Insurance and short courses for IHM

[Angel]

I've posted in a separate thread about my quest to find insurance cover. I hav just qualified in VTCT Level 3 Aromatherapy Massage and have done A & P and H & S as part of the course. I have also undertaken a 1 day course in Hopi Ear Candling, where we used a lot of facial massage tecniques that I had already done for aromatherapy and therefore all Ineeded to learnfrom the day was contra-indications to the treatment and how to carry out the candle treatment safely. I also did a 1 day IHM course, which again entailed the same A & P, H & S, massage techniques and areas of the body that I had covered and practiced in some depth on my VTCT course just a different massage sequence and the client sitting upright.

Why is it then that the FHTwon't insure me for IHM and Embody have said that they will need to look at my IHM qualification in more detail?

I could quite easilyleave IHM offmy list of treatments, but could offer aback, shoulder, neck, upper arm, scalp and facial massage (which is in effect an IHM) as part of my aromatherapy massage options and not have any trouble with insurance at all. I'm puzzled.[sm=sad2.gif]

 

[mollie]

Towergate insure for IHM and hopi, I do both and my IHM was a one day course.

Pauline

 

[hellokitty555]

Thanks, Pauline.

I've checked out Towergate and I know that theyare very helpfulbut I'm opting for IPTI because theyhave a membership scheme much the same as FHT.

I'm just puzzled as to why there is such discrimination about IHM and I wonder how manystudents realise what a minefield the insurance can be once they've qualified on various courses.

I wonder now whether it would have influenced my decision on the type of IHM course I did, even though the FHT's 'approved' course would have meant me enrolling for two college terms for a course where my portfoliowould have consisted of2/3 accredited prior learning of theory done on the aromatherapy course and the other third would have been practical sessions using tecniques that I'd alreadylearned and practisedbefore. Is there a hidden agenda here between the FHT and some of the accreditation boards, I wonder? Is it their way of getting bums on seats oncertain accreditedcourses, even if the students' knowledge and skill level is higher than the entry requirement for that particular course?

Blessings,

Calmer

 

[Doodlebugjim]

IMO Calmer, I think that places such as FHT & IPTI (or other membership-based orgs that run their own courses) want you to take up their own courses, that way they can maximise their profit as you have to pay THEM for the course, and not someone else on top of your membership fee and insurance.

Now I might be wrong in saying this (please tell me if I am as I mean no offence!) but do you not have to show continual professional development (CPD) once you have joined these organisations? And am I right in saying that if you attend some of their conferences/exhibitions/open days/courses these all count towards your CPD points? And am i right in thinking that to go to these events, you have to pay yet more money (admittedly not to all the events but certainly to some)?

If I am right (probably not as i'm having one of those weeks!) then these orgs, although it's great to belong to somewhere are surely just taking advantage of their position by preferring to accept their own courses and charging for you to do your CPD, which is effectively draining more money out of you, but over a period of time so that it is less noticeable?

Now FHT members can get thier insurance through a company called Therapy Insurance Services (TIS) who actually are part of FHT. FHT are far as i'm aware was actually formed by the insurance company to benefit them, as opposed to being formed by therapists for therapists. Surely this would mean that their main business is insurance, with the membership being a nice way of getting people to hand over more money to them through a separate income stream.
(could be wrong again!)

If anyone has any info on this to back-up my suspicions, or to shoot them down please share them with us, as I'd love to know one way or the other, or if anyone has their own opinion on the matter please feel free to share)

I would like to point out that i'm not trying to start an argument here on whether or not they are a legitimate organisation, just want to know where these organisations start from, who starts them and why!

 

[Mimi CMT in OC]

As someone whose main job isnt as a therapist, I went with Towergate because I was able to be insured by them with no fuss, I got an instant quote, they cover everything I do including hopi candling and I have peace of mind should anything ever happen which I hope it doesnt.


Pauline

 

[Carlotta]

I'm a member of IPTI but they don't ask youforCPD. The reason I became a member of an organisation was to show clients that I abide by certain ethics and am recognised professionally because I have not done ITEC courses and also have Reiki. In my other life (the day job!) I am a member of an engineering institution for the same reasons so it followed to do the same in my therapy side.
BTW, engineering and therapies - very yin and yang! Keeps me balanced and happy.

Florence