The Institute for Optimum Nutrition
We are frequently asked, “What is the difference between a nutritional therapist and a nutritionist?” A nutritional therapist has taken a vocational training where they learn not only the scientific principles of nutrition but also how to help an individual change their diet and lifestyle to achieve optimum health. This is where clinical training is especially important. It runs throughout all three years of the course. You move from one stage to the next as you gain knowledge and confidence until, on graduation, you have the expertise necessary to establish your own clinic.
No illness that can be treated by diet should be treated any other way
Moses Maimonides 12th Century physician and philosopher
Year One focuses on ION’s specific method of analysis. Two full lecture days are devoted to this, with additional seminar work and paper case studies throughout the year. You also experience the consultation process in the training clinic when you serve as a client for a second or third year student. The day after your first year exam, you begin the transition from theory to practice by observing and then discussing a staged consultation. You will also receive coaching on communication skills to prepare you for making the move from ‘paper to people’.
Year Two provides you with a variety of clinical experiences and learning opportunities. The clinical training programme begins during the summer ‘break’ with an intensive two-day clinical skills practical session. The term itself begins with a day’s lecture on Clinical Practice, which is the start of the clinical lecture programme. The development of consultation skills is paramount in this year, so in addition to working on paper cases you make the leap to working with people. This is further achieved by at least four days in the teaching clinic and consultations with a client of your choice, observed by your tutor. Seminar work supports clinical practice by asking you to try various dietary programme's yourself, in order to appreciate and understand the experiences you might be asking some of your clients to undergo. A unique feature of the ION second year is a whole weekend devoted to work with professional simulators specially trained to portray a client in a clinical setting. Working in a small group of six students with a clinical tutor you will each undertake one consultation with an actor adopting the role of a genuine client whose condition and case history you and they have studied. A particular benefit of this comes after the consultation when the simulator will remain ‘in role’ and describe how effective your consultation was. They may also revert to their true personality and provide feedback from that perspective. Students report this event as providing an exciting and invaluable experience.
In Year Three you further develop and fine-tune your clinical skills and communication style with five days in the teaching clinic, observed by your peers and clinical tutor. You will also have a specific consultation observed only by your tutor. In seminars you will discuss the practicalities of working with clients in the professional world of complementary medicine. This will include referring clients to other specialists, knowing when to cease treatment and how to work with and communicate with GP's and other healthcare professionals.
Register interest in our Nutrition Courses
If you are interested in one of our Nutrition Courses and would like to be sent one of our full colour information packs, details of available open days and an application form then simply visit our register interest page and fill out our online form
* General Disclaimer - Information and advice provided by The Institute for Optimum Nutrition is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Anyone suffering from a condition that requires medical attention or who has symptoms that concern them, should consult a qualified medical practitioner. ION and its staff shall not be held responsible for any claims relating to illness or ailments that are deemed to have arisen as a consequence of reading any part, or all of the content provided on this website. The content is provided for general use and may be unsuitable for people suffering from certain conditions, diagnosed or otherwise.
The Institute for Optimum Nutrition is an independent educational charity, registered company number 2724405, registered charity number 1013084.
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