What is lavender’s journey? How does the plant get from the lavender farm and into the bottle? When you open a bottle of lavender essential oil, what is the first thing that you notice? Do you notice the aroma? Or do you immediately think about the immense dedication it takes to create it? Even though I am an aromatherapist, I sometimes forget to stop and appreciate the labor and commitment that goes into producing the aromatherapy products that I use. It seems that in today’s fast-paced world, we’ve forgotten about the source of our food, herbs, and farm products. Thus losing the subsequent c ..read more

Have you ever inhaled the scent of a rose? Perhaps you’ve enjoyed the scent of fresh rosemary, sage, or thyme as you use cook with the fresh herbs. Or, maybe you live in an area where there are pine trees or flowering trees that bloom in the spring. If you’ve had these experiences, you have connected with the natural aromatic compounds from these plants. They may create feelings of warmth, evoke fond memories, and maybe even excitement. While these experiences are not considered “aromatherapy” in the professional sense, it is certainly a window into that world. I WAS USING ESSENTIAL OILS, BUT ..read more

Being a clinical social worker, I saw a need for holistic care for my clients and patients. I wanted to offer aromatherapy as one of the tools they could choose from. After working in the field of clinical social work, I had seen both the strengths and the opportunities for growth within our medical, mental health, and behavioral health care systems. While many individual providers strive to provide excellent care for their patients and clients, service delivery is confined within a system that is driven by finances. I have always been passionate about providing care that is geared towards pre ..read more

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health disorders within the United States today, affecting just over 18% of adults, and 25% of children ages 13-18 years old (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). Anxiety has been linked to the development of multiple health problems from heart disease (Harvard Medical School, 2008) to gastrointestinal disorders. They can cause significant distress, and have detrimental effects on the overall health and well-being of the individual as well as those around them.  Clinical Anxiety The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic ..read more