Frequently Asked Questions are listed on this page, please scroll down this page to view them all.
We think we have covered most questions you would have about our courses
Please use the drop down option box above, which when you click on it will give you a list of the most often asked questions. Then click on what you would like answered to be taken to the right section for your answer.
If you have another question not answered here please feel free to email us and we will be happy to help.
Please note we do not offer distant learning courses for massage - we strongly believe that massage must be learnt on site with tutors to guide you in person.
We have a choice of venue’s to choose from and week or weekend dates available.
VENUE TIMES FOR MOST OF OUR ONE DAY COURSES : 10.30 to 4.30pm Weekdays or 11.00-5pm Weekends (For some of our advanced courses the times are slightly longer - all times can be found at the bottom of each course page)
We have a short film clip giving you information about Gateway & our Courses
Click on link above & please remember to have your sound turned on!
QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED:
DO I NEED TO BRING A MODEL WITH ME
No you will work with another student on the day so there is no need to bring a model with you.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANY EQUIPMENT WITH ME FOR THE MASSAGE COURSES OR ANY BEAUTY KITS FOR THE BEAUTY COURSES OR ARE THEY SUPPLIED ON THE DAY?
You do not need to bring anything with you as everything is included within the price of your course and supplied on the day and the tutor can also advice where to get affordable equipment and kits
FOR YOUR ONE DAY COURSES, CAN I LEARN EVERYTHING I NEED TO IN ONE DAY?
Yes, we offer you a free training day if you feel one day was not enough, however with only very small classes and one to one tuition 99% of students feel one day is fine. We also offer DVD's which go over the full routine if you require a visual reminder and back up of what you have learnt. We have been offering courses since 1998 and students have been very happy with our training and we have all our courses assessed and accredited by many professional bodies with very high standards.
PAYMENTS - HOW DO I PAY THE BALANCE FOR MY COURSE?
Please note to book onto any of our courses Gateway only takes the deposit for the course (we do not take the full payment) once you have booked your details are sent direct to the tutor and they will contact you with regards to the balance. You will have a choice to pay the balance straight away if you wish or 14 days before your course start date or sooner if it is a last minute booking. You can book up to 24 hours before a course as tutors check their bookings daily, you will receive a confirmation email from the tutor once you have booked and within this email it will give you the information you require so you can pay the balance to them direct.
If you are a company paying for a student to attend please email us as we accept a Proforma invoice.
ARE MASSAGE BEDS, EQUIPMENT AND CREAMS ETC INCLUDED IN THE COURSE? DO I HAVE TO BRING ANYTHING AND CAN I BUY WHAT I NEED AFTERWARDS?
All massage beds, chairs, all equipment and creams etc are all provided on the day of your training course so you will not have to bring anything with you. The tutor can advice you on where to get affordable products on the day of your training and we have a Gateway shop on our web site where you can get affordable and reliable massage beds, chairs and hot stone kits etc.
I AM A BEGINNER WITHOUT PREVIOUS MASSAGE EXPERIENCE WHAT COURSES CAN I TAKE?
If you are a complete beginner you do NOT need previous experience for the following one day courses:
And All our Beauty Courses
Also we have our Hopi Ear Candling Diploma Course
You will be able to get insurance and use the therapies above with the general public and charge.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO TAKE YOUR ADVANCED MASSAGE COURSES?
For our advanced courses like Hot Stone Massage, MLD, Deep Tissue etc we require a qualification in full body massage and A & P. We require an NVQ level 3 in full body massage with A & P so if your qualification is to that level then we can accept you onto these courses. If you are unsure of the level please check this with your training provider for the course you completed.
VENUE TIMES CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH COURSE PAGE.
Most of our one day courses the times are:
10.30 to 4.30pm Weekdays or 11.00-5pm Weekends (and usually one hour longer for the advanced courses - all course times can be found on each course page)
About payments
Remember the balance payment for your course is paid direct to the tutor, they will contact you within 3 days of your booking (or earlier if it is a last minute booking) with full venue address, directions and final payment information.
OTHER QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED:
Q1. Prices - Why do prices vary so much for training courses? Do we get the same training if we train with you?
A.Our prices are sometimes cheaper than many other course providers so that they are affordable for everyone; especially those who are starting out in this industry. We offer the same courses but work with much smaller classes, making sure you all get individual attention
Some companies run the same content over a weekend, they will have larger classes with 30 + people attending and you can get lost in numbers. We often have students come to re-train with us as they complained they were a number not a person. However if you train with us we only take very small classes and you will be given one to one individual attention at all times. You will learn very similar techniques where ever you train but specialising in small classes allows you the proper tuition you require.
Q2. I have noticed that the size of your classes, are small. If only two people are booked in will it still go ahead?
A.Yes we still go ahead with the class if only 2 people are booked on. We specialise in small classes to ensure one-to-one tuition, which we feel is very important. Many other courses on offer will have between 25 - 35 students on them and as a consequence the teacher will take much longer to supervise the class, making the course itself longer and of course more expensive.
For our one day courses we usually take 6-8 students (for some courses only 4 in fact) at a time, ensuring individual attention at all times and of course you will learn the same techniques as you would learn on longer courses.
B. Many students tell us they learn more in one day with our tutors (due to their experience and clear teaching methods) than they have learnt elsewhere on a 2 or 3-day course in the past. We take small numbers per class, which also ensures individual attention.
Other courses will also include Anatomy and Physiology making the course a lot longer, but A & P is not always needed to gain insurance. The tutors will cover the relevant A & P in your course manual and we also send you an accredited free A & P manual by email before you attend our course.
We follow the guidelines of the professional therapy associations and insurance companies and only ask for A & P if it is required. For many of our one day courses, it is not a legal requirement to have A & P to attend; this allows our courses to be shorter and more affordable. However we do include essential A & P you will need to know in your course manuals and you also receive your free A & P manual before your course. Some students have found this is a great reminder if they studied a long time ago and for beginners it is a fantastic introduction to the subject for them.
Please note if you wish to join FHT or Embody their regulations are you must have a qualification in full body massage and A & P however those of you without this you can join another professional body called The CMA or the Beauty Guild who both do not require this. Information about Insurance and Professional body cover will be explained by your tutor on the day of your training.
Q3. “I have noticed some of your courses are just one day, can I learn all I need to in just one day?”
A. YES!
Our philosophy is to keep classes small in order to give more attention to each student, thus cutting down on class hours. You will learn the same technique offered by other companies; however we pride ourselves on one to one tuition in smaller classes.
Certificates are only given once students have demonstrated that they have absorbed the information presented during the day and after applying a satisfactory treatment which is observed by the tutor. To ensure that we act responsibly and carry out good practice, should the tutor feel that you would benefit from further training, certification may/will be held back and you will offered the opportunity/be asked to attend the next available course that has a space, which is offered free of charge. This is rare but we would not be acting responsibly as a professional training company if we sent out students, where the tutor felt they were unsafe in any way. Remember that 1 day to learn a therapy is only a short time and therefore the standard must be high enough to enable them to issue you with a Practitioner/Diploma certificate.
Certificates - You will receive your diploma certificate on the day of training (It will display Diploma Practitioners Certificate; It does not state that it is a 1 day course) and once you have practiced and fee confident in practicing the therapy you have learnt, you will be able to charge the general public as our courses are insurable.
DVD's - Many courses also have training DVD's available, these are an excellent visual reminder of the course you have learnt helping you to remember easily the routines and vital information.
Manuals - With all Gateway courses you will receive a full comprehensive manual, which covers the course material and all aspects you have learnt on the day. This makes it easy for you to remember the routine without having to make notes during the day allowing you to have a practical day learning this wonderful new therapy technique.
Some other course providers will require you to come back on a second day to go over what you have learnt and to practice on each other, and you will of course spend a lot of extra money to do this. We’re confident that after you have practiced on family and friends until you gain your confidence you’ll be able to give the massage both safely and effectively, and we make sure you get enough practice on the day of training to remember the technique.
Our tutors are always available by email or phone if you need aftercare and help after you have trained with us to help with any questions you may have or concerns.
We have had many students over the years give us feedback and here is just one:
Hi there Sue
You were without doubt the most helpful of all the companies I contacted which is exactly the reason why I chose you. I would just like to thank you once again for all the help you gave me prior to my arriving in the UK and you went out of your way to accommodate my request for an Indian head massage diploma course
I attended the 1 day diploma course on the 8th Dec with tutor Marc Innes
i was extremely impressed from the start of the day to the finish!
He was professional, helpful and very attentive throughout the day.
The atmosphere was informal, friendly and fun
I cant wait to get on with the next diploma!
So a great big thank you once again
Happy xmas and a happy, healthy 2008
Kind Regards
Debbie Kelly
debbiekelly@hotmail.co.uk
Q4. How much is Therapist Insurance?
A. This varies but works out at about £130.00 a year depending which therapy you train in. Full details are given to you on the day of the course for new therapists or if you are a therapist already and have insurance you will be able to add your training to your existing insurance (we always advise you to check first before booking).
You do not need insurance to attend our courses but we advise you to act professionally and obtain suitable professional liability insurance before you practice with the general public. All this information can be found in your course manuals on the day of training and will be covered by your tutor.
HOW TO JOIN A PROFESSIONAL BODY & GET THERAPY OR BEAUTY INSURANCE UNDER ONE ROOF
If you would like to join a professional body you can contact The Guild of Holistic Therapists by clicking on the link below. We are delighted to say they are offering £10 off to all Gateway students and by using the promotion code in the link below it allows you to have this instant reduction. They cover holistic therapies as well as beauty, from massage to nails. You can have a professional body cover and insurance under one roof as the Guild offers both at competitive prices:
Click here to get an a therapist insurance discounted quote
They not only offer professional body membership but also reduced insurance cover - keep it simple and reduces your costs under one roof.
Today's salon clients expect the best when they visit your salon and even if you do not work in a salon and you are a mobile therapist, people take you more seriously when you belong to a professional body. They want to be advised and treated by fully trained and qualified therapists. Membership of The Guild of Holistic Therapists shows them that you are a true Beauty Professional.
You do not have to register with a professional body this is personal choice but it is professional to do so.
If you prefer to get a quote over the phone please call:
Dave or Louise
The Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists Ltd
Tel: 0845 217 7389
Remember to give the Gateway code of 10151 to get your discounted price.
Q5. Can I offer these therapies to the general public and charge for them?
A. Yes you can. The only course that isn’t certified and insurable is Holistic Massage for Beginners workshop; however, this course is perfect for those who would like to learn this massage to use on partners, friends or family, couples or for qualified therapists who are rusty and would like a refresher.
All other courses on offer are insurable, which means you can offer them to the public and charge for them.
Q6. When do I have to pay the balance of the course?
A. Once you have paid your deposit, the remaining course fee must be paid 14 days before the date of the course. You can pay the balance straight away to the tutor or up to 14 days before the course starts giving you plenty of time to save if needed.
For last minute bookings you can pay the full course fee on the day. Some of our tutors also take credit/debit card payments over the telephone to save you having to send a cheque for the final balance. Your course tutor will advise you if this is the case when you receive your course booking acknowledgement by email after you have booked your place.
B. For the ITEC Courses the final fee is payable up to 4 weeks before the course starts and the school offers instalments payments for this to help you to budget.
Q7. Is your Natural Lift Facial Massage course the same as Indian Face Massage/the Natural Facelift/Facial Rejuvenation?
Why is it so expensive elsewhere and taught over a longer period of time?
A. Yes our Natural Lift Facial Massage has the popular movements from the Indian face massage - Natural Facelift technique, or Facial Rejuvenation. The treatment has different names, depending on who companies are targeting with regards to their clients.
We are the only course provider in the UK to offer this exclusive Facial Massage course which incorporates a unique blend of highly effective techniques from Indian Face Massage (also know as Facial Rejuvenation or the Natural Facelift) with complementary techniques from Japanese Facial Massage, and also Acupressure and Reflexology for the face, new therapies that are becoming increasingly popular with clients.
We offer this course in one day due to our very small classes of no more than 6 students. Again we pride ourselves in giving one to one attention. The same course can be found elsewhere running over 4-6 days due to the very large amounts of students that attend.
Other course providers may ask you to do case studies and /or an exam, which is not necessary for insurance purposes. This makes other course much longer and very expensive. We include all the A & P you will need in your course manuals as well as a DVD you can buy on the day which is a reminder of the entire technique step by step for your reference.
Our tutors have studied with many of these larger companies; in addition they offer their own expert knowledge of other facial techniques, so we offer the same technique but for much more sensible prices, making the course affordable for all and include many facial movements that are in demand by the clients of today.
You are not required by the insurance companies to do case studies or exams, you do not need A & P to attend this course and it is accredited and recognised by the CMA (Complementary Medical Association),a member of the UK’s Parliamentary Group, The Beauty Guild and also The FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) and EMBODY.
Q8. Is the Traditional Thai Foot Massage course you offer different to Reflexology, and is it just working on the feet?
A. Many people who have studied reflexology come to this course, as it is quite different. We work on the legs as well as the feet and this popular course is fully certified; you do not need Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) to complete the course. Although it includes elements of reflexology this is not a diagnostic massage. All the A & P you require will be included in your course manuals. This course uses Thai sticks, which is the traditional way to work on the feet in Thailand.
B. For those who do not wish to learn this technique we also offer a hand, arm and feet massage course without the use of sticks.
You may have thought about training as a reflexologist but were worried about getting RSI and painful thumbs. You might like to consider this course as it is a popular alternative and has very similar results for you client.
Q9. Will I learn all about the history and philosophy of the massage as well as how to do the technique itself?
A. Our one-day courses are very much intended as small, hands-on classes offering one-to-one tuition. As such they concentrate on teaching you how to give the massage in an effective, safe and professional way. To cover in-depth the history and philosophy of each massage would necessitate a 2-day course, double the price and involve accommodation costs for students travelling in from outside London.
To overcome this we provide you with full manuals giving you all information about the massage you’re learning; this saves you having to make notes on the day and gives you the in-depth information needed and much of this is also covered on the day. There is also a wealth of information available to students both from books and online, recommendations can be made of which books to purchase to further your knowledge.
The tutors will cover the information needed verbally before the practical part of the day, ensuring all your questions are answered.
Additionally we have produced our own DVD’s which cover our courses and these show the techniques step-by-step exactly as you have learnt them; it also covers the contraindications. These DVD’s are available exclusively to our students and cannot be bought without taking a class, as its most important that you’ve both given and received the massage to do it safely and competently.
Q10. Why do colleges offer Indian head massage, Thai foot massage, Face massage and other courses but over a longer time period; many of them include Anatomy and physiology as well?
How can you offer the same course in just one day without A&P?
A. Often colleges will offer these courses with Anatomy and physiology or even ask students to undertake case histories; however this is not a requirement or a legal prerequisite. You are able to take private courses and obtain a recognised certificate and get insurance as a practitioner (which allows you to use these therapies with the general public and charge for it). We do however include all the essential A & P you will be are required to know in your course manuals.
YOU WILL BE SENT AN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY MANUAL BEFORE YOUR COURSE - THIS MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE A BOOK ON A & P BEFORE YOU ATTEND OUR CLASS WHICH WILL SAVE YOU A LITTLE OUTLAY.
Colleges often place the massages they teach under one umbrella which is easier for their administration.
Many massage courses, for example, the ITEC Holistic Massage course or Reflexology do require A & P as part of the training programme and it is easier for them to offer all courses with Anatomy and physiology, even though it may not be required.
However private courses usually offer these courses without having to study Anatomy and physiology as it is not always a legal requirement; and it is also not needed for your insurance cover to practice as a therapist.
We make it clear on each course page if A & P is a legal requirement or not.
In larger classes of 25-35 students, tutors have to move around the class checking their techniques; on our courses you will learn and easily absorb the same techniques but in a smaller class, allowing tutors to observe you closely at all times.
We teach you the same courses in smaller classes allowing you to absorb the same information in a shorter period of time and of course you spend less money. We want to allow these courses to be available for everyone & you have the reassurance of professional teaching as all courses are registered with the CMA (Complementary Medical Association), The FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) EMBODY and The Beauty Guild.
Q11. What are CPD Points?
A. All our courses have been awarded CPD points (Continuing Professional Development). There are a certain amount of points required by the various bodies (IFPA, FHT etc) to ensure that members are up to date with various therapies. For example Aromatherapists are required every 3 years to keep their training in massage up to date and will look for CPD courses to be able to do this.