Newly qualified

[hbklover]

Hi all

I am new to this forum so just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Tracey and I've recently just got my diploma in Aromatherapy. So far I have been doing quite well, working on the people I used for my case stdies and others through their referrals. I plan to work from home but also mobile appointments too. I have a major concern though and wondered what other people opinions are. I qualified through a distance learning course but have attended workshops. I'm also starting a short refresher course in massage next week. I've done many case studies so have gained most of my practical experience from there, certainly the people I have worked on seem happy enough. I just wondered though if it's such a big thing to be qulified through a school that supports the main organisations such as IFPA etc. I sometimes feel a fraud when asked where I studied although i believe I've worked hard for it. Can I ask what the majority of aromatherapists are on this site? Have you all studied through major schools/colleges? I know of a few who have studied the same way as me and are successful. As I'm pretty new to all this, I guess my self-confidence is a bit lacking. I remember going to an event wehre I was talking to a massage therapist about couches and when I told her I was doing my course distance learning she had kind of looked down upon this and said I would probably have to take a well known course.

I'd like to hear other comments and views, it would be nice to exchange ideas and advice with others on this forum.
Thanks in advance
Tracey

 

[Destin]

Hi Tracey and welcome to HP. Take some time to introduce yourself to everyone on the New Members Forum.

As far as distance learning courses are concerned, I didn't take one of these myself, but if you spend some time looking through the student/training forum there has been quite a lot of discussion on them over the past year.

There are some mixed views and you have to realise qualifying in any therapy is just the starting point. There is still so much more to learn out there. I've learnt more since I completed my course than I did while I was studying.

These forums are a great place to start. There are also lots of advanced courses and workshops you can do. Most of us have times when we lose a bit of confidence in what we do, but it seems that you've put a lot into your training, so you should be fine.
Good luck

Lesley

 

[naughtyamate]

Hi Tracey and welcome. I cant comment on your course as I dont know anybody who has done distance learning like you. As long as you have insurance then you should probably be ok, but if you want to work in a clinic etc then it might be tricky?

I did all my courses through ITEC. The aromatherapy course was nine months of study, 60 case studies, a three hour written paper, a one hour practical and the studie of 40 oils. Dont know how that compares with yours? We couldnt do this until we had done the anatomy and physiology, sat and passed the exam and then gone onto the massage course, done case studies, sat another exam and practical etc.

At the moment aromatherapy isnt regulated so you are entitled to work (indeed it isnt even compulsory to have insurance, though I wouldnt have any therapist at our centre without it). The only problem I see that you may have is when it does become regulated you might have to do another course to meet the minimum requirements set down by the governing bodies.

Hope that helps!