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The health and wellness industry in Australia is booming and is now estimated to be worth $2.5 billion annually. According to the Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT), this increased demand for complimentary healthcare practitioners is providing more opportunities for job-seekers beyond traditional natural and beauty therapy practice.

“Australians are increasingly turning to natural therapies and alternative medicines as they become more health-conscious. Society has become more aware of the options available beyond mainstream medicine that can help improve their quality of life,” said Janet Olliver, ACNT head of college.

Janet Olliver says with over five million Australians visiting complementary healthcare practitioners annually, there has been a corresponding dramatic growth in demand for these services.

“Therapies such as massage, complementary medicine and aromatherapy, are sought after by an increasing number of people every year. With fewer than 6,000 naturopaths Australia-wide, the demand for skilled practitioners will continue to climb in the next few years,” she said.

This growth will also provide expanding career prospects for graduates spanning across the industry, into areas such as business management.

“The broad range of job opportunities within the wider health and wellness industry, in both the public and private sectors, means graduates can often create their own career path. From working as a naturopath or massage therapist in a medical or health centre to running your own health practice as an independent practitioner,” said Janet Olliver.

The industry also allows for a unique work-life balance, suited to people looking for rewarding, yet flexible careers.

“A career in natural therapies tends to attract people that seek to make a positive impact on a person’s life. The work environment offers practitioners more control over their working hours and direction of their career whether it be in sports therapy, manual or natural therapies.”

2008 ACNT Sydney Beauty, Spa and Aromatherapy graduate, Chantha Sok, is building a career in the health and wellness industry after securing a position with major beauty therapy chain, Beauty Grace.

“Funnily enough, it was my first visit to Beauty Grace in as a customer that inspired me to pursue a career in natural therapies,” said Chantha.

“I started as a Junior Therapist with Beauty Grace in 2008 and within six months was promoted to Associate Therapist. I have recently been promoted to Manager of our Bondi Junction ‘David Jones Dermalogica at Beauty Grace’ Branch.”

Chantha says the knowledge and skills gained through studying at ACNT has provided her with a solid foundation to be successful and hopes to open her own business in the future.

“The course was very hands-on and provided students with the opportunity to a get a feel for the industry. The responsibilities in my current role extend beyond natural and beauty therapy treatments. It includes managing and motivating the team, reaching our salon targets, working with the marketing manager and reporting to our operational and general managers.”

ACNT’s courses (including Natural, Manual, and Beauty Therapies and Sport and Fitness) have been developed in consultation with leading academics and industry bodies, such as the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA), Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) and the Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT).

Those interested in a career as a complimentary healthcare practitioner should note that applications for 2010 study are now open for on-campus study at the Sydney and Brisbane campuses and Distance Education (DE).

All Australian students applying for courses can apply for VET FEE-HELP. For more information please call the ACNT on 1300 017 267 or visit the website www.acnt.edu.au.

Short courses in health and wellbeing are available across Australia at DoMore.com.au

Other providers of health and wellbeing courses within Australia include:

• Australian College – Leaders in correspondence education; and

• Cengage Education

Five Necessary Questions Regarding Mental Illness

5 Necessary Questions Relating to Mental Illness

Mental illness is any illness or problem affecting the brain that has a bearing on how an individual thinks, feels, behaves, and or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. A individual having an untreated mental illness often is unable to take care of life’s daily routines and demands.

What Creates Mental Illness?

Although the specific root cause of most mental illnesses can not be known, it is becoming clear through proper research that a great many of the conditions are caused by the variety of innate, natural, internal, and environmental circumstances. One thing is for sure mental illness is simply not a result of personal weakness or maybe a character defect, and recovery from a mental illness isn’t simply reliant on will and self discipline.

Will Mental Illness Be Eliminated?

Sorry to say, the vast majority of mental illnesses are generated by a mix of factors and is not avoidable.

How Common Is Mental Illness?

Mental illnesses are very common. In reality, they’re more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. As per the U.S. Surgeon General, an estimated 23% of American adults, those ages 18 and older or about 44 million men and women and about 20% of American adolescents endure a mental disorder during a given year. Further, about 5 million Americans adults, and more than 5 million children and adolescents suffer the pain of a serious mental condition. Major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are some of the U.S.’s top 10 leading causes of disability.

How Is Mental Illness Treated?

A mental illness, like many long-term disease, requires ongoing treatment. Thankfully, much development continues to be made during the latter decades in treating mental illnesses. Most mental conditions can be effectively treated with one or a combination of the following therapies: Medication, Psychotherapy and Group therapy, Day treatment or partial hospital treatment and specific therapies, like cognitive behavior therapy and behavior modification.

What Is the Outlook for People With Mental Illness?

Many people fully recover from their mental illness or are able to successfully control their symptoms. Although some people become disabled because of a chronic or severe mental illness, many others are able to live full and productive lives. Actually, as many as 8 in 10 people affected by a mental illness can effectively come back to their normal activities considering they receive appropriate treatment.

About This Article

Nashville Psychotherapist: Experience in the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction and relationship issues. Other areas of particular specialty include eating disorders; anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or BED, compulsive overeating, orthorexia, obesity, overweight, weight loss, weight management, chronic dieting, body image, recovery from gastric bypass and gastric band procedures. In the area of addiction, specialties include alcoholism, drug addiction, food addiction and recovery. The primary method of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.

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