Description of this profession

The approved alternative practitioner, naturopath (‘Heilpraktiker’ in German), offers personal treatment using methods such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, TCM, osteopathy or systemic work. He usually works self-employed and thus takes individual care of your health and well-being. 

A holistic understanding of symptoms is characteristic for naturopaths. He takes the time needed to understand your concerns in depth and to choose and support a suitable treatment method. A complex system of body, mind and soul is at work here. The client’s social environment is also taken into account. He can be your personal advisor for your health and well-being or a coach for a client's healing process.

In contrast to trained conventional medical doctors, the naturopath can choose from a wealth of methods that are not even being certified by modern scientific medicine. Correspondingly, the naturopath is not permitted to prescribe medical drugs. 

The naturopaths’ level of knowledge about the essential elements of the human organism and about treatment options has been proved by passing the health department’s “alternative practitioner’s exam”. With the granted permission to practice naturopathy, he can offer and carry out his treatment method. However, the treatment methods are not protected and there is no guarantee for their effectiveness. 

Typical tasks

A. (Familienaufstellung) Visualizing a human-related system: "family constellation" in single setting format (Format Einzelaufstellung)

B. Conducting a homeopathic interview with client

C. Treating with homeopathic remedy

Work environment

Firstly, my workplace is a comfortable, sheltered seating area for two people, with a small round table for constellations or discussions with patients. The second place is my desk including a shelf with material for homeopathic treatment and for the evaluation of patient consultations as well as for research and administrative work. My working hours are different. Patients demand that I give them my full attention, including before and after each appointment. I currently only work part-time as a naturopath.

Clothing / protective gear to wear at work

Comfortable and respectful clothing / No protective gear necessary.

Why people choose this profession

At the end of my studies in literature I was affected by a chronic disease. Something fundamental in the way I lived my life was wrong. But what?

On my quest for a reasonable life purpose I encountered the method of family constellation. The phenomenological approach to the system I am a part of made sense and helped me much. I opened a new chapter, and the purpose of my life shifted from literature to holistic health. After having completed a training in family constellations I acquired the license to be a naturopath.

Literature focuses on people, health sciences do so too. I learned that illness can and should be read as a sign that can be read. As a healer, I strive to read and understand chronic illness (including my own) better and better. Constantly improving I am becoming an expert.

Required degree / certificate

In order to be allowed to work as a naturopath, several conditions must be met.

In Germany you need a permit, which is granted after passing a medical examination by the health department. The written part consists of a test with 60 partly complex questions (multiple choice), with at least 45 correct answers an oral examination follows.

The preparation for the naturopath exam consists of learning the basics of conventional medicine and training to deal optimally with the typical test. Various private schools offer exam preparation courses.

Educational paths to receive the required degree / certificate

Required is a minimum age of 25 years, at least a secondary school leaving certificate, as well as the health, mental and moral suitability for vocational training and practice. In addition, there is an official certificate of good conduct without a criminal record, not older than 3 months.

Knowledge and skills useful for work

Facilitating skill for systemic family constellation, homeopathic knowledge, psychology knowledge, discussion skill, counselling skill

Skill of helping clients to change their perspective in a systemic family constellation is important.

As an extreme example, when people have a fatal disease and are told that they can’t be healed, they get fear and they consciously don’t of course want to die. With the conscious mind, the client might consider having a family constellation with me. The client’s organism, however, follows the unconscious drive to die and join the beloved relatives who have already passed because we all are unconsciously tied to our family systems. A fatal disease can often be the effect of an unconscious attraction to death. To bring this unconscious drive to die to light by having a family constellation and acknowledge the client’s love to the dead relative can cure a patient”s unconscious urge to die. Now, the client’s disease may retreat by following suit with the soul's change of perspective. Therefore, this skill of facilitating a constellation that can change the perspective of a client’s soul is a crucial skill to have as a family constellation facilitator.

I learned this skill from my teachers in two training seminars of family constellations and work on improving it continuously.

Mind-sets useful for work

The art of Zen as guideline for an appropriate mindset

Keeping my mind calm and composed, empathetic with the client, I am able to view the bigger picture and the dimensions of the client’s issue, always with respect for the great powers of life.

I approach client’s issues with a beginner’s mind. This means to stay completely open to the client's concerns, ready for any surprise. 

Should my mind get gripped by an event , I get blind to the issues that want to emerge in a constellation. As a naturopath I open myself to the fates of my clients and their families. This often means to face the aspects of death and its power. I should not think that I know something. Once I think this way, I become blind to what wants to appear. Then, I may begin to facilitate in a dogmatic way and lose contact with the issue. To avoid this, I need to keep my mind calm and composed. 

This is the service I can give: to be a guide and witness of the client’s issue. It is not in my power to change anything, because I am not a part of the client’s system.

Titles of positions on the career paths

Because it is a self employed profession, it is not applicable.

Other professions in cooperation

Pharmacist

Satisfying factors

To balance the trust of my client with my responsibility gives me satisfaction.

Second, in order to help, I need to understand the patient and the situation they are in. Every human being is a complex miracle. But sometimes miracles can even be repulsive to others. Strictly speaking, however, how attractive a person is is a matter of taste. As a therapist, I want and have to face everyone without prejudice. A lot of patience and empathy is often required here in order to be able to recognize and classify hidden injuries in the patient. The work is actually similar to pastoral care. Speaking peacefully, patiently, generously to the client's soul or silently assisting them.

Third, I personally like getting to know and understanding people. It's an adventure. People are a mystery to be understood, their health problems are a mystery to be solved.

Having such an attitude at work and resonating with people makes me satisfied with my job.

Dissatisfying factors

National institutions and organisations show little appreciation and hardly show interest in the establishment of helpful modes of cooperation.

I sometimes feel like an underdog.

Reason/purpose for this profession to exist in society

The purpose of this profession is the practice of medicine (only OTC drugs, nur nicht verschreibungspflichtige Arzneimittel) without being a medical doctor.

The applicant is required to pass a test (HP-Prüfung) at the national health office. With this license, he has the permission to treat people as a freelancer.

The setting as an independent entrepreneur allows the alternative practitioner to give the patient his full attention and to carefully accompany the healing process.

Accordingly, the treatment can take a holistic approach in considering physical, mental, emotional and social aspects.

Type of income

Commissions

Prospect of changes in the future

I fear that the practice of being a naturopath will be more and more limited by healthcare policies that intend to standardise and control the entire field of health care.

(Additional information: This profession of naturopath only exists in Germany in the European Union. The standardisation executed by the EU government might abolish the profession.)

Members' advice

It's a great and demanding job. Much self-reflection is required. Most importantly, passing the exam is just the framework, a license to affect people's health. The actual healing or treatment methods are the heart of the profession. They differ fundamentally from conventional medicine. There are points of contact between the two approaches, e.g. in diagnostic questions, in pharmacology, orthopedics, etc. Task and responsibility as well as differentiation from the other approach should be clear in order to be able to work well.