Welcome
Established in 1962, the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) is the largest professional association for complementary, holistic beauty and sports therapists, as well as those starting out or teaching in this exciting and growing industry. We provide practical support to our members and protect the public's health by ensuring high standards in both training and practice.
Protecting the public's health
We run the largest Accredited Register of complementary therapists to have been independently accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a body accountable to parliament, helping the public to choose a non-statutory regulated health practitioner with confidence.
Helping therapists to flourish with...
Comprehensive tailor-made insurance
Professional insurance can be confusing, but all practising therapists should have it – that’s why we’re here to help. We're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so we can arrange it with our well-known insurance providers – an exclusive service for our members.
Keeping members up to date with industry news
Members receive copies of our magazine, International Therapist, and regular e-updates. Published on a quarterly basis, International Therapist offers a broad range of articles from therapy-specific articles to expert business advice. The magazine is a membership benefit, so it's not available off-the-shelf or by subscription.
Promoting members to potential clients
Members have their own profile page on our website (eligibility criteria apply), a professional suffix, lapel badge and logo to use on their own marketing materials. We also raise the profile of our members with advertising and editorial in national publications and by representing our members at parliamentary level.
National lockdowns
across the UK
Following a rapid rise in coronavirus cases, national lockdowns are in place across the UK. As always, we have consulted our government contacts for each of the four nations to find out if there are any circumstances under which our members can continue to practice at this time, if working in a COVID-secure manner. Please see our Coronavirus statement and FAQs for guidance, which gets updated as and when we receive reliable information.
Book club brings
reflexologists together
Founded by reflexologist and author Sally Kay FFHT, during the first lockdown in March 2020, the book club now has thousands of members worldwide and hosts regular live events. Contributors have included well-known authors such as Lynne Booth MFHT, Jane Sheehan MFHT, Barbara Scott MFHT, Peter Mackereth, Geraldine Villeneuve and FHT Vice President, Mary Dalgleish.
In your Winter issue of
International Therapist...
You will find a special feature on our winners of our first Green Therapy Practice of the Year Award, Anne Bramley and Helen Saunders from Wellbeing at Whistlewood. We also take a look at our 2020 FHT Excellence Award Winners who are helping to raise the bar in therapy training and practice. And lots more. Landing on our members' doorsteps from Friday 22 January.
Social links:
Social prescribing
on BBC Countryfile
Co-chair of the Social Prescribing Network, Dr Marie Polley, spoke on BBC Countryfile on Sunday 10 January about the benefits of social prescribing. Marie explains, 'Around 20% of people will visit a GP when their need is not directly medical [...] but they do need support.' This is where social prescribing can help, by taking pressure off the NHS and providing the support, contact and community that many need.
