Sophrologist

Sophrologists aim to reduce their clients` stress and produce optimal health and well-being by applying a dynamic relaxation method which consists of a specific set of physical and mental exercises on a doctor’s order.

The following job titles also refer to sophrologist:

sophrology practitioner
specialist sophrology practitioner
sophrology expert
dynamic relaxation practitioner
practitioner of dynamic relaxation methods
practitioner of sophrology
sophrology specialist
dynamic relaxation methods practitioner

An associate’s degree is generally recommended to work as a sophrologist.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Sophrologist is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to sophrologist.

shiatsu practitioner
herbal therapist
aromatherapist
personal trainer
sport therapist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of sophrologist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of sophrologist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

traditional chinese medicine therapist
homeopath
acupuncturist
complementary therapist
occupational therapy assistant

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of sophrologist.

• Complementary and alternative medicine: Medical practices which are not part of the standard care in healthcare.
• Types of aromatherapy treatments: Field of information which distinguishes a variety of ways to apply aromatherapy treatment, such as massages, inhalers, baths, vaporizers, compresses, diffusers, meditiation or deodorizers.
• Sophrology: The principles and techniques such as concentration, deep breathing, relaxation and visualisation designed to bring the consciousness in harmony with the body.
• Supervision of persons: The act of directing one individual or a group of individuals in a certain activity.
• Phytotherapy: The characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.
• Human physiology: The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
• Breathing techniques: The various techniques to control the voice, body, and nerves by breathing.
• Human anatomy: The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
• Relaxation techniques: The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
• Movement techniques: The various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for or underpin occupational performance.
• Acupuncture methods: Techniques and methods used to normalise the flow of Qi energy in the body for relieving pain and related symptoms by applying various specific types of needles into different acupuncture points.

These skills are necessary for the role of sophrologist.

• Deliver sophrology exercises: Teach sophrology exercises and attend to individual and group sessions, adapting them according to each persons’ abilities and needs.
• Prepare exercise session: Prepare equipment and facilities for the session ensuring compliance with industry and national guidelines for normal operating procedures. Plan timings and sequences for the session.
• Empathise with the healthcare user: Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Apply acupuncture: Use procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation in order to relieve pain or achieve other therapeutic benefits.
• Provide health education: Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Develop therapeutic relationships: Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual’s innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the potential of healthy change.
• Follow-up on healthcare users’ treatment: Review and evaluate the progress of the prescribed treatment, taking further decisions with the healthcare users and their carers.
• Prescribe exercises: Provide a range of exercise programmes in accordance with the needs of the clients by applying principles of exercise programming.
• Promote healthy lifestyle: Provide information to clients about the role of physical activity, modes of exercise and related services and the importance of healthy activities for daily living.
• Promote balance between rest and activity: Provide information about the role of rest and regeneration in the development of sport performance. Foster rest and regeneration by providing appropriate ratios of training, competition and rest.
• Listen actively: Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
• Observe healthcare users: Observe healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.
• Apply aromatherapy: Use the therapeutic benefits of essential oils to produce massage blends, cream or lotions and help improve the physical and emotional health and well-being.
• Ensure safety of healthcare users: Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person’s needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
• Apply context specific clinical competences: Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
• Prepare sophrology session: Plan and prepare the equipment and facilities for the sophrology session and plan timings and sequences for the session, creating a relaxing and comforting environment.
• Attend to sophrology clients: Observe participants` breathing and relaxation techniques, giving feedback, correcting when needed and guaranteeing that sufficient personal attention is provided to each participant in the sophrology session.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sophrologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Neurophysiology: The medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.
• General medicine: General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Behavioural disorders: The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
• Behavioural therapy: The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be un-learned.
• Homeopathy remedies: The characteristics, components and effects of homeopathic medication.
• Homeopathy: The alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.
• Be in touch with your body: The key aspects of applied anatomy, psychology, nutrition, physiology, and psychosocial studies and how they relate to the self-awareness of one’s body.
• First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sophrologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Safely instruct about fitness: Provide safe and effective fitness instruction.
• Direct movement experiences: Assist clients or patients in moving in a structured or improvisatory manner for expressive purposes.
• Inform clients of healthy lifestyle benefits: Provide accurate information about the role of physical activity and stimulate exercisers with controlled health conditions to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle behaviour. Inform clients on principles of nutrition and weight management.
• Demonstrate professional attitude to clients: Demonstrate responsibility and professional duty of care to clients which will include communication skills and a focus of customer care orientation.
• Ensure safety of exercise environment: Select the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment in which clients are exercising.
• Advise on mental health: Advise persons of all ages and groups in terms of the health-promoting aspects of individual behaviour and institutions with regard to the personal, social and structural factors on physical and mental health.
• Promote mental health: Promote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.
• Provide preparation for childbirth: Provide information to the mother-to-be related to the childbirth procedures in order to be prepared and know what to expect.

3255 – Physiotherapy technicians and assistants

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References

1. Sophrologist – ESCO