Want
to be an Aromatherapist?
aromatherapy
training, becoming an aromatherapist, anatomy and physiology
level 3 diploma, home study, distance learning...
Gone
are the days when a career was for life. More and more people
change careers and it is getting increasingly common to hear
that people want to leave the “rat race”, maybe
become self-employed, and investigate different philosophies
of life. Complementary Healthcare is a rapidly expanding industry
and many adults come to it wanting to help themselves and others
lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Aromatherapy
is a popular Complementary Therapy with ancient roots. Aromatherapy
is defined as the controlled therapeutic administration of
highly concentrated oils extracted from plants. The therapeutic
potential of Aromatherapy has yet to be fully realised. Although
plant extracts have been used in association with medicine
for thousands of years, we still have a great deal to learn
about their attributes. What is becoming more widely accepted
however, is that Aromatherapy can be a truly holistic (whole)
treatment. As well as having effects that can be of benefit
to physical conditions, Aromatherapy can help to relieve stress
and tension. In general, holistic Aromatherapy treatments tend
to create a sense of well being, both physically and emotionally,
balancing the mind, body and spirit. So if you fancy training
to become an Aromatherapist where do you start?
Anatomy & Physiology is the Starting Point for training in Aromatherapy
A
Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology is
the starting point for most careers in Complementary Healthcare.
Before you can progress to study you chosen therapy you
must develop an understanding as to how the body works.
This is quite sensible when you think about it. It would
be unprofessional, and indeed dangerous, to perform any
hands-on treatment without a detailed understanding of
the body’s structure and function. After all, you
wouldn’t attempt to improve the performance of a
car if you didn’t understand the mechanics of its
engine.
Some
aromatherapy courses may incorporate elements of anatomy and
physiology. Other courses require a Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology
Diploma as a pre-requisite. You will often hear the phrase
Accredited Prior Learning (APL). If anatomy and physiology
is listed as APL for a course then it is necessary for you
to hold a qualification in anatomy & physiology before
you begin.
So Why a Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology?
Before
you, as an Aromatherapist, begin to treat any members of the
public you must take out insurances to protect both your clients
and yourself. You will have to show that you hold an accepted
qualification in Aromatherapy and that your anatomy & physiology
is up to the required standard. The industry standard for anatomy & physiology
is the Level 3 Diploma. A word of warning – if the anatomy & physiology
is run in tandem, find out if a separate qualification in anatomy & physiology
is given. If not, you may have problems getting insured and,
despite your studies, your anatomy and physiology may not be
accepted as APL for another qualification. It is worth the
extra effort to gain the Level 3 Diploma because this will
open many doors for you in the future.
Which Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology should I take?
To
help ensure that your Level 3 Diploma will be accepted as APL,
wherever you choose to study, it is wise to select an Examining
Board that is regulated by the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum
Authority). The QCA are the regulatory body for all public
exams (e.g. GCSE’s and A-Levels as well as Vocational
Training) and they set the standards to ensure that all of
their approved Examining Bodies assess the candidates to a
standard level. A Level 3 Diploma issued by a QCA-approved
Examining Body should therefore be universally accepted. The
VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) are approved and
therefore governed by the QCA and offer a Level
3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology.
What Then?
It
is important that you find an Aromatherapy course that suits
you. You could contact your local college to see what they
have to offer. You could also try contacting the International
Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) at www.ifparoma.org,
the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) at www.ifaroma.org,
or the Aromatherapy Council (AC) at www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk .
Need Extra Help?
ETS
offer an excellent interactive CD ROM in Aromatherapy. It provides
a comprehensive account of the many therapeutical uses of essential
oils. This self-testing training tool proves invaluable when
you have qualified too as it allows you to cross-reference
details of 44 essential oils with 46 conditions and gives advice
on how to set up your own business. Full details can be found
at HERE.
Click
here for Aromatherapy Training Products
Click
here for our VTCT Level 3 Online Diploma in Anatomy and
Physiology UK & International Course
