Federation of Holistic Therapists Membership

FHT = The Federation of Holistic Therapists - the largest and leading professional association for complementary, holistic beauty and sports therapists in the UK and Ireland.

What does it mean that I am a member of the FHT?

Choosing an FHT member means you can relax in the knowledge that you are in the hands of a highly qualified therapist, fully insured and practicing to recognised standards, including that all marketing material is legal, decent, honest, truthful and not misleading; that the therapist is undertaking regular Continuing Professional Development; and adhering to a Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.

Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology are all self-regulating industries in the UK. The government does not set any standards, anyone can legally practice them. Various independent bodies exist however regulate these industries and to reassure the public of the standard of practitioners registered with them.

If you see a therapist has letters after their name, it may denote a qualification - or membership of a professional association. You may wish to check with the association that that person is indeed registered with them - I have a direct link to the FHT website on my sidebar where you can check my membership is listed with other members in this area. Some other professional associations which can reassure you about a therapist registered with them are:

• The International Federation for Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA)
• The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA)
• Association of Beauty Therapists (ABT)
• The Association of Reflexologists (AOR)
• The British Reflexology Association (BRA) 
• Complementary Therapists Association (CThA)
• The British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA)
• The Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)