Why Choose Our Courses?

Why study with the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust?

Choosing the right school for you is an important decision. With many different courses available it can be hard to know which one suits you. Trainings differ in their length, content, methods, experience of teachers, philosophy, standards and facilities …. so, what’s right for you? Here are some considerations that may help to make an informed decision:

Does the course provide solid foundations to practice Craniosacral Therapy in a professional capacity?

Being a competent and safe practitioner is important, so whilst it may be tempting to go for a shorter training would this provide you with the necessary skills and confidence to work in a professional capacity? Our experience is that each of the 48 days of classroom attendance over the two years of our training is required to develop important clinical skills. In earlier days we tried teaching shorter courses, but found that they were not enough!

Does the curriculum cover a broad range of skills?

We offer a comprehensive and well-structured curriculum grounded in the pioneering insights of the founders of this work, including Dr. William Sutherland, Dr. Rollin Becker, Franklyn Sills, Dr. James Jealous and others, as well as integrating developments from the fields of trauma, neuroscience, fascia research, embryology, energy medicine and integrative mind-body practices. Students are taught to work with a range of subtle rhythms that are expressed throughout the body, as well as the stillness that underlies these rhythms. We teach varied treatment skills for working with all areas of the body and the training includes important skills to work safely with emotional or physical trauma, as well as skills to work with babies and children. The result is that our courses provide a wide range of competencies to become effective and safe Craniosacral Therapists.

What principles underpin the training?

Our training follows a ‘biodynamic’ approach, which involves working with the natural forces that organize our form and function. Within each of us there is an unerring intelligence constantly seeking health and optimal balance; something that starts during our embryological development and continues throughout life. The role of the practitioner is to support this natural tendency, so that treatment can be effectively applied according to the needs of each patient. Within this approach the interconnections of body, mind and spirit are deeply acknowledged. We aim to provide a safe and supportive environment in which students can learn and develop both as practitioners and human beings.

Do the teaching methods cater for different learning styles?

Our teaching methods include lots of hands-on practical work, at all times supported by about one teacher for every four students. This allows for plenty of personal supervision and feedback. Furthermore, we use powerpoint presentations, teaching aids such as anatomical models, experiential exercises, movement practices, mindfulness and perceptual meditations, small group explorations, films and comprehensive class notes to support the learning process. Our courses are also creative, interactive and enjoyable.

Who teaches the course and do they have good experience?

We have a fantastic faculty including several leading teachers and our course director Michael Kern is one of the pioneers of Biodynamic Craniosacral practice and teaching. Our teachers have been in clinical practice, studying and running courses for many years, so they embody direct experience of the subjects taught (not just theory). A team of teachers is present throughout each training to support students’ learning process, so participants can learn directly from a number of experienced mentors.

What qualifications does the training provide?

Graduates are eligible to join the International Cranial Association, Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and the Complementary Medical Association, and be entered onto their professional registers of practitioners. Graduates are also awarded the designated letters BCST (Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist), which comes as part of CTET’s membership of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy International and the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings. Furthermore, our qualification is recognised by numerous Craniosacral Therapy practitioner associations around the world.

What kind of clinical training is provided?

Craniosacral Therapy is primarily learned ‘hands-on’. Our unique low-cost Teaching Clinic enables students to gain valuable experience working with patients during the second year of the training. This involves one-to-one supervision by experienced tutors, as well as opportunities to take a leading role in giving treatments during the latter stages of the course. On completion, students will have the necessary skills to work as ‘front-line’ therapists and be confident in setting up their own practices.

What kind of practitioner development is included?

To be successful you not only need to be a competent Craniosacral Therapist, but also have a range of personal abilities including communication skills, motivation, presence, understanding of your own boundaries, etc., as well as business and practice management skills. These topics are all included in our courses.

What are the entry requirements?

The training is open to all, subject to an application process and interview. For those who have little or no prior experience of anatomy and physiology, we offer an experiential, interactive and accredited ‘Living Anatomy’ course that is taught live online. This course is designed to facilitate your own body awareness and understanding, and it meets all the anatomy and physiology requirements for registration as a Craniosacral Therapist in the UK, as well as many other countries. The Living Anatomy course is accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).

How are the training facilities?

Our light and spacious training venue in London provides superb facilities in pleasant surroundings with excellent transport links by road, rail or air. Our venue is well equipped with learning aids and audio-visual facilities. We’re located in a quiet road just a few minutes’ walk from Highbury and Islington station (Victoria line and Mainline). The area is also well served with shops, cafes and restaurants.

What do you get for your money?

The fees at CTET are very competitive. When comparing the cost of courses you should look at the daily teaching rate and any additional costs to get a true comparison. We are also happy to offer flexible payment options that can be individually negotiated.

What kind of continuing professional development opportunities are provided for graduates?

The field of Craniosacral Therapy offers the opportunity for a lifetime of exploration and learning. We provide a wide range of continuing professional development seminars taught by leading international teachers and authors, so that graduates can keep developing their skills. Our graduates also have the opportunity to study for an ‘Advanced Diploma in Biodynamics’ (ADB).

How can prospective students find out more

We provide regular taster introductory weekends and talks so that you can visit our school, meet tutors and experience our teaching methods before deciding whether to apply for the practitioner training. You are also welcome to arrange to speak to one of the senior tutors if you have any questions. To make an appointment, just call Esther Cook on 020-7101 3915 or email info@cranio.co.uk.

Some other factors to help you make the final choice:

• We have been established since 1989 and have extensive experience of providing Craniosacral Therapy trainings.
• Our class sizes are neither too large to lose a sense of personal attention, or too small to be able to experience working with a range of colleagues.
• We find that running our seminars at approximately two-monthly intervals is ideal to help students practice and integrate the skills before learning new subjects. This two-year format also provides minimal disruption to everyday working life.
• If spaces are available, our training is open to people attending the first seminar before deciding whether to continue. After this, we find that it’s a much deeper learning experience to have consistency and continuity within a training group. This promotes stability and safety, an ongoing group learning process, and allows for a greater development of skills. This kind of continuity does not occur in modular trainings where people come and go throughout the whole course.
• Each student is designated with personal tutors throughout the training and ample support is offered between training seminars if any difficulties or questions arise.
• We have trained thousands of graduates, many of whom have developed highly successful practices and are getting great results doing a job that they love. We have also trained many teachers in other schools of Craniosacral Therapy around the world.
• ‘Wisdom in the Body’ by Michael Kern is the first book ever to be published about Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. It is now in its 3rd edition and has been translated into 13 languages. It is used as a core text for many other Craniosacral Therapy trainings.
• We have an on-site library and bookshop where students can purchase books at reduced prices.
• We have an excellent reputation, so please try to talk to some of our students and graduates to see what they think of us.