Essence of Thyme Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Animal Aromatherapy Certification Program with Amy DeLong
This 61-hour certification program offers an in-depth education into the animal physiology of canines, felines, avians, leporines, and reptiles related to aromatherapy, emphasizing the olfactory and integumentary systems.
Students will learn the body systems that make each species unique and how stress, pain, and electromagnetic fields affect animal behaviour. The practical use of aromatics with animals, including inhalation, topical application, and applied zoopharmacognosy in terms of self-selection, self-medication, and naturally adjusting their dose.
Specifically, the learner will be instructed on the most common physical ailments and behaviours in canines, felines, avians, rabbits, and reptiles, what causes them, what aromatics can help, and how to reduce pain without traditional medications. The safety of the animal and the carer is covered in detail.
The Animal Business lessons ensure the learner understands species-specific body language and develops observation skills. They will also learn how to conduct an animal session in a home, shelter, or remotely and gain insights into promoting and protecting an animal aromatherapy business.
Amy provides quarterly mentoring sessions and is happy to respond to any student's questions.
Amy DeLong, Certified Animal Aromatherapist, Animal Communicator, Intuitive Healer, and Tellington TTouch® practitioner, teaches the program. Amy has been working with animals through aromatherapy, energy healing, and communication for over 20 years and brings unique insights to supporting animals holistically. She has supported hundreds of pet parents, from partnering with holistic veterinarians to volunteering on Indian reservations and helping animals with limited resources. Amy actively contributes to the welfare of rescue dogs, playing a vital role in alleviating anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Tuition is in Canadian dollars.
support@essenceofthyme.com
Foundation of Herbalism with Kat Maier
This 50-hour course provides an in-depth exploration of energetic herbalism, focusing on the sensory experience of herbs (taste, scent, sight, sound, and touch) and their applications. It introduces Western energetic, herbal traditions, particularly Eclectic and Physiomedicalism and the concept of tissue states, which help assess imbalances in the body.
The course includes
- Materia Medica: A curated list of 20 commonly used medicinal plants, each valued for its therapeutic properties:
- Forms of medicine, including preparation of tinctures, infused oils and salves, oxymels, syrups and vinegar preparation.
- Hands-on Learning Projects include a Student Herbarium and an Aromatic Culinary Herb Container Garden
- Students will receive 22 hours of video instruction, 22.5 hours of application, and 2.5 hours of live personal (group) mentoring. To earn the certificate, students must also complete a 3-hour assessment.
- The course instructor is Kat Maier, RH, (AHG), who has over 30 years of clinical practice in herbalism and is the founder and director of Sacred Plant Traditions
- The Foundation of Herbalism course is approved for 50 CE credits by the AIA, NAHA, IFPA and CAOA. Students have 18 months to complete the course. Tuition is in Canadian funds.
support@essenceofthyme.com
Advanced Aromatherapy Science Diploma Program
Ecology and Pharmacology of Essential Oils: From the Plant to the Clinic
Marco Valussi and Benoit Roger wrote and taught The Advanced Aromatherapy Science Program (AASP), Ecology and Pharmacology of Essential Oils: From the Plant to the Clinic, on behalf of Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies.
Marco Valussi is a Clinical Phytotherapist with specific expertise in essential oils. He consults for the distilling industry and is an educator and writer in the fields of herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and medicinal plants.
Benoit Roger, PhD, is a distiller, researcher, and expert in phyto/analytical chemistry. He earned his master’s degree and PhD in France. His work focuses on the production/transformation, research, and analysis of essential oils and plant extracts.
The AASP program is a comprehensive evidence-based science for professional aromatherapists, essential oil company consultants, chemists and quality assurance specialists, academic researchers and professors, naturopaths, allopathic physicians, and nurses, researchers and educators in aromatherapy, pharmacology and toxicology professionals, and science writers or journalists to enhance credibility and expand knowledge in aromatherapy. Both instructors provide many hours of video instruction, and each lesson has an assessment.
Topics covered in AASP include ligand-receptor relationships, which explore how small molecules, such as chemical components found in essential oils, bind to receptors in the body and influence biological responses. Ethnobotanical research critically evaluates traditional medicinal plant uses and how to translate findings from animal model research into human applications while recognizing these data limitations. The comparison of theories: structure-activity relationship (SAR) and functional group theory (FGT). It also looks at volatile organic compounds released from plants, as opposed to essential oils, as the result of extraction methods, including distillation.
Additionally, students will be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of essential oil chemistry and extraction methods and will be presented with critical thinking points to assess the composition, authenticity, and quality of essential oils. They will explore the relationship between organic chemistry, phytochemistry, and the production of plant secondary metabolites and analyze the impact of various extraction techniques on essential oil yield, potency, and chemical profile.
support@essenceofthyme.com
Aromatherapy for Palliative Care and Bereavement
with with Jonathan Benavides, Marika Fleri and Margo Fletcher, RA®
50 HOURS | $995 CAD
Palliative and End of Life care is so much more...
Everyone's experiences are their own. It is about bearing witness, being present, honouring uniqueness, and bridging the seen and unseen. Aromatherapy offers a language of scent and touch that can speak where words falter. In the Aromatherapy for Palliative Care and Bereavement course, we weave aromatherapy with deeply human care because every person’s final chapter deserves compassion, dignity, and gentle support.
Jonathan Benavides brings a caring approach to working with patients and families, drawing on his background in psychology and aromatherapy. He developed several therapeutic methods, including "Into the Tunnel" for autistic children (1987) and "Anointing, a spiritual seance" (2008). He is a Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho Master, HEARTS (UK) teacher, anointer, coach, counsellor, and has taught and lectured internationally.
Marika Fleri has been practicing aromatherapy in Malta for over 20 years. She specializes in complementary therapy in oncology, palliative care, and with people with life-limiting illnesses.
Margo Fletcher, RA®, has built a successful business providing support to those experiencing grief and as your Instructor, she will share her wealth of knowledge and experience with you in this four-week program.
This 50-hour program is a must-have for those wanting a well-rounded toolkit for supporting clients (and yourself) through varying life events.
What you'll learn:
Throughout this short, impactful program, you will:
· Understand the holistic nature of palliative care — physical, emotional, spiritual and familial dimensions.
· Develop compassionate, presence-based care strategies: how to create safe spaces, bear witness, hold space and accompany others with empathy.
· Explore the processes of dying and bereavement: preparation, transition, and support for both patient and family.
· Integrate aromatherapy into palliative and bereavement care settings
· Gain an understanding of the different types and stages of grief
· Understand how grief can affect one physically and emotionally
· See how the olfactory system can soften the emotions of grief and how aromatherapy can be effective support tool
· Understand how grief transforms us and how we can companion those grieving
· Reflect on self-care and caregiver wellbeing: recognizing the emotional impact of this work and building resilience.
AROMATHERAPY FOR PALLIATIVE CARE AND BEREAVEMENT is taught by Jonathan Benavides, Marika, Fleri and Margo Fletcher, and includes online video training, downloadable PDF resources, as well as live (virtual) mentoring sessions.
With 50 hours of training, you'll be prepared to understand and support those experiencing loss in their lives.
You'll also be able to join the virtual mentoring sessions for all future cohorts of this program!
UPGRADES INCLUDED! In addition to everything currently inside Aromatherapy for Palliative Care and Bereavement, you will gain access to any future updates to this program, so you're always getting the most relevant teachings from the experts.