Naturopathic Doctor Career Guide

With every state and country giving focus on healthcare as a primary concern, a lot of people find having a profession in healthcare as a good step in having a wonderful career. Not only does it pose an academically challenging task, but it also offers a good compensation package that will be able to support you when it comes to financial needs. One profession to consider is the naturopathic doctor. So what exactly is it, and how can one become a doctor in this field?

What is a Naturopathic Doctor?

A naturopathic doctor, in comparison to a normal and ordinary doctor, provides a holistic approach when it comes to healing and medicine. Just like any other doctor, they diagnose and provide remedies to ailments. What made them different, however, is that they offer and use drug-free remedies and procedures in an effort to heal and alleviate the condition of their patients. These remedies include providing herbs, acupuncture and even nutrition counseling as a method of medical procedure and healing.

Naturopathic Doctor Salary

Just like any Medical Doctors, Naturopathic Doctors possess a very promising salary to compensate your services. As a professional with a license, an ND’s annual salary ranges from forty up to as high as $97,000, with an annual bonus that could be as high as $7,000. Depending on the number of years and experience one has as an ND, their salaries may reach as high as $100,000 or more annually. This will also depend on the number of patients he accommodates and attends to and of course, the place; either country or state, where he is practicing as a physician. The location is important, as there are places where physicians are highly regarded and compensations are shooting up to as high as one could imagine.

How to Become a Naturopathic Doctor

In order to pursue a naturopathic doctor career, one must, of course, be able to go to a school and meet the requirements. Just like any medical schools, Naturopathic schools offer a curriculum that involves basic sciences and medicine. However, they focus more on teaching holistic approaches in healing rather than the standard drug- dependent clinical methods. Naturopathic medicine is a post-graduate field; it is also a medical field just like any medicine school, so you must have a baccalaureate degree that will provide you all the basic college education before you get into an naturopathic medical school

Of course, upon completing the course, you will be required to take the licensure exam for Naturopathic Medicine and should you pass, you will be given the title of “Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine” or ND, and will be able to provide healthcare in a natural, drug-free manner. Just like an MD or a Doctor of Medicine, you may focus on any aspect of health, from Obstetrics or Pediatrics to Family Health. At present, there are a lot of countries who are now embracing Naturopathic Medicine as an alternative and chemical free approach in an effort to keep medical procedures as natural and healthy as possible.

It is important to devote oneself in helping other people, especially if you decide to enter the world of healthcare as a career possibility. Becoming a doctor requires a lot of time and effort, which is why you should always remember to give it all your best to ensure that all your hard work will pay off with no regrets and full of satisfaction.

Dental Hygienist Career Guide

A lot of people are curious about the dental hygienist career and what its purpose in the field of dental and medical healthcare is. Often associated with a lot of researchers and dentists, dental hygienists are practically dentists themselves, which focus more on providing protection for their patients against oral diseases, while at the same time making research in an effort to make dental care as easy and accessible as possible.

What is a Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist in general, is a healthcare profession which offers prevention and treatment of oral diseases. They are graduates and diploma holders who passed the board examinations. As a dental hygienist, they perform a number of functions both in support of the dentist and institution at the same time. They also help in oral care assessments and basic dental procedures that make them as versatile as possible.

Dental Hygienist Salary

As a professional and licensed occupation, dental hygienist earns almost as much as a medical doctor would do. On average, a dental hygienist would earn about $66,000 annually. A dental hygienist with a low salary would usually receive about $44,000 a year, while the highest paying professional could potentially earn up to as high as $91,000. Apart from the financial compensation, they are also entitled to benefits, depending on the institution that they are employed at. The amount of their earnings and the benefits they receive could also depend on their geographical location, which means that depending on the state that they are practicing; their annual salary may either be on the upper end or in the lower end of the salary range for a Dental Hygienist.

How to Become a Dental Hygienist

In order to become a dental hygienist, one must attend and complete her studies at a reputable university and gain a diploma. After which, graduates of dental hygiene must take the national board examinations in order for them to become licensed practitioners and be able to apply their learning to real life. Some states also require a local licensure or a state or regional examination to allow dental hygienists to practice their profession in that state, regardless of whether the national board examinations are passed. It is therefore important that you thoroughly consider and know the requirements of the place you intend to work at, in order to peacefully and successfully practice your profession.

Upon acquiring a license, they are now termed as “RDH,” or Registered Dental Hygienist, which will allow them to perform usual tasks, which include screening patients for oral diseases like oral cancer and other gum and teeth diseases, educate patients and become instructors to institutions, perform basic to complex dentistry procedures, and perform researches as a groundbreaking study in the field of Dentistry.

A dental hygienist career is considered one of those careers which grow faster on average than other occupations. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of people now who are in need of dental care. Further, as they also focus in research and development, dental hygienists are needed in discovering new and efficient ways to provide oral healthcare to the patients.

There is a great importance in dental hygienists as they ensure that the latest discoveries in an effort to improve dental and oral care are given emphasis. They also make sure that the people are made aware of the potential oral diseases one may acquire and ways on how to prevent it. It is very important that there is someone who is skilled and adept in healthcare, and people as patients, must listen to them attentively in order to avoid any health dangers and diseases.

Dental Assistant Career Guide

When people hear the word “dentist,” their natural reaction is to cower in fear and tense up. Then again, as it is part of healthcare services, people, no matter how scared they may be of a dentist, opt to go there and have their teeth checked in order to ensure their health. Dentists don’t work alone; they have assistants who assist them in performing their duties and ensure that medical protocol proceeds safely.

What are Dental Assistants?

Dental assistants are generally hired by dentists to assist them in their daily routine tasks. This involves storing medical records, assisting patients, and preparing medical instruments and materials for the procedure. The general goal of a dental assistant is to make sure that the dentist will be able to focus more on the complex procedures as a dentist, and that all the things he will need are already prepared.

Dental Assistant Salary

Annually, a dental assistant earns about $33,000 on average. The lowest percentage of the assistants is found earning $22,000, while the highest are about $46,000. Depending on their employers, assistants may also receive bonuses, paid vacations, and many other health benefits.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

As a dental assistant, one must be meticulous and skillful in data keeping, and must also be patient and alert when it comes to laboratory assistance and patient care. There are schools and training centers which offer dental assisting programs, and it usually takes up to about a year to complete the said curriculum. A year of training entitles the student to a certificate, while some opt to continue their studies and obtain a diploma. A usual dental assistant program normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent with science related courses such as biology or chemistry. One person, upon receiving a certificate is already considered a dental assistant. However, there are some states in which certification alone is not enough. These states often require a licensure examination consisting of a written and a practical examination. Dental assistant career is sometimes starts a part time job, depending on factors such as location and state. Later, when dentists find their assistants efficient and trustworthy they offer a full time job.

In 2008, about 295 thousand people were employed all over United States as dental assistants, the majority of which working in dental offices. A small percent of these people on the other hand are found to be working at government offices and hospitals. As the year progresses, it was speculated that the employment is expected to grow more in proportion to population growth.

There are a lot of opportunities for one to grow and advance in this career. As long as you know what you want to become and you are aware of what you are doing, then rest assured that you will be able to achieve your goals and be successful in whatever career you opt to pursue and excel in. Most importantly, you should give your all in trying to excel in your chosen career, and not just do it out of obligation. In doing so, you will be able to devote yourself better as a career person in that field.

There are also chances of advancement in dental assistants. Some end up becoming office managers or instructors after garnering enough experience. Some also become dental sales representatives, depending on their education. Another promising career is being a dental hygienist, which you may obtain after continuing dental assistant education.

Dental Lab Technician Career Guide

Dentistry is an important career in professional healthcare. The dentists are the one who will be able to tell if you are having any dental or oral ailments and be able to correct them accordingly. As a medical professional, dentists are usually very busy and have a lot of things to do, which is why there are people who are assisting them at all times in order to ensure top performance of duties, such as dental assistants and dental lab technicians.

What is a Dental Lab Technician?

A dental lab technician is someone who works in the laboratory to construct or repair false teeth, tooth prosthetics and other devices or equipment often used by dentists for their patients. They specialize mainly in wax, plastic, porcelain or even metals that could be used in creating tools such as braces and retainers. They are often highly skilled in drilling and carving, as needed in creating dentures or false teeth. In general, a dental lab technician does the laboratory work as needed and instructed by the dentist.

Dental Lab Technician Salary

Annually, a dental lab technician is expected to earn about $34,000 on average. The lower half of these people usually earn not lower than $26,000 a year, while the higher end could earn up to as high as $45,000. Compared to other medical lab technicians, dental lab technicians are also found to be the highest paying one.

How to Become a Dental Lab Technician

In order to pursue a dental lab technician career, one must first have at least a high school diploma. A person who is also skillful in art, metalwork and ceramics may also be useful. Basic science and chemistry is also required to be known by the students. The students often undergo trainings and apprenticeship in order to become a dental lab technician. Trainings often last for about three or four years, depending on the trainee’s capacity to learn. As a dental lab technician, one must be skillful in art and yielding, and must have a good sense of color. Dental lab technicians also benefit from high dexterity, as it is mostly a manual and handcrafting job which must be performed with precision and accuracy.

Often, training centers offer placement programs for their students upon completion of their training and receiving their certificates. A dental lab technician may also apply to dentists’ offices or laboratories. Depending in their training, they may advance in their career by having a specialization in their field, such as denture construction and repair. One may also become a manager or supervisor as well, depending on their skills and years of experience. Some dental lab technicians opt to start their own laboratories instead. For this, a capital is needed in order to finance the equipment and materials for creating the products.

Dental lab technicians, as compared to other lab technician careers such as medical appliance and ophthalmic laboratory technician have the highest number of employment. This is due to the high demand of oral aesthetics among oral care patients. It was said, however, that the employment rate is expected to decrease in the next few years; the said effect is still yet to be seen.

Dental lab technician as a career is available for everyone, even to those who do not wish to pursue college. Despite the low level of educational requirement, it is still seen as a very important job that must be taken seriously in order to support the dentists and promote oral healthcare to the patients. With the dental lab technicians, one can continue their everyday life and improve their oral health the best way possible.

Art Therapist Education Requirements

Art therapists are professionals with a master’s level of education, who work in a variety of settings addressing the psychological health and well-being of individuals. Art therapy is a new stream gathering popularity and it uses the creative route to promote mental health of people belonging to all age groups.

Research studies have shown that art therapy reduces stress and increases confidence in people suffering from various psychosomatic disorders, depression, addictions, developmental problems, neurological illnesses, etc. Art materials and processes are used in a therapeutic setting to relieve mental stress.

The Work of Art Therapists

• Setting up of therapeutic art groups,
• Providing counseling sessions on an individual and group basis,
• Assessment of the mental condition of the patients,
• Treatment planning for patients, and
• Planning and executing rehabilitation/workshop sessions, etc.

Educational Requirements to Be An Art Therapist

To become a professional art therapist one has to undergo required education, specialized and clinical training, and also satisfy continuing education requirements. Qualified art therapists need to complete a undergraduate education and earn a Psychology-related Bachelor’s Degree, then complete a Master’s Degree program in Art Therapy or a related field, like Recreational Therapy.

Most students earn a master’s degree in a span of two or three years. This course should be accredited by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). The association’s educational board approves courses which meet specified standards. The course includes subjects such as techniques of practice in art therapy, cultural and social diversity, ethical and legal issues of art therapy practice, among many others.

On completion of the course, the student has to satisfy other qualifications as well. A documentation of supervised hours and professional references has to be submitted to the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). This will qualify the candidate as Art Therapist Registered (ATR). An ATR is further required to clear the annually conducted Board Certification examination (ATR-BC) to complete the qualification. These examinations are conducted across a number of locations in the United States.

Before the Master’s Degree, the student has to complete preparatory courses at the bachelor’s level with specific requirements that have to be completed no later than a year after entering the program. Some of the programs are:

• A minimum of 18-semester hour credits in studio/visual art.
• A minimum 12- semester hour credits in psychology.

Initial degrees in the fields of social work, counseling, psychology, etc., are immensely helpful for furthering career opportunities. People skills, insight into human behavior, and creativity are additional skills that should be cultivated to have a successful career.

Art therapists have to maintain certification by accumulating continuing education credits. The requirements depend on the certification held by the art therapist. License to pursue practice as professional art therapists varies from state to state. It is a good idea to keep oneself informed of the license requirements of the state that she/he has decided to work in.

Loyola Marymount University in California, Naropa University in Colorado, Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut, Florida State University in Florida are some of the premier universities that offer master’s programs in art therapy and related subjects. The Menninger Foundation and Clinic, on the campus of Baylor University, has a clinical training program for art therapists. A complete list of universities and institutions offering related courses can be obtained from the AATA website.

Qualified art therapists earn anywhere between $35,000 and $50,000 per year. With art therapy being increasingly used in top medical centers across the country, the number of job openings for art therapists are definitely rising.

How Much Does an Art Therapist Make

Art therapy is based on the study of human behavior as well as an individual’s ability to perceive and express his thoughts through the use of non-verbal signs and metaphoric language. There are so many emotions that can be expressed in other forms aside from saying it with words and this is what these professionals are trying to give meaning to. There are times when you see someone as a happy and content person but a therapist can see through the mask and uncover the real problem which he may have expressed through his drawings and sketches.

How Much Does an Art Therapist Make?

Rookies in art therapy usually earn $35,000 or less during their early career but once they reach up to four years of experience, they can even get an income as high as $60,000. True enough, you will be able to gain the advantages of being an art therapist once you become an expert in this field. For professionals who have been engaged in this work for five to nine years, they are expecting an average salary of $40,000. You can even earn more depending on the geographic location of the facility where you work.

Art Therapist Salary Bonuses

As to vacation incentives, you can have the regular two weeks paid vacation aside from the yearly bonuses which your employer will provide. Most employers base their employees’ bonus on performance and if you are the type of therapist who is being sought-after by clients because of your remarkable record, then you can expect to earn a higher incentive than the other therapists.

Advantages and Drawbacks of Being an Art Therapist

The thing about this profession is that there are a lot of vacancies and if you could only give yourself a chance to further your studies in psychology, a lot of good clinics are waiting to hire you and give you the salary that you want. As a therapist, it is very important that you have the dedication and perseverance to unearth whatever hidden problems your clients might be keeping inside so you can provide the remedy to his troubles.

Being an art therapist is a very challenging job because you have to understand what your patient is trying to express beneath his drawings. The drawback when it comes to this particular profession is that most employers are after those who have finished an extensive training in psychology and human behavior. Of course, there are also those medical clinics who are hiring therapists based on their years of experience and other credentials.

Pros and Cons of Being an Art Therapist

Art therapists are people who help others struggling with all sorts of problems through art making and several other ways of creating art. What’s nice about art therapists is the amazing amounts of knowledge they have on healing the hearts of many struggling with disease, pain, asthma, burn, substance abuse patients, among others. Art therapy has always been a nice way for kids and adults of all ages to experience peace within themselves through the beauty of art. Being an art therapist is a wonderful way to earn a living, and they have so many methods that can help patients dealing with all kinds of problems.

The Pros of Being an Art Therapist

One of the advantages to being an art therapist is the fun you can have with your patients. In fact, it is extremely exciting to help others through something they never even thought would help them. The looks on their eyes are definitely wonderful when you see them filled with joy because of the art they created.

The income of an art therapist is also one reason why most people choose this path as their career. In fact, the average income they make when they start is $30,000 a year, but as they become more experienced, they have the potential in making $38,000 to $48,000 per year.

For those therapists who actually become administrators, they earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 per year. If you’d like instant income once you become an art therapist, you can even earn anywhere from $85 to $125 per hour from private sessions. However, you must possess a doctorate degree or a license, along with certification from your state before you can conduct private sessions.

The Cons of Being an Art Therapist

There are not as many cons as other careers, but there is still a few. For example, the materials to buy the art are expensive and you must make sure you have a good amount with you whenever you are teaching or counseling several people. You will also have to deal with a variety of mental illnesses, so it could be pretty creepy at times for you to see little children drawing weird things. So, if you do not feel comfortable with these aspects, then it’s highly recommended that you do not choose this path.

Art therapy has been a way for many psychologists to counsel young children and adults with mental issues. Art therapists have been around for many years and have always needed to help others. If you feel like this is for you, this is definitely the career you should take. However, with the high chances of you talking to mental people, it can be hard to deal with throughout your career. The career pays well and is a wonderful way to help others, so it’s really your decision if this is the career for you.

How to Become an Art Therapist

An art therapist is a professional in the mental health field who uses art to treat the psychological dysfunction of patients. The therapist combines the knowledge of art to help the patients work through trauma, handle stress and realize their potential as human beings. Generally, thoughts are expressed, feelings are brought forward, and arguments are resolved through art rather than through verbal communication. Because this profession needs very close attention, it requires that the art therapist acquire necessary certification and education. However, each country has their own minimum requirements and standards for people wishing to pursue art therapist as their career.

Step 1: Get an Undergraduate and Graduate Degree

First, you need to deeply examine yourself if you have the will and capability to fulfill the job as an art therapist. You need to have a passion for listening to people and helping them through emotional and mental healing. After deciding, the next step you need to take is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Find a reputable college or university and finish all your undergraduate courses. After earning a bachelor’s degree, you should then earn a master’s degree in art therapy. Find an accredited university or college that offers post-graduate programs in art therapy. Complete this degree program and if you wish you can do another post graduate program.

Step 2: Get Certified

After gaining all education requirements, you need to be certified, although not all countries requires certification to legally practice art therapy. Getting certified will however give you the edge in getting a job. You can get certified through the art therapy credentials board. A complete supervised internship is also usually needed for art therapists.

Step 3: Search for Job

The final step before you become an art therapist is to search for jobs. There are two options you can use to search for jobs: through online and by sending your resume and cover letters to medical institutions and psychiatric wings. It is worth noting that, when searching for art therapist job, location matters. Some locations, especially in the cities, have higher competition than in remote towns. It is also more likely that some places will have less opportunities than others, so you will definitely have to broaden your job search area.

With the increase in appreciation of art therapies, there has been an increase in the demand of art therapy in a variety of patient groups. So, as an art therapist you can expect your job description to revolve around helping cancer, post-surgery, HIV positive, burn, asthma and substance abuse patients among others. In hospitals an art therapist can be posted in child life programs, psychiatric department, creative art therapy department or activity therapy department. There are also many art therapists who are situated in mental health counseling facilities, or marriage and family therapy according to their specialty training and experience.

Step 4: Learn Necessary Skills

Some tips on skills needed in this field include: technical and creative skills of the fundamental theories and concepts in fine arts field, knowledge of human behavior, understanding individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, concepts that relate to motivation and the assessment and treatment of behavioral disorders. Some of the personal traits you need include: empathic, patience and extroverted. In conclusion, this field is new and there are a lot of potential opportunities for new discoveries and methods. There is so much to do to become a reputable art therapist. This is just the foundation on how to become an art therapist, so be prepared.

How to Become a Dance Therapist

You might be asking yourself how to become a dance therapist these days and whether it is the right job for you. There are certain factors that you need to know first before choosing this path. Let us start off by knowing what a dance therapist is.

A dance therapist is someone who specializes in movements and uses them to assess and observe a patient as well as provide one with the right form of therapy to help develop communication skills, boost self-esteem and even provide them with more knowledge on human behavior as well. Usually, a dance therapist is seen working in centers for counseling, crisis centers, centers for drug treatment, schools, and facilities for rehabilitation and psychiatry. Dance therapy can be used as a way to relieve stress while at the same bolstering once confidence and ability to express one’s self through correct gestures and movements.

Education, Degree and Training

The first step to take if you want to know how to become a dance therapist is to find out what degree should you get to be considered as a dance therapist. Look for schools that are offering dance therapy programs that are accredited and complete the course. Training on how to become a professional dance therapist is often done on the graduate level. Those who manage to successfully complete the program are eligible to receive the R-DMT credential once they graduate. R-DMT stands for Registered Dance Movement Therapist.

There are some companies or health and wellness centers that require their dance therapist to be BC-DMT certified. BC-DMT stands for Board Certified.

Dance/Movement Therapist which means that you are fully qualified to teach movement and dance therapy after gaining the necessary education as well as experience. When you have BC-DMT on your belt, it also means that you have undergone challenging examinations and that you managed to pass the tests with flying colors.

Experience that would be Beneficial

Part of the steps to take on how to become a dance therapist is to gain enough experience. Where exactly can you get these experiences? Working in a place where you can get to interact with people is a good way to gain more self-confidence in your work. Teaching creative movements and dances to groups of people like families or children can also be beneficial for you.

Learning all there is to know on how to become a dance therapist can help you make a career out of this. Constant training and even attending conferences for dance therapists can be both enlightening and fun at the same time. Take the time to read books and journals on dance therapy to use it in your teachings. This way, it will help you and your patient as well during your therapy sessions.

A dance therapist is a demanding job but at the same time it is quite rewarding. Helping others express themselves using movements can be a big benefit to them especially when it comes to their relationships. If you love to dance and would be willing to share your skills with other people on how to move the right way, then dance therapy is the right path to take for your future.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dance Therapist

Dance therapy has become a wonderful way for people of all ages to find a healthier balance in themselves, along with a feeling of freedom and wholeness. Thousands of people have achieved success and a much healthier life by simply using dance therapy, and many people have thought about becoming a dance therapist. But how long does it take to become a dance therapist? This question has asked much since many have been interested in helping others through dance therapy. However, they realize that the pay is also pretty good, so many people are thinking about getting involved with dance therapy. The truth is that it takes an average person 4-6 years to become a dance therapist, and you must have a bachelor’s degree in performing arts.

How to Become a Dance Therapist

There are actually many steps needed in order to become a dance therapist in the U.S. In fact, some people may end up feeling like they should give up, as the training needed does take some time when you think about it, so you should really consider learning about the steps, so that you know what to expect. You first need to have a performing arts degree from college, along with a minor in psychology. You will then need to go to the American Dance Therapy Association to find the best match in getting graduate work, as a master’s degree is needed in order to become a dance therapist. The final step is to take one last exam at the American Dance Therapy Association and to get certified. They will then guide you on finding treatment facilities and centers where you can possibly work as a dance therapist.

The Pros of Being a Dance Therapist

One of the benefits to being a dance therapist is the chance to actually help others with their lives. It is a psychotherapeutic way to help heal social, physical, and many other forms of conditions. Not to mention the amazing healing you’ll be experiencing in your life as well.

The Downsides to Being a Dance Therapist

It really does vary from people to people, as everybody is different and has different opinions on everything. However, I really do believe that the years of training to become a dance therapist could really put people in a bad state of mind regarding this career. Nonetheless, it takes time to be everything, so if you really want this, then you should be willing to go through the years of training. It is definitely worth the time and investment. The costs to become a dance therapist actually vary, as most colleges charge differently than others in majoring in performing arts and psychology.

Being a dance therapist is definitely a great way to help others and still make a living. For some, they just aren’t willing to stay in the learning process in order to finally teach in facilities and treatment centers. However, despite the time it takes to actually get to be a dance therapist, it is definitely worth the investment.