The CAREA Matrix
Duopody Reflexology
NEPIP for Stress
CALM technique
Regulated qualification with the best and most advanced training available
CAREA only endorses and licenses the most passionate, skilled and knowledgable clinical practitioners to teach the CAREA programme.
Certification & Award
Students, graduates and practitioners are protected by
Ofqual
OTHM
CAREA
Licenced Academies
What we do
Reflexology on another level
We provide access to a reflexology qualification that embraces progressive learning and traditional wisdom while also providing training for the future. Our graduates become respected professionals who work in both conventional and complementary healthcare settings.
The OTHM Level 5 in Applied Reflexology for Integrated Medicine has regulated units at levels 5 and 6 of education and is registered under the Skills for Health category for Nursing and Subjects and Vocations Allied to Medicine.
This study programme is intended for individuals who aspire to gain a comprehensive understanding of the who, what, how and where to treat, based on their foundation training. It is a rigorous educational programme, and you will graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a competent and self assured reflexology practitioner, prepared to take on a brand-new, exciting and incredibly rewarding career.
We chose our logo with care as although a peacock is sometimes derogatively associated with the phrase ‘strutting like a peacock’ ours is still and holding its head high and will not sacrifice anything for pomp or showing off. Instead, our CAREA peacock’s five feathers are symbolic of:
Exploration
Curiosity
Openness
Renewal & Rebirth
New Beginnings
WHAT WE OFFER
Centralia Advanced Reflexology Education Authority (CAREA) was established in 2010 as an independent quality assurance authority that oversees all CAREA Licensed Academies. Its objective is to maintain the consistency of teaching methods with shared values and goals. This delivers the highest degree of standards of reflexology, both educationally and professionally, by:
carrying out internal verification and quality assurance, to ensure all tutors are delivering, assessing, and marking to the standards required.
writing and revising the syllabus, curriculum, and assessments to ensure that all content and delivery is up-to-date, relevant and meets the required standards.
having an advisory hub that provides individual tutors with ongoing support for all aspects of academy management, including safeguarding, teaching, and delivery.
having monthly online meetings and an annual meeting with all academy directors and tutors to guarantee meaningful collaboration and the exchange of best practices.
conducting Learner Voice Forums to guarantee that learners’ views are heard, with follow up support and education for both tutors and academies to make any training adjustments necessary.
providing ongoing support and training to all our Academy Licensed Tutors to ensure that education, delivery, marking and assessments are standardised and of the highest quality.
having a direct connection with the awarding organisation OTHM ensuring educational and governance expertise which is then linked to the regulator OFQUAL.
verifying that all students’ work is marked and assessed to the required standards on course completion, before submitting it to OTHM for further scrutiny against standards before certificates are issued.
As the originator and formulator of the UK Level 5 Reflexology qualifications, and also having written the reflexology programmes/modules for a HND and Degree in Complementary Therapies, Sue Alma Evans has unique experience and skills to write this course too. Sue Alma Evans developed the Duopody technique and after being prompted to teach it by renowned Hanne Marqhuardt it became included many years ago in Reflexology Diplomas. She also co-authored and illustrated “The Pody Charts™” with the leading reflexologist Annie Trigg.
Some of the aspects that are unique to this course are:
120 credit course which is the same as one year of a degree course
OTHM level 5, but also includes a level 6 research unit
OTHM are a Global Awarding Organisation and the qualification is recognised globally as it is a part of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). If you want to work abroad after you qualify 2 UK credits = 1 ECTS credit. * Please note that the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is for comparison of training levels only and there is no transfer or recognition of credits or any particular qualification in the UK
A single qualification certifying the practitioner to work in a comprehensive range of disciplines and in a vast range of working environments
The training begins using the Duopody™ technique, an advanced reflexology technique exclusive to tutors and academies with CAREA licences. Using the exact and anatomically accurate Podycharts™ for precision of anatomical systems reflected onto the feet, Duopody™ treats both feet simultaneously working systematically through all the body parts and structures of our systems one at a time. Duopody technique also facilitates your anatomical learning as you ‘see’ and understand the same images that you see and learn from in anatomy of the body textbooks.
This also helps other health practitioners that work with the body (physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, chiropractors, massage and sport massage therapists etc) understand what reflexology is as they recognise the anatomy of the body systems! Duopody takes reflexology to another level.
The innovative CAREA Matrix™ of reflexology techniques are the foundation of the course, combining modern mind-body science with traditional reflexology principles.
Click here to learn more about the CAREA Matrix and Duopody techniques.
All of our CAREA Licensed academies and tutoring facilities are led by highly skilled tutors who have years of clinical practice and substantial teaching expertise.
Standards are important! When this qualification began all tutors spent several days discussing how they could improve their teaching and it was agreed that a course manual, one for each of the eight units, would benefit the teachers and the learners alike. Films as an educational aide were professionally made and edited by a University film and IT specialist. And include:
- Duopody
- CALM
- NEPIP
- Hand treatment
These educational films are all available to students for use at home as well as within class.
Each CAREA Licensed Academy also develops its own distinct instructional resources while adhering to the core concepts and teachings of the CAREA‘s educational programme.
We have eight CAREA Licensed Academies in the UK, each running many courses every year, with more academies planned to open shortly.
CAREA Partner Centres offer courses that run on weekdays and weekends, please see details at your chosen venue for full details.
As the CAREA Licensed Academies are all individual businesses, they will each offer payment options that you can discuss with them. We understand how difficult it can be to pay fees in one go, and so monthly options to pay the fees are usually available to make payments manageable.
What everyone will know is that the fees are the same wherever you study! The course is standardised and so are the fees as course content, number of hours in class, and assignments that have to be completed are the same to ensure quality of standards and delivery.
To discuss this further, please contact the licensed academy you aim to attend.
CAREA Licensed Academies offer unrivalled educational experiences and our student satisfaction rating is a magnificent 99.8%. Internal and External Verifiers conduct quality assurance for every course taught resulting in great student experiences at each of the CAREA Licensed Academies.
A business module included in the course equips the practitioner with the knowledge and abilities necessary for establishing a profitable and sustainable business. This is in addition to actual work experience and a starting clientele that is expanded through the creation of a personal portfolio of real-world case studies.
This qualification actively promotes integration with other healthcare modalities, including medical practice both within the NHS and private medical services. Our graduates progress to become respected professionals working in both conventional and complementary healthcare settings.
We also offer CPD’s from leading professionals within UK and Northern Ireland, in addition to highly accredited international specialist tutors.
What people are saying
Since adding Duopody, NEPIP and CALM to my Reflexology practice, my clients love the treatments, feel the benefits and I have had greater positive results in a shorter amount of time. I felt I needed and wanted to share these techniques with other reflexologists. Following my Centralia/CAREA training as a Duopody, NEPIP and CALM tutor I started my own CAREA Licensed Academy in Pembrokeshire. Being a CAREA Licensed Academy is a wonderful, helpful, supportive community to belong to and I love the traditional mixed with the forward-thinking approach to the techniques. The learning resources, manuals, system videos, and observation days ensure the highest of training and learning standards. A great support network for delivering this course, both for tutors and students
Kathryn Wilson
FHT Finalist for Complementary Therapist of the Year Award 2024
I am so glad that I trained in duopody reflexology. It is such a wonderful course and I’m so glad that I made the decision to complete the level 5. The practical learning is so thorough and the in depth written work gives such a good grounding. I couldn’t believe how much I learnt about anatomy and physiology which has been such an important foundation in my reflexology journey giving me the confidence to work with a huge range of health conditions in my own practice. Signing up with Inspira was the best decision. I not only learnt so much about Duopody and feet, I also learnt so much about myself and made some great friends along the way.
My tutors were a huge support and were always there (and still are) to answer any questions.
Rachel Walker
At our Academy, we pride ourselves in having well-trained and experienced tutors teaching the DUOPODY-only Regulated qualification course here in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We are proud to be a Licensed CAREA Academy with ongoing support as a partnership centre, and community collaboration with other academies and tutors. The learning materials and resources offer learners the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of Reflexology incorporating the CAREA MATRIX of Duopody, NEPIP and CALM.
Feedback from our learners who use the CAREA MATRIX has been tremendous and client outcomes are amazing, especially when applied in the field of Mental Health. When a previous student informs us that the professionals within their organisation want to know where they trained as a result of feedback and observed changes in the clients, far beyond the previous reflexology treatments, then we know that our qualifications and our teaching methods are serving our community with the best possible outcomes... far beyond expectations!.
Dorothy Kelly
I’ve been practicing as a Level 5 Practitioner of Reflexology (CRM5), in the method of Duopody, since I graduated from Inspira Academy in 2021.
It was a leap of faith for me, as I had only ever experienced one ‘traditional’ reflexology treatment before jumping straight in to learning Duopody, making the decision based on my intuition and the PodyCharts. Seeing the human body reflected on a pair of feet while also working both feet at the same time made so much more sense to me, when I was trying to understand the concept of reflexology.
The support I have received from Inspira/CAREA from the very beginning of my career as a Duopodist continues today and has been essential for me in building up my confidence working with such a varied client base with a wide range of pathologies.
I still feel I can contact any of my tutors and colleagues to discuss an approach or challenge, that sometimes arises when dealing with the general public, and always, always receive a warm, supportive response. It’s a fantastic community to be a part of.
It’s surely a good sign that you made the right decision when you wake up looking forward to your working day.
Andy B
Being a Centralia / CAREA centre is an extremely positive experience, and I am so pleased to have found this course when setting up Wye Reflexology Academy. There is a collaborative and supportive atmosphere for both tutors and students alike, along with high-quality resources to aid course delivery and enhance the student experience. This is an outstanding course, with fresh and innovative content and exclusive techniques, including Duopody, CALM and NEPIP.
I began teaching at my yoga centre in Wye, Kent, and also in Somerset. All my students have been brilliant, and a few of them loved the course and the working opportunities it provided. They want to teach as well, so watch this space for our new venues!.
Alison Belsom
A car accident forced me to choose a new professional path; while I was still deciding what I wanted to do, I enrolled in a Level 3 Diploma in Complementary Therapies, which included reflexology, at a nearby college, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Once qualified, I quickly discovered that most clients came to seek relief from health concerns, and for insurance reasons, I had to refer them to their GP to get written consent for me to treat them. So while searching for add-on courses to enhance my qualifications, I discovered Level 5 Reflexology for Integrated Medicine, which seemed ideal for me.
The course was a lot of work but all of it was interesting. The most surprising benefit for me came from using the Duopody technique. Because I was now treating both feet together with both hands my posture was fully centred which meant I had no back strain. This means I can deliver reflexology treatments as a long-term career without further damaging my back along with my level 5 qualifications and knowlage I can also help others who have sustained life-changing injuries like myself..
Natalie W
The certificate and logos are fabulous. It's marvellous to see my name as a Registered Practitioner.
This course has been amazing and I have learned so much on so many levels. I am constantly amazed by the results using the techniques. I am looking forward to building my business even though I feel quite nervous about the next steps.
Glenys is a superb teacher and it was lovely to meet you, Sue. Thank you for your inspiring visit..
Janet D
Graduate of