The principle goals of therapeutic courses are to teach people how to assist and help others in a way that is beneficial to their health and emotional well-being, or they show them how to personally improve or maintain their own health. Helping families and children overcome difficulties, mental health professionals provide a number of therapeutic interventions and methods, each area requiring a special type of certificate or license. Alternative health care modalities are obtainable through taking courses in homeopathy or massage therapy. Classes in the area of prenatal and postpartum care support expectant mothers in many ways.
Psychology is an area of the social sciences that focuses on the scientific study of human mental processes and behavior. While most foundational courses teach the basics of the field of psychology, classes building upon this knowledge show how to apply the principles and theories to help resolve common conflicts. As a form of talk therapy for young children, play therapy is a method used by mental health professionals that uses play as a way to help children heal and solve problems. Therapeutic courses in play therapy cover subjects including multicultural play, family play, and infant-toddler play, all of which may be applied towards certification in play therapy. Other mental health courses leading to certifications include coursework in grief counseling and substance abuse treatment counseling.
Certain types of therapeutic courses involve learning about complementary approaches to healthcare, prevention, and maintenance. They are referred to as complementary for the reason that they are meant to accompany allopathic treatment regimens or are considered to be alternative therapies, such as massage, meditation, and homeopathy. Classes in homeopathy teach students how to help the body heal itself through the use of herbs, plants, and minerals. Homeopathy students can also obtain certification for the purpose of treating others.
Many therapeutic courses are offered that center around prenatal development and childbirth. Providing training and education in nursing, advanced anatomy, and the care of newborns, midwifery courses train student midwives in assisting with births and providing prenatal care to expectant mothers. Lactation consultants provide classes to breastfeeding mothers or those who are expecting, helping them with lactation-related issues and concerns. Lamaze courses educate and train expectant couples in the Lamaze method of natural childbirth and parenting practices. Teaching how to assist women going through the process of becoming mothers from a non-clinical perspective, doula programs offer courses in relaxation techniques, breastfeeding, and providing postpartum support.