What Does An Aromatherapist Do?
I get this question a lot! Many people don't understand the holistic modality of aromatherapy and what an aromatherapist does to help her/his clients reach their wellness goals. I'd like to introduce you to my profession and shed some light on what I do as an aromatherapist and why you might want to book a consultation.
Here in the US a qualified aromatherapist will have attended a minimum of 170 hours of aromatherapy training to achieve a certified designation. Another 400 hours or so (varies by school) to achieve a clinical designation. In my case, after 30+ years of studying herbs and essential oils independently, I enrolled in the West Coast institute of Aromatherapy in Vancouver BC for my Certification (2002) and Clinical designation (an additional 440 hours) which I achieved in 2017. These courses covered anatomy, physiology, plant chemistry, carrier oils, safety and the in depth examination of over 150 essential oils, hydrosols, carrier oils, etc. For the clinical portion students were required to submit 30 case studies plus write a thesis demonstrating understanding and skillful use of a particular area of interest. To read my paper on "Singin' The Blues" An Analysis and Comparison of Three Essential Oils Containing Chamazulene: What are They, What's In them, and What are They Good For? (Click Here)
I have additionally taken continuing education classes in tongue assessment (New York Institute of Aromatic Studies); Aroma Chemistry, Aroma Pharmacokinetics (through Naturopathic CE) Labcannamist (through Aroma Lab, in depth course in utilizing hemp products into an aromatherapy practice) and most recently a deep dive into the use and practice of Bach Flower Essences. I am a member in good standing with the AIA (Alliance of International Aromatherapists) and NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy). In the last two years I've added almost 100 hours of continuing study. I love learning in general and it's really important to be aware of new research and safety protocols.
Aromatherapy is often defined as a science and an art. The science side looks at the chemistry of essential oils to determine what therapeutic actions they will have and if they will interact with your high blood pressure medication, are contraindicated for your toddler or your pregnant cousin. The art side looks at how the essential oil will support you holistically – to shift your perception of pain, decrease the inflammation of that arthritic knee, or reduce stress and anxiety and support your own innate ability to heal mind, body and spirit.
In a consultation we start with your health history, diet and lifestyle, family background if relevant, and we discuss your wellness goals. Once I have the big picture of what your goals are we discuss possible product blends and methods to support that. There may be more than one health issue that can be addressed with carefully selected essential oils and/or hydrosols. Another element of that is getting a feel for what scents you might like or dislike as there are almost always many different combinations of oils that may be utilized to address an issue. Odor detection is tied to the same region of the brain associated with memory, blood pressure, select hormones and mood. You may have a very defined appreciation or detestation for a certain odor. There are many different applications in the use of essential oils, topical, inhaled or ingested. In the US, ingestion of essential oils is strongly discouraged, although many MLM companies encourage their use; a subject for another day/article). Although essential oils are by in large safer than many over the counter and prescription aids, there are many possible contraindications that a trained aromatherapist will be aware of.
My essential oil products are blended with carefully chosen carrier oils, aloe or other plant materials, at a safety dilution rate for topical application.
​
Anything that has the power to help you heal also potentially has the power to harm you and aromatherapy is no exception – even if it is natural and you have a very high quality essential oil. It is often advisable to make your doctor aware of any adjunct essential oil therapy to make sure there will be no negative interaction with a homeopathic remedy, etc. If you walked into your local health food store or chatted with a neighbor who represents an MLM essential oil company and asked for an essential oil to help with your headache you might be pointed to a bottle of peppermint essential oil (which can certainly help headaches in some cases but not all). If you came to see me (or another trained aromatherapist) I would tailor my advice and customized subsequent blend based on your level of pain, frequency, type (simple, occasional or migraine) and underlying cause if known. So you would go home with a custom blend and a treatment plan to get the headaches under control without simply masking the symptoms. That is one of the main benefits of exploring complementary products and why it's important to consult with a trained professional, whatever your alternative approach may look like. Many drugs treat the symptoms and don't encourage the body to heal the root problems. Careful and knowledgeable use of alternative holistic practices and products can help you be an empowered consumer who uses aromatherapy as a holistic tool grounded in both evidence based science and anecdotal experiences of healing that our ancestors (wise women and men) ancestors employed thousands of years ago!
I welcome new clients: sessions can be in person, over phone, Facetime, or email. I offer short consults (15 minutes or less) without charge. This would usually entail a known problem, ie cold sore, pre or post op surgery pain and/or scar blends, pregnancy and childbirth products (stretch mark cream, labor and delivery customized blends, etc.) and many more issues that can be made up as a custom order quickly.
For a full intake and assessment (60-90 minutes) the charge is $125 (sliding scale offered as well). Once you are in my client base, if and when future issues or concerns pop up, I will have your health/wellness information on hand and we go from there. After initial consultation you will then only pay for any specific blends created for your personal health considerations. I welcome working with doctors, naturopaths, massage therapists, acupuncturists, etc. to achieve the best possible results. I adhere to all HIPAA privacy protocols to protect your privacy.