At an aromatherapist's shop in Alberta, Canada, distilling Utah Juniper, at the lavender farm tour, pouring essential oils into a beaker.
Left: Connecting with the oil while visiting an aromatherapist's shop in Alberta, Canada. Middle: Connecting with the plants and distillation process. Distilling Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Right: Connecting with the plants and the farm at New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Jen getting ready to blend.

What does aromatherapy mean to me?

by Jen Shepherd, MSW, LICSW, CCA

Jen is passionate about helping mental health and behavioral health professionals integrate aromatherapy into their practice (safely and effectively). She is a consultant, educator, and coach serving a diverse community of individuals, groups, and organizations. Jen is actively involved in the professional aromatherapy community, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA). She talks a lot with her hands (fluent in American Sign Language), and lives in Minnesota with her husband and houseplants.