Complementary and alternative medicine is rapidly becoming more popular with a proliferation of therapists providing treatment.

But if you’re trying to find a therapist you can be faced with an overwhelming and perhaps daunting choice, not knowing how to find the right practitioner for your needs or what therapies are available to you.

The Snowdrop organisation was set up to alleviate this problem, seeking to reassure anyone who may have a sceptical view of the complementary health field. The organisation currently covers Devon although is rapidly expanding and its main bias is towards the client.

Snowdrop realises the choice of practitioners – many working part-time from their homes – can be very confusing – and seeks to inform anyone thinking of experiencing complementary healthcare about the different therapies available and how to find and choose a practitioner.

Although the complementary healthcare profession is almost entirely un-chartered, there are many organisations for complementary therapists to join. However, the main focus of these tends to be membership at a price with little concern about practitioner experience, continued professional development and business foundation.

Snowdrop on the other hand supports and protects the integrity of its therapists, in turn ensuring the protection and well-being of their clients.

Members subscribe to high quality standards within which their complementary medicine is delivered, therapists undertake regular training and professional development so clients know the standard of care received will be first-class and also safe. Clients are able to make an informed choice and importantly will not be disappointed when trying a new therapy.

Snowdrop Member Criteria

• Fully qualified in given discipline
• Minimum of three years continued and current practice experience
• Must hold current membership of governing/regulating body
• Signed up to a minimum of 32 hours of Continuous Professional Development in their own field per year
• Completed at least 40 hours of CPD in the last two years
• Fully insured (if not already required by governing body)
• Practice must be main business/source of income
• At least 50 per cent of the practice is clinic based
• Must hold a Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology (or equivalent)
• Agree to be tested randomly and anonymously once a year