Continuing Professional Development – for qualified massage therapists

You’ve qualified, now what? Keep going! The Sheffield Centre for Massage Training offers a range of professional courses to help qualified massage therapists develop their practice.

SCMT Graduate Programme - start anytime

Fri 01 Jul 2022 - Sat 01 Jul 2023, 9:00 am
Book here


This is the helping hand you’ve been looking for. Sheffield Centre for Massage Training is delighted to offer a 12 months graduate programme for practitioners who have completed the diploma in Holistic Massage with SCMT. If you are a newly qualified massage therapist, a practitioner returning to work after a break, if you are feeling isolated and at sea, not sure what to do or floundering, then this series is for you. You can join at any time to suit you.

Here is what you get for your monthly investment of £29.99 (first ten to sign up to the programme pay £24.99 per month). Less than the price of one massage!

A flexible plan where you can choose all or some of these options:

• • Consolidate your learning with established tutors – there will obviously be gaps in what you know so hanging out with already established massage therapists means you can revise your knowledge on the spot.
  • Run your practice in a great venue – at a reduced rent, you will be able to run your business from an already up and running massage venue that is Covid 19 ready. All you need to provide are your own massage table coverings and towels.
  • Support to adjust to being qualified – do you have the feeling of a rabbit in headlights? You gain on the spot reassurance and inspiration to help build your confidence.
  • Coaching sessions in small groups -on the spot, hands-on practice with an experienced tutor. 4 two hour sessions in your programme.
  • Work at SCMT graduate clinics for professional development – help to build your confidence working with members of the public alongside others in a supportive environment. 6 massages are given in your programme and arranged by SCMT.
  • Discount off SCMT CPD courses – you gain 20% discount off the cost of the SCMT CPD courses and you may undertake CPD during your graduate programme.
  • Attendance as a client at the SCMT student clinics – learning comes in many guises. Be a client for free at the SCMT student clinics and receive good massages and expand your repertoire at the same time.
  • Be part of creating a massage therapist community – frequent feedback from graduates is that they feel isolated after qualifying – return to that sense of community, where every participant is part of a good thing!
  • Online supervision in small groups – Six 1 or three 2 hour group supervision sessions in your programme.
  • Practical Support & Mentoring to set up your massage practice – invaluable guidance to enable you to take the biggest most important step…
  • Take part in the SCMT assistant training – enjoy supporting others to learn & grow? why not try out being an assistant on one of the SCMT diploma courses?

Cost of Graduate programme: £359.88 = £29.99 – per month for 12 months on standing order.

A commitment to 12 months is required. You may take a break if necessary but you are still subject to payment of your installments over 12 consecutive months. So even though our scheduler says it starts July 2022 you can choose your start date for whenever you’re ready.





SCMT Graduate Programme - start anytime

Fri 01 Jul 2022 - Sat 01 Jul 2023, 9:00 am
More info


The
helping hand you’ve been looking for. Sheffield Centre for Massage Training is delighted to offer a 12 months graduate programme. If you are a newly qualified massage therapist, a practitioner returning to work after a break, if you are feeling isolated and at sea, not sure what to do or floundering, then this series is for you.





Online Supervision Group - evening

Thu 07 Jul 2022, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Book here


This is an online event using  Zoom and is by invitation after the booking has been received.

Here is some feedback received from participants:

‘…for me it was a great way to connect with different therapists/a wider massage therapist community (and the online approach enables this), your hosting of it primarily too; how you managed the space.. there was room for everyone to speak..I wondered how mics off would feel as, like you said when you introduced it, you felt it needed to be facilitated a bit more ‘rigidly’ but it didn’t actually feel rigid at all, it felt like it flowed and everyone had space if they wanted it. For me too, having you as a facilitator, with your background and my interest with and in trauma and how you frame a lot of things resonates a lot as well as stimulates and increases my own learning/development. Thanks’ – Kathryn Smith

‘I’d certainly second everything Kathryn has said. Having had Vicky as my tutor, it’s not just how much she knows, but also the sensitivity with which she treats everyone that makes the session special’ –  GA

‘So good to connect – thank you Vicky and everyone’  – LH

‘Thank you so much for facilitating a wonderful supervision group, it was a truly a magical space and I so appreciated connecting with other massage
therapists. I loved the structure of the space, and the five min sharing with the offering of the questions, as well as the readings you offered. I think it was very beautifully and lovingly held and that care really came through on the zoom’ – Marianna Musset

Outline:

The model of supervision I’m using on Zoom is not hands-on practice as such even though what we work with requires our hands. There will be activities to help support concerns, issues, and ideas, using the whole group, small groups & pairs using the zoom breakout rooms. The middle portion of time gives people the space to interact and help each other find solutions or feel a bit more into a knotty issue with your massage work. This approach is both broad and deep.

I’m offering a space to share how you are feeling in this time of change, probably like you’ve never experienced before and where your practice of massage might have changed forever. This space is also to celebrate achievements and maintain inspiration and look for silver linings too.

I have a plan in mind to offer us some structure for our meeting, as I’ve found this worked well in the last meetings, but I’m open to suggestions too.

As we are all qualified massage therapists and we’ve already got a wealth of experience and though it might not be apparent, this past year or so has a very real offering for us all to gain from. Let’s explore this together!

My credentials:

Age is my first offering – I’ve been around for a long time. I even took my turn at being chair of MTI a few years ago! I’ve never faced anything like the Covid 19 crisis but as a practitioner and trainer, I’ve survived several financial recessions and other storms. As well as being a massage trainer and the Principal of SCMT, I’ve been a body psychotherapist for nearly 30 years. I have extensive training and experience with academic qualifications to MA level in Counselling and Psychological therapies as well as Hakomi, which I also teach in Lancaster.

So let’s dive in together!

When you join please consider:

• Yours and others privacy for the duration of the meeting and keep other people’s details confidential after the meeting.
• We will move around a bit so think of a space where you will be able to move for a short time – we offer an embodied therapy and our body is also a resource.
• Have pen and paper for any notes you might want to make.
• Maybe have a glass of water or a cuppa at hand.
• Be prepared to contribute.
• On zoom, you should have your microphone on mute unless you’re talking. We’ll try not to talk all at once or over each other.
• Be patient, some of us might not have great bandwidth (whatever that means!) so there might be delays and glitches.

Places limited so please book early. The cost to you for this group is £10

 





Online Supervision Group - evening

Thu 07 Jul 2022, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
More info


How are you getting on working? Keep yourself buoyant and resilient in body and mind, by using the opportunity of group supervision as a source of support.





First Aid with Paul Lewis - Sunday

Sun 17 Jul 2022, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
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This one-day course includes a systematic procedure for dealing with incidents and covers topics such as unconsciousness, bleeding, and resuscitation procedures.

The day is very much hands-on and the teaching is practical and interactive. All students are involved in all aspects of the teaching and learning and skills are consolidated through continued practice. Paul makes this serious subject exciting and enjoyable.

The course is certificated by ITC First Aid and is in line with HSE requirements. Your certificate will need to be renewed every three years.

NB: The First Aid course is a stand-alone qualification; the assessment of the course is a combination of contact hours and the successful completion of a number of sequential review points. It is essential, therefore, that all students are punctual and attend all the sessions of the day. Lateness may result in a student being turned away. Please take a form of ID (eg. driving license, passport) to the day.


Cancellation policy: Please note, once you have made your booking should you need to cancel, a refund will be given minus an admin charge of £15. If your cancellation is received with less than 7 days’ notice we cannot refund any fees. In the event that SCMT cancels a course, an alternative date will be offered. If the alternative date is inconvenient a full refund will be made.





First Aid with Paul Lewis - Sunday

Sun 17 Jul 2022, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
More info


The course is certificated by ITC First Aid and is in line with HSE requirements. Held in-person at Sheffield Yoga Centre, Burgoyne Road, Lower Walkley, Sheffield. Your certificate should be renewed every three years.





How To Become A Trauma Savvy Practitioner - evening

Thu 08 Sep 2022 - Thu 29 Sep 2022, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Supercharge your practice by becoming a Trauma Savvy Practitioner.

Learn why it is essential to promote massage as a viable approach to working with people who are traumatised.

Mental health services are dealing with a rise in urgent and emergency cases, there is a fear that there might be a ‘tsunami’ of mental illness after the pandemic – Royal College of Psychiatry.

We, massage therapists, know without a doubt that massage can calm & soothe people. But do you know how?

This course is based mainly on Deb Dana & Stephen Porges’ work on the Polyvagal Theory plus other trauma savvy experts.

Polyvagal theory tells us that being under chronic threat has a direct impact on our body and our mind. When we meet a stressor, known or unknown, it takes us out of loving connection with ourselves and others and into either shutdown or fight/flight. Moving from a loving connection to one of the other fearful states is called dysregulation, but it is not a state that is ‘wrong’. It is not wrong to protect yourself when you sense that you are not feeling safe, it is necessary for survival. Shifting states is a protective and sophisticated dance and like any dance, it’s good to know the steps well.

Course Content:

• Learn about the essential conditions massage therapists should provide for clients with trauma.
• Explore embodiment & how your nervous system communicates to your traumatised clients’ system.
• Learn signs & symptoms of trauma.
• Self-exploration of your autonomic nervous system using mindfulness practices.
• Exploratory exercises in small groups & pairs.
• A fundamental framework that includes brain science & anatomy.
• Strategies for self-care for working with traumatised clients.

This course is on Zoom and is experiential using many of the interactive features of this online platform. The course will be held over four weeks on Thursday evening for two hours per week.

Scope of the course: please note that while How To Become A Trauma Savvy Practitioner is offered with an intention to upskill you on the subject of trauma, it is not designed specifically for attendees currently struggling with traumatic or post-traumatic stress. I will teach about trauma – and the importance of integrating an understanding of trauma into our practices and lives – this is not a course to learn massage techniques to heal trauma as the healing that takes place is a unique experience for each client.

 

In Praise of How To Become A Trauma Savvy Practitioner:

Loved your choice of upbeat music and the openness and kindness of your teaching – KM

‘I liked the self-reflection on me and on my work; connection with others; the physiology of trauma; resources given out to help me to continue with this work’ – CF

‘Re delivery – it was excellent Vicky, great repetition of information (as there was a lot) – applying all the principles of working with trauma in your presentation’ – LH

‘Very informative, essential knowledge and understanding for anyone working with clients, particularly at this time’ – LR

‘I’m in awe of your zoom/technical knowledge and use of it’ – SM

‘Enjoyed the ‘bringing up to date’ with the intergenerational trauma – so important. Also the effect of that ‘drip, drip’ trauma which many probably don’t even think it’s trauma but is reflected in them in some way’ – CD

‘The digital presentations were the best I`ve seen on zoom. The moving diagrams and so on were of an exceptionally high standard. Great use of different mediums to engage interest and appeal to different learning styles’ – AM





How To Become A Trauma Savvy Practitioner - evening

Thu 08 Sep 2022 - Thu 29 Sep 2022, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
More info


Supercharge your practice by becoming a trauma savvy practitioner. Learn why it is essential to promote massage as a viable approach to working with people who are traumatised.





Deep Tissue Massage & Advanced Techniques (4 days)
Dates to be confirmed

4 Practical Days that will bring your massage onto a new level!
17 & 18 September, 15th & 16th October 2022.
Please note that this course has an online component. The online component is especially recommended for those who want to brush up on their anatomy. It also contains an introduction to the right setup, body-use and use of elbow, forearms, knuckles and fists and the theory of techniques. The online element can also be taken separately. More information below.
Deep Tissue Massage CPD
Prerequisite: AP&P and bodywork level 3 qualification
The lines between relaxation massage and deep tissue massage can be blurry. Sometimes, people just ask for a deep tissue massage because they are worried a therapeutic or relaxation massage may not be deep enough for them. Just pressing on harder does not do the trick however, as it just causes pain and potentially damage, without allowing the body to “let you in”. Deep tissue work will always incorporate relaxation, but will be very slow, focusing on specific areas. The lengthening of short muscles and release of fascial restrictions that are brought about by posture, lifestyle, attitudes etc, may involve active participation of the client and is normally done with no or very little lubrication. Sinking deeper, without attempting to force the body, is a skill that will keep your practice interesting and attract clients. Techniques include direct and indirect myofascial release, soft tissue release, trigger point technique, muscle energy techniques, vibration and friction techniques.
Please note that most of the content of Day 1 has now been put online and extended for preparation for the course. The online course helps people who are a bit shaky on anatomy and conditions to revise. You will receive login details to our learning environment after you have purchased the course.
Ideally, you will go through the content of the online course before the practical days, but you can also use the content for revision alongside or after the course. You will have access to the course for 1 year.
The online element covers:
Introduction to deep tissue massage
Anatomy of deeper structures, cautions & contraindications
Postural imbalances
Theory and application
Palpation & techniques for release of musculo-skeletal restrictions
Through the towel techniques
Ergonomic and effective bodyuse
Save your fingers and thumbs – focus on forearm, elbow and knuckle use
Principles of soft tissue release & introduction to trigger points
Day 1:
Effective body use for deep tissue massage
Precautions and contraindications
A host of ways to use the elbow and forearms and areas and reinforced fingers and thumbs – upper and lower body on posterior aspects of the body (mainly with client lying prone).
Working without oils on the back
Day 2
Working with fascia: Principles and techniques for direct and indirect fascial release
Going deeper: Working with minimal and no lubrication on the neck, chest, arms and legs
Specific conditions which can be addressed with deep tissue massage, relevant techniques for the upper and lower body (mainly with client lying supine)
Day 3
Specific conditions which can be addressed with deep tissue massage, relevant techniques for the upper and lower lower body – mainly in the side-lying position.
Day 4:
Combining it all:
How to combine a range of techniques learned on this course into a meaningful, flowing, client-centred deep tissue massage
 
The fee for this 4 day course £420. When you book onto this course, you also get our Introduction to Deep Tissue Massage online course, which has a value of £160. The practical days take what is being introduced in the online course much further. Please note that for insurance purposes and in accordance with the guidelines of our governing bodies, you will need to take the practical days in order to put deep tissue massage on your insurance. You will receive 28 hours CPD for this course, plus 20 hours for the online element, if fully completed.
 
This is what past students say:
“Great course. I feel I’ve learned a lot that will take my massage to a different level.” Julie
“Very informative and productive three days. Really enjoyed it!” Carole
“This course has taught me so much and I can’t wait to put what I’ve learnt into practice. The course was very well structured with the right amount of practical/theory time.
Eva is an absolutely incredible teacher. She is so knowledgeable, patient and friendly and allows the students to learn in a relaxed environment.” Kizz




Deep Tissue Massage & Advanced Techniques (4 days)
Dates to be confirmed

Deep Tissue Massage and Advanced Techniques to inspire a thriving practice.




Pregnancy Massage (Thursday daytime)

Thu 29 Sep 2022 - Thu 20 Oct 2022, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Book here


Looking to expand your clientele and gain new skills?
Wanting to work with clients through pregnancy but unsure how?

This pregnancy massage course aimed at qualified therapists will provide you with the knowledge and skills to work safely and confidently with pregnant clients throughout each trimester of pregnancy. You’ll learn about the changes that occur within the body, common complaints and how to address them, and contraindications and how to work safely with any issues your client may be facing on their journey to becoming a mother.

Your tutor, Claire Taylor, has been qualified and working as a therapist for 10 years, working with pregnant clients for over 6 years.
For a more detailed breakdown of course content please request a copy of the course information brochure.

CPD hours: 18

Cost for this 4 day course: £300 Early Bird fee £280  MTI Members: £250 if booked by the 29th August 2022.

Course dates:
Thursdays: 29.09.22, 06.10.22, 13.10.22 and 20.10.22  – 10am until 2.30pm

Please note that you need to attend the four days to receive the certificate.





Pregnancy Massage (Thursday daytime)

Thu 29 Sep 2022 - Thu 20 Oct 2022, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
More info


Learn Pregnancy Massage with the Sheffield Centre for Massage training learn everything you need to know to safely deliver Pre and Post Natal Massage. Plenty of practice in this extensive course.