ATTAR
Auricular Therapy for Trauma & Addiction Recovery
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A practitioner training program of The Lotus Way
What Is ATTAR?
Auricular Therapy for Trauma and Addiction Recovery (ATTAR) is a nationally recognized practice and practitioner training program offered through The Lotus Way, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
ATTAR teaches the Five Needle Protocol (5NP), a simple, safe, and standardized ear acupuncture approach originally developed to support recovery from addiction, trauma, and stress. Rooted in both Eastern medicine and evidence-informed practice, this protocol has been used in clinics, recovery centers, hospitals, schools, disaster relief settings, and community health programs around the world for decades.
ATTAR is The Lotus Way's unique approach to the 5NP. While the protocol has been taught through various organizations over the years, most commonly through NADA, our program meets or exceeds all equivalent state standards while going further. We teach the 5NP from the inside out, integrating the spirit of the points, the Chinese medical and philosophical lineages the practice is rooted in, and a range of complementary approaches including guided meditations, essential oil integration, and other auricular seed and bead protocols that deepen the practice and expands what practitioners can offer.
The Lotus Way offers ATTAR training in affiliation with the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA), a leading national training body whose standards are recognized by regulatory bodies in more than 20 states. Upon successful completion, graduates receive an ATTAR certificate from The Lotus Way and, if they choose, a POCA Auricular Acu-Technician (AAT) certificate.
Why ATTAR Matters
Trauma and addiction touch individuals and communities across every demographic, profession, and geography. Access to effective, low-cost, and easy-to-deploy recovery support remains one of the most urgent unmet needs in public health today.
The Five Needle Protocol addresses this gap directly. It requires no specialized equipment, can be used in a wide range of settings, and is appropriate for individuals across the lifespan. Its gentle, non-invasive nature makes it especially well-suited for populations who may have difficulty accessing or tolerating more intensive forms of care.
ATTAR exists to put this tool in more hands. We train individuals and organizations to offer this protocol safely, skillfully, and with the grounding in values that The Lotus Way brings to all of its work.
Who Should Train
ATTAR is designed for a wide range of participants. No prior clinical experience is required to begin.
Healthcare and Clinical Professionals
Physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners
Licensed acupuncturists and Oriental medicine practitioners\
Licensed professional counselors and psychologists
Licensed clinical social workers
Physical and occupational therapists
Physician assistants
Emergency medical services providers
Corrections medical providers
Community and Support Professionals
Recovery coaches and peer support specialists
Yoga instructors and massage therapists
School counselors and educators
Chaplains and spiritual care providers
Community health workers
First responders and disaster relief volunteers
Individuals and Community Members
Anyone who wants to support healing in their family, community, or place of worship is welcome in this training. In most states, non-professional use of this protocol with family, friends, and community members does not require licensure or state registration.
The Training
ATTAR is offered in a hybrid format designed to make participation accessible regardless of where you live or work. The training has four components:
PART
I
Home Study
Available online, year-round. Self-paced foundational coursework covering the history, theory, and evidence base of the Five Needle Protocol. Required homework is submitted before moving on to Part II.
PART
II
Virtual Home Study
Available online upon completion and submission of Part I homework. Deepens foundational knowledge and prepares participants for in-person training.
PART
III
On-Site Training
Scheduled in-person training days held at our primary locations in West Virginia and Colorado, and at partner or host sites by arrangement. Hands-on skills practice, supervised clinical application, and community learning.
PART
IV
Practicum
Self-paced, completed within 30 days of Part III. Supervised practice hours in a real-world setting.
Upon successful completion of all four components, participants receive their ATTAR certificate from The Lotus Way and their POCA Auricular Acu-Technician (AAT) certificate. Where required by the state, these may be submitted to regulatory bodies for professional approval to practice.
The average cost for comparable trainings in the United States is $400 to $600. We offer ATTAR in this hybrid format specifically to keep costs as low as possible and access as broad as possible.
Updates
ATTAR's 2026 Training Flyer
National Reach and Regulatory Recognition
The Five Needle Protocol is recognized and regulated at the state level, with active legislation in more than 30 states across the country. The landscape continues to grow. New states are approving POCA training, existing states are broadening eligibility, and organizing efforts are underway in several more.
As of early 2026, the POCA AAT certificate earned through ATTAR training is formally approved in 9 states, accepted without formal approval in 8 more, and eligible for approval in an additional 10. Legislative efforts are actively underway in several others.
In states without specific legislation, non-professional use of this protocol with family, friends, and community members does not require state approval.
Because this landscape evolves regularly, POCA maintains a current state-by-state reference document that is updated as legislation changes.
The Lotus Way's primary training locations are West Virginia and Colorado, two states with some of the most progressive and accessible eligibility standards in the country. We also offer trainings at host sites nationwide and support graduates in navigating the approval process in their home state.
Colorado
Colorado does not require a professional license to practice this protocol professionally. Practitioners must complete an approved training and submit their information to the state.
West Viriginia
West Virginia has one of the most expansive lists of eligible professionals in the country and The Lotus Way has deep roots in this state. Completion of this training and registration with the state is required for professional use.
Credentials and Recognition
The Lotus Way's ATTAR program is led by instructors with deep experience in this protocol and a long-standing commitment to expanding access to trauma and addiction recovery support.
Heather George, OMD, LAc
Founder and Director of The Lotus Way. Registered POCA Auricular Acu-Technician Trainer. Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist with over 20 years of clinical experience and three decades as an educator.
Dr. George has trained practitioners across West Virginia, Colorado, and the United States and is available to discuss group and organizational training arrangements.
Chase Hyson
Secretary of The Lotus Way Board of Directors and Leading Voice for the ATTAR program. Registered POCA Auricular Acu-Technician Trainer. Co-instructor for ATTAR trainings and a key leader in The Lotus Way's trauma and addiction recovery work.
Bring ATTAR to Your Organization
The Lotus Way provides ATTAR trainings at healthcare facilities, recovery centers, schools, churches, community organizations, and correctional settings. We welcome inquiries from any organization looking to expand its capacity to support trauma and addiction recovery.
We Work With
Addiction and trauma recovery centers
Hospitals and medical clinics
Schools and universities across all healthcare programs
Community health organizations
Churches and faith-based organizations
Correctional facilities and re-entry programs
Disaster relief and emergency response organizations
Tribal health programs and underserved community initiatives
What Hosting Looks Like
We work with your team to design a training that fits your setting, schedule, and participant population. Trainings can be arranged as standalone events or as part of an ongoing partnership. We are also open to co-hosting arrangements with aligned organizations and training bodies.
Your organization may be eligible for grants or institutional funding to offset training costs. We are happy to support grant applications and can provide program documentation, outcome data, instructor credentials, and letters of support.
Support ATTAR
The Lotus Way is actively seeking grant funding and donor support to expand the reach of ATTAR training into underserved communities, recovery programs, and emergency response settings.
The Case for Investment
Trauma and addiction touch tens of millions of individuals across the United States, with disproportionate impact on rural, low-income, and underserved communities.
The Five Needle Protocol is one of the most cost-effective, scalable, and evidence-supported tools available for community-based recovery support
ATTAR graduates can deliver this protocol in virtually any setting, with minimal equipment and no ongoing supply costs.
The POCA AAT certificate is recognized or accepted in more than 20 states, with active legislative expansion underway.
The Lotus Way has trained practitioners across multiple states with active programs in West Virginia and Colorado and a growing national network of graduates.
Our affiliation with POCA ensures training meets nationally recognized standards and that graduates are eligible for state professional approval where required.
How Support Is Used
Scholarships and reduced-cost training for community members and under-resourced organizations.
Expansion of training into new states and communities.
Development of community clinics and ongoing support for ATTAR graduates.
Research documentation and program outcome tracking.
Legislative advocacy and state approval efforts in target states.
The Lotus Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. EIN: 84-4478751.
ATTAR Within The Lotus Way
ATTAR is one of three foundational educational programs offered through The Lotus Way, alongside the Healing Optics Program (HOP) and Asian Energy-work and Yoga Therapy (AEYT). Together these programs represent the institutional educational arms of the organization, each addressing a distinct and pressing need, and each grounded in the same values of embodied healing, community service, and spiritual integrity.
Concepts from AEYT are woven into ATTAR training, and completion of both programs forms the foundation of the ordination pathway for those who wish to become Voices for The Lotus Way. These are ordained leaders and practitioners who carry this work into their communities with the full support and recognition of the organization.
All are welcome to train. Ordination is available by invitation to those who complete core trainings and demonstrate long-term commitment to the mission of The Lotus Way.
Ready to Train?
Whether you are an individual seeking a practical new skill, a healthcare professional expanding your scope, or an organization looking to build community capacity, ATTAR is accessible, rigorous, and immediately applicable.
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Healing Optics Program:
The Lotus Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to community-centered Spirit-driven services, education, and care.
The organization offers open gatherings, counseling and ceremonial services, and educational programs and trainings aligned with its mission and bylaws. All funds received support these charitable and mission-driven purposes. EIN #: : 84-4478751
Advanced leadership and ordination pathways are available by invitation to devoted members who complete core trainings.
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