[Natorock]

Hi,

Does anyone know where I can find more info in becoming a FAM instructor or fertility coach?

I am really interested in looking into this.

Thanks

[ShawnaCAN]

I don't know of any organizations that teach FAM, but there are several organizations that train people in NFP instruction. They all state that barrier use is not compatible with NFP, since it decreases charting accuracy and reduces the effectivenes of NFP (96-99%). So...you wouldn't be able to train with them and then just advice clients to use barriers, because it would compromise the integrity of the method you teach and the organization would probably withdraw your certification. Kind of like teaching soccer players that you can just pick up the ball with your hands because it's easier - well, then it's not soccer anymore, and they probably wouldn't let you coach! LOL I trained through the Billings Ovulation Method, but here are all the organizations I know of which certify charting instructors:

http://www.boma-usa.org (the Billings Ovulation Method)
http://www.nwfs.org/nfpteacher.htm (Northwest Family Services Sympto Thermal Method)
http://www.fertilitycare.org/education.htm (The Creighton Model)
http://ccli.org/learn/teach/index.php (Couple to Couple League Sympto Thermal Method)
http://www.familyplanning.net (Family of the Americas Ovulation Method)

[Natorock]

Thanks for your input.

I'm really thinking of doing this as an extension of fertility and sexual couseling. I would like to have my own practice eventually.

Do you think that I should go to University as well?

[ShawnaCAN]

Thanks for your input.

I'm really thinking of doing this as an extension of fertility and sexual couseling. I would like to have my own practice eventually.

Do you think that I should go to University as well?[/b]

What is fertility counselling? Are you already a professional counsellor?

As for university, that's up to you. A medical background *helps*, but it's not necessary. I was a nurse in my former life (home with my kids now), so that made the training a lot easier for me, but more importantly, I have a little more education about medical conditions that affect fertility. Some instructors don't have that, which is fine - when they have a client with major charting complications, they simply refer them on to another instructor with more experience in that area. They are certainly very equipped to handle a client with minor charting complications. It's just the really messy ones that get referred on.

Does that answer your question?

[Natorock]

Yes. I am not a current professional, but I want to be! I want to start counselling people from my home (or an office) and I would like the couseling to be FAM, but also, sexual counseling, Marital couseling, STI/HIV training (at schools)

That sort of thing.

The reason I went down the University path was I found this http://www.justisse.ca/new/training.asp

And the requirements to do that training is 2 years undergrad degree.

YIKERS!

[ShawnaCAN]

There ya go! Good luck!