CertEd: Craniosacral Therapy Certificate- Level 1 (Spring 2025)

CEU Credits: 21 CEU/PDA hours 

Please Note: This is a live course held at the Bastyr Kenmore Campus. 

Prerequisites 

Participants must be licensed health care practitioners who are licensed to touch. We can also accept students who are training in those fields. 

Click Here for a list of Approved Credentials & Professions for Craniosacral Therapy 

Please Note: Please be sure you are qualified to take this course before registering! If you register for this course and do not have any of the above approved credentials or professions for Craniosacral Therapy, you will be refunded for the course minus a 5% processing fee. If you are not qualified and do not disclose this information, the instructors have the right to dismiss you from class. No refunds will be given in this situation.  

Course Description

The fascial system and its critical role in health and well-being will be discussed, from the specific to the whole body (including the membranes of the head). You will learn to recognize and assess the craniosacral rhythm at various points in the body, and to use it as an assessment tool. Learn to perform the still-point technique and dural tube glide, and explore the role of these techniques in normalizing tensions throughout the body. Additionally, we will cover the importance of the various membranes within the craniosacral system, including ways to assess restriction within the membrane system, and recognize its implications on general well-being and health. The seminar includes a combination of lecture, demonstration and hands-on practice.  

There are 23 in-class hours (including break times) plus 5-10 hours of pre-reading assignments. 

Healthcare practitioners who complete Level 1 may immediately incorporate these techniques in their practice, as well as go on to take Levels 2 and 3.  

2025 Changes to CST  

Beginning in Fall 2025, we will be expanding our Level 1 course into two separate classes to allow participants to dive deeper into both the Fascia Systems of the Body, as well as the Superficial Sutures of the Skull. After Spring 2025, there will be four (4) levels required for CST Certification. If you'd prefer to complete this requirement with only three (3) levels, you must complete all three levels in Spring 2025.  

Course Objectives 

• Describe the function of the fascia. 
• Treat fascial restrictions using direction of energy technique. 
• Assess and treat restrictions in the muscles, joints and extremities. 
• Assess and treat restrictions for the body diaphragms. 
• Describe the basic elements of the craniosacral (CS) system, including the meninges and cranial membranes. 
• Assess the CS rhythm. 
• Induce a still point in the CVS rhythm. 
• Describe the structure and function of the tentorium and falx. 
• Assess and release the tentorium using the sphenoid and temporal bones. 
• Assess and release the falx using the frontal and parietal bones. 
• Describe the structure and function of the sacral base. 
• Release the joints of the sacral base (sacroiliac and lumbo-sacral). 
• Perform a dural tube glide. 
• Assess when it is appropriate to make referrals to other health care or mental health professionals. 

CEU Credits: (This course is approved for 21 CEUs, PDAs, CMEs for the following professions:) 

• ND (licensed in WA) 
• MD & PA - Category II CMEs (those licensed in WA) 
• ARNP & RN - Category II (licensed in WA) 
• LMT - NCBTMB CEs 
• LAc - NCCAOM Category PE-CW  
• PT & OT (licensed in WA)  

Interested in the Full Certificate Program? Here is what is required: 

Courses: Successfully complete Levels 1, 2 and 3 (Beginning in Fall 2025, Level 4 will also be required) 

Supervised Practice Sessions: Attend a minimum of 10 practice sessions (total of 20 hours) 

Two-Way Trades: Complete at least 10 trades with another participant (total of 20 hours) 

Client Treatment Sessions: Complete a minimum of 100 hours 

Personal Treatment Sessions: Receive craniosacral treatments from a Certified Practitioner (minimum of 10 hours) 

Practical Test & Written Exam: Pass with 80% or higher 

For more details, check out our Certification Info Sheet 

Textbook Requirements 

Required Textbooks 

• Rhythm and Touch: The Fundamentals of Craniosacral Therapy , by Anthony Arnold. 

Recommended Textbooks 

• An Integrative Approach to Craniosacral Therapy - Fascial Connection , by Faith Christensen and Masahiro Takakura.  

• Pocket Anatomy & Physiology 4th Ed., by Shirley A. Jones (for CST Levels 1 & 2)  

It is recommended that you register at least two weeks prior to class start in order to complete the reading assignments.  

On-Campus Expectations 

What to Bring 

• Comfort - bolsters, blankets, and pillows you may need to remain comfortable during treatment and training. 
• Textbooks - All required and recommended textbooks. The Bastyr Bookstore is not open during the hours of this course, so please be sure to order your books ahead of time. 
• Clothing - Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  
• Hydration - Personal water bottle (filtered water dispensers available on campus to refill). 
• Meals: You will have meal and snack breaks throughout the weekend. Our dining commons is not open during weekend hours, but there may be grab & go items available for purchase. It is recommend you bring your own meals. There is a refrigerator and microwave for participants to use if needed.  
• A note about the Bastyr University Kenmore Campus: Bastyr University is housed in an older facility with fluctuating interior temperatures; it is advisable to wear layers. Also, Bastyr is a “fragrance-free” campus 

About the Instructor 

Einat Arian, ND, PhD, CST earned her first doctorate from the Hebrew University  in Jerusalem in 1997. She conducted research and lectured in the field of neuro-physiology, and has written several publications in peer-reviewed journals in those fields. In 2006 she graduated from Bastyr University with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Arian has been practicing naturopathic medicine in Seattle, with an emphasis on craniosacral therapy and homeopathy. She studied craniosacral therapy in Bastyr’s continuing education program under the guidance of Dr. Nancy Soliven, completing the certification program at the Diplomate level from Integrative Body Institute (IBI). In 2007 she began working as a teaching assistant for IBI, and also completed IBI’s teacher training and mentoring program. Dr. Arian has a private practice in North Seattle where she sees people of all ages, including many pediatric patients. 

Catherine Oliver, LMT, CST-C (Co-teacher);  After graduating from Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts (now Institute for Massage Education at KCHA) in Michigan in 2006, Catherine completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University and relocated to Seattle in 2008. Needing to return to massage school due to state licensing differences, she graduated from Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts and began her massage practice. 

Having been introduced to craniosacral therapy during her initial massage training, Catherine began taking courses at Bastyr from Nancy Witt, PT and Einat Arian, ND while their certification program was being developed. As one of the first to be certified through the program in 2015, she became a teaching assistant and helped further develop the program, eventually taking on the mentorship role for the certification program after Nancy’s retirement and became a co-instructor with Einat.  Additionally, she has taken advanced craniosacral training from Dr. Arian and Etienne Peirsman. Catherine maintains a craniosacral and massage therapy practice in Seattle, WA. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, and snuggling her cats. 

View cancellation policy here 

If the course must be cancelled or postponed due to an unforeseen circumstances, participants will be offered a refund (minus processing fees). Thank you for keeping our BU community safe and healthy! 

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