Clayton college of Natural Health, a Holistic School Review

Clayton College of Natural Health is a non-accredited college of natural health. It was founded in 1980 by Lloyd Clayton Jr and according to its website has more then 25,000 students and graduates. Before 1997 it was known as the American College of Holistic Nutrition. The school and some of its graduates have been the center of some controversy.

The controversy with non-accredited schools offering health related courses often advocate unscientific concepts and are not verified by scientific scrutiny. Clayton College is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board, however these institutions are not recognized by the US Secretary of Education making their accreditation suspect.

This means that several state education agencies specifically list Clayton as unaccredited including Oregon, Texas, Michigan and Maine. In these states degrees issued by Clayton may not be acceptable to some employers and the use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. 

This schools teachings are based on a simple principle, natural healing takes place when a human body receives what it needs. These needs start with the basics such as fresh air, sunlight, balanced and healthy diet, exercise and rest. Scientifically speaking this seems a very sensible foundation to begin healing.

If you are reading this there is a good chance you, like myself, feel that invasive and aggressive treatments do not always lead to better health, and are beginning to mistrust main stream medical treatments and advice. You may even be coming to think that the body is innately designed to heal itself. Some of these medicines and pills seem to be working against the body instead. Sometimes the cure is worse then the disease as they say.

Is accreditation necessary? I think that its hard to get away from, if you want to be an accredited natural healer this is probably not for you. For myself I would be interested in learning for myself and any family or friend who wanted a healer that does not rely on the power of pills. When deciding to sign up for this type of education you must analyze whether or not you are going to get what it is you 'really' want.