By Erica Hartley – Colonic Trainer, Advanced Colonic Hydrotherapist & Vice Chair of RICTAT Colonic Association
If you’re considering Colonic Hydrotherapy Training or wondering what it’s really like to work as a Colonic Hydrotherapist, you may be imagining a day filled with… well, poo!
And yes, there’s certainly some of that!
But being a Colonic Hydrotherapist is about so much more than carrying out a treatment. It’s about listening, educating, reassuring, supporting and creating an environment where people feel comfortable discussing something many of us have been taught not to talk about – our bowels.
I’ve worked as a Colonic Hydrotherapist for over 14 years, run my own successful Colon Clinic – A New U in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, train the next generation of Colonic Hydrotherapists, serve as Vice Chair of RICTAT Colonic Association, and I’m also co-host of The Poo Taboo Podcast.
So, what does a typical day actually look like?
Let’s take you behind the scenes.
Starting the Day – Preparing the Clinic
My working day begins before my first client walks through the door.
The treatment room needs to be prepared, equipment checked and everything made ready to ensure the clinic is clean, professional and welcoming.
Hygiene and infection control are a hugely important part of being a professional Colonic Hydrotherapist.
When I train my students, I don’t just teach them how to perform a colonic. I teach them how to run a professional treatment room, prepare correctly, follow protocols and create an environment where clients feel safe, respected and comfortable.
Those little details matter.
Welcoming My First Client
My first client of the day could be someone I’ve treated for years, or they could be walking through my door absolutely terrified because they’ve never experienced Colonic Hydrotherapy before.
And that’s where the people skills come in.
I’ve lost count of the number of clients who have walked into my clinic and immediately said:
“I’m so embarrassed!”
Within minutes, we’re usually chatting and laughing.
Being able to put someone at ease is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as a therapist.
Bowel habits can be an incredibly personal subject. Clients may want to discuss constipation, bloating, wind, changes in their stools, diet, lifestyle and things they’ve never felt comfortable discussing with anyone else.
A good Colonic Hydrotherapist needs to be able to listen without judgement.
The Consultation Is Just as Important as the Treatment
Before treatment, we talk.
I want to understand the person sitting in front of me.
What’s their normal bowel routine?
What are they eating?
How much water are they drinking?
Are they active?
Are they stressed?
What medications are they taking?
What’s their medical history?
What are they hoping to achieve?
This is something I really emphasise during my Colonic Hydrotherapy Training in Sheffield.
Colonics should never be one-size-fits-all.
Every client is different, and every treatment should be tailored accordingly.
Sometimes what a client tells you during their consultation completely changes how you approach their treatment.
Learning to recognise that comes from good training, practical experience and, eventually, confidence.
Then It’s Time for the Colonic
Once we’ve completed the consultation and established that treatment is appropriate, we begin.
My approach has always been gentle and client-led.
I work with the body rather than trying to force it.
One client may respond very differently from another, and even a regular client’s treatment can be completely different from their previous appointment.
That’s part of what makes this career so interesting.
You’re continually observing, learning and adapting.
When you’re training with me, I want you to understand why you’re doing something rather than simply memorising a sequence of steps.
That’s the difference between learning how to operate equipment and learning how to become a confident professional Colonic Hydrotherapist.
There’s Plenty of Talking Too!
A treatment room can be an interesting place!
Over the years I’ve heard people’s life stories, holiday plans, family dramas and plenty of things that definitely stay within those four walls.
But we also talk about bowel habits, hydration, diet, lifestyle and simple changes clients may want to consider.
Education is a big part of what I do.
I don’t want somebody to simply come in, have a treatment and leave without understanding anything more about their digestive system.
I want clients to become more aware of their own bodies and bowel habits.
And occasionally, yes, we have a good laugh about poo too.
That’s probably one of the reasons I ended up co-hosting The Poo Taboo Podcast – because after more than 14 years of talking about bowels every day, I’ve learned that we desperately need to make these conversations less embarrassing!
Reset, Clean and Start Again
Once a client leaves, there’s work to do before the next person arrives.
The treatment room is thoroughly prepared again, equipment is dealt with according to the appropriate protocols, paperwork is completed and everything is reset for the next appointment.
Professional Colonic Hydrotherapy isn’t simply the time you spend treating someone.
There is a whole clinical process surrounding every appointment, and that’s something prospective therapists need to understand.
Every Client Is Different
Then the next client arrives – and the whole process starts again.
Except it doesn’t really “start again”, because that person could be completely different.
One might have struggled with constipation for years.
Another may regularly experience bloating.
Another might simply be interested in their digestive wellbeing.
One may be extremely nervous.
Another might have been having colonics for years.
That’s why I still find this career fascinating after more than 14 years.
No two clients and no two days are exactly the same.
Running a Colonic Hydrotherapy Business
Of course, being self-employed means my day isn’t only about clients.
There’s also:
– Answering enquiries
– Managing bookings
– Ordering supplies
– Updating client records
– Social media
– Marketing
– Accounts
– Continuing Professional Development
– Keeping up with professional standards
– Running my website
– Supporting previous students
– Training new students
Being a great therapist and running a successful clinic are two different skill sets – and ideally, you need to develop both.
That’s why my training isn’t only about the practical treatment.
I want my students to understand the realities of establishing themselves as professional therapists and building a sustainable business.
Could This Be Your Working Day?
This is the exciting part.
If you’re reading this because you’re researching how to become a Colonic Hydrotherapist in the UK, perhaps you’re trying to picture yourself doing what I do.
Could you imagine having your own clinic?
Choosing your working hours?
Building relationships with regular clients?
Helping people feel comfortable talking about something they may have been embarrassed about for years?
Perhaps you’re already a nurse, nutritionist, massage therapist, beauty therapist, personal trainer or complementary therapist and want to add another professional skill.
Or perhaps you’re looking for a complete career change.
You don’t necessarily need to come from a medical background to begin your journey.
What I look for is someone willing to learn, someone who genuinely cares about people and someone who wants to develop their knowledge and practical skills properly.
What Does Colonic Hydrotherapy Training With Me Involve?
My Colonic Hydrotherapy Training in Sheffield, South Yorkshire combines online learning with intensive hands-on practical experience.
You’ll begin with pre-course requirements and online learning before attending four live online theory sessions.
The really exciting part is then coming to my Sheffield clinic for your seven-day practical training block.
This isn’t a course where you simply stand at the back of a room watching somebody else.
You’ll be learning hands-on.
During your practical training, you’ll complete at least 15 supervised Colonic Hydrotherapy treatments/case studies with real clients, developing your skills, technique and confidence along the way.
You’ll learn about areas including:
– Client consultations and assessments
– Equipment set-up
– Treatment protocols
– Hygiene and safety
– Contraindications
– Client care
– Practical Colonic Hydrotherapy techniques
– Gut health foundations
– Professional standards
– Business and marketing
– Setting up your own clinic
The training culminates in your final assessment and examination.
My training programme is recognised by RICTAT – The International Register of Integrative Colon Hydrotherapists and Trainers, a professional body promoting standards, education and ethical practice within the industry.
Training From Someone Who Still Works in Clinic
This is something that’s really important to me.
I’m not teaching something I used to do.
I’m still in my clinic working with clients.
I’ve been doing this for over 14 years, and the knowledge I share with my students comes from years of real-life clinical experience – including the straightforward treatments, the challenging ones and everything in between.
I can teach from experience rather than simply from a manual.
And when your practical week finishes, my support doesn’t simply disappear.
I love seeing where my students go next, watching them establish their clinics and seeing their confidence grow.
More Than Just a Job
For me, Colonic Hydrotherapy became far more than the career I initially trained for.
It led me to build a successful clinic.
It led me into advanced training.
It led me to become a Colonic Hydrotherapy Trainer.
It led me to become Vice Chair of RICTAT Colonic Association.
And now it’s even led to co-hosting The Poo Taboo Podcast, where we’re continuing the conversation around gut health and trying to make poo a little less taboo!
That’s quite a journey from simply deciding to train as a Colonic Hydrotherapist.
And yours could start with exactly the same first step.
Could Colonic Hydrotherapy Be Your Next Career?
If you’ve been searching for:
Colonic Hydrotherapy Training UK, how to become a Colonic Hydrotherapist, Colonic Hydrotherapy courses, RICTAT Colonic Hydrotherapy Training, Colonic Hydrotherapy Training Sheffield or simply a new career within health and wellbeing, I’d love to hear from you.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.
Sometimes an informal conversation is the best place to start.
Find Out More About Colonic Hydrotherapy Training
Colonic Training by Erica Hartley
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
📞 07841 474988