ACHS Master of Science Graduate Student Reports on AIA Conference "The Future of Aromatics in Integrative Healthcare”

By Sandy Durand, ACHS Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine

Attending the recent conference for the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) truly was a highlight of my year. What a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable learning opportunity!

As an American College of Healthcare Sciences graduate student, a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) focusing on natural skin care and wellness, and a mom of special needs youths who use aromatherapy daily, this conference helped me on all fronts.

The 2011 conference featured informational sessions ranging from using aromatherapy to treat depression in postpartum mothers to applications in cancer care to understanding aromatherapy chemistry. Held in Minnesota’s Twin Cities area, the three-day main conference, “The Future of Aromatics in Integrative Healthcare,” was sandwiched between optional pre- and post-conference seminars.

Rhiannon Harris, a clinical aromatherapist, nurse, and educator from France, hosted the full-day pre-conference workshop on skin integrity. I couldn’t miss attending this option and enjoyed every minute of it. Ms. Harris packed an incredible amount of information into a day that just flew by. She shared a wealth of professional experience in how to address specific skin care challenges and kindly took time to answer audience questions. I think the consensus in the room was that we all would have loved another day or two to listen to Ms. Harris and absorb even more of her expertise; I heard many comments to that effect.

Other topics offered during the main conference included how to establish an aromatherapy business, current trends in spas, kinesiology, research strategies, oils of Australia, and daily morning aromatic Kundalini yoga sessions. AIA management and volunteers did an excellent job of selecting presenters and keeping everything running smoothly. They and the speakers also incorporated a lot of sparkle and humor into their presentations to keep us laughing while we learned.

The only downside is that I skipped school to attend the conference and still have not caught up in my anatomy class. Sorry, Dr. Berger. I’m trying.

>>To read the full-text article on the ACHS website, click here


Have questions for Sandy? Feel free to post them here! We'd also love to hear your thoughts on the conference topic ... What is the future of aromatics in integrative healthcare?

American College of Healthcare Sciences' Aromatherapy Programs Approved By Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA)

Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) has approved the ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy as a Level II approved aromatherapy program and the ACHS Diploma in Aromatherapy as a Level III Clinical Aromatherapy program.

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is the only nationally accredited, AIA Level II and III professional clinical aromatherapy training available in the U.S. This recognition ensures ACHS aromatherapy programs and ACHS students meet and exceed AIA’s extensive curriculum requirements for aromatherapy training at the clinical level as critically reviewed by independent evaluators of the AIA Education Committee.

“We’re very proud of this recognition,” says ACHS President Dorene Petersen. “AIA is diligently working to establish a high standard of excellence in the aromatherapy industry, which begins with quality education. Our mission at ACHS is to provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education. This AIA recognition supports our mission and validates what we feel on a personal level, that our students are on the cutting-edge of aromatherapy education. We have the great privilege of training responsible, influential members of the growing aromatherapy professional community.”

For more information about AIA approved Level II and Level III programs at ACHS, including the Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine with the Aromatherapy major, contact ACHS at (800) 487-8839, email admissions@achs.edu, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

For more information about ACHS and the AIA, visit the AIA website at http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/Aromatherapy_schools.htm

>> Read the full-text press release online here: http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=262

Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) is Looking for Presenters

The Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) is looking for qualified aromatherapists who want to present at a future AIA event and/or teleconference.

If you would like to present, or know someone who may be interested in giving a presentation or leading a workshop for AIA, you can download an application here: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/presenter_opportunities.htm

Length and topics of consideration are yet to be determined. To email your application, download the form, and then click the Submit by Email button located on the top right. Or, you can save the form and email it to info@alliance-aromatherapists.org. To mail the form, use the address printed on the form, and to fax, send to (303) 979-7135.

For more information, contact AIA at: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/