Acupressure Therapy Institute

Mission Statement

The mission of the Acupressure Therapy Institute (ATI) is to provide a comprehensive education in Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). We are dedicated to training professional practitioners with sensitivity, skill, knowledge and compassion so that they can provide health care to the public in complementary and alternative medicine. We encourage our students to self-discovery and to the development of their emerging selves as professional therapists.

Why Choose the Acupressure Therapy Institute?

The Acupressure Therapy Institute has a unique program and has many areas of special interest:

• Only New England school teaching Acupressure Shiatsu style of ABT
• Excellence of a well developed academic program
• Founding director, Barbara Blanchard, has more than 25 yrs experience in creating curriculum and teaching ABT
• Knowledgeable faculty
• Three supervised student clinics: Acupressure Chair Clinic, Full Treatment Mat Clinic, Off-site internship with challenged adolescents at the Mass. Hospital School Pain Management Clinic
• Small classes and individual attention
• Flexible payment plans
• Continuing education workshops
• Alumni are welcome to sit in on classes for review, free of charge
• Graduates have passed the NCCAOM exam and are successfully practicing

School History

ATI was founded in 2000 by the corporation, Acu-Health, Inc. and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education as a private vocational school. It is a small school located on the south shore in North Quincy dedicated to offering quality training in the ancient healing arts of Asian Bodywork Therapies:

• National member of the Council for Schools and Programs (COSP) of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA).
• Approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under category A.
• Professional Development Activities (PDAs) for NCCAOM recertification are available

Graduates of the Acupressure Therapy Institute (ATI) receive a certificate in Acupressure Shiatsu after completing the requirements for the 730-hour training program. ATI graduates are recognized as professional Asian Bodywork Therapists (ABT's) by the AOBTA and are qualified to sit for the national ABT exam given by the NCAAOM which certifies Diplomates of ABT.

ATI has a strong academic program in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). The curriculum is well developed for the serious student who is willing to commit to 1-2 hours of homework for each hour of classtime. Homework includes preparation for quizzes, exams practical hands-on and written, special projects and case reports.

Classes are one to two evenings a week (6:30 - 9:30pm) and one weekend a month. The certification program is 730-hours completed in 16 months. 100 hrs of Anatomy and Physiology are required in addition to the core classes. A&P is offered as a four three-day weekend intensive with emphasis for bodyworkers. It is taught in such a way as to integrate western and eastern perspectives and has been very popular with our students.

The 730-hr core classes are taught as five levels. Each level lays the foundation for the next advanced level class. The foundation levels are prerequisites for the advanced level classes. Please request information for more detailed information on the academic program.

An interview is part of the application process. Please request information now to schedule your appointment interview and visit the school. Only serious candidates need apply!

Contact Us Today!

If you are interested in our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.

Enrollment for the certification program is twice a year in September and April.