This introductory course provides a framework for incorporating integrative therapies into your work with clients or patients. By the end of the course, you will be able to assess if integrative therapies are good options in specific situations, as well as educate patients and colleagues about benefits and risks. You will be confident discussing the evidence base for integrative therapies in general, with an understanding of some of the challenges of research in this area, and able to identify reliable sources of evidence-based information. You will leave with the skills to partner with patients or clients around use of these therapies and a plan to introduce integrative therapies in your work or other setting.
This course is part of the Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization
Offered By
About this Course
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
What you will learn
Describe the field of integrative health.
Evaluate the state of the research evidence and reliable sources to use.
Discuss the overall safety of these therapies and how to optimize safe use.
Create a plan to successfully introduce integrative therapies into your work or other setting.
Skills you will gain
- wellbeing
- Evidence-Based Practices
- patient-centered care
- complementary therapies
- integrative nursing
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Offered by

University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Introduction to the Field of Integrative Therapies
Types of Integrative Therapies
Evaluating the Evidence
How Safe Are Integrative Therapies?
Reviews
- 5 stars81.25%
- 4 stars11.97%
- 3 stars3.64%
- 2 stars1.82%
- 1 star1.30%
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES AND HEALING PRACTICES
I thought this provided a great introduction to complementary practices and I particularly liked the project which allowed us to apply what we'd learned in a meaningful way!
Very interesting course, even if mostly targeting people already working in the health sector (which is not my case at all)
I enjoyed this introductory course and it definitely gave me some great information on how to integrate other therapies into my herbal medicine practice.
This course were very useful for the information in the classes. There were very convenient online lessons. Instructors are very educated and helpful.
About the Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization
If you want to help your patients or clients manage conditions or symptoms such as pain and anxiety, this specialization will provide the knowledge and skills needed. In these five courses, you will explore integrative therapies, including herbal medicine, guided imagery, aromatherapy, and mindfulness. For each therapy studied, you will gain skills to: Assess if a therapy is appropriate, Educate patients or clients about benefit and risk, Administer or advise on use, and Evaluate if the therapy was useful (our AEAE approach).

Frequently Asked Questions
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