Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need any prior therapy knowledge or experience to begin your Bowen training. Many of our most successful therapists came from a non-therapy background.

All complimentary therapists in the UK now need to have a qualification in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology (AP&P). This qualification can be completed online or in person, if you do not already have it. 

Requirements: ITEC or VTCT level 3 qualification. If you have another qualification which covers AP&P to at least a Level 3 NVQ (or SCQF Level 6–7) standard, then this will suffice. If you gained an A&P qualification prior to 2020 this is sufficient. If you are a primary healthcare provider, then your professional training will count, and you shouldn’t need to do a separate AP&P course.

You do not need this qualification before you begin your Bowen training, but you will need it in order to gain your Bowen Practitioner Qualification.

Many students chose to study AP&P alongside their Bowen Training.

Find out more about what is involved in AP&P training by visiting our Resources page HERE

It usually takes about 9 – 10 months to qualify as a Bowen practitioner with CBS. We are however aware that 'life happens' and you may need to take more time between modules.  You can take up to 12 months between modules, after which you will need to resit the previous module at a reduced cost. 

You can also swap between Tutors if you are struggling to make it to any of the Modules, as long as you leave at least 2 months between Modules.

Please contact us, or speak to the Tutor if you would like any further details.

No, you can train with different Teachers. All Teachers cover the same content at each Module, which means you can change venue / Teacher to fit in with your schedule, providing you leave at least 2 months between Modules.  Please speak to your Tutor if you need any clarification about this.

Yes, you will need to complete all Modules in order. Each Module builds on the previous one and the work would not make sense if you missed a Module. The core work taught at Modules 1 and 2 are the foundation of all other Bowen work you will learn.

Yes. Case Studies are an important element of your Bowen training. Bowen is a hands-on therapy, so understanding how to adapt the pressure of the move to the client, as well as the location and timing of the moves, and palpating (feeling) for anatomical locations, all rely on plenty of hands-on learning and practice. 

You will have 10 case studies to begin after Module 1. They need to be submitted before module 3 (so you have approximately 4 months to complete them), and 10 more case studies to submit before Module 5. The case studies submitted for Module 5 will contribute towards your final qualification.

In some cases it will be possible to use the same person for both sets of case studies.  Your Tutor will explain this in more detail.

It is recommended that you try and find as many people as possible to practice on as possible - even if you don't use them as a case study, as it will help perfect the moves, build your confidence, as well as build your future client base.

Family, friends, work colleagues and friends of friends are usually the first people students use for Case Studies. Some students choose to post on local social media groups to advertise that they are looking for Case Studies. This usually results in students having more people than they need. People who you don't know as well, will generally make better Case Studies - and hopefully will then go on to become clients, and tell their friends, once you are qualified.

Students are not permitted to request payment for Bowen Sessions, whether for Case Studies or otherwise. 

Our practitioner training takes place over 5 modules. Each hands-on module is 3 days long. There is usually 8-10 weeks between modules for you to practice and work on your Case Studies.

No, you do not need to have completed any Bowen training or have any prior experience to start your Bowen training, although those who have attended the Introduction Day tend to feel they have a 'head start' and are more confident with palpating and learning the Bowen moves at Module 1

If you don’t have a qualification in AP&P then you will need to do that.

You will need access to a therapy couch, which can be purchased either new or second hand and typically costs from £90 new.

Student insurance costs around £25.

The only other expense is our online Red Flag training which needs to be completed before Module 5. This is a 30 minute video that we had created by a medical professional, specifically for our students. This essential training costs only £20 when you use your student discount code.

The final exam is made up of 3 parts. Your final 10 case studies which need to be submitted before module 5, a written paper and a practical assessment.

The first 2 days of module 5 are revision of everythig you have learned, then the written paper and practical assessment take place on day three of Module 5.

The College of Bowen Studies is committed to making our training programme available to everyone. We aim to deliver equality, diversity and inclusion within our training.  We are able to provide extra time, a scribe and any other provisions required, as necessary.  Please speak to your Tutor or contact us for more information about how we may be able to support you.

No, unless you prefer to pay up front, you pay for each module as you go along. There are options available to spread payments for each module via Paypal or Klarna if you wish.

You get 15 days of hands-on learning within a small group (maximum group size is 12), two manuals and online resources which include theory and training videos.

Our Tutors offer support throughout your training and beyond. If you don't already have your own therapy business, we can offer adivce on how to set one up too!  Once qualified, you also have access to a large array of additional training (CPD) workshops and resources. A typical two-day post qualification hands-on workshop with a Bowen Tutor costs around £300. You will need to complete at least one of these, once a year for the first three years (minimum). There is always more to learn!

The Bowen Technique is a hands-on soft tissue therapy aimed at helping people in pain. Unlike many other therapies, Bowen is always aimed at treating the whole body and not just the painful area. This is absolutely essential because in the majority of cases, the root cause of pain is coming from somewhere else.

A Bowen therapist makes gentle rolling type moves over key stress loading areas of the body, combined with a series of pauses or 'breaks', which allow the appropriate response to take place within the body. These moves initiate a safe and natural re-balancing process throughout the whole body.

Once the body is back in balance, even chronic conditions can resolve. Simple, safe, effective.

If you haven't heard of the Bowen Technique (or 'Bowen Therapy') before, then this tends to be because good Therapists become busy through word of mouth alone, and so may not be spending time and money in advertising. Unfortunately this means that many people still haven't heard of Bowen, but as an industry, we are making moves to try and improve public awareness going forward.

Most of the time, the root cause of a person’s pain is coming from another part of the body. This can be because of an accident, injury, bad habit, working conditions etc.

Once one part of the body is injured or out of balance, the brain will find a way to compensate. Often it is in the area of compensation that the pain will be felt.

Bowen is effective because by treating the body as a whole, it addresses not only the area of compensation, but also the root cause of the pain.

One of the main rules taught to Bowen therapists is that we do not claim to treat specific conditions. Bowen therapists are treating the whole person and not a named condition. If you have a sore back or sciatica, the Bowen therapist is not treating your back or your sciatica. They are treating you as a person.

There are certain conditions that respond well to this full body treatment. Lower back pain, sciatica, knee and ankle injuries, headaches and shoulder issues are just a handfull of reasons why clients actively seek out Bowen Therapy.

There are studies and research which demonstrate that Bowen is effective, as well as a huge number of client testimonials given to individual Therapists.

There is a growing body of research into the effectiveness of the Bowen Technique. You can find these research articles on the Bowen Therapists Professional Association website here: BTPA Research Link

Bowen sessions can vary from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the client. Bowen sessions on babies and young children can take anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes. 

Bowen is suitable for people of all ages and levels of fitness, from newborn babies, to athletes as well as the elderly. It is a safe and gentle therapy and is usually relaxing to receive.

The cost of a Bowen session varies depending what part of the country you are in. It is best to contact your local therapists for information.

As we do not use oils or lotions, Bowen sessions can usually take place through light clothing. Coats, shoes, belts and heavy or thick items of clothing may need to be removed. In cold weather, clients may opt to bring something lighter to change into, such as a pair of shorts.

Client comfort and modesty is paramount. Your Therapist will never ask you to remove underwear. You will usually be covered with towels or blankets too.

Whilst most Bowen sessions take place whilst you are lying face down, or on your back on a therapy couch, this can be adapted to side lying, seated, or even standing if required. 

Whilst working on children, Therapists are generally quite versatile in how they work. Sometimes cushions on the floor whilst a child is playing, is the easiest option!