growing and expanding their skills.
You can find an Upledger trained craniosacral therapist by searching on the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners Website, iahp.org. There you can search for a craniosacral therapist by name or location. Each profile lists the certifications and classes that the therapist has completed, ensuring you see someone who is experienced and qualified.
If you’re looking for a craniosacral therapist that specializes in a certain condition or age group, this is a great way of finding out if they have been trained in that area. For example, if you’re looking for a craniosacral therapist for a baby or a young child, it’s important that the therapist you seek out has been specifically trained and has experience working with that age group. For more about finding a craniosacral therapist for a baby or young child, see our helpful blog post How to Find a Craniosacral Therapist for a Baby or Young Child.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A qualified craniosacral therapist won’t be intimidated by your questions as a client. Feel free to ask questions about their experience, training and qualifications. In addition, some other good questions to ask are:
How often do you see someone with this type of condition?
What kind of outcomes have you seen with your clients for this condition?
What kind of treatment plan do you anticipate?
What kind of experience do you have working with infants/children/teens/adults?
Many of us have been trained not to ask questions of health care providers, but as an informed patient, you have the right to ask questions and feel comfortable about your care. It’s okay to ask questions and follow up questions if more thoughts arise during your provider's answer.
Finding the right care provider for any situation can be challenging, but we hope this blog post has given you some insight into what to look for and what questions to ask. We hope you can experience the incredible healing power of craniosacral therapy for yourself and your loved ones.
Comments