[Nancy]

A,

Macrobiotics is a lifestyle and philosophy that encourages independence. If after the initial period, one is still relying too much on a counselor or teacher, -one is not learning, -one is not taking initiative or responsibility for their own condition, and
-one is not a self-starter, imho. In this case, the value of the learning/teaching already done is in question. Macrobiotics is not the best arena for hypochondriacs needing personal attention and hand holding for an excessive focus or undue obsession with health issues. The goal is teaching self healing and independence, it is not transferring reliance from doctors to macrobiotic counselors.

That being said, being self taught is not inferior, by any means. Many macrobiotic people gain sufficient knowledge and dedication to naturally begin counseling and helping others. Often, those in one's immediate circle recognize a knowledgeable person and seek that person's advice. One can do this as a no cost service or charge a fee. If charging a fee, the counselor has a responsibility to give helpful and practical information for the fee that will truly help another. Having been through an intensive training program, as with the Kushi Institute, lends credibility and promotes trust in a counselor's knowledge and abilities. There are also online counselor courses available, as with David Briscoe's program at Macrobiotics America. If short of funds, perhaps a sliding fee scale or scholarship could be arranged.

If you feel capable with your own knowledge and other's seek your advice from your personal circle of aquaintances, you may feel confident to charge for your services. If your service truly helps others, it will be successful. As this is an area of alternative health, a medical degree is not required. It is best to protect yourself with a disclaimer, emphasizing that you are not a trained and degreed medical doctor or practitioner, and it is up to the person seeking your services to be responsible for and use their own discretion in taking alternative health advice. If in doubt, they should seek a physician's advice.

Again, this leads back to the basic of macrobiotics, in that it is a philosophy that encourages each person to learn to know their own body and practice self healing of the same. It is a lifestyle that emphasizes self learning, self healing, personal responsibility, and independence.

Nancy