Therapeutic courses are designed to teach people how to assist and help others in ways that are beneficial to their health and emotional well-being, or to show them how to improve or maintain their own health. Mental health professionals assist families and children with a variety of therapeutic interventions and methods, each requiring a different type of certificate or license. Homeopathy and massage therapy courses are two examples of alternative health care modalities. Prenatal and postpartum care classes help expectant mothers in a variety of ways.
Psychology is a branch of social science that studies human mental processes and behavior scientifically. While most foundational psychology courses cover the fundamentals of the field, classes that build on that knowledge demonstrate how to apply the principles and theories to help resolve common conflicts. Play therapy, a type of talk therapy for young children, is a method used by mental health professionals to help children heal and solve problems through play. Multicultural play, family play, and infant-toddler play are all topics covered in therapeutic play therapy courses that can be applied toward certification in play therapy. Coursework in grief counseling and substance abuse treatment counseling are two other mental health courses that lead to certification.
Learning about complementary approaches to healthcare, prevention, and maintenance is a part of some therapeutic courses. Massage, meditation, and homeopathy are examples of complementary therapies that are meant to be used in conjunction with allopathic treatment regimens or are considered alternative therapies. Homeopathy classes teach students how to use herbs, plants, and minerals to help the body heal itself. Students studying homeopathy can also obtain certification in order to treat others.
Prenatal development and childbirth are the subjects of many therapeutic courses. Midwifery courses prepare student midwives to assist with births and provide prenatal care to expectant mothers by providing training and education in nursing, advanced anatomy, and newborn care. Lactation consultants teach breastfeeding mothers and expectant mothers how to deal with lactation-related issues and concerns. Expectant couples are educated and trained in the Lamaze method of natural childbirth and parenting practices through Lamaze courses. Doula programs teach non-clinical techniques for assisting women going through the process of becoming mothers, including relaxation techniques, breastfeeding, and postpartum support.