I am so excited to share this blog post with you all! I am asked daily on Instagram about the Nutritional Therapy Association and what exactly it means to be a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. In this blog post I’m going to answer some of the most common questions I get asked about the program and provide you with my own personal insight!
What is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner?
I am a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) through the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA). The NTA teaches graduates to help and coach clients tap into their body’s own “innate intelligence” and support the foundations of health. These foundations are a properly prepared, nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar regulation, fatty acid balance, mineral balance and hydration. In order to support those foundations, we make certain diet and lifestyle recommendations. Above all, we support clients in their journey towards optimal health and longevity. Each NTP will have their own style of coaching, but above all we take a holistic approach that focuses on the importance of real, whole foods paired with a well-balanced lifestyle in order to restore health.
Why did I choose to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner?
As an athlete my entire life, I’ve always been interested in nutrition. It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I really decided I wanted to pursue a career in the field. However, at that time I was already about to graduate with a degree in sociology. Although I learned so much through my sociology degree, I knew I needed to go back to school in order to pursue the career I truly wanted for myself. At first, I was very overwhelmed by all of the different programs out there. I considered becoming an Registered Dietician, but the thought of getting an education sponsored by The USDA, FDA, Monsanto, Coke and Pepsi just felt so wrong to me. I wanted to find a program that aligned with my own values. I narrowed it down to IIN, Bauman College and the NTA. The reason I chose the NTA over others was because I felt like it was the perfect combination of real food nutrition and anatomy and physiology. In addition, I loved that it was a hybrid between online and in-person.
I also spoke to a bunch of NTP’s I found through social media, and they all spoke so highly about the program. As a result, I made the decision to enroll in the program the September after graduating from Boston College. Best decision i’ve ever made!
What do I specialize in?
This is a difficult question for me to answer because I work with clients with a wide range of health goals. To give you a better idea, i’m currently working with clients working through digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, PMS, acne and skin issues, autoimmune disease, weight management, food intolerances/sensitivities and helping women break free from disordered eating. No matter what my clients individual goals are, I always prioritize real, whole foods, stress management, lifestyle, mindset and one’s relationship with food.
I believe i’m a valuable NTP because even if your issues are unrelated to food- i’m all ears. I often coach my clients through their fears, insecurities and individual stressors holding them back in reaching their health goals. I am a great listener and I provide a non-judgmental space.
I am increasingly passionate about helping women break free from dieting and teaching them to feel empowered in their bodies. This work is near and dear to my heart because I struggled a disordered relationship with food and my body for years. Nothing brings me more pride and joy than helping women live a healthy, well nourished and balanced life free from restriction, calorie counting, tracking and obsession.
What is the NTP program like?
I attended the Nutritional therapy practitioner program is a 9 month, online AND in-person course that takes you through everything you need to know about supporting the body through real, whole food nutrition. The NTP program also has 3 in person workshop weekends that are required. I attended at the Boston, Massachusetts venue, but they offer workshop locations all around the country, so chances are there will be one in or near your area!
The weekend workshops were my favorite aspect of the program. You get the opportunity to connect with classmates who share your passion, group leaders who are past graduates and your instructors who are a wealth of knowledge. I went home from each workshop feeling so full of new knowledge and inspiration.
Can I do the program while working a full-time job?
Definitely! I only worked part time during the program, but so many of my classmates worked full time and were able to manage the workload just fine. It’s very important that you create a plan and designate certain days or hours of the days dedicated to your studies so that you don’t fall behind. The NTA recommends that students should budget at least 15-20 hours per week for studying, assignments, and conference calls. I recommend ordering the books ahead of time and beginning the required reading before the class starts. If you are passionate about health and nutrition like I am, you will look forward to this time as the course material is fascinating.
Will the NTA prepare me to start my own nutrition business? What else can I do with my credentials?
NTP graduates go on to use their credential in a number of different ways. Many NTP’s, like myself, start their own businesses or private practice. However, others join existing practices with acupuncturists, chiropractors and other holistic minded practitioners, write books, start blogs, get involved in corporate wellness, create their own courses, etc. Some graduates don’t use their credential professionally, but instead use the skills they learn to help improve their own health, as well as the health of their family and friends.
I knew that I wanted to start my own practice upon graduating. Only working part time was really helpful for me during the program because I was able to build my blog during those nine months. My goal was to graduate with a large enough following so that I could launch my services to my online followers. I am really glad I did this because I feel I am able to reach so many more clients having an online practice.
Did you feel confident working with clients once you completed the program?
Yes! I was definitely nervous working with my fist few clients, but I felt so equipped with knowledge and I couldn’t wait to start helping people improve their health. Part of the course work is having a few practice clients that you work with in order to get comfortable with the process. This was extremely helpful!
What’s your favorite part about being an NTP?
My favorite part about being an NTP is connecting with my clients! I jump out of bed every morning because I have the opportunity to help my clients improve their health and live a life they love. There is no better feeling for me than when a client tells me how much our work together has changed their life. I believe it is my greatest purpose to inspire others in their journey towards a healthy, happy life.
I hope this Q + A was helpful for you! If you have more questions for me, please post them in the comments and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you have a more personal question to ask and don’t want to post it publicly, feel free to contact me and we can chat!
To learn more about the NTA and view upcoming sessions to enroll- visit the NTA website here.
If you decide you to enroll with the Nutritional Therapy Association, remember to write down Lexi Borr as your referral on your application!
