What I learned from the 2025 NHAA Naturopathic Symposium
The recent NHAA Naturopathic Symposium was one of the best, not only for the high calibre of the presentations but because of the people who attended. At a time when more of us now work remotely, I reflected on the importance of community and what we gain from such events, beyond education.
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
Henry Ford
5 take aways from the NHAA Naturopathic Symposium
I’ve been to most of the NHAA symposiums since the initial ground breaking “international conference” in 1995. While content is often the focus, events like these provide so much more.
My top 5 Insights from the Symposium:
- You can teach old dogs new tricks. Despite thirty-something years in the profession, there’s always something to learn. A whole weekend of independent education is invaluable.
- The zeitgeist. Have you noticed how subconscious themes often emerge at conferences? This time it was Dadirri, the Aboriginal practice of deep listening, with at least three presenters mentioning it.
- Everything old is new again. Sometimes old health concepts re-emerge with a new name. For example, the Green Mediterranean Diet, which is very similar to this version.
- Reconnecting to our naturopathic tenets. Petrea King’s closing address took us back to our roots, with an emphasis on the spirit as we near end of life. A timely reminder that was both grounding and
- Importance of community. We know isolation is the one of the leading factors in naturopaths deciding to leave the profession, The opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues is precious.
Together we are stronger
Spending time with colleagues, whether it’s meeting up for a coffee or attending conferences, is even more important when working solo or online.
Beyond the knowledge gained from these events, and accruing professional development points, the connections formed and deepened can be more important than we imagined.
On a personal note, I loved meeting many new (to me) practitioners in all stages of practice and hear their stories. It was also a delight to see so many past mentees and retreat participants and observe how their careers have blossomed in the intervening years, as well as catch up with my own herbal mentor, Sue Evans (check out my conversations with her on Youtube).
Photo: NHAA
If you’re finding practice challenging, reach out to others in the profession. Or if that feels too difficult, consider professional supervision or mentoring.
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