The post How to Apply for 精东传媒 Therapy Licensure in Oregon appeared first on East West College.

To do that, you must understand what the state requires to become an LMT. It鈥檚 helpful to work backward from that audacious goal, so that every step you take in the journey leads in the direction of your final destination, with minimal detours. To that end, we鈥檙e presenting how to become an LMT in the state of Oregon. The last time we wrote on Oregon massage therapy licensure was in 2014, and requirements have certainly changed since then.

How to Become a Licensed 精东传媒 Therapist in Oregon

As determined by the Oregon State Board of 精东传媒, licensure qualification to practice massage therapy in Oregon mandates the following:

1. Educational Requirements

The Board prescribes a minimum of 625 hours of massage education from a school that has been licensed by the state, approved by the state, or accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Those hours must be gained in certain subjects, as follows.

• At least 200 hours of courses in the health sciences, specifically Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology.
• At least 300 hours of 精东传媒 Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Sanitation, Communication, and Ethics.
• The remaining 125 hours may be in any of the areas listed above.

2. Jurisprudence (Law) Exam Requirement

In addition to the educational requirements, Oregon also requires LMT applicants to pass the , which is a test covering the Oregon massage law. That test requires a score of 80% to pass, but there is no limit to the number of times an applicant may take the test.聽

3. National 精东传媒 Examination Requirement

Finally, candidates must take and pass a national written massage examination that has been approved by the Board. The approved tests include the , the , and the CESI. The exam results must come directly from the exam provider.

These are the requirements for eligibility for massage license application. In a future post, we will outline the actual application process for those who have completed all of the requirements listed above.

If you鈥檙e a massage therapy student or massage school applicant, or you鈥檙e just curious about pursuing your dream of becoming a massage therapist, we encourage you to bookmark this page as a handy reference. And if you鈥檙e ready to apply to East West College, we encourage you to get in touch with our admissions team. The East West College massage training program includes all the components required to successfully become an LMT in Oregon.

The post Oregon 精东传媒 Therapy Licensure: How to Become an LMT in the Beaver State appeared first on East West College.

What is the Great Resignation?
In 2021, millions of people left their jobs, even though the economic outlook was not rosy. Although the Omicron variant loomed, and higher wages through job-hopping were not guaranteed, many Americans decided to quit. As explains, the labor department calls these 鈥渜uits,鈥� and tracks them month-to-month. Last year earned the moniker The Great Resignation because it broke records for quits. In September, October, and November, more than 4 million people quit each month.

What鈥檚 driving this collective abdication? As with many things economical, there is no simple answer, but data suggests several factors. In historically low-paying jobs, some wage increase occurred, allowing workers to quit for higher wages elsewhere. The service industry falls into this category. In other underpaid industries, such as retail, workers saw that they could switch careers for more pay and better benefits. Parenthood also influenced workers鈥� decisions, with 鈥�1.4 million fewer mothers actively engaged with the labor force鈥� in September and October of 2021. Child care uncertainty required parents to stay home with children more frequently.

Overall, The Guardian article finds, there are 鈥渕any reasons to suspect that many quit in search of better work opportunities, self employment, or, simply, better pay.鈥� This conclusion is certainly reflected in the inquiries to our massage school admissions office.

COVID has Changed Priorities, Pulling many toward 精东传媒 Careers

People from all over the country call our Portland, Oregon massage school, asking how to become a massage therapist. We鈥檝e recently fielded calls from as far away as Florida, Minnesota, Canada, and Washington DC. People are talking to our admissions officers about why they鈥檙e massage-certification-curious. Here are the most common sentiments we hear on those calls.

Top 7 Reasons People are Kickstarting 精东传媒 Careers Post-COVID

Common sentiments from people who have contacted the EWC admission department with interest in becoming an LMT include:

1. 鈥淣ow my job is obsolete.鈥�
2. 鈥淲hat I do is unfulfilling and now I want to do something meaningful.鈥�
3. 鈥淲hy the heck not pivot when I can鈥檛 keep doing what I was doing before?鈥�
4. 鈥淲hen Plan A doesn鈥檛 work, this is a career that will give me usable skills.鈥�
5. 鈥淚鈥檝e just been sitting at home, why not follow through on my dreams?鈥�
6. 鈥淚鈥檝e always worked with people, and now I鈥檓 burnt out. I want a job where people are happy to see me and even happier after their time with me.鈥� We hear this from those who are burnt out from helping professions (such as social work).
7. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking for a job that feeds my soul, and I鈥檓 not willing to wait anymore.鈥澛犅�

Beyond these personal reasons, this is a practical time to start massage careers because demand is high. Our alumni network reports that current practitioners are extremely busy, with many booked out for months. Following quarantines, people are eager to receive touch. (As a side note, check out our reflections on how Coronavirus quarantines spurred touch deprivation.) Many massage companies are actively hiring, so there is a strong need for massage therapists, particularly knowledgeable and experienced LMTs from top-notch massage schools.聽

The bottom line is that many people find this is the perfect time to research massage programs. In Portland, East West College floats to the top. We’re accredited by COMTA, which means that we meet their strict administrative and curriculum standards, and that we’re able to offer federal financial aid to those who qualify. If you find yourself echoed in the statements above, we encourage you to call us at 503-233-6500, or navigate to our massage school admissions website.great resignation

The post The Great Resignation is Driving People to Launch 精东传媒 Therapy Careers appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. Why you should consider a school鈥檚 longevity.
2. You should receive a massage before you consider becoming a practitioner.
3. How massage can contribute to world peace.

Loving People Is a Must

Cherie Sohnen-Moe, educator and exam committee member for the Federation of State 精东传媒 Therapy Boards, highlights the importance of choosing a classroom environment that fits your learning style.

Cherie has a wealth of experience in massage therapy. From practicing massage for ten years and teaching massage for over a decade, to co-founding the board of the Alliance for 精东传媒 Therapy Education, she can spot a quality massage program and excellent therapist instantly. 

She shares that the most essential characteristic a good massage therapist must possess is a love of people.

[4:40] 鈥淚f you can find joy in working with people without necessarily having a lot of interaction with them and鈥� from seeing the results of what happens after a session鈥� then that鈥檚 good.鈥�

Look For Longstanding Schools

Cherie reveals that when looking for a massage therapy school, you should pay attention to its accreditation status. Then, she recommends choosing a school based on its classroom structure. This can vary, so it鈥檚 important that you ask how a school runs its classes and make sure that aligns with how you like to learn.

Before choosing a school, prospective students should also ask:

• Are the teachers certified?
• Does the school offer training and continuing education opportunities for its teachers?
• How many books does the school require students to purchase for its program? If it鈥檚 just one, that鈥檚 a red flag.

Cherie stresses that students should investigate schools鈥� longevity. Long-established schools tend to be safer options than new schools. However, if you are interested in a newer school, Cherie recommends students research:

• Who is the founder? Do they have a background in massage?
• Who is running the school?
• Is there a dedicated education director?
• What narrative do they present about themselves on their website?
• What resources are available to support students鈥� learning and mental health needs?

Believe in Touch

Most fundamentally, Cherie emphasizes that before you enroll in a massage school, you need to have experienced massage first-hand. You must believe in massage鈥檚 healing powers. She sees massage as a catalyst for positive change and healing, not only on individuals, but on society as a whole: 

[19:48] 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of hard to be mean to someone when you feel good in your body. So, to me, massage is what really contributes to world peace.鈥�

精东传媒 is an intimate profession. It鈥檚 vital that you choose a school that will help you learn its craft with sincerity and excellence.

Learn More:颁丑别谤颈别鈥檚

The post Cherie Sohnen-Moe | The Value of Longevity and Learning Environment appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. How to find inspiring teachers.
2. Why you should pay close attention to the amount of clinical hours prospective schools offer.
3. What a massage schools鈥� website can tell you about the quality of their program.

Look Inward First

Bob McAtee, massage therapist, educator, and author, offers advice on how to choose a massage therapy school that enhances your strengths and promotes your health.

Bob has been practicing massage for 40 years and emphasizes how critical it is for prospective massage therapists to reflect on their personalities and needs before starting their search for a massage school. 

He recommends considering prompts like:

• What is my personality like?
• Am I good with people?
• Do I like working with my hands?
• Do I have issues with my hands, arms, or shoulders that might be problematic?

[6:51] 鈥�Injury rates for massage therapists are probably higher than they need to be. I have a general sense that massage training programs don鈥檛 focus on the strength and conditioning aspect of being able to do the work.鈥�

Most massage therapists only last three to five years in the profession. It鈥檚 essential that students determine ahead of time whether they are cut out for the work.

Choose an Independently-Owned School

Bob prefers smaller, independently-owned schools to larger, corporate programs. He has noticed they tend to provide quality education and often are owned and operated by experienced massage therapists.

It鈥檚 a good sign if the school you鈥檙e interested in has a longer application process, an interview stage, or invites you to visit and attend a class. These traits demonstrate that it is strategic and intentional about accepting the right students.

Analyzing the websites of the schools you鈥檙e interested in is also a critical part of the discernment process. Bob says the best massage schools鈥� websites will:

• Have a social media presence.
• Give potential students a feel for what the school will be like.
• Have student testimonials.
• Publish graduation/certification rates.
• Provide information about its faculty.

Research Program Hours and Instructor Credentials

Look into how many practice hours your state requires for you to be able to practice massage legally. Then, choose a school whose program offers that amount, at a minimum. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have the foundation you need.

Bob believes that massage educators should have at least five years of professional experience. Seek out instructors who are well-versed in massage practice and pedagogy. If you feel stuck, ask a massage therapist in your town what school or instructor credentials they鈥檇 recommend.

A Strong Program Supports Holistic Health

Bob emphasizes to his own students the importance of ongoing education and self-care:

[20:42] 鈥�Staying mentally and physically healthy is important鈥� I also try to emphasize that massage therapy is an art and a science. The importance of having anatomical knowledge in our business can鈥檛 be overemphasized, but at the same time there鈥檚 no one right way to do work.鈥�

Great students and massage therapists are open to growth. Bob attests to how curiosity and a willingness to learn has enhanced his career and quality of life. 精东传媒 is a rewarding career, and Bob encourages students to pursue it wholeheartedly.

Learn More:

• 叠辞产鈥檚

Also Mentioned In This Episode:

• East West College of the Healing Arts

The post Bob McAtee | Strong 精东传媒 Programs Prioritize Mental and Physical Health appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. Why we need touch as electrical beings.
2. The importance of finding a mentor.
3. The number one asset you should look for in a massage school.

精东传媒 Heals Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually

Tom Myers, founder and CEO of Anatomy Trains, shares how essential human connection is right now in both life and your search for an excellent massage therapy program.

Tom recalls that when he graduated from college, he felt emotionally and physically crippled. He realized that while his education had developed his intellect, he had received little emotional or spiritual nourishment.

When he started his career in massage, Tom found the holistic education and profession he鈥檇 been craving. And now, as the world comes out of the pandemic, Tom predicts massage therapy will become even more important for helping people heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

[7:44] 鈥淭here鈥檚 something essential in [human] contact.鈥�

Tom explains that just as people鈥檚 bodies were shaped a great deal by the industrial era, so our bodies are being shaped by our technology and screen time. 精东传媒 therapy can help bring the body back to optimum function.

Clinical Experience Matters

With over 45 years of massage therapy experience as an educator and therapist, Tom knows what it takes to be a practitioner that makes a difference. His advice: secure an education that gives you a strong foundation. 

When starting your massage therapy school search, Tom recommends:

• Clarify what kind of clients you want to work with. 
• Look for schools that focus on the kinds of clients you want to practice on.
• Call teachers at the schools you鈥檙e interested in 鈥� this can help you gauge the quality of instruction.
• Research whether the school will give you access to anatomy and physiology courses.
• Find a mentor.

Clinical experience is important. Make it a priority to ask schools how clients are assigned for students鈥� clinical practice. Is there team consultation? Does the school provide an array of different kinds of clients for you to practice with? Clinical practice should be guided and assessed by an instructor.

Choose a School That Brings You Joy

Finally, Tom highlights that good massage therapy programs equip you with two key skills that go beyond massage therapy:

1. Emotional intelligence: this skill will be instrumental in helping you connect with your clients. 
2. Business understanding: this skill is essential if you ever want to start your own practice.

At the end of the day, you should be excited about the school you choose. Your massage therapy program should bring you joy.

Learn More:罢辞尘鈥檚

The post Tom Myers | Choose a 精东传媒 Therapy Program that Brings You Joy appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. The purpose of accreditation and its benefits.
2. School quality indicators.
3. The best thing you can do to progress in the massage therapy field.

The Value of a Well-Rounded Perspective

Cliff Korn, the chair of the Commission on 精东传媒 Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), highlights what to look for in a great educational environment.

Cliff鈥檚 journey to becoming a massage therapist is unique. From his time in the Navy, to working in sales, and then becoming a massage therapy practitioner and accreditation chair, his diverse experience has helped him gain a well-rounded perspective. He says this is an important aspect of his success as a practitioner, teacher, and evaluator of massage.

Why Accreditations Matters

In his current position at COMTA, Cliff heads the committee that determines whether a school can or can鈥檛 be accredited. He explains that accreditation is a level of standards by which an institution agrees to be measured, similar to a peer review.

[12:17] 鈥�That鈥檚 really what accreditation is: It鈥檚 a peer review.鈥�

While you still can become a good massage therapist if you go to a school that isn鈥檛 accredited, accreditation ensures students get an education that meets standards that are valid across the country. Cliff highlights a few ways accredited schools set themselves apart.

1. They teach how to make patient assessments.
2. They teach research literacy.
3. Their students have access to U.S. financial aid.
4. Their curriculum content is peer reviewed.

School Quality Indicators

Cliff urges prospective students to define their unique goals. Consider the following questions when beginning to evaluate which school is best for you:

• Why do you want to get into massage therapy in the first place?
• What area of practice do you envision yourself enjoying? Sports massage, private practice, medispa, etc.?

Look at school websites for bios of past students. See if anyone from that program specialized in the area of massage you鈥檙e interested in. Hire an alum to give you a massage and pick their brain about the program.

Call the school you鈥檙e considering, visit it, and make time to talk to the alumni. Understanding your school options in light of the context of your own experience, rather than their marketing, is important. 

Pay attention to the instructors鈥� teaching experience. Cliff says it鈥檚 not enough that the instructor has practiced massage.

[24:33] 鈥淵ou really want to make sure you鈥檙e not getting last year鈥檚 students as this year鈥檚 teachers.鈥�

精东传媒 therapy offers many routes for success. In Cliff鈥檚 experience, success came most profoundly through volunteering his time:

[27:46] 鈥淚 find that one of the most important things you can do to progress in the [massage therapy] field is to give back to the field.鈥�

Learn More:

• Cliff鈥檚 COMTA

The post Cliff Korn | Why 精东传媒 School Accreditation Matters appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. Why you should trust your gut feeling when you choose a massage therapy program.
2. Important questions you should ask of potential massage therapy programs.
3. The benefits of making massage therapy school your primary focus.

A Transformative Calling

Til Luchau, certified advanced Rolfer and director of Advanced Trainings, shares how to choose a massage therapy school that will fuel your passion and help you reach your goals.

精东传媒 therapy offers a myriad of specializations and interdisciplinary pathways. Til emphasizes that in order to be a successful student and massage therapist, you must start with a passion for massage. Then, be willing to try different modalities or techniques as your education progresses. 

[19:31] 鈥淕o for it. Don鈥檛 be so worried about [your educational pathway] being just the right thing right now.鈥�

Passion is fundamental because Til has seen how massage is more than a profession: It鈥檚 a calling that offers abundant opportunities for personal growth and transformation.

Ask About the Culture

Til explains that massage therapy requires a synergy of intuitive, cognitive, and interpersonal elements. Til notes that the best students master these elements by:

• Being interested in and committed to learning
• Attending schools that fit their learning style
• Seeking high quality instruction and experience

In order to find the best school for you and your goals, 罢颈濒鈥檚 advice is to:

• Call a massage practice you鈥檇 like to work for. Ask what credentials they鈥檇 like to see on an applicant鈥檚 resume. This will give you an idea of what credentials you need to work toward.
• Visit the campus and sit in on a class. You will get a feel for the instructors and quality of the curriculum.
• Ask graduates about the program. While online reviews are somewhat helpful, they don鈥檛 always give you the full picture.

The culture of the school you choose impacts the kind of massage therapist you鈥檒l become. Ask the schools you visit what they value in terms of their culture. What makes them distinct?

Slow Down and Just Go for It

Til has observed that the therapists who enjoy their career the most are those who didn鈥檛 rush their schooling. He urges prospective students to slow down and avoid multitasking as much as possible. 

[20:15] 鈥淸精东传媒 therapy] has the potential to be a full calling and… it will give you back as much as you put into it… If you can put some other things aside to make this your primary focus for a while, that鈥檚 really going to increase… the reward you get out of it.鈥�

Be clear about what your primary focus is, and don鈥檛 be afraid to just go for it. Much of being an excellent massage therapist is determined by how much you allow the work to influence your life. When you let what you learn enter your brain, heart, body, and soul, you are better able to impact others.

[23:02] 鈥淭he really good therapists are the ones who inspire their clients.鈥�

Learn More:

• 罢颈濒鈥檚

The post Til Luchau | Choose a 精东传媒 Therapy School That Aligns With Your Goals appeared first on East West College.

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

1. Questions to ask during your search for a massage therapy program
2. Physical signs to pay attention to when making a campus visit
3. How to spot programs that will help you develop your critical reasoning

Quality Education Is Fundamental for Career Success

Whitney Lowe, founder and director of the Academy of Clinical 精东传媒, shares how to find a quality massage therapy program and build a sustainable career.

精东传媒 therapy has the capacity to change people鈥檚 lives in profound ways. When Whitney was pursuing graduate studies in psychology in the 鈥�80s, he was starting to get burned out. He decided to become a massage therapist to pay his way through his degree while exploring the physical side of the mind-body connection. He soon found a new passion and a rewarding career.

Today, Whitney is one of the foremost instructors of students and practitioners of massage therapy. He stresses that a quality program and excellent instructors are fundamental to your success 鈥� and both require more than just a thorough understanding of massage techniques. 

Research and Interview the School

Not all massage programs are created equal. Whitney shares invaluable tips for finding the best program:

1. Reach out to therapists who completed the program you鈥檙e interested in. Ask them about their experience and if they felt they were prepared for their career.
2. Research the program鈥檚 curriculum. Well-designed curricula utilize integrated, cumulative learning. It鈥檚 not just about the hours spent, it鈥檚 about the quality of the hours that make up the curriculum.
3. Get a feel for the educators. Setting up in-person meetings with faculty and reviewing any writing or work they have published are great steps for determining if the training and qualifications of the program鈥檚 staff meet your expectations.

Whitney reinforces that a good educator will exhibit the following qualities:

• Compassionate
• Good listener
• Caring
• Knowledgeable
• Understanding of student difficulties and differences

Prospective students should have thoughtful questions prepared when going to visit a massage therapy school. Whitney recommends asking about:

• The school鈥檚 philosophy of training their staff
• Support systems in place for students 
• Available resources
• The materials and technology that will be used
• Guidelines and standards for student admissions

When visiting a campus, keep an eye out for the level of tidiness and organization in the offices and classrooms you visit. The state that the faculty keeps their space in reflects the pride and ownership they have in the school. 

Become Business Savvy and Mission-Focused

While choosing a good massage therapy school will equip you with technical skills, Whitney also emphasizes two additional drivers of success:

1. Learn the best business practices to build a profitable and sustainable practice.
2. Gain clarity on why you are becoming a massage therapist. There are always naysayers; knowing your mission will be helpful for the long-term health of your practice. 

[22:00] 鈥淲henever I get… frustrated, burned out, down about things, I try to reconnect myself with what is that mission? And why am I doing what I’m doing? And it all comes back to that idea of… a much bigger picture. I’m really trying to heal a lot of the pain in the world.鈥�

Great Programs Develop Critical Reasoning Skills

Whitney warns that many educators teach massage techniques and modalities as if they鈥檙e the answer to a patient鈥檚 problems. He advocates for teaching students critical reasoning, which is the ability to think through problems and choose the right tools to address them.

[24:38] 鈥淵our ability to recognize who people are, what they鈥檙e about, what their goals are, and how you can work with them to achieve those goals, that鈥檚 what makes a really great massage therapist.鈥�

Whitney acknowledges that critical reasoning is the product of time and experience; however, excellent massage programs will create opportunities for you to begin developing this skill. 

His final tip for prospective massage therapy students: Trust your gut.

[30:41] 鈥淟isten to what your gut tells you when you go to the institution and talk to the people who鈥檝e been there. Do you get a really good sense of this being the right thing for you?鈥�

Learn More:

Also Mentioned In This Episode:Whitney鈥檚 podcast:

The post Whitney Lowe | Treat Your 精东传媒 School Search Like an Interview appeared first on East West College.