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What Every Complementary Practitioner Should Do Before September: Our Vital Top 7 Tips
For many of us in the world of complementary medicine and holistic health, the summer months bring a welcome shift in pace. Whether your practice has slowed slightly or you’re juggling a more flexible routine, this quieter time offers something incredibly valuable: space to take a breath—and get ahead.
September is one of the busiest and most opportunity-filled times of the year for complementary practitioners. Clients return from holiday ready to refocus on their health, students enrol in training courses, and professional energy begins to surge again.
That makes July and August the ideal window to prepare. Instead of waiting for the autumn rush to hit, use the next few weeks to strengthen your foundation, streamline your business, and step into September with clarity and confidence.
Here’s a checklist of essential actions every complementary health practitioner (and training school!) should consider before summer ends.
1. Vital for All Complementary Medical and Holistic Therapists: Review Your CPD Hours and Plan What’s Next
Have you kept up with your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) this year? CMA Practitioner Members are required to complete 24 hours annually—but beyond the obligation, CPD is your opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge, and reinvigorate your passion for practice.
Use this time to:
- Check how many hours you’ve completed so far
- Identify any areas where you’d like to grow or specialise
- Book in upcoming CPD sessions that fit your goals
To support your growth. The CMA offers regular
PLUS: If you’re a training provider, this is also a great time to register your courses as CPD-accredited with The CMA—making them more attractive to serious students and practitioners.
2. Complementary Medical Practitioners, Holistic Therapists and Schools: Refresh Your Website and CMA Listings
Your website is often the first point of contact for potential clients or students—so it’s worth giving it a quick audit over summer. Ask yourself:
- Is my service list up to date?
- Are my contact details still correct?
- Have I included any testimonials or success stories from the past 6–12 months?
- Does the design and branding reflect the professionalism of my practice?
Many practitioners forget to update their CMA Member Directory listing as well. Log in to your Member area and make sure your profile reflects what you currently offer. This is a powerful way for clients, students, and other professionals to find and connect with you.
3. Revisit Your Pricing and Packages
When was the last time you reviewed your fees? Many Practitioners (and our Training School Members) hold back on raising prices—even when it’s well overdue—for a variety of reasons, including fear or guilt. But if your prices haven’t changed in years (and your skills have), it may be time to adjust.
Summer is an ideal time to:
- Analyse your income vs. time and energy outlay
- Consider offering new packages or bundles for autumn (e.g. “Back to School Balance” or “Autumn Vitality Series”)
- Plan a price update and communicate it in advance to clients
Remember: when your fees reflect your expertise, you attract clients who value what you do—and you create a more sustainable practice.
4. Streamline Your Admin and Systems
Is your back office in good shape—or does it feel a bit cobbled together? If your admin has been eating into your evenings or slowing you down, now’s the time to simplify.
Use the summer lull to:
- Organise your client notes and files
- Set up or review online booking systems
- Automate appointment reminders, intake forms or email follow-ups
- Back up important documents and update your data security measures
If you’re running a Training School, this might be a great time to ensure your enrolment process is seamless—and to refresh your CMA Approved Training School listing if anything’s changed.
5. Map Out Your Autumn Marketing Strategy
Instead of scrambling in September, use this time to get ahead with your marketing. You don’t need a big launch—just a clear, simple plan.
Try this:
- Choose one focus for the season (e.g. immunity, stress, hormones, back pain, student wellbeing)
- Create a few short blogs or newsletters tied to this topic
- Schedule some seasonal social media posts in advance
- Send a gentle reminder to past clients about booking in for autumn
- If you are teaching, why not reach out to past students with a new offering?
If you’re a CMA Approved Supplier, use this period to prepare seasonal promotions or educational content that aligns with what your practitioner audience will need in September—this is when they’re planning the final quarter of the year.
6. Reconnect With Your CMA Community
Feeling isolated in practice? You don’t need to go it alone. The CMA is here to support you—and the quieter summer months are the perfect time to engage more deeply with your professional network.
Here’s how you can reconnect:
- Join an upcoming CMA tutorial or webinar
- Book your 1-2-1 Business Development Consultation with The CMA’s Senior Team
- Update your profile and connect with Members via our directory
- Share a success story or testimonial for inclusion in our newsletter
- Book your ticket to the CMA Global Summit + Awards Ceremony—and receive FREE access to the Practice Mastery Course Module 1 (£250 value)
The more you connect, the more opportunities you’ll find—whether it’s collaboration, referrals, speaking engagements or fresh inspiration.
7. Your September Success Starts Now
September might seem a long way off—but it will be here in a blink. And when it arrives, you’ll thank yourself for using this time to prepare and align.
Small actions now can create big results later. Whether you update your website, register a new CPD course, or simply carve out time to plan your next offer, you’re actively investing in your practice’s growth and sustainability.
So take advantage of the space this season offers. Give your practice the attention it deserves—and step into autumn stronger, clearer, and more energised than ever.
—With warm wishes for a successful summer, Jayney Goddard; President, The Complementary Medical Association
