Nutritional therapist

Nutritional therapists provide personalised nutrition, dietary and lifestyle recommendations to support and enhance an individual's health and wellbeing

As a nutritional therapist, you'll work with the understanding that nutritional and biochemical imbalances in the body can contribute to ill health. Taking a holistic approach to each client, you'll develop a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan aimed at supporting their overall wellbeing.

This may include recommendations to restore nutritional balance, such as avoiding certain toxins and allergens, supporting detoxification and using supplementary nutrients like high-dose vitamins.

Nutritional therapy is classed as a complementary medicine. It is suitable for individuals seeking to improve their general health and lifestyle through diet and nutrition, as well as those with chronic health conditions who may choose to work with a nutritional therapist alongside other qualified healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities

As a nutritional therapist, you'll need to:

• conduct initial one-to-one consultations with clients to assess their health and obtain a detailed case history
• recommend and interpret functional laboratory tests to identify any nutritional or hormonal imbalances or problems with food allergies and intolerances, gut health, skin conditions or autoimmunity, for example
• explain the physiological impact of nutritional deficiencies and biochemical imbalances, and answer any client questions in a clear, supportive manner
• create and agree on a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan with clients, which may include include dietary guidance, a nutritional-supplement plan and lifestyle adjustments
• conduct follow-up consultations to monitor progress, reassess goals and modify plans where necessary
• help clients to understand the link between nutrition, lifestyle and health so they can make informed decisions
• refer clients to other health practitioners when symptoms or conditions fall outside the scope of nutritional therapy
• keep accurate, confidential and comprehensive client records in line with data protection laws and other professional standards
• raise awareness of nutritional therapy by providing talks, workshops or resources to community groups and charities
• carry out administrative tasks related to running a business if you're self-employed.

Salary

Most nutritional therapists are self-employed so your income will depend on factors such as the fees you charge per session, the number of clients you see, your working hours, and your running costs and business overheads.

• You're likely to charge between £100 and £250 for initial consultations, depending on your experience, location, the length of the session and the complexity of the case.
• Follow-up consultations usually cost between £60 and £150.
• Many practitioners offer package deals or specialised programmes with varying prices. Fees charged vary depending on the type and number of sessions in the package. Supplements and testing costs are not usually included in the fees you charge, and clients will have to pay extra for these.

Fees can vary depending on a range of factors, including the length of the consultation (with initial consultations typically lasting longer), the complexity of the case, your qualifications and experience, and your location. Practitioners based in London and the South East often charge higher rates due to demand levels and higher living costs.

Income can be variable, especially when starting out. Initial earnings may be low due to the costs of setting up a practice and building a client base. It may take several years to establish a strong client base, and you may experience peaks and troughs in demand.

Diversifying the services you provide, by offering group workshops, online consultations or specialised programmes, for example, can provide additional income streams.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Being self-employed means you can set your own working hours to a certain extent, although you may have to be flexible to suit your clients' needs. For example, you may choose to work some evenings or weekends.

Initial consultations will usually take 60 to 90 minutes, to properly assess the client's current health, medical and family history, diet, lifestyle and use of any medication and supplements. Follow-up consultations typically last between 30 and 60 minutes and often take place between four and six weeks later, depending on the case.

What to expect

• You may need an additional job in the early stages of setting up a practice until your client base becomes large enough to sustain a regular income. The time taken to build up a practice varies as you'll need to assess the local market and raise awareness of your services.
• Some nutritional therapists will take on additional roles in related areas such as teaching, journalism, corporate wellness or organising retreats, for example. This can increase your income and provide variety to your work.
• You'll work primarily with clients in a private practice. You could either work within a team of health practitioners in a practice or work on your own, renting a room.
• Opportunities are available in most areas of the UK. It's possible to set up a practice virtually anywhere. Some practitioners provide online nutritional therapy sessions.
• You're not likely to spend much time travelling or staying away overnight, although you may travel locally, for example if you're working from several locations. You may set up a practice to complement another service such as a health food outlet, or alongside other holistic therapists in a healing centre.

Qualifications

Nutritional therapy is not currently regulated by law and there are no specific entry requirements to become a nutritional therapist.

However, it's recommended that you register with an organisation such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which is the UK-wide voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners. They provide a register of UK complementary healthcare practitioners, including nutritional therapists, and are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. Being registered shows you maintain high standards of practice and helps build trust with your clients.

To register with the CNHC as a nutritional therapist, you must complete a programme of training that meets the Nutritional Therapy National Occupational Standards and the CNHC Nutritional Therapy Core Curriculum. Courses are accredited by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC).

The minimum level of qualification needed to register is a BSc (Hons). Training is available at undergraduate degree, postgraduate diploma and Masters level. Courses that are delivered entirely by distance learning do not meet CNHC requirements. Course content varies, with some placing a different emphasis on dietary, naturopathic or biochemical aspects.

See the NTEC website for a list of accredited training courses.

When choosing a course, do your research and check what training providers are offering, what accreditation they have, how long they've been established, how much clinical practice is available, and what experience and qualifications the teaching staff hold.

If you have not completed an accredited course, it may still be possible to register with the CNHC if you have achieved at least three years' relevant experience at the level of the Nutritional Therapy National Occupational Standards.

Once you have completed an accredited course at degree level or higher, are fully insured and registered with the CNHC, you can apply for practising membership of the British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy (BANT).

CNHC registrants may also be able to join other relevant professional bodies, including the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP) and Naturopathic Nutrition Association (NNA).

Skills

You'll need to have:

• strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of clients
• active listening skills and the ability to empathise without becoming emotionally involved
• a confident, compassionate and professional approach to your work
• effective time management and organisational skills
• problem-solving and analytical skills
• a logical and methodical approach to your work for planning and assessment
• report-writing skills
• self-motivation and the ability to work independently while continuously developing your knowledge and skills
• business skills such as administration, marketing and finance.

You may enter nutritional therapy as a second or third career. Life experience and strong interpersonal skills can be particularly valuable, as the ability to empathise and build trust is central to a therapist's success.

Work experience

It's a good idea to attend course open days and speak with current students to help inform your decision about starting a career in nutritional therapy. You could also arrange a visit to a practising nutritional therapist to learn more about the role. With permission from both the therapist and the client, it may be possible to observe a client consultation.

Experience of working with people, particularly in a related field such as nutrition, dietetics, food science or technology, nursing, counselling, health coaching or pharmacy, can be especially valuable and help build relevant skills.

Volunteering with health-focused charities, community wellbeing programmes or nutrition education initiatives can also provide useful experience and insight into working with diverse groups.

Student membership of relevant professional bodies, such as BANT, can be useful while you're training. They offer networking opportunities, access to resources and events, and a supportive environment for professional development.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Most nutritional therapists are self-employed. To be successful, you'll need to develop and maintain a strong client base and reputation.

With experience, and depending on your area of interest, you may be able to establish links with local healthcare providers. It may also be possible, if you are registered with the CNHC, to receive referrals from doctors.

Occasional opportunities may arise with the NHS, mental health organisations and the prison service.

There are also opportunities in related areas such as:

• health promotion, healthcare support and healthcare sales
• sport and leisure
• recipe development - as advisers with manufacturers of food or suppliers of supplements and herbal remedies
• teaching, training or lecturing
• the media
• advising healthcare charities or commercial organisations (often on a project or consultancy basis).

As most nutritional therapists are self-employed, jobs aren't generally advertised. It's down to you to publicise your services and to attract new clients through talks and presentations, your website, social media and by word of mouth.

If you've completed an accredited nutritional therapy course, you can join the CNHC Register, which the public can search to find a nutritional therapist. Professional bodies such as BANT, the NNA and ANP also have searchable databases of their members. They also advertise jobs and voluntary opportunities.

Professional development

Registering with the CNHC is important for career development and it demonstrates to the general public and other healthcare providers that you meet and adhere to the national standards of practice in nutritional therapy.

To remain registered with the CNHC, you will need to complete a minimum of 15 hours’ continuing professional development (CPD) each year to ensure that your training and knowledge remains up to date. CPD activities can include:

• attending courses, seminars, workshops and other events
• attending and presenting at conferences
• reading and contributing to journals
• undertaking supervision
• getting involved in research.

Membership of a professional body is also important for professional development. They usually provide free guidance and support on professional practice issues, as well as subsidised events and training for members.

Professional bodies often have their own CPD requirements. A structure for professional development is usually provided, which includes lectures, seminars, events and mentoring, as well as online tools to help record CPD activities.

Networking also plays an important part in developing your practice, and membership of professional bodies can be useful for making contacts and exchanging ideas.

Relevant professional associations include:

• British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
• Naturopathic Nutrition Association (NNA)
• Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP)

You may also decide to train in another area of complementary medicine to enhance your offering to clients.

Career prospects

Opportunities for progression vary depending on your own interests, expertise and willingness to undertake different activities.

In the first few years after qualification, you're likely to concentrate on building up a solid client base and will develop your experience of dealing with a range of clients with varying needs.

As you gain expertise you may choose to specialise in an area of nutritional therapy, such as:

• arthritis
• asthma
• chronic fatigue
• eating disorders
• gynaecological disorders
• hyperactivity
• pre-conception care
• skin conditions
• thyroid rebalancing.

If you are CNHC registered, you may also network with GP practices and midwifery services to take referrals for complementary therapy.

With experience, you may want to consider lecturing in training colleges and universities and possibly on the international conference circuit.

In areas where local authorities actively support innovative approaches to public health, opportunities may exist in partnership with sports development workers or health promotion officers.

There may be the chance to work on a consultancy basis for healthcare charities or commercial organisations. Media-related activities may be available, such as specialist journalism (food writing or radio/television appearances), public relations or marketing.

A few successful therapists will become directors of thriving enterprises, employing other qualified therapists and administration staff.