This course was originally written and delivered as an integrated aspect of the BSc Complementary Medicine and Health Sciences degree Aromatherapy Module at the University of Salford during 2008/09; it’s aim, to provide a professional training route that involves the therapeutic use of essential oils via various methods of application other than massage – for example, by using therapeutic perfumes, creams, lotions, inhalers and environmental diffusers, among others.
The Aromantique Essential Oil Therapist course content includes the standard professional aromatherapy training criteria set out by the National Qualification Framework (NQF) but omits massage, instead focusing on methods of topical self-application, appropriate essential oil blending and related counselling skills. Course content includes:
- Botany and botanical plant families
- Methods of essential oil extraction and evaluation (GLC / MS)
- Related organic chemistry
- Profiles of up to 60 essential oils
- Blending and appropriate methods of use and application
- Safe Practice, Health & Safety: including contra indications /actions
- Consultation procedures – process and protocol; client therapist interface; appropriate counselling skills
- Clinical practice
There are many examples of therapeutic situations where a professional therapist might wish to include the use essential oils but not apply massage; counselling being just one example. As well as promoting relaxation and wellbeing, essential oils can be self-applied topically to alleviate stress and many stress related conditions, in the form of ‘therapeutic perfumes’, ointments, lotions, creams, compresses etc., or diffused into the atmosphere to create a specific ambiance or mood.
Essential oils are available to purchase through mail order or from high street shops; the purchaser is not required to have a qualification to use them. However, the user must have an appropriate professional qualification and professional insurance cover before they can apply essential oils to other people. In all instances, in the interest of good practice, and safe appropriate application, knowledge and understanding about the nature and behaviour of essential oils is vital.
The Aromantique Essential Oil Therapist course provides a route of study that enables healthcare professionals, carers, teachers, and so on, to gain a professional qualification in the therapeutic art of essential oil therapy.
Course modules are delivered as stand-alone units, or workshops. These modules may also be attended singularly as continual professional development (CPD) units , or simply, but valuably, as an opportunity to further develop personal interest. The course is delivered module by module. Completion of all modules, along with some additional training, and successful completion of prescribed assessments, culminates in a professional practitioner qualification. Delivering the course as stand-alone modules allows students scope to manage their time, pace of learning, and budget.
For further details and to discover more about the workshops click here and here