Brief Description

Full

Peot

Associate

Carer

Friend

Professional Status & Recognition
GPs refer patients to practitioners on accredited registers like the IFA which is approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a UK body accountable to Parliament. By becoming an IFA member, you are demonstrating to the public that you have met the national standards of professional practice, which builds trust and confidence with clients, the public and healthcare providers.

Professional Certification & Use of Suffix
Including the IFA professional sealed certificate, use of suffix after your name, membership card and enamel badge (tailored to your category of membership).

Use of Quality Mark
Exclusive use of the IFA’s Quality Mark (tailored to each category of membership) is only extended to those registered as a postgraduate member, for use on their websites and promotional material.

Employment Advantages
As the first governing body for aromatherapy, the IFA has a long-standing reputation in the field as the symbol of professionalism. Employers are increasingly aware of the advantages of receiving a treatment from an IFA registered aromatherapist, having pioneered aromatherapy in the NHS in the 80’s. Our registrants’ currently practice in the NHS e.g. in oncology departments/ midwives/ ICU/ GP surgeries, the voluntary sector, for example, hospices, hospitals - maternity wards/ special care units, residential care homes, autism support groups etc, as well as private practice in salons, spas, hotels, complementary therapy clinics and consultancy work. The IFA register of therapists is referred to by various other charities, organisations, hospitals, hospices, books, national and local newspapers and other healthcare professionals. The IFA regularly posts details of both paid and volunteer opportunities for its registered members.

Private Healthcare Cash Plans
IFA registration is recognised for reimbursement with Health Shield, UK Healthcare and Westfield Health Private Healthcare Cash Plans, which allows clients who hold the relevant plans to reclaim the cost of their treatment with an IFA registered aromatherapist. For more details click here.  

Special Treatment Licensing Exemption
IFA registered members who wish to open new premises to operate their business are exempt from paying the special treatment license fee in various boroughs of London and surrounding areas saving you hundreds of pounds, click here for a list of boroughs.

Discounted Insurance Package
IFA registered members can take advantage of our exclusive UK insurance cover package (50% off) with the Chartered insurance broker the Alan Boswell Group. The package is £55.00 per annum, which must be purchased directly from the broker and includes cover for a range of additional therapies. For more information click here or you can call 01953 455 600.

Listing on Accredited National Register
IFA registered postgraduate members appear on our accredited national register, assuring the public and potential employees you conform to IFA's standards in your practice, as well as driving more business to you and your website. You can manage your own listing, add your areas of specialism and state whether you provide mobile treatments. Last year, the IFA’s searchable register was viewed more than 60,000 times. * Please note IFA registered members also receive a free listing on a number of additional directories including a free trial on Therapy Directory.

Business Practice Support
IFA registered postgraduate members have access to a wide range of useful resources including 30 + free templates and downloads for personalised use to ensure your practice runs smoothly and remains compliant with all the latest business practices. For example, consent and consultations forms, prescription sheet, sample CV's, credential descriptors, schedules, contracts, letters e.g. approaching GP's, referral. Template policies – Complaints, Health & Safety, Privacy and Website Disclaimer, Data Protection etc. Other resources include HMRC starter up information business planning, forecasts, risk assessment templates and also expansion guidance, product making and marketing notes, advertising and legislation guidance and more.

Marketing Support
IFA registered postgraduate members can download template press releases, follow up letters, feedback forms, social media and blog tips. Access links to free software and marketing tools to help you in your advertising campaigns. The opportunity to provide taster treatments to the public at exhibitions and publicity events attended by the IFA - to raise the profile of the profession, role of IFA and also to help gain you more clients. A list of registered members is distributed at all events attended by the IFA. Budding authors may also apply to write articles on behalf of the IFA published in numerous journals and periodicals, participate in radio and television interviews and provide talks on various international platforms when opportunities arise.

Specialist Guidance
We provide registrants with guidance which address’s specific and specialist issues which complement and further develop the standards of competence and conduct prescribed in the codes e.g. contraindications in aromatherapy and massage, cancer, pregnancy, dosage, essential oils and drug interaction, aromatherapy with children, ingestion and neat application of essential oil guidance, perfumery notes, sexual boundaries, purchasing oils for therapeutic uses and more.

Representing our member's interests 
The IFA stand up for the interests of its member’s before decision-making bodies such the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE), the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Healthcare (PGIH), the Charities Commission and also before international government bodies to strengthen the recognition of aromatherapy as a true complementary modality. We ensure that the information provided about our registrants and aromatherapy helps service users to make informed decisions about their care.

Quarterly Magazine (s)
Members receive TWO quarterly journals free of charge: The Aromatherapy Times, the official journal of the IFA registered with the British Library - an informative professional publication covering developments in the world of aromatherapy both in the public and private sector and a free digital copy of Holistic Therapist Magazine, which contains a range of articles to develop practitioners business skills and provides updates from the CAM industry.

Regional Meetings, Member Trips and Networking
Access to networking events and support meetings. We currently have regional groups across the country and online for those in remote areas. Some of the groups offer evening group sessions, breakfast meetings, organise trips to distilleries and herb gardens etc. All members get free entry to the IFA's AGM which provide an opportunity to have your say in the next chapter of the IFA, interact with colleagues, network and build new friendships. Our AGM’s are fun and informal with a chance for professional debate - full of great company, lively discussion and great food.

Mentoring and Professional Support
All practitioners have blind spots in their work with clients from time to time, no matter how experienced they are. Particularly with inexperienced practitioners, sometimes there is a lack of specific knowledge of the best way to treat a client. In the members area you can find details of your local mentor who can provide telephone support or may organise face-to-face supervision meetings. Mentors provide an objective overall view, which offers a useful alternative perspective to the subjectivity of the practitioner towards their clients and provides a healthy balance between empathy and objectivity. In addition, we also provide a forum for our members to discuss issues affecting their work for mutual support and encouragement.

Conferences, Seminars, Workshops & CPD
IFA registered members gain discount to various professional development events, seminars, workshops and first aid courses to keep them up-to-date with the latest techniques and advancements in the profession. All members are afforded discounted tickets to the IFA’s International Conferences which allow attendees to listen to motivating and inspiring talks from a world-renowned panel of experts to gain valuable knowledge and skills transferable to their own practice. Members also gain free entry to a variety of holistic exhibitions.

Discounted Supplies
IFA registered members can get a wide range of discounts off top brand suppliers to support their practice. Brands include: Micheline Arcier, Tisserand Aromatherapy, Neals Yard Remedies, Base Formula, Towels R' Us, Couch Rolls, Beautelle and more click here for more details.

Industry News & Newsletters
All IFA members receive our monthly newsletters by email, containing topics such as new developments in aromatherapy, CAM, NICE and NHS campaign updates, member success stories, charity project updates, hot topics and brain teasers.  

Research Search Filter
IFA registered members can gain access to our easy to use search facility where you can find links to filtered clinical trials and research papers by essential oil, carrier oil, therapeutic property, medical condition, ailment and/or by a natural progression in the body to assist our members to locate the information they require quickly.

Aromatherapy Awareness Week hosted by the IFA
Every year the IFA hosts its registered national Aromatherapy Awareness Week in the second week of June. The week is scheduled with various activities bringing more press coverage to the profession, the work of the IFA and our registered members. This is published in local and national publications and our members are granted the opportunity to give 10% off treatments to the public during this week. All registered members are provided with template press releases, posters, leaflets, statistics and information to promote their practice during this week.

Entry into Competitions & Chance to win prizes
The IFA regularly run competitions to win free days out, treatments, products and hampers, entry exclusive to registered members.

Awards & Certificates of Excellence
IFA registered members can enter our annual awards which acknowledge the unsung heroes of the profession, selected from the membership, and are also provided opportunities to enter additional external awards afforded to IFA registrants. The IFA issue certificates of excellence when a postgraduate member has been registered continuously for 10, 20 25 and 30 years in acknowledgement of their dedication to the profession and continuation of high standards of practice.

Opportunity to Serve your Profession
IFA registered members can download case study, reflective practice and research templates and guidelines so that registrants' submissions can be worthy of academic interest and to add to the IFA’s bank of evidence, which we put forward when approaching insurers and GP's for recognition. Members are invited to complete questionnaires and surveys to shape future policy and inform our work. Registered Full and PEOT members may also apply to serve on the board of directors. 

Social Media Presence
The IFA is active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest.