Certified Independent Lactation Therapist (CILt) Diploma in Brisbane, Australia (TBD)
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. You will be registered for ALL 6 levels automatically upon application approval. Applying for and being accepted to the CILT Diploma Program in Australia means that you are committing to completing all 6 levels and the certification exams. Please be sure that all dates work in your schedule before signing up, as there will not be make-up levels offered in Australia. Any make-ups will need to be done in Ohio, USA and will be billed at the regular rate for that level.
October 2026-January 2028 course dates COMING SOON!
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 USD
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 will occur over a 3-day period at the end of Level 6. Please schedule a time with our office BEFORE coming to Level 6.
Recertification will be required by submission of 15 continuing education credits and payment of a $100 USD 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 USD. Because this program takes place over a 2-year period, we are offering a payment plan with several options based on when you submit your application. Your first payment option is to pay for the entire program in full at the time of registration. Other payment plans are based on your date of application submission and approval:
Submission and approval in March 2026 - $282/month
Submission and approval in April 2026 - $296/month
Submission and approval in My 2026 - $310/month
Submission and approval in June 2026 - $327/month
Submission and approval in July 2026 - $345/month
Submission and approval in August 2026 - $500/month for 2 months and then $306/month after that
Submission and approval in September 2026 - $1000 for first payment and then $325/month after that
Payment plans are non-negotiable. A credit card must be kept on-file with our office and will be automatically charged on the 10th of each month. All payment plans must be paid in full by the first day of level 6. Certification exams will not be administered to anyone who has not completed their payment plan, homework, required practice sessions, reading assignments, and project.
CANCELLATION POLICY: We do NOT offer refunds for any reason. If you sign up for the Australia CILT program, you are committing to all 6 levels. We will not be offering make-ups for any missed levels in Australia and there are no refunds or application of fees to a make-up level in the USA.
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.