Purodem® CPD Series
Aromatherapy for Emotional Wellbeing: Applied Professional Practice
A professional CPD course developing structured, informed use of essential oils to support emotional wellbeing within professional essential oil therapy (PEOT) practice.
CPD Course Overview
- CPD Hours: 3–6
- Level: Professional CPD
- Delivery: Distance learning
- Assessment: Competency-based
- Prerequisites: See below
- Nervous system awareness
- Emotional support strategies
- Safe scope of practice
- Blend rationale development
- Direct application to practice
About The CPD Course
Emotional wellbeing is a common focus within therapeutic practice, yet supporting clients in this area requires clarity of scope, safe boundaries, and thoughtful oil selection. Aromatic influence on mood, perception, and emotional state is well recognised, but it must be applied responsibly and professionally.
This CPD course is designed to develop a structured, practice-based approach to using essential oils in support of emotional wellbeing. You will explore the relationship between aroma, the nervous system, and emotional response, alongside appropriate blend creation and client considerations. Through guided learning and reflective practice, you will build confidence in applying aromatherapy safely and ethically within your professional scope.
Who This Course Is For
This CPD is suitable for aromatherapists, holistic practitioners, and complementary therapists who wish to develop confidence in supporting emotional wellbeing within professional essential oil therapy practice. It is appropriate for those seeking a structured and scope-aware approach to working with essential oils in emotionally focused contexts. Prior foundational knowledge of essential oils is helpful but not required.
CPD Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction to Emotional Aromatherapy
- The mind–body connection and its relevance to aromatherapy practice
- How aromatic molecules interact with limbic pathways
- Emotional triggers, memory links, and scent associations
- Understanding individual variability in scent perception
Unit 2: Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing
- Overview of commonly used essential oils that may support emotional wellbeing, such as:
- Lavender
- Bergamot
- Sweet Orange
- Frankincense
- Neroli
- Rose
- Roman Chamomile
- Vetiver
- Patchouli
- Ylang Ylang
- (Actual oil selection may vary depending on delivery format.)
- For each oil, consideration of:
- Key emotional support actions
- Typical blending roles and aromatic contribution
- Relevant safety considerations
Unit 3: Inhalation & Diffusion Methods
- Direct inhalation techniques
- Tissue or cupped-hands inhalation methods
- Steam inhalation and associated safety considerations
- Personal inhalers (aroma sticks)
- Ultrasonic diffusion methods
- Passive diffusion options such as ceramic devices, felt pads, or jewellery
- Differences between room diffusion and personal inhalation
- Situations where inhalation may be preferred over topical application
Unit 4: Emotional Blending Principles
- Selecting essential oils based on defined emotional intention
- Considering top, middle, and base note structure for inhalation-focused blends
- Building an individual emotional aromatherapy profile
- Understanding overuse, olfactory fatigue, and scent adaptation
- Exploring potential blend suggestions for:
- Relaxation
- Uplift and motivation
- Grounding and centring
- Sleep support
- Enhancing focus
Unit 5: Safety for Emotional Aromatherapy
- Awareness of relevant contraindications, including epilepsy, asthma, pregnancy, and use with children
- Sensitivity screening and client considerations
- Safe inhalation frequency and duration guidelines
- Understanding differences between dermal and inhalation risk profiles
- Diffuser safety, including time limits, ventilation, and considerations around pets
- Avoiding overpowering, allergenic, or potentially triggering oils
Unit 6: Guided Practical Activities
- Guided creation of two to four inhalation-based preparations, such as:
- A personal inhaler designed for a specific emotional intention
- A diffuser blend
- A safely demonstrated steam inhalation formula
- An emotional support pocket blend or structured scent strip programme
- Skills practised include:
- Accurate drop-counting and basic percentage awareness
- Aroma evaluation in relation to perceived emotional effects
- Structuring blends with a clearly defined emotional intention
Unit 7: Applied Emotional Aromatherapy
- Designing structured emotional wellbeing support approaches within professional scope
- Incorporating client-led scent selection and preference awareness
- Considering cultural and psychosocial influences on scent perception
- Supporting experiences such as stress, overwhelm, fatigue, and emotional imbalance
- Creating session notes and tracking emotional responses over time
Unit 8: Professional Documentation & Reflective Practice
- Recording blend formulas, intended emotional focus, and observed client responses
- Considering ethical responsibilities when addressing emotionally focused topics
- Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries within scope of practice
- Using reflective journaling to review and refine aromatherapy support approaches
Teaching, Learning & Assessment
The course is delivered through a combination of tutor-led teaching, guided practical blending activities, and structured self-study.
Assessment is competency-based, focusing on understanding, safe professional application, and reflective practice rather than subjective interpretation of emotional outcomes.
Assessment methods may include:
- Emotional blending worksheets
- Creation of inhalation-based formulations
- Short-answer knowledge checks on safety and scope
- Scenario-based selection exercises
- Reflective journaling and session documentation records
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this CPD, participants will be able to:
Understand
- How the olfactory system may influence emotional responses, stress perception, and mood
- The supportive properties of key essential oils commonly used in emotionally focused aromatherapy
- The principles and safety considerations associated with inhalation and diffusion-based methods
Apply
- Select appropriate essential oils for emotional intentions such as calming, uplifting, grounding, or focus
- Create safe inhalation blends using personal inhalers, diffusion, or guided steam methods
- Use structured aroma evaluation when developing emotionally oriented blends
- Design simple, scope-appropriate emotional wellbeing support approaches
Integrate into Practice
- Demonstrate safe and ethical practice when using inhalation methods with clients
- Recognise contraindications, sensitivities, and necessary adaptations for vulnerable groups
- Maintain accurate records of blends, rationale, and observed emotional responses
Your CPD Tutor
Deana Kassim
Deana Kassim is Principal Tutor and Director at Purodem. She is a qualified educator, experienced clinical aromatherapist, and member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (MIFA), with over 20 years’ experience across the beauty, wellness, and education sectors.
At Purodem, Deana leads professional training in clinical aromatherapy and therapeutic product formulation, alongside ongoing work in bespoke aromatherapeutic remedy development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior training in emotional or mental health to take this CPD?
No. This course is designed for aromatherapists and complementary practitioners working within their existing professional scope. It focuses on structured, ethical use of essential oils to support emotional wellbeing, not on diagnosing or treating mental health conditions.
Will this CPD teach me how to treat anxiety or depression?
No. The course supports appropriate use of aromatherapy for emotional wellbeing within professional scope. It does not replace medical or psychological care and does not provide training in clinical diagnosis or treatment.
Is the focus mainly on inhalation methods?
Yes. This CPD emphasises inhalation and diffusion-based approaches, as these are commonly used for emotionally focused aromatherapy practice.
Does the course cover safety considerations for vulnerable clients?
Yes. The course addresses contraindications, sensitivities, inhalation frequency, and adaptations for groups such as children, pregnant individuals, and those with respiratory concerns.
Will I learn specific blends for relaxation or sleep?
The course explores structured blending approaches for intentions such as relaxation, grounding, or focus supporting informed oil selection and safe blend development.
Is there practical blending involved?
Yes. Learners are guided to create simple inhalation-based preparations, with emphasis on safety, rationale, and documentation.
How is this CPD assessed?
Assessment is competency-based and may include worksheets, blend records, short-answer knowledge checks, and reflective journaling.
Is this suitable for practitioners working in clinical settings?
Yes, provided the practitioner remains within their professional scope and workplace guidelines. The CPD supports structured, ethical aromatherapy use rather than clinical intervention.
Will this CPD increase my CPD hours for professional membership?
Yes. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate confirming CPD hours, which may be used toward professional development requirements where applicable.
Will I receive a certificate on completion?
Yes. A certificate of CPD completion is provided following successful participation.
Access
This CPD is being prepared for release as part of the Purodem® Professional CPD Series. You are invited to register your interest to be notified when enrolment opens and full course details, including pricing, are released. Registration does not involve payment or commitment.
Continue Your Professional Development
Explore the full Purodem® Professional CPD Series or discover related courses below.