Mind Body Spirit Journal has an open call for distinct titling for medically trained naturopaths. Interesting article. CAMLAW has some excellent commentary on it, too.
Even if you’re not a naturopath, it should give you some food for thought in your own practice. There will always be more competent and less competent practitioners in every profession, and legislation and titles will shift over time. While I applaud efforts to clarify the health care market for consumers, I’m not a fan of waiting around for things to happen. How do you distinguish yourself in the market without relying on legislative and regulatory bodies that can take years to change?
Here are some ideas for you:
Know Yourself
No practitioner can be all things to all people. Taking the time to understand your own strengths, passions and the focus of your practice will ensure that you do become competent in your field. If you’re a naturopath, what really turns you on? What makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
Find Your Unique Offering
I believe every practitioner has one. What do you have to offer that no one else does? What makes you special? Why do your clients return, time and time again, to see you?
This is different from knowing yourself. This is where understanding yourself meets delivering that passion to your patients. How does your self-knowledge manifest itself in your daily interaction with your clients?
Declare It
It’s one thing to know your strengths. It’s another to tell the world about it. Make sure your marketing efforts describe your special strenghths, training and focus. Don’t try to capture the entire holistic health market – try to expand the size of the market that wants your unique skills.
Building a practice based on your unique offering will allow you to grow a business that is largely independent of titling and legislation.
