Chronicles
12 May 2025
The RITMA Group: At the Heart of Recognition for Alternative Practice Therapists
In the field of complementary health care in Québec, the RITMA Group (Regroupement des Intervenants et Thérapeutes en Médecine alternative et complémentaire) stands out as a key player. Created to support and provide structures for practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine, RITMA has been working for over two decades to give these approaches the recognition they deserve in the broader health landscape.
A Clear Mission: Professionalizing the Practices
As alternative medicine grows in popularity, the need for strong standards has become increasingly important. RITMA positions itself as a bridge between therapists, clients, and insurers, ensuring high standards in competence, ethics, and training. All members must meet strict criteria, including recognized training hours and adherence to a professional code of ethics.
A Key Asset for Insurance Recognition
One of the major benefits for therapists who are members of RITMA is that their receipts are recognized by most insurance companies. This is a significant advantage for professionals who want to offer reimbursable services to their clients, and for clients who want to be reimbursed for the care they receive.
A Wide Range of Disciplines Represented with Rigour
Massage therapy, osteopathy, naturopathy, orthotherapy, kinesitherapy, hypnosis, coaching and helping relationships... RITMA encompasses a broad range of practices. This diversity reflects the organization's openness, while maintaining professional consistency and appropriate oversight for each discipline.
Resources and Support for Members
Being a member of RITMA also means access to administrative and legal support, professional tools (invoicing, receipts, access to competitive professional insurance), continuing education, and enhanced visibility through the online member directory.
A Driver of Change in the Integrative Health Landscape
As integrative health—which combines conventional medicine with complementary approaches—gains more recognition, RITMA is also active on the public stage, advocating for therapists’ rights and promoting a more inclusive vision of health.
The RITMA Group is a trusted partner for therapists and a mark of quality for the public. By structuring complementary practices, it helps change public perception of these approaches and supports their integration into a more human, diverse, and choice-respecting health care system.