My earliest memories of being interested in the aroma of plants were when I was about six. I can remember gathering rose petals from the garden and trying to make a perfume by putting rose petals in water. Unfortunately it didn’t make a very nice perfume. I can also remember running my hands along the lavender bush and breathing in the wonderful aroma of lavender and I still do that now.
It wasn’t until I was in my late thirties that I became interested in massage. It was not long after my mother had passed away very suddenly. I was feeling very low and decided to go and try a massage. I remember the couch being warm, relaxing music played in the back ground and the warm hands of the therapist on my back just made me feel so relaxed and comforted.
I trained in Anatomy, physiology and massage with ITEC at Newbury College in 1999 and then went on to take the ITEC Aromatherapy diploma. With the addition of the essential oils in the massage treatments, I felt that it made the treatment complete. I have recently completed my ITEC diploma in Reflexology (2016) and I am keen to start using this wonderful therapy.
I completed many training courses including, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Tsuboki massage, and in 2013 I upgraded my Aromatherapy Diploma with the International Federation of Aromatherapist, for which I obtained a Distinction in my practical exam.
I work one and a half days a week with patients who have life limiting conditions. The people you meet are so lovely. I feel privileged that they let me into their lives at a time when they are anxious and low. It is very rewarding to see how the treatments can help them to cope with their anxiety, insomnia and lift their mood and also to bring about a sense of wellbeing.
The therapy is intended to relieve the symptoms of cancer or the side-effects of the treatment prescribed by the client’s consultant. The therapy is not a treatment or a remedy for the cancer itself. Cancer patients are advised to speak to the clinician responsible for their care before embarking on complementary therapy to manage the symptoms of cancer.
It is important to choose a qualified practitioner who has undertaken all the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of aromatherapy.
You can check whether an aromatherapist is registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) by searching the register at www.cnhc.org.uk. By choosing aromatherapists registered with the CNHC you can be confident that they are properly trained, qualified and insured.
I also belong to the following professional bodies:
Complementary Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
http://www.cnhc.org.uk/
International Federation of Complementary Therapists (FHT)
http://www.fht.org.uk/home/
Complementary Therapist Association (CThA)
http://www.ctha.com/
Association of Reflexologists (AOR)
My Insurance is through Holistic Insurance Services