When seeking a complementary therapist the message coming loud and clear from the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is: "Don't leave it to chance!"

Aromatherapist, Ruth Souhamy, is one of the CNHC-registered therapists based at Caterham Osteopaths in Caterham-onthe- Hill. Ruth has volunteered to help as a 'local champion' to raise public awareness of the CNHC.

Ruth said: "The CNHC covers 15 different complementary therapies with 5,000 practitioners registered overall. Its UK Register lists therapists that have met nationally agreed standards, who are fully trained, qualified and insured. They also undergo continuing profesionals development as a matter of course and adhere to a strict code of conduct so patients can feel completely confident that the therapist has met the required standards."

The CNHC was established in 2008 and is a voluntary regulatory body of complementary therapies that was set up with government funding and support. It is the only organisation that was set up for complementary healthcare by the government with the public interest at heart.

Organisations that require or recommend the use of CNHC registered practitioners include Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the Mental Health Foundation and Arthritis Care UK.

So before making an appointment to see a complementary therapist, be sure to check they are registered with the CNHC by visiting www.cnhc.org.uk