Aroma Freedom FAQ
What is AFT?
AFT stands for Aroma Freedom Technique. It is a step-by-step process for identifying and releasing negative thoughts, feelings and memories that interfere with reaching our goals and dreams. AFT is meant to be used as a way to set a person’s emotional energy flowing in a positive direction, towards growth and expansion rather than contracting in fear, doubt and paralysis. AFT uses Young Living Essential Oils to trigger a permanent shift in how we view ourselves and the world. A Certified AFT Practitioner may not be a therapist or counselor, but will walk you through the process.
How is AFT different than aromatherapy?
In AFT:
What is in the Memory Release Blend?
The Memory Release Blend is equal parts of Lavender, Frankincense and Young Living’s Stress Away. It is helpful to take a small sample bottle, label it and pre-mix the oils for use during an AFT session.
Are essential oils really required in order for AFT to work for me?
It’s a well known fact that change takes 21 consecutive days of consistent effort. So, yes, the 12-step AFT process will “work” without essential oils. The desired outcome will take 21 days to achieve. Using Essential oils with the 12-step AFT process reduces this change to 3 days for most people.
Is it OK to use a carrier oil to extend the essential oils?
No, the addition of a carrier oil causes the essential oils to linger longer on the hands. When you use the essential oils “neat” they absorb quite readily so when you get to the next round, there is very little residual of the previous oil left on the hands.
Is AFT the same as psychotherapy?
No! AFT does not use any diagnostic labels, and does not treat any conditions. It is most often used on its own, but it has also been effectively integrated into many kinds of professional services including psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, and more.
How does AFT compare to psychotherapy?
What is the purpose of emotion?
Emotions are an expression of our state of being and are often an attempt to get a particular need met. For example, often we experience pain and don’t express it, then we develop thoughts & beliefs that later block us. We are bundles of unresolved emotions and unresolved things are where we get stuck.
Isn’t asking for a personal memory intrusive?
When working with a Certified AFT Practitioner, one is not required to share the memory that comes up. The client can keep this information to themselves. It is not necessary for the practitioner to know what the memory is in order for AFT to work.
What if no “image” comes up?
If someone is having a difficult time coming up with an image, circle back to the feeling in the body. It is the precision of the feeling that gets to the underlying memory. Sometimes the feeling will express as a posture which can be very powerful because it is an expression of the emotion. It may be that there is a sense of a series of moments in time where there was this same feeling or posture. Have the person imagine a movie or sequence of all these images and smell the oils.
When we are feeling into the “center” of a feeling, often there is a moment of unpleasantness - we try to resist feeling it, we run away from it, maybe we distract ourselves. Trust in the process and allow yourself to move into the unpleasantness, this is where the block resides and the oils will help shift it.
What if a person is overwhelmed or flooded with memories?
Have them pick one for this AFT session. Once you do a session there, circle back and see what comes up next. Sometimes it is possible that will shift many things.
What if I have no sense of smell?
Essential oils work even without sense of smell because molecularly they have constituents our bodies use at the cellular level. Essential oils are comprised of an array of naturally occurring constituents like esters, oxides, alcohols, phenols and aldehydes. Without giving you a full lesson in chemistry, let's use Roman Chamomile Essential Oil and Lavender Essential Oil as great examples. Lavender Essential Oil contains 40% linalyl acetate and Roman Chamomile Essential Oil contains 35% isobutyl angelate. The constituents don't specifically rely on a sense of smell.
Furthermore, focusing on and staying present to the feelings that you are aware of in your body as you hear the negative thought will let them begin to process through to completion. The oils just support and accelerate that natural process.
What if I don’t like the scent of the oils?
If having the essential oils on the hands and the hands directly over the nose is too strong, trying pulling your hands back from your face to a distance where you can still smell the scent and they aren’t so strong. While placing the essential oils directly into the palm of the hand is best, you may also try smelling the scent directly from the bottle.
Do I need to be a professional to use AFT?
No again! AFT was designed to be used by everyone, and has successfully been used by thousands of people from all walks of life.
Is it hard to learn?
Most people can learn how to do AFT simply by following the step-by-step instructions in the book. If you can read and follow instructions, you can do AFT. Of course, the more you practice, the easier it gets and the faster your results come.
Can you do AFT on yourself?
Absolutely. It was actually designed to be used on oneself. Whenever you are feeling stuck or blocked in some area of your life, you can take yourself through the process and experience nearly instant results. Of course, you may also benefit from having someone help you through the process, whether it be a friend, spouse, or a Certified AFT Practitioner.
What is a Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner?
Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioners have completed a training program taught by Dr. Perkus or his senior students, and have demonstrated competence in leading people through the step-by-step AFT process. Anyone may take the certification program as a way to better help others, or as a way to experience the personal growth that comes with regular use of The Aroma Freedom Technique.
Is Certification required in order to do AFT?
No. Dr. Perkus hopes that everyone will do AFT regardless of whether they are certified. However, only certified practitioners are allowed to call themselves a "Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner" and charge for their services.
Are Student Aroma Freedom Practitioners allowed to charge for AFT sessions they lead?
No. Only Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioners and Certified Aroma Freedom Instructors are permitted to accept payment for AFT sessions, classes (including special interest/specific topic classes incorporating AFT), demos, Immersion workshops and Certifications. You may incorporate Aroma Freedom into your current business practice (e.g. massage, Reiki, psychotherapy) but may only charge for the additional tool if you are Certified in the Aroma Freedom.
To ensure you are being charged by a Certified Practitioner or Instructor, please refer to our growing list of Certified Practitioners & Instructors by clicking HERE.
What is The Aroma Freedom Academy?
This is an online school created by Dr. Perkus which offers a variety of classes using AFT in many areas of life. Dr. Perkus and his senior students teach pre-recorded as well as live classes every week to assist people in experiencing freedom in areas such as life balance, wellness, parenting, relationships, and more. This is also where the certification classes are held.
Is AFT offered in other languages?
AFT is currently being taught in English, German, Cantonese, and Spanish with translation projects underway in Finnish, Danish, Japanese and French. If you would like to bring AFT to your native tongue, send us a message and we can discuss this possibility!
What is AFT?
AFT stands for Aroma Freedom Technique. It is a step-by-step process for identifying and releasing negative thoughts, feelings and memories that interfere with reaching our goals and dreams. AFT is meant to be used as a way to set a person’s emotional energy flowing in a positive direction, towards growth and expansion rather than contracting in fear, doubt and paralysis. AFT uses Young Living Essential Oils to trigger a permanent shift in how we view ourselves and the world. A Certified AFT Practitioner may not be a therapist or counselor, but will walk you through the process.
How is AFT different than aromatherapy?
In AFT:
- There is no previous training required in aromatherapy.
- There is no contact between the practitioner and the client.
- Very few oils are required.
- Oils are smelled only at certain key points during the AFT process.
What is in the Memory Release Blend?
The Memory Release Blend is equal parts of Lavender, Frankincense and Young Living’s Stress Away. It is helpful to take a small sample bottle, label it and pre-mix the oils for use during an AFT session.
Are essential oils really required in order for AFT to work for me?
It’s a well known fact that change takes 21 consecutive days of consistent effort. So, yes, the 12-step AFT process will “work” without essential oils. The desired outcome will take 21 days to achieve. Using Essential oils with the 12-step AFT process reduces this change to 3 days for most people.
Is it OK to use a carrier oil to extend the essential oils?
No, the addition of a carrier oil causes the essential oils to linger longer on the hands. When you use the essential oils “neat” they absorb quite readily so when you get to the next round, there is very little residual of the previous oil left on the hands.
Is AFT the same as psychotherapy?
No! AFT does not use any diagnostic labels, and does not treat any conditions. It is most often used on its own, but it has also been effectively integrated into many kinds of professional services including psychotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, and more.
How does AFT compare to psychotherapy?
- In AFT there is no diagnosing or labeling.
- AFT is NOT a treatment of any disease.
- AFT does not require taking a history.
- AFT can be used as a standalone session.
- AFT can be learned by anyone.
- AFT can be used on oneself or others.
- AFT can be incorporated into ongoing therapy but does not replace such treatment.
- AFT is very active and requires full participation of client.
- AFT is meant to be used daily.
What is the purpose of emotion?
Emotions are an expression of our state of being and are often an attempt to get a particular need met. For example, often we experience pain and don’t express it, then we develop thoughts & beliefs that later block us. We are bundles of unresolved emotions and unresolved things are where we get stuck.
Isn’t asking for a personal memory intrusive?
When working with a Certified AFT Practitioner, one is not required to share the memory that comes up. The client can keep this information to themselves. It is not necessary for the practitioner to know what the memory is in order for AFT to work.
What if no “image” comes up?
If someone is having a difficult time coming up with an image, circle back to the feeling in the body. It is the precision of the feeling that gets to the underlying memory. Sometimes the feeling will express as a posture which can be very powerful because it is an expression of the emotion. It may be that there is a sense of a series of moments in time where there was this same feeling or posture. Have the person imagine a movie or sequence of all these images and smell the oils.
When we are feeling into the “center” of a feeling, often there is a moment of unpleasantness - we try to resist feeling it, we run away from it, maybe we distract ourselves. Trust in the process and allow yourself to move into the unpleasantness, this is where the block resides and the oils will help shift it.
What if a person is overwhelmed or flooded with memories?
Have them pick one for this AFT session. Once you do a session there, circle back and see what comes up next. Sometimes it is possible that will shift many things.
What if I have no sense of smell?
Essential oils work even without sense of smell because molecularly they have constituents our bodies use at the cellular level. Essential oils are comprised of an array of naturally occurring constituents like esters, oxides, alcohols, phenols and aldehydes. Without giving you a full lesson in chemistry, let's use Roman Chamomile Essential Oil and Lavender Essential Oil as great examples. Lavender Essential Oil contains 40% linalyl acetate and Roman Chamomile Essential Oil contains 35% isobutyl angelate. The constituents don't specifically rely on a sense of smell.
Furthermore, focusing on and staying present to the feelings that you are aware of in your body as you hear the negative thought will let them begin to process through to completion. The oils just support and accelerate that natural process.
What if I don’t like the scent of the oils?
If having the essential oils on the hands and the hands directly over the nose is too strong, trying pulling your hands back from your face to a distance where you can still smell the scent and they aren’t so strong. While placing the essential oils directly into the palm of the hand is best, you may also try smelling the scent directly from the bottle.
Do I need to be a professional to use AFT?
No again! AFT was designed to be used by everyone, and has successfully been used by thousands of people from all walks of life.
Is it hard to learn?
Most people can learn how to do AFT simply by following the step-by-step instructions in the book. If you can read and follow instructions, you can do AFT. Of course, the more you practice, the easier it gets and the faster your results come.
Can you do AFT on yourself?
Absolutely. It was actually designed to be used on oneself. Whenever you are feeling stuck or blocked in some area of your life, you can take yourself through the process and experience nearly instant results. Of course, you may also benefit from having someone help you through the process, whether it be a friend, spouse, or a Certified AFT Practitioner.
What is a Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner?
Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioners have completed a training program taught by Dr. Perkus or his senior students, and have demonstrated competence in leading people through the step-by-step AFT process. Anyone may take the certification program as a way to better help others, or as a way to experience the personal growth that comes with regular use of The Aroma Freedom Technique.
Is Certification required in order to do AFT?
No. Dr. Perkus hopes that everyone will do AFT regardless of whether they are certified. However, only certified practitioners are allowed to call themselves a "Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner" and charge for their services.
Are Student Aroma Freedom Practitioners allowed to charge for AFT sessions they lead?
No. Only Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioners and Certified Aroma Freedom Instructors are permitted to accept payment for AFT sessions, classes (including special interest/specific topic classes incorporating AFT), demos, Immersion workshops and Certifications. You may incorporate Aroma Freedom into your current business practice (e.g. massage, Reiki, psychotherapy) but may only charge for the additional tool if you are Certified in the Aroma Freedom.
To ensure you are being charged by a Certified Practitioner or Instructor, please refer to our growing list of Certified Practitioners & Instructors by clicking HERE.
What is The Aroma Freedom Academy?
This is an online school created by Dr. Perkus which offers a variety of classes using AFT in many areas of life. Dr. Perkus and his senior students teach pre-recorded as well as live classes every week to assist people in experiencing freedom in areas such as life balance, wellness, parenting, relationships, and more. This is also where the certification classes are held.
Is AFT offered in other languages?
AFT is currently being taught in English, German, Cantonese, and Spanish with translation projects underway in Finnish, Danish, Japanese and French. If you would like to bring AFT to your native tongue, send us a message and we can discuss this possibility!
