How to Train in Bach Flower Therapy

Bach Flower Therapy employs Bach Flower Remedies to treat emotional symptoms that may lead to illness. This type of therapy falls under the category of complementary and alternative medicine. The health care professional who employs flower essence must learn to determine the emotional condition of the individual and find the remedy or remedy combination best suited to return that person to health and emotional balance. Training in flower essence is available both informally and formally.

Instructions

Pursuing Informal Training

1

Read and learn about the Bach Flower Remedies. Read material written by Dr. Edward Bach including: "Heal Thyself; An explanation of the real cause and cure of disease," "The 12 Healers" and the "Bach Remedies Repertory."

Read "Bach Flower Therapy: Theory and Practice" by Mechthild Scheffer, a textbook on Bach Flower Therapy. Chapter topics include: how the remedies work, finding the right remedy, extensive information about each remedy and how to use them in practice.

Read "Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing" by Gurudas. This excellent flower remedy textbook includes the Original Bach Flower Remedies and many other remedies discovered since Dr. Bach's death. The textbook begins with information on the history of flower essences. A step-by-step guide for preparing and using flower essences is included, as well as information on how to combine flower remedies with other healing modalities. Techniques for diagnosing ailments and amplifying the remedies are explained. Twelve cross-reference tables help practitioners compare and contrast a variety of commercial flower remedies.

2

Talk to flower essence practitioners. Ask questions and take advantage of classes or trainings they may offer.

3

Take advantage of Internet resources. There are many Internet sites that provide information on how to use flower remedies. The Holistic Medicine Resource Center has a lengthy list of resources that include training information and resources.

Pursuing Formal Training

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Complete classroom or online classes. Online, correspondence and classroom options are available. Complementary Healthcare in England offers online and distance training for their certification program. Several U.S. schools offer Bach Flower training as a part of their natural health curriculum. Bastyr University, California Institute of the Healing Arts & Sciences and University of Bridgeport College of Natural Medicine are just three schools that include flower remedy training in their curriculum.

5

Take the Bach Center Level One course. Level One is available as a correspondence program. This introductory course will provide the learner with the basic information necessary to employ flower remedies. Level Two and Level Three training must be obtained at the Bach Centre in Mount Vernon, England or taken from an approved trainer.

6

Complete the Flower Essence Society (FES) advance training at their base in Nevada City, CA. Their certification training includes both Bach Flower Remedies and remedies in the FES line. Their four-day training is for practitioners who already have a basic knowledge of flower remedies. Complete the optional plant study assignment, the certification program and the personal review from the heads of FES. Successful completion of the program culminates in a certificate and the opportunity to register as a certified practitioner.

Apprenticeship Training

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Look for an experienced practitioner who might allow you to apprentice. Apprenticeship training can take place on an informal or formal basis. Not all practitioners are open to taking apprentices, so seek out someone who likes to teach and share wisdom.

The preceptor/apprentice relationship is less complicated when both are in the same geographical location and when personalities are compatible. If you plan to certify, choose a preceptor who has worked with the same program. Check with the certifying organization to see if they can provide names of suitable candidates in your area.

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Spell out the specifics of the apprenticeship agreement. Some preceptors will want to be paid for their time. Others will be happy to share their knowledge and expertise freely if the apprentice takes on part of the work load. It is very unusual for an apprenticeship to be paid, so expect some monetary outlay for supplies, travel and incidentals at the very least. Some preceptors may require some experience and basic knowledge prior to the beginning of the apprenticeship.

Some preceptors expect an apprentice to bring in clients who are willing to work with a student under supervision. This may take some time to accomplish, but there are benefits to the student. The student will have the beginnings of a client base at the end of the apprenticeship, and those clients understand from the beginning they are working with a student and that they have the security of knowing an experienced professional is observing and overseeing their case.

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Clarify the time commitment, skills to be covered and how and when you will have access to people to work with. Early in an apprenticeship, you might spend more time watching and learning than interacting with clients. As you have more knowledge and experience with flower remedies, you will have opportunity to work with clients. Ask questions and take notes. You are there to learn.

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Keep accurate paperwork. Take notes as you learn to make and work with the flower remedies. Note which remedies work well together. Keep progress notes on clients. Ask clients for feedback on your work. If you will need to document your apprenticeship experience, do that as you go through the process, not at the end. Know what kind of documentation you will need, and have it ready when you finish your apprenticeship.

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Take every opportunity to learn. Cross-train with other professionals when possible. Not everyone does things the same, and you can learn quite a bit when you observe how practitioners differ. Thank those who are willing to provide you with this opportunity and make the most of it. Then, once you are through, return the favor and teach others if you can. It will help cement your skills, make you consider how and why you do things, and bless a new learner with the wealth of your experience and knowledge.