Do you want to do what I do?

Have you longed to work in the field of holistic nutrition, a practitioner or online entrepreneur?

Today I’m talking about my experience with the Nutritional Therapy Association’s (NTA) program to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, or NTP. I did this program shortly after I started Empowered Sustenance six years ago, and it was foundational to my own healing and my career.

The following video is for you if:

• You want to heal yourself and liberate yourself from reliance on our broken system of Western medicine
• You want to move towards a career in nutrition, but you don’t know the first step to take
• You are a health coach, trainer, physical therapist, bodyworker, or energy worker and you want to additionally support your clients with nutrition

One of the most frequent questions I receive about the NTP program is how it compares to other nutrition programs available. There are three aspects that set NTA apart from any other nutrition program — watch the video to learn more!

What does a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner do? 

1. Identify nutrient deficiencies using clinical assessment, symptoms, and software. You’ll learn the unique nutritional needs for your clients so you don’t have to rely on a one-size-doesn’t-fit-all diet or supplement protocol.
2. Use the hands-on Functional Evaluation to let your client’s body speak to them, and you. You’ll introduce your clients to the healing intelligence of their body. When a practitioner facilitated this for me, my life changed. I knew my body was speaking to me, and held the answers for my healing. 
3. Prioritize and identify dysfunction with the Nutri-Q Platform. This unique software allows clients fill out a thorough but straightforward health questionnaire. Then, the platform generates information about the client’s nutrient deficiencies and health dysfunctions. This platform also provides practitioner resources and client handouts. 
4. Perform Lingual-Neuro Testing. In Lingual-Neuro testing, a supplement/nutrient/food is placed on the client’s tongue and then a corresponding organ point is palpated. If the supplement is beneficial, the point in question immediately changes in sensation. It’s a game-changer, and allows you to supplement and dose specifically for your clients without lab testing.
5. Create a tailored supplement protocol for clients. You’ll synthesize information from the health interviews, paperwork, NAQ, Functional Evaluation and Lingual-Neuro Testing to create a customized plan for your clients.

What a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner doesn’t do:

1. Make claims to diagnose/treat/cure disease or replace a primary care physician. NTP’s have clients, not patients. We do not make claims to diagnose, treat or cure.
2. Offer therapeutic touch without licensure. The Functional Evaluation uses palpation to determine dysfunction in the body. It is not a form of therapeutic touch or visceral manipulation.
3. Call themselves a dietician. The legalities around terminology vary from state to state. In some states, it is illegal to give individualized nutrition counseling unless licensed as a dietician. Other states are much more lenient around practicing nutrition counseling. Look at the State Laws at Nutrition Advocacy to learn more.

What do NTPs do after graduation?

Incredible alchemy occurs when you take the NTP training and then combine it with your soul’s calling.

For me, the magic took the form of this blog. I am a writer at heart, and combined my love for writing with my calling to share how I healed myself with nutrition.

You may be familiar with many other NTPs who are using their own unique gifts and passions, combined with their training, to create a healthier world:

• Dianne Sanfillipo and Liz Wolfe, bestselling authors and creators of the Balanced Bites Podcast
• Emily Schromm, entrepreneur and podcaster
• Mickey Trescott and Angie Alt, authors and creators of Autoimmune Wellness
• Julie O’Brien, founder of Firefly Kitchens fermented foods (found in most health food stores)
• Daniele Della Valle, author and motivational speaker

Other NTPs have thriving practices, both in person and virtually-based. Courses and classes — again, online and in person — are another avenue through which NTPs support people in nutrition education and healing.

Is it worth the tuition?

My NTP training was a better investment than my college education.

I’m a college drop-out. I originally left college at 18, due to my autoimmune disease. I healed myself, started a blog, and returned to school. I felt like I “should” finish my degree, even though my heart wasn’t in it. Shortly after, I left with my degree incomplete. It wasn’t my path, and I wanted to devote more time to blogging which I loved.

Without a doubt, the training I received from NTA had been more influential in my career success than my years at college. 

This training does not turn you into an instantly successful blogger. I had to teach myself how to become an online entrepreneur outside of the program. What I got from NTA was a foundational education in nutrition, health, and healing.

What to do next

The NTP courses begin in September, so you meed to register before the end of August. Here are the steps to take:

1. Call an admissions officer at Nutritional Therapy Association to discuss any other you have.
2. Register now for the September 2018 course. To learn about an online-only learning option, enquire about the NTC program. View class locations here.
3. When you register, tell them Lauren sent you! 

Have you considered becoming a nutritional therapy practitioner? Are you interested in a career in nutrition?