POST UPDATED 3/2018
Hi friends,
In 2017, I came forward publicly about sexual abuse and financial exploitation by a lead instructor at The Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA), and then nine other women came forward with similar reports. Speaking with community members and these women, I learned that some NTA employees were previously aware of this instructor’s misconduct years prior, and yet no adequate action was taken to protect women. This instructor was fired after investigation in 2018.
Later, I learned that the administration didn’t reveal a sudden and critical change of leadership, and didn’t disclose a recent investigation into reports of sexual harassment by NTA’s founder. Because it was not shared with the community, other women who may have been impacted did not have the opportunity to participate in this investigation. I wrote an open letter with the intention of making my community aware of these events. I followed up with an open letter to NTA’s founder about my disappointment in his leadership.
Astronomer Carl Sagan said, “What can be destroyed by the truth deserves to be destroyed by the truth.” In my life, truth has dissolved the foundation upon which I’ve built relationships and a business… and I’m grateful for it, because the that opened the doors for healing.
Truth is the only thing that’s going to heal NTA as a community and a business, and allow this company to do even more healing in the world. I believe NTA is capable of this, and capable of profound change.
I left NTA because I didn’t see this company share my commitment to truth, and therefore my commitment to healing.
One of the most loving thing you can do in a relationship with a partner, sibling, friend, child, or business connection is to say, “I love you enough to create a boundary for myself, and thereby provide a consequence for your inappropriate behavior. I will no longer enable your ambivalence/self-harm/addiction/cheating/lying/etc.”
I used to think self-sacrifice and silence was love. Now I know: the truth is always love.
That’s why I’ve shared the truth about, and within, NTA.
In health,
Lauren
Hi Lauren, I also was wondering about the Thrive gift certificate, as I registered and am currently in the NTA program, and used your name as my referral. I contacted them after your previous response that the gift certificate would come from NTA, and their response was the opposite:
Hi Alana,
Our marketing team is keeping track of it, but Empowered Sustenance is the one giving it, so it would come from her. I am not sure when that benefit is going to go out.
Regards,
Shanda Combs, NTP
Customer Service
Nutritional Therapy Association, Inc.
So how do we go about getting that?
Thanks!
Alana
Hi Alana,
Thank you for your patience, I’m getting the gift certificates out as soon as possible.The certificate will be emailed from me to you.
I know you will enjoy the program and learning experience!
Thank you for this thorough post about the NTP program. I have been looking through the website and didn’t find much info. But this is very helpful! I do have more questions but do you suggest just contacting the NTA? Thanks!
Lauren,
I’m looking into taking the NTP program but I’m not sure if I’ll have enough time.
From you’re experience, how long did it take you to complete the course, and how many hours a week did you have to dedicate to the program?
I currently work full time (9-5) Monday-Friday, do you think it’s still possible for me to do the program?
Thanks for your help!
Nicole
Hi Nicole! I can’t remember how many hours, and it depends on the individual. I’m a pretty quick reader and writer, so many of the assignments went relatively quickly for me. But there were many hours a week that I spend learning the audio/video materials. The hands-on practicing of the functional eval is also very important later in the course. Many of my colleagues have juggled a 9 to 5 job while doing the program, but it takes dedication.
Anywhere in the uk offering similar training?
agree!!
Hello Lauren! What are your thoughts on NTP vs FDN(Functional Diagnostic Nutrition)? Are they similar? Are they not? If not would both be beneficial? Any input/insight is appreciated!
Thanks!
Chris
I would LOVE to hear a response to this post. These are the 2 programs I’m most strongly considering. I can see that NTP has the hands on portion, whereas FDN has the access to lab testing. But is there any more depth to the comparison that you can provide, Lauren? Thanks!
Hi Chris and Dan! First, I apologize for missing your original comment. I am not very familiar with the FDN program. Speaking from my own experience, functional blood work has provided great insight in my health, but connecting in an immediate way with the the body’s unique requirements and nutritional needs (what happens during the hands-on functional evaluation) was profound. I would suggest calling NTA to talk to an admissions advisor, to ask them how the programs compare.
There is also a program called Restorative Wellness Solutions which teaches NTPs how to do functional blood work. It’s a great continuing education option after you do the NTP program.
Do they teach anywhere in India or are they planning to, if they aren’t already here? i would love to know coralcrue@gmail.com
Hi Lauren! Great write up! I am currently registering for the Winter ’16 program out of Olympia. I’m really excited to start this new chapter in my life. Once graduate I plan to focus a bit more on sports performance and sports nutrition w/ my clients. Do you know if the Thrive gift certificate is still available for referrals?! Thanks again for all of your insight.
Hi, Im a student of massage. Is there a way to only do the nutrition part and become certified?
Hi Tara. You can enroll in the NTC program, which is the online-only version of the program without the hands-on clinical assessment training: http://nutritionaltherapy.com/ntt-programs/ntc-classes/
I tend not to comment, but after reading through a
few of the responses on this page Want to be a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP).
I actually do have a couple of questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it simply me or does it look like a few of the responses look as if they are written by brain dead folks?
😛 And, if you are posting at other social sites,
I’d like to keep up with anything fresh you have to post.
Could you make a list of every one of all your social pages like your twitter feed,
Facebook page or linkedin profile?
This is absolutely wonderful! I am so happy that this post was shared through NTA’s newsletter and I got the link to your post (and your entire blog) in my email. I look forward to exploring your site to find more insightful information!