Aromatherapist
Aromatherapy involves therapeutic treatment that uses essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. It is a growing alternative in the medical field, providing an alternative to synthetic drugs and increasingly viewed as complementary with other ongoing medical treatments.
Most aromatherapists are self-employed, working either from home or travelling to their clients’ homes. A number work as part of a team of alternative health practitioners for private practices such as specialist and complementary health care clinics and health farms in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Work activities
- Undertaking patient consultations to gain information about lifestyle, symptoms, current and previous physical/medical history.
- Identifying appropriate essential oils for treatment.
- Blending oils together.
- Applying oils (often via therapeutic massage) and creating blends of oils that can be used for bathing and/or inhaling.
- Advising clients about the use of remedies.
- Liaising with GPs and making referrals to specialists.
- Providing advice about diet, exercise and lifestyle.
- Keeping accurate confidential patient records.
- Keeping up-to-date with research and new developments in the profession.
- Managing stock levels; teaching/supporting trainees.
- Marketing and promoting the business/practice.
Work conditions
Travel: necessary when visiting patients.
Work hours: can be flexible, particularly for aromatherapists who are self-employed.
Location: some opportunities are available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with health care clinics, the HSE and NHS Northern Ireland. Self-employed aromatherapists can work from home.
Typical employers
- The HSE
- NHS Northern Ireland
- Health care clinics
- Health farms
