Professional bodies
Whether you are looking to find a physiotherapist to help you recover from an injury, a chiropractor to help you with some postural issues or an aromatherapist to promote relaxation – we understand that the idea of putting your health and well-being into the hands of another individual can be difficult – especially if you are unsure as to what qualifications and experience the practitioner should possess.
Therapy Directory understands that when searching for an alternative or complementary therapist, it is comforting to know that they are qualified and working to high standards within the industry – which is why we only list practitioners who have either provided us with proof of a relevant qualification and insurance cover, or proof of registration with a professional body.
Registered/accredited therapists
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation. Alternative and complementary therapists who are registered/accredited with their professional body will have the stamp to the left on their profile.
To find out more information about registration/accreditation visit the professional bodies’ websites below. Each will have information on their requirements.
What is a professional body/organisation?
As it stands, the world of complementary and alternative therapy is largely unregulated, with only a few professions currently subject to statutory regulation.
Because there is a lack of legislation in position to regulate and set standards for complementary and alternative therapies, various professional bodies have set themselves up with a view to self-regulating the profession.
Whilst therapy practitioners are under no legal obligation (with the exception of statutorily regulated professions) to register with one of these bodies, being a member means that a therapist has met specific eligibility requirements set by the organisation and will also mean that they are bound by that organisation's code of ethics and complaints procedure.
Knowing that a therapist holds an appropriate qualification, has undergone training in the field and will refer patients who require medical care for treatment with a professional are all reassuring factors for potential clients.
Each professional body will have developed its own unique set of criteria for membership, which in most cases will involve proof of a relevant qualification and evidence of training within the field.
In addition to entry requirements, many professional organisations will also require their members to undertake regular ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD), which simply explained is a way for alternative and complementary therapists to track and document any skills gained or learned in addition to their initial training, so clients can see that they are continuing to develop their skill set.
Most professional bodies will provide a range of different membership categories, with the level of training and experience possessed determining which category the member slots into (e.g. Student Member, Associate Member, Member, Accredited Member).
Holistic therapy professional bodies A-Z
The therapists on our website who belong to a professional body will make this clear on their profile page. For further information about some of the key professional bodies within the complementary and alternative therapy industry, please see the list below.
Whilst we endeavour to keep this information up to date, details about registration are subject to change, so please always visit the professional organisation website for full and current details.
Acupressure
- The Acupuncture Society
- The Association of Physical and Natural Therapies
- The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
Chinese Acupuncture
- The Acupuncture Society
- The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- The British Acupuncture Council
Medical Acupuncture
- Acupuncture Association for Chartered Physiotherapists
- The British Acupuncture Council
- The British Medical Acupuncture Society
Alexander Technique
Aromatherapy
- International Federation of Aromatherapists
- The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
Autogenic Training
Ayurvedic Medicine
- Federation of Holistic Therapists
- The Ayurvedic Practitioners Association
- The British Association of Accredited Ayurvedic Practitioners
Bowen Therapy
Chiropractic Treatment
Craniosacral Therapy
Crystal Therapy
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- The Association for Meridian and Energy Therapies
- Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques (AAMET)
Herbalism
Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Association of Traditional Chinese Medicines
- Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
- The Acupuncture Society
- Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
- The Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners
Western Herbal Medicine
- The College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy
- The Association of Master Herbalists
- The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
- Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners
Homeopathy
- Alliance of Registered Homeopaths
- Faculty of Homeopathy
- The Society of Homeopaths
- The Homeopathic Medical Association
Colonic Hydrotherapy
- Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists
- The Institute of Professional Colon Hydrotherapy
- The International Association and Register of Integrative Colon Therapists and Trainers
- The Global Professional Association for Colon Therapy
Kinesiology
Massage therapy
- Association of Biodynamic Massage Therapists
- International Association of Infant Massage
- Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage
- Massage Training Institute
- National Association of Massage and Manipulative Therapists
- Sports Massage Association
Naturopathy
- Association of Naturopathic Practitioners
- General Council and Register of Naturopaths
- General Naturopathic Council
Osteopathy
Physiotherapy
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Acupuncture Association for Chartered Physiotherapists
- Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice
Pilates
Reflexology
- Association of Reflexologists
- International Federation of Reflexologists
- The British Reflexology Association
- Professional Reflexology
Reiki
Shiatsu
Sports therapy
- The Society of Sports Therapists
- The British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers
- The Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage
Yoga therapy
Multidisciplinary bodies
A multidisciplinary body is a professional body that regulates more than one therapy profession.
- Association of Physical and Natural Therapists
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
- Federation of Holistic Therapists
- The Guild of Holistic Therapists
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Register of Exercise Professionals
For more information about the various multidisciplinary bodies for complementary and alternative therapists, visit our separate page on multidisciplinary bodies.
This list of professional organisations is not exhaustive, and more can be found on our Useful Resources page.
Here at Therapy Directory, we recognise the value of being a member of a professional body, and for those of you who are wary about visiting a therapist, we would suggest choosing a therapist on our site who is a member of a professional body. This way you know they are part of an organisation that offers a code of ethics and a complaints procedure.