Certified Independent Lactation Therapist (CILt) Diploma
The CILT Diploma is a 6-level certification program designed to teach all craniosacral therapy skills necessary to address breastfeeding issues faced by both Mother and Baby. Taking Level 1 provides very basic foundational skills, more as an introduction to the bodywork process. Later modules prepare you to address breastfeeding specifically. Levels 1-6 are taught over a 2-year period. Modules must be taken in sequence because they build upon each previous module.
An application for the CILT Diploma program must be filled out and submitted to our office, with requested date for Level 1. You will be registered automatically upon application approval. Matriculating classes are kept to a maximum number of 20 students, as Dr. Hazelbaker thinks it is important for students to maximize one-on-one time with her and with the other students. Signing up for Level 1 in a specific year places you into that 2-year matriculating class. You will stay with your matriculating class for your entire program.*
Please click HERE for the CILT Diploma application.
Modules for the CILT Diploma:
Level 1: Craniosacral Therapy for Lactation Consultants: The Basics - 5 days
Level 2: Craniosacral Therapy for Lactation Consultants: Deepening Skills - 5 days
Level 3: Craniosacral Therapy for Lactation Consultants: Working with the Baby - 5 days
Level 4: Craniosacral Therapy for Lactation Consultants: Working with the Mother - 4 days
Level 5: Craniosacral Therapy for Infant Breastfeeding: The Protocol - 5 days
Level 6: Craniosacral Therapy for Breastfeeding: Addressing Trauma - 4 days
Certification Exam (written and practical plus processing fees) - completed at some point during the Level 6 training week
Total for Entire Program - $6,200.00
Training Objectives:
Evaluate the intracranial membranes.
Return demonstrate and maintain a strong neutral intention.
Know the history of craniosacral therapy.
Have a firm grasp of the theory of practice of craniosacral therapy.
Demonstrate a solid grasp of basic communication skills.
Demonstrate competence with the “Listening Hand”.
Know the session map.
Have a foundational understanding of craniosacral treatment (energy and technique along parallel tracts).
Have a firm grasp of the anatomy and physiology of the body especially of the head, neck and throat, the cranial nerves, suck-swallow-breathe coordination, and the human and energy systems impacted by craniosacral work.
Palpate the deficits and deficit causes of the Craniosacral Rhythm.
Assess and palpate the deficits and deficit causes of infant suck-swallow-breathe.
Have completed a minimum of 30 sessions between each module for a total minimum of 150 sessions.
Received a minimum of three sessions between each module from a qualified and certified craniosacral therapist.
Completed all assigned reading and writing homework.
Have a firm grasp of finger feeding technique.
Have a grasp of the following basic treatment skills. Energy containment: diffusing, placement of intention, energy release; Techniques: palpation, indirect, direct, local and regional release, decompression, containing, traction and slack, fielding trauma, trauma resolution communication, open-ended verbal dialogue, integration; Session dynamics: body dialogue, guiding, format of the session, release sensations (practitioner and client), session flow, integration, culmination, reading the need.
CILT Scope of Practice:
The Certified Independent Lactation Therapist will be able to:
Assess, delineate, and document structure-function of the breastfeeding dyad.
Provide bodywork support to address structure-function issues in the breastfeeding dyad.
Field and facilitate somatically-based trauma signs and symptoms in the breastfeeding dyad.
Teach home care strategies to facilitate resolution of structure-function issues in the breastfeeding dyad.
Uphold the duties of the respective lactation support credentials with the IBCLC representing the highest standard of practice.
Scope of Practice:
Protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Develop and maintain practice policies which protect and support the breastfeeding dyad.
Provide evidence-based information regarding structure-function and its impact on breastfeeding that is conflict of interest free.
Provide evidence-informed information on the impact of bodywork on the breastfeeding dyad.
Provide effective counselling within the context of resolving structure-function issues and trauma resolution.
Work within a trauma informed care model.
When teaching other adults about structure-function issues and their impact on breastfeeding, use adult education principles.
Maintain a referral network and refer when necessary.
Abide by mandatory reporting guidelines.
Provide follow-up services until the structure-function issues affecting the breastfeeding dyad are resolved.
Develop continuity of care by working collaboratively with other health care providers.
CILT Code of conduct:
A CILT is expected to comply with the professional code of conduct laid out by their lactation certifying body. The IBLCE code represents the highest standard of practice for lactation professionals. According to IBLCE there are eight principles for IBCLC practice:
“The Code of Professional Conduct consists of eight principles, which require every IBCLC to: 1. Provide services that protect, promote and support breastfeeding 2. Act with due diligence 3. Preserve the confidentiality of clients 4. Report accurately and completely to other members of the healthcare team 5. Exercise independent judgment and avoid conflicts of interest 6. Maintain personal integrity 7. Uphold the professional standards expected of an IBCLC 8. Comply with the IBLCE Disciplinary Procedures.”
https://iblce.org/resources/professional-standards/
Additionally:
1. A CILT must comply with local or regional laws regulating the practice of bodywork.
2. Commit to and demonstrate the highest quality bodywork for those seeking their professional service.
3. Avoid discrimination both in attitude and behavior thereby acknowledging the inherent worth of each individual to whom they are providing care. This includes the baby.
4. Regularly engage in self-assessment of strengths, limitations and effectiveness by continued education and training thereby demonstrating professional excellence.
5. Abide by the following rules of ethical practice:
First do no harm.
Respect privacy and confidentiality.
Avoid misrepresentation of services, training, experience, ability, or results.
Remain within the scope of practice and abide by all legal and regulatory requirements in their state, region or country.
Abide by intellectual property rights respecting copyright, trademark and other categories and marks of intellectual property rights.
6. Project a professional image and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
7. Integrate and maintain trauma-informed care.
8. Only use the CILT credential AFTER the professional has successfully completed ALL coursework, ALL 6 levels of training, AND passed the CILT certification exam (written and hands on portions). Completion of all 6 levels of training DOES NOT indicate successful completion of the entire program. Completion of the entire program is NOT required to use the skills acquired during the training, but the credential will not be awarded and absolutely may not be used without successful completion of the entire program AND the exam.
Homework and testing:
There will be assigned reading, written homework, and projects due by the next module.
One large project is due by the end of the diploma training.
All diploma students must perform 30 sessions on clients between each module. Each homework session must be documented using the provided session chart form.
Both a written and hands-on exam will take place at the end of the training. The written exam will be essay format answering several provided questions and will be “take-home,” open-book, and un-proctored. The hands-on exam must be scheduled with Dr. Hazelbaker and can occur before, during, or after the last module.
Recertification will be required by submission of 15 continuing education credits and payment of an administration fee every 3 (three) years. Continuing education credits can be lactation related, bodywork related, or from a discipline associated with either professions (such as psychology, communication, nutrition, etc.). If you have questions about the recertification process, please contact the Spirit of Healing office.
CILT CErtification paYMENT PLAN
The total cost for the CILT certification (including exam and certification processing fees) is $6,200.00. Because there is high demand for this program, we require a deposit of $500, but then you may take advantage of one of our payment plans. Your first payment option is to pay for the entire program in full at the time of registration (if you choose this option, the $500 deposit is not necessary). The second payment plan is to do monthly payments of $240, with payment of your entire program due BEFORE your certification exam. The third payment plan is to do quarterly installments of $715, with payment of your entire program due BEFORE your certification exam. If choosing the second or third option, a credit card must be held on-file with our office for automatic withdrawals.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you sign up for Level 1 and ultimately decide that pursuing the CILT is not for you at this time, we will cancel your payment plan with no further obligation other than any outstanding tuition for Level 1. Any portion of unpaid tuition will be charged to the credit card on file immediately at full tuition rate ($1000 for Level 1). Should you withdraw from the program after completing Level 1, you are not qualified to practice Craniosacral therapy. Once you have registered for Level 2, you are considered committed to the entire program and all fees will be due. We do NOT offer refunds for any reason.
Please contact Jessica at the Spirit of Healing office, either by calling 614-326-3504 or emailing spiritofhealingllc@gmail.com, if you have any questions about the Certification program.
For available course dates, please click here. For the CILT Diploma application, please click here.
*We understand that sometimes plans change. If this is the case and you need to reschedule your attendance in a specific level, please let us know and we will place you into the next available date for that level. This means that you will also be placed into a different matriculating class.