Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) empowers you to have some accessible tools at home, so when an emotional issue arises or a goal that you really want to work on but you’re feeling blocked, you have a step by step process that you can take yourself through to unlock, release and heal your emotional patterns.
What is AFT?
Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a fully guided step by step process based on multiple Psychology therapies - primarily EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), and influences from NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, and Non-violent Communication.
Pure, potent and vibrational Young Livingessential oils are used at key points in this process to gently shift awareness away from negative thoughts, feelings, and past memories, and to initiate a permanent shift to a positive outlook and attitude resulting in greater confidence, clarity and inner freedom.
What you can expect from this workshop
· An overview and understanding of the AFT process, and the science behind its effectiveness.
· Experience an AFT session in a group setting.
· Learn how you can use AFT as a self-care tool and take yourself through this process.
Workshop details
When: Monday 5 November 2018, 4-6pm
Where: Life Bridge Counselling & Psychology, unit 4, 7-9 Plaza Parade, Maroochydore
Cost: $45
Register: aft-intro.eventbrite.com
Presented by: Certified AFT Practitioners Merri Hughes (Psychologist) & Emmely Rackemann (Holistic Health Coach)
Contact: Merri – merri.hughes@bigpond.com, Emmely - emmely@emmelyrackemann.com
Workshop presenters
Merri Hughes is a Certified AFT Practitioner and also a practicing Psychologist bringing with her over 20 years of experience, 19 years as a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Re-processing) therapist supporting people to process distressing traumatic memories and adverse life experiences. She embraces a holistic, person centred approach, and believes that finding the right tools for each client is essential, and empowering them to find their own inner resources.
Emmely Rackemann is a Certified AFT Practitioner and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She is devoted to sharing her knowledge and holistic experience about how nutrition, exercise, stress, environmental toxins and toxic chemicals can affect your life. She combines this with the emotional freedom that is achieved through using AFT, as your underlying emotional health is a fundamental part of living a happy, healthy and vibrant life.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is The Aroma Freedom Technique?
A: The Aroma Freedom Technique is a simple, step by step process for gently dissolving negative thoughts, feelings, and memories and connecting a person to their inner guidance. It was developed by Dr. Benjamin Perkus, a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in private practice and 17 years of experience using essential oils.
Q: How does The Aroma Freedom Technique work?
A: The process works using the principle of Memory Reconsolidation. When a memory is created, it is stored as a complex of image-thought-feeling-bodily sensation. Our implicit (emotional) learning is based on this memory complex. Introducing the aroma of specific essential oils at the right point in the process of recall can break apart this memory complex and thereby restructure the implicit learning connected with the memory. Our results are consistent with the most recent research on Memory Reconsolidation.
Q: Is The Aroma Freedom Technique a replacement for Psychotherapy?
A: NO! The Aroma Freedom Technique involves no diagnosis, history-taking, or prescribing of specific treatments for medical conditions. It can be used by a qualified professional as part of a broader therapeutic strategy for individuals with psychological or psychiatric diagnoses, but it does not replace therapy for those diagnoses.
Q: Is The Aroma Freedom Technique based on solid psychological principles?
A: Yes – every step of the 12-step AFT process finds its roots in a major branch of psychotherapy – including cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, solution focused, experiential, and gestalt, among others. If you would like to learn more about the history of The Aroma Freedom Technique and where it fits into the history and field of Psychology, you can find a video webinar on that topic here.
Q: Do I need to know much about Aromatherapy to use it?
A: No again! The exact essential oils needed to do The Aroma Freedom Technique are specified in the training. Everything you need to know about the role of the sense of smell in down-regulating the amygdala will be explained in the training, but don’t worry – it is easy to learn!