Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) is the highest attainable and voluntary credentials that can be obtained within the profession. As a Complementary & Alternative Medicine Practitioner, it represents a superior level of accreditation in hands-on and holistic modalities, as well as professional commitment that is far above and beyond any entry level, state or municipal licensure. By becoming Board Certified, I have not only expanded my education and work requirements but also dedicated myself to mandatory, lifelong vocational instruction, and to protocols and ethics that are in alignment with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), its governing agency.
To achieve the distinction of Board Certification one must provide proof of 750 hours of required curriculum with 250 hours of professional hands-on work experience, be vetted by a thorough background check and then pass NCBTMB's rigorous testing. Furthermore, every two years I must complete an additional 24 CEs, exclusively from Approved Providers and pass another background investigation, as well as formally agree to uphold the predominate "Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics" set forth by NCBTMB.
Since qualifying I've been driven by my own initiative to diligently uphold NCBTMB's exemplary criteria, by accumulating more than the requisite hours of pertinent tutorials and accredited coursework, as well as attaining over a decade of direct practical experience in some of the most respected and professional therapeutic environments.
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree; Ph.D., for Applied Metaphysics in Holistic Healing from IMHS Institute of Metaphysical Humanistic Science, has permitted me to further my client care capabilities tremendously, by focusing on understanding and enhancing the human condition to secure maximum health and all that it encompasses. The course work transported me to a renewed perspective of wellness potential on the fullest spectrum of uniting mind, body and spirit. Even as a Yale educated individual who also has an academic medical degree and has been an accomplished practitioner of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for more than two decades, it was a life changing learning experience.
To ponder the sciences of Metaphysics such as theoretical mathematics, quantum physics, cosmology, psychic phenomena and then study at great depth, existential human consciousness (the mind), existence within physicality (the body), as well as grasp the reality of unlimited health that we can manifest, when we empower the essence of being (the spirit) ... while learning how to unite these aspects within ourselves, was incredibly enriching. Additionally, as a formidable consequence of my four years of study with IMHS, my commitment to this holistic paragon of Mind, Body and Spirit has continued to expand, by facilitating the school's outstanding proprietary protocols and diverse empowerment techniques that are not available elsewhere.
In receiving this secular medical degree, I have also acquired outstanding practical life skills that are transferrable and have earned the credentials for Certified Holistic Life Coach (CHLC) and Certified Hypnotist (CH). These two therapeutic services have contributed greatly to my prowess and functionality, as they've expanded my ability to render a much deeper level of facilitating wholesomeness and recovery, along with establishing superior consultations and post session support.
The IMHS Metaphysics Institute has served the community of advanced education with excellence since 2010. It is committed to quality and is the predominant, global online University that's accredited by the International Metaphysical Practitioners Association.
My Master of Science Degree; MSOM, in Oriental Medicine from Samra University, has afforded me the distinction of being Certified in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Herbology. With this academic medical degree, comes a considerable level of competency in both the theoretical comprehension and technical dexterity that includes, but is not limited to the Complementary and Alternative Medicine practices of the invasive treatments of Acupuncture, as well as the non-invasive modalities of Digital Acupressure, Energetic Acupressure, Cupping Therapy, Magnetic Therapy, Gua Sha, Shiatsu, Tui Na and Herbal Medicaments such as Moxibustion.
After completing the required four years of full-time class work as mandated in the curriculum and obtained exclusively at Samra University's campus, I furthered my interdisciplinary and comprehensive skills by choosing to also achieve an advanced clinical internship at its clinic, one the oldest Acupuncture clinics in the United States of America. It was there that I cultivated my proficiency in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, focusing attention on those associated with physiotherapies for the mesomorphic body type; otherwise known as the compact and muscular body build, predominately belonging to those who diligently pursue an athletically bound career or an exceedingly active and physically demanding lifestyle.
I received my Official Certification in March of 2005, when the successful completion of all written and practical exit examinations was achieved, and the highest standards of professional behavior had been well met. This criterion was tantamount to obtaining the MSOM degree, from the oldest and most distinguished University of Oriental Medicine in North America. Founded in 1969, Samra University became the first school of Oriental Medicine to receive full institutional approval by the California State Department of Education and be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Schools of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Samra University is known internationally as the preeminent teaching institution with a reputation that has drawn students from around the world.
In keeping with my commitment to all-round excellence, I also opted to take and significantly pass the comprehensive National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). As California does not require any written, oral or practical examination to attain state certification, it was both personally and professionally very important for me to secure this honored benchmark of legitimacy in my chosen field of expertise.
The NCETMB is the exam created to facilitate a "national" test platform for certification, as opposed to just having each individual state's standardization, for their Massage Therapy and Bodywork Practitioners. Used for licensing by the majority of American states, the NCETMB mandates at least 500 hours of didactic Massage training, that required 100 hours of classroom training in Anatomy and Physiology, 200 hours of lab/clinic training in Massage Theory and application, as well as 2 hours of Massage Business and Ethics. The remainder of my requisite course hours were completed in related fields that included Pathology, Patient Care Assessment, Aromatherapy, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Ayurvedic Remedies.
Having fulfilled all requirements set forth by The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) for state certification, I am authorized to professionally conduct myself in the capacity of performing non-invasive, Complementary & Alternative Medicine practices and Holistic Healing bodywork.
The CAMTC is a private nonprofit, public benefit corporation that was created by the California Legislature through the enactment of Senate Bill 731, then re-authorized by Assembly Bill 1147 and again by assembly bill 2194. Its' volunteer Board of Directors is appointed by California cities, counties, law enforcement, massage schools, the Department of Consumer Affairs, professional massage associations and other stakeholders as authorized by law in the California Business and Professions Code.
As a staunch supporter of empowering education, I am proud to have been Certified to serve as a Massage & Bodywork Instructor in California, by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE), approved under California Education Code (CEC) Section 94915.
In this capacity, I was an Academic Program Director and a Departmental Advisor for two significant Massage and Bodywork institutions in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States. I supported and created curriculums, syllabuses, lecture materials, tests, massage sequences for classrooms and work sites, as well as protocols and treatments for community massage clinics. l also contributed to the success of various other vocational institutions and their students, as I taught from an introductory to graduate school level; the applicable comprehension of Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Asian Bodywork, Sports Massage, Geriatric and Pre-Natal Massage, Luxury and Medi Spa Services, Chiropractic Applications, Anatomy and Physiology, Business and Ethics, Pathology Considerations and Career Management.
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) is a national membership association that delivers more than just comprehensive liability, property, general and product insurance coverage. It's tailored to meet the needs of CAM Providers, Massage Therapists and Bodywork Practitioners like me, who also demand other exceptional professional benefits, advocacy, inspiration and multi-faceted support in all aspects of the field.
I particularly appreciate having had a membership for over two decades, because of the advantages of their continuing education (CE) program, that continues to develop annually. It is now home to over 600 relevant video-based courses, yearly live seminars, monthly award-winning magazines and weekly podcasts that explore important issues and challenges that are unique to therapists from all types of disciplines.
Further qualifications include my knowledge and experience that has been gained through attaining the Master of Fine Arts Alumna from Yale University, Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bard College, Certification in Clinical Massage and Reflexology from California Healing Arts College, Certification in Emotional Release for French Release Methodology from The Unicorn Foundation, Certification in The Original Hot Stone Methodology from LaStone Therapy and Ordination as a Body-Mind-Spirit Healing Minister from Universal Life Church.
Visit Dr. Richardson's Official Website at: ReginaRichardson.com
And her Associated Site at: ReginaRichardson.Massagetherapy.com
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