​​​​​Course Description

All classes are held in real time on Zoom

Our Advanced Herbalism program prepares the herbalist for becoming a clinical practitioner in the field of Vitalist Herbalism. Students will learn how to complete a full length client intake, perform a deep level case investigation by applying vitalist assessment skills and case analysis techniques. Students will practice the art of how to apply natural therapeutics and herbs to individual cases, and gain critical insights to perform subsequent follow up visits with a client for long term health transformations. This includes the necessary technical skills to write up a case for peer review and faculty feedback in a clinical setting.

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This program features audio recorded lectures with Paul Bergner as part of our flipped classroom model. Students will also receive direct experience under his professional guidance in our live online classroom. While Paul's work is known worldwide and access to his teachings are available in a number of schools around the globe, this program offers a unique expression of his works. His 50 years of accumulated knowledge have been refined bringing a heightened skillset to the development of becoming a professional herbalist. 

Students listen to Paul Bergner's audio recorded lectures as homework and then come to class where students participate in exercises and discussions to deepen their understanding with each lesson. This program provides valuable firsthand experience with practical applications in Materia medica, case assessment, clinical skills, therapeutic approaches, and the art of developing client practitioner relationships. This flipped curriculum offers a higher retention of learning while gaining insight from shared experiences and faculty feedback.

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Course Outline

Interview Skills ​

• Interview Skills in the Vitalist Tradition 

• Getting the Story Right

• Art of the Follow-up 

• Healing as a Spiritual Path

Materia Medica & Formulation

• Advanced Herbal Actions and Formulation

• Herbal Pairing and Modular Formulation 

• Herbal Safety 

• Materia Medica Differentials 

• Herbs for the Spiritual Heart 

Case Analysis 

• Intake and Pattern Assessment 

• Case Analysis in the Vitalist Tradition

• Case Studies in Vitalist Herbalism 

Infectious Disease

• Biofilms and Chronic Infections 

• Viral Infections

Nutrition and Metabolism

• Nutrition in the Herbal Paradigm 

• Systemic Inflammation, Food Intolerance & Autoimmunity 

• Insulin Resistance 

• Obesity: Ethics and Harms 

Therapeutics

• Detoxification, Alteratives and the Liver

• Fatigue Therapeutics & Adaptogens 

• Working with the Heavy Cannabis User 

• Hypothyroid 

​​​​​​​​​​​General Enrollment Information

• All classes are held in real time via Zoom

• Prospective students must fill out an application for enrollment

• You must have previous herbal education & training to apply (see Prerequisites)

• There is a non-refundable $50 application fee. This fee is waived for all graduates of ACORN & NAIMH

• You must be 18 years of age or older to attend classes

• Once your application is accepted there is a deposit required to hold your place in the program

Prerequisites

​This program has prerequisite requirement of a minimum of 300 hours of training in Foundational Herbalism, having attended our Footprints in Medical Herbalism program or the equivalent. If you are not certain that your previous training qualifies you for our Advanced Program please contact the school to inquire. 

This program offers a rigorous study in the field of Clinical Herbalism. While class time is held live only 4 hours a week, homework and independent study hours average about 6 hours a week.  A 90% class attendance and a completion of all program assignments is required in order to graduate. ​ 

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Academic Commitment

Class Schedule

1st Day of Class: September 7, 2022  

Last Day of Class: May 31, 2023

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Classes are held on Wednesdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm PST, with a 1-hour lunch break. 

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How Class Works

Zoom Class Schedule
Our classes will be held in real-time online using Zoom. We want to replicate the in-person classroom environment as much as possible so we can grow and connect as a group. Class time is on Wednesdays 11:00 am until 4:00 pm PST. Both Heather Luna and Paul Bergner will be teaching this program. 

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Self-Study/Audio files (Course Materials)
Listening to Paul's recorded classes is an essential aspect of our herbal learning environment. His audio lectures are full of valuable information and experience that drives the entire program. You will listen to the assignment (audio file) on your own time and complete the given homework projects before the next class. The Advanced Program Course Materials is a library of digital files that will come as a download which includes: audio recorded lectures with Paul Bergner, notes and slides to accompany each lesson, data files, clinic forms, and PDF text references. We recommend saving these files to some type of external hard drive. The cost of the Course Materials is in addition to tuition and is non-refundable.

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Herbal Care Packages/Medicine Kits

You will receive 3 medicine kits throughout the year with herbs to sample that are specific to topics we will be covering. All students will receive a binder with printed notes and journal forms for completing projects at home.

Tuition

Total $4100

• Deposit: $50

• Tuition: $3150

• Course Materials: $900

Deposit of $50 is due upon acceptance

Once you are accepted into the Advanced Program you will be emailed an invoice to pay your deposit. This deposit holds your place in the program, and is non-refundable.

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Course Materials of $900 is due 8/24/22

The Course Materials must be paid in full by this date. The purchase is non-refundable.

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Monthly Payment Plan

Once your deposit and Course Materials are paid for, you will have 9 monthly payments of $350, see the payment schedule below. Custom payments plans are available upon request, please contact ACORN directly to inquire. 

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Application Instructions

Applications will not be processed until the application fee is submitted. This fee pays our time to thoroughly review each person’s application, read their essay, and then schedule a private interview to discuss their enrollment. This is a non-refundable one-time payment. 

1. Read the Advanced Program Handbook.

2. Fill out this Application online and save it to your computer.

3. Take pictures or scan your Required Documentation and save as files.

4. Write your Essay in a word processor and save the file.

5. Then send an email with all the items/files described above as attachments to: herbalists@acornherbschool.com

6. Finally, pay the application fee. 

Acceptance

Within 7-14 days you will receive an email from us about your acceptance. 

​Questions? Please contact Heather Luna, ACORN Director with any additional questions or concerns. 

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