Am I right in thinking that aromatherapy is trying to establish itself as a "principle discipline" according to the House of Lords, like osteopathy, homeopathy etc? I'm looking at how aromatherpay has developed within complementary therapies. There is reems of stuff on regulation, but I'm not sure if I'm looking at the correct issues.
If anyone else has nothing better to do and is not to be indulging in christmas festivities, I'd be so grateful for some help. 😉
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
Seems I have nothing better to do! Ha ha..... my favourite subject - aromatherapy and regulation!:D
You are correct. BUT....hope you're sitting comfortably.
It is all a bit of a mess. The Aromatherapy Organisation Council was leading the way for regulation but things went down hill as people can't agree and they disbanded! There are so many organisations involved and they can't agree. We now have another group who are working towards what the AOC started. Personally I am in favour of regulation. Essential oils are powerful and potentially dangerous substances and I think you should know what you are talking about to use them on the public. At the moment anybody can do so without any comeback. I also think that training should be standardised so that if somebody wants to have an aromatherapy treatment they know they will get what they are paying for.
So, really it is all probably a very long way off as all these things need to be sorted and then of course there is the cost. Lots of therapists probably won't be able to pay the potential fee for belonging to such an organisation.
If you want to know anything more specific do ask. Sharon (Essence) knows a lot about it too as she teaches so I am sure she will give you her input.[:-]
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
So is it that aromatherapy is trying to be recognised in the same light as osteopathy/chiropracters and get its own Act of Parliament, because it using potentially dangerous substances? and not sit under the blanket umbrella of "other" complementary therapies.
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
Hi AngelFish
From what I understand candie is basically correct except that the AOC didn't disband they pooled their resorces into the aromathapy consortium (orginally known as the aromatherpy regulation working group) as they were all working towards the same goal.
Aromatherapy does have national occupational standards (NOS) that were published in 1998 and revised in March 2002, and these are the baseline standards against which all aromatherapy qualifications are measured (hence the updates in various courses including the big changes in the VTCT courses) any one embarking on an aromatherapy course should make sure that the course meets these standards.
The goal of the aromatherapy consortium is for self regulation followed by statutory regulation in the future (some way off I think) and I believe they have opened a register to this aim. The aim eventually is for statutory regulation just like the osteopaths etc..
If you would like to read more about this there are a variety of web sites that will give you all the information and hopefully answer any questions you might have these are:
(this site has the NOS for aromatherapy, you need to click on standards and then look for aromatherapy)
hope this helps and answers your question
love and light
[sm=1kis.gif]
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
PS
And yes eventually what the aromatherapy consortium hopes to do is to have (with statutory regulation) its own 'principle discipline' and not be under the general complementary therapies banner. I think that is what I understand from all the information and discussion on the subject.
love and light
[sm=1kis.gif]
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
Thank you, thank you Candie & Essence. I think I've got it all now.. all these working parties do get a bit confusing. I'm sure I'm going into far too much detail though. Some of the discussion on the professional sites, does seem to be putting down the AOC & Aromatherapy Consortium and it does make me worry about how seriously my ITEC qualifications are going to be taken in the future!
Christmas Hugs
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
don't worry about ITEC. I have those qualifications too and know that they are of a high standard.
You will always get people running down others, sadly that is hindering the process.
Thanks Sharon for explaining it all!:D
RE: Aromatherapy a principle discipline?
Hi AngelFish
I personally don't think you are going too 'indepth' this is your profession and you should be interested in what is happening within it.
Your ITEC qualification is fine and with any foundation course (and most aromatherapy courses are only foundation) the most important thing is your CPD (continued professional development). I sugest you update and keep a portfolio of all your extra courses, or books/articles that you have read or any interesting case studies etc.. (anything that will show your continuing upgrading and understanding of aromatherapy). This will then stand you in good stead when statutory regulation comes in, your portfolio will also help if you are job hunting or with the forthcoming degree in Aromatherapy. I advise all my students to keep an updated portfolio just for the above reasons.
Any way hope this all makes sense to and if I can help in any way please feel free to ask here or e-mail me
love and light
[sm=1kis.gif]