Fancy a little CPD?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 1:54PM So, every Tuesday I leave my haven that is Teddington to venture out, further towards London in order to teach baby massage at Cupcakemum. I start off in Parsons Green then Wandsworth and finally end up in Putney for the last two classes of the day. The Wandsworth site is a little hit and miss as it's much smaller, which then results in less membership, which then leaves me without a class to teach every couple of months. This leaves me a whopping 3.5 hours to kill in between venues and teaching classes. What to do with that time? Blog...
This latest post really should have been written/posted quite some time ago but due to a hectic diary and suddenly busy weekends (certainly not complaining!) I seem to have stumbled across the month of June without realising we were in even in May yet! But that aside it's also been a matter of what to blog about (never have I been one to ramble on about rubbish just for the sake of getting a new post out there although even as I type that sentiment I realise it's a very real possibility that the content of previous posts, to some, may have been complete rubbish!).
Now, however, I have a topic to chat about (yes, I have finally got round to my actual blog and this time it only took me two paragraphs to get into)...CPD.
Due to business commitments over the last couple or years I'm afraid I have been guilty of neglecting my personal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) but this year, as an effort to make a bit of a fresh start I have been getting involved again, signing up to courses and making sure that whatever I have scheduled will only enhance what I do already in terms of Remedial and Deep Tissue Massage.
Knowing what courses to take is always a bit tricky. I'm super impatient and also (like most people) have a high regard for value for money. You'd be amazed at the cost of additional courses for established therapists, which are then only a couple of days but it depends what the training involves and what you get at the end of it. And then there's the issue of time one can afford, being self employed, when I'm not actually earning...
It wasn't long before I came across Gateway. A massive range of courses, whether you're looking to qualify as a therapist, or long established, there seems to be something for most and what really caught my eye was the length of most additional CPD. One day courses (not eating too much into my working week and to be fair some are held over the weekends anyway..bonus!) reasonable price and properly accredited diplomas - yay!
With so many ticks in boxes from what I need from CPD courses it was actually quite hard, in the end, to stop clicking 'book now'! So, what have I added to my repertoire?
- Myofascial Release Techniques (I know, 'what on earth?!' I hear you cry but check out my website for info)
- Advanced Deep Tissue (that's right...it's all the advanced stuff I need, and have, now!)
- Pregnancy Massage (to keep my hand in with all the latest stuff)
It's amazing how once you start these CPD diplomas you just want to do more and more of them. Why had I left it so long? Not only has it renewed my motivation in practising massage but it's just also really great to confirm that I'm at the top of my game. The end goal is to help clients when they're in pain and I strive to be one of the best massage therapists to go and see when the body is in trauma. I don't mean to sound arrogant here, the point of this blog is to highlight the importance of CPD for any therapist (or even profession!) in order to have the knowledge and confidence to practise. And let's face it, we're all pretty vulnerable when in pain and discomfort so a therapist you knows what they're doing is of the utmost importance....
As some of you who will read this know, I am one of those 'all or nothing' types so needless to say I did the above three courses in the space of two weeks. I'm loving the results I'm getting with clients and the positive feedback is fab (I always encourage positive feedback..if you don't like the way I massage please keep it to yourself, damages my ego too much lol!)
So, if you'd like to try out the 'new and improved' stephanie blake massage stylee please feel free to book in. It's still me, only, I think, better...needless to say I think CPD should really feature a lot more regularly than it has done for me, but hey you live and learn (and learn, and learn, and learn.....!)
If you want to check out Gateway workshops enter at your own risk, you may sign up for more than you thought you would!
Reader Comments (2)
-Jimmy Choo Pumps iconfor 3 nights and all of the staff were exceptional clearly they like working there and they are all very dedicated to their jobs.
Completely agree on the importance of continually developing your skills, particularly in the healthcare profession. I work at an osteopath clinic and osteopaths are actually obliged to complete at least 30 hours of CPD every year!