Aromatherapy is one of the fastest growing yet one of the most misunderstood complementary therapies used today. To use essential oils in hospital settings requires aromatherapy certification by an accredited organization, permission to use by the unit or health care facility, and it needs to be one of the modalities your state licensing board permits you to use as a health care professional. Nurses have been the leaders in bringing this modality to the health care field, although many occupational therapists and physical therapists are currently getting certified to use this modality among a variety of different populations. Massage therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and neurologists are just a few examples of other disciplines recognizing the value of getting certified and safely using clinical aromatherapy in their practices.

For occupational therapists or other health care professionals interested in becoming certified it is necessary to attend a certification course.  Although no one course is recommended by this web site, an example of an aromatherapy certification course is the one offered by Jane Buckle Associates LLC. This course is endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Association and Certification as a Clinical Aromatherapy Certified Practitioner (CCAP) is awarded after full course completion.

For more information on this certification course and on aromatherapy go to:
www.rjbuckle.com/courses.html#s

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy. NAHA is actively involved with promoting and elevating academic standards in aromatherapy education and practice for the profession. NAHA is also actively involved in furthering the publics perception and knowledge of true aromatherapy and its safe and effective application in everyday life.

For more information about clinical aromatherapy and about what this organization offers visit: www.naha.org

The following is a general educational handout created to help clients and therapists understand the differences between the use of aromas for aesthetic purposes, clinical aromatherapy, general methods of application, precautions, and resources. It is not all-inclusive and is meant to serve only as an informational resource and not as a treatment protocol.

Clinical & Non-clinical Aromatherapy: An Educational Handout
Compiled by: Marie Chalifour, OTR/L & Tina Champagne, OTR/L

For more information on clinical aromatherapy the following books are recommended:  

Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice by Jane Buckle

Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy by Sue Clarke