Why the company you keep matters when everyone's an expert
Jennifer Young
Accredited training to address root cause (usually hormones) - specialising in cancer care, menopause, mental health and weight management via ear acupuncture, specialist touch & products. GWI Chair Hormonal Wellness.
In a world where we are bombarded with information, and where there's so much fake news, unsubstantiated claims, and it's so easy to market yourself as an expert, who you align yourself with matters more than ever.
I believe it is Aesop who is credited with the expression 'a man is known by the company he keeps'. While I am a firm believer that any person, brand or business should be judged on their own merits, when it comes to healthcare, evidence and accreditations do and have to count as a guide by which customers and other stakeholders can gain a sense of trust.
There are horror stories across the wellness industry ranging from unqualified therapists purporting to be something they're not and to those selling 'snake oil' claiming curative powers, to more benign assertions that simply don't give clients the benefits they promise. At either end of the spectrum people deserve better, and this is where accreditations, evidence, partnerships and memberships become valuable.
A scientist in a holistic world
I am single minded in my desire for evidence in all areas of my life and work. When it comes to my skincare products and therapist training I am uncompromising in that approach - it's the scientist and the lawyer in me. However, that evidence has to be corroborated by respectable authorities. Yes, I am qualified, but I want people to have an unequivocal ability to trust what I say. For that reason I seek the support of those I respect and admire.
My own qualifications/credentials include:
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Some of our industry awards include:
The wellness industry associations I am a member of include:
I don't say all of this to impress, but to reinforce that we not only believe in what we sell, we prove its benefits. Therapists have a limited amount of time to dedicate to training. Spas have limited financial resources to invest in product and training. Individuals have limited financial resources to spend on skincare. All clients, but especially vulnerable clients, have been through enough and need to be able to trust that the products they use, and the treatments their therapists offer, deliver meaningful and substantiated benefits. They have to be able to trust us and those who offer our products and services.
That means it's not enough to say that something works; you have to prove it and your evidence has to stand up to scrutiny. Furthermore, the people who are doing the scrutinising also have to be qualified to do so. Trust is earned, and people don’t know you; they need reference points that they recognise and trust in turn. As part of that, qualifications you hold and the 'company you keep' matters.
If you have time, I would very much appreciate it if you have a moment to read about The Menopause Million, the largest global research study into menopausal symptoms ever undertaken. We would love it if you joined the study so we can help more women have a positive menopause experience.
GP, Clinical Sexologist & FECSM. BMS Accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist, BMS & FSRH Menopause Trainer. FSRH Menopause Guardian. MBChB MRCGP DFSRH Dip Pall Med. Co founder Spiced Pear Health.
2 年How very on-topic after our conversation on Friday! If you claim to be an expert, then you should be very open about the experience you have that informs your voice in that area.