What path do you follow if you are interested in becoming a homeopath?
The first step is to ensure that you choose an accredited school. The accrediting body for homeopathy is known as ACHENA (The Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America). As of now, an associate’s degree is required before applying to these schools, but they are likely to require a bachelor’s degree in the future.
Once you apply and are accepted, you begin your journey into the study of homeopathy! A broad range of topics are covered, including the history of homeopathy, related science and philosophy, and psychology. Also required are anatomy and physiology and pathology classes. You will delve into materia medica and learn the finer points of case taking. Depending on how much time you are able to spend on classes, expect to study for approximately three to five years. At that point you are required to attend clinics where you will observe and participate in case taking with a supervisor and other students. When your clinic hours are complete, you will take multiple cases on your own under supervision.
I was lucky enough to obtain my degrees from the British Institute of Homeopathy while they were still given (DIHom and DHM). Now, after the school program is complete, there is no official degree in the US, but the hours you earn are used toward becoming certified, which is the next step.
As of now, certification is not required in order to practice in most states, but I suspect that will change in a relatively short period of time. The body which oversees certification is the CHC (Council for Homeopathic Certification). A certification test is offered through this body, with strict requirements regarding who may take the test. These are as follows:
Minimum 500 hours study of theory and homeopathic foundations
Minimum 500 hours of clinical training and at least 10 supervised cases taken independently
College level anatomy and physiology
College level pathology
Agreement to adhere to the code of professional ethics
Once you apply to take the test and are accepted, you will likely spend several months in preparation. The test itself takes up to 4 hours and is carefully proctored, with no outside material allowed. After passing the test, you have earned the right to put CCH (Certified Classical Homeopath) after your name.
Now you can practice! As you move forward, you are required to recertify yearly by obtaining continuing education credits which must be approved by the CHC.
Materia medica
Chamomilla (cham) is frequently used for children who are having difficulty teething or with frequent tantrums. The patient suddenly and forcefully demands something, only to throw it away immediately and demand something else. A chamomilla child wants to be carried and will not settle unless they are. The pains are intense and the patient feels they cannot bear them, resulting in agitation, moaning, and tossing around. An uncommon symptom seen in this remedy is one cheek is pale and cool while the other is hot and red, or there is heat in the face with the rest of the body remaining cool.
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