What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is an age-old complementary therapy that involves the use of essential oils extracted from plants to improve health and wellness. Its efficacy has been well documented, especially in alleviating several physical and emotional conditions, including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Digestive issues
- Headaches and migraines
- Pain resulting from chemotherapy
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration
Why Study Aromatherapy?
If you've always been fascinated by the healing properties of essential oils, taking a course in aromatherapy will take you through them one by one and provide you with information about the proper distillation, dilution and application of oil blends.
Aromatherapy can be used as an adjunct therapy. Massage therapists, beauty therapists, naturopaths and several other natural health practitioners use it to treat their client's entire wellbeing, hence advancing their careers at a faster rate.
What Does It Take to Study Aromatherapy or Become an Aromatherapist?
Aromatherapy goes hand in hand with massage therapy as many essential oils can help to reduce muscle pain and repair damaged tissues. However, you don't have to be a massage therapist to appreciate its healing wonders. Even if you're practising another natural therapy or completely new to this department, you'll surely benefit from the calming, energising and decongesting effects of aromatherapy.
As a student of an aromatherapy course, your curiosity, enthusiasm and determination are all it takes to appreciate each module, ace your exams and secure your qualification.
Course and Study Options for Aromatherapy
How you study aromatherapy would depend on your goals, budget and lifestyle. If your goal is to become a qualified aromatherapist, it would be wise to enrol an accredited course in Australia. You can choose between the Certificate in Aromatherapy or the Diploma of Clinical Aromatherapy, depending on what you want to learn and apply at work.
The certification program covers the principles of aromatherapy and the healing properties and applications of essential oils. On the other hand, the diploma-level qualification takes you deeper into the study, showing you how to incorporate aromatherapy into massage therapy and various treatments for geriatric conditions, as well as marketing your business.
Taking an accredited massage therapy course is another option as this program teaches students how to use therapeutic oils on their clients to improve their physical wellbeing.
Don't worry if you maintain a 9 to 5 job or have your hands full with household chores during the day. Many aromatherapy schools provide online courses that allow students the flexibility to manage their study time and complete their qualification within the time frame which they've set for themselves.
How to Choose a School or Course in Aromatherapy
It pays to study aromatherapy with a registered training organisation whose courses are recognised by the industry. Your qualification will not only gain you more clients, but you'll also be eligible for membership in Australia's peak bodies for certified aromatherapists such as the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA).
Other areas to look into when choosing a school are the curriculum, course delivery method, study duration and tuition fees. Some institutions offer the VET Student Loans program, which can assist you financially throughout your education.
To begin your journey to the magical world of aromatherapy, check out the list of course providers available at the top of this page.
