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Snapshot of an Aromatherapist: Meet Yolanda Cathcart

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Yolanda Cathart describes herself as a professional student that loves learning (an aromatherapist after my own heart). I briefly spoke with her at a pain and inflammation class given by Rhiannon Harris Lewis in 2016 and didn’t realize the extent of her experience. Paula Begel suggested that she would be a good aromatherapist to profile in this snapshot series. Yolanda is the owner of Aromatherapy Oasis in Roosevelt NY where she offers aromatherapy classes (both online and in-person) and aromatherapy consultations with custom blending.

Some of the in-person classes she provides are:

  • Green Cleaning The Aromatic Way (also available as an online course)
  • Blending For Stress and Anxiety Essential Oil Workshop
  • Learn to Make Natural Bath and Body Skin Care Products
  • Making Salves, Lotion Bars and Lip Balms With Infused Herbal Oils
  • Cold Processed Soap Class

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Yolanda has written two aromatherapy e-books and an e-book on soapmaking that are available for sale on her website:

What got you interested in aromatherapy? Tell us a little bit about your aroma-story.

I was introduced to aromatherapy at a natural product formulation class I attended in California around 2009. I loved using aromatherapy products in lieu of fragrance oils because of two main reasons: I hate the smell of artificial fragrances and they give me a severe headache.

How long have you been interested in aromatherapy?

I would say that I became more interested in aromatherapy after attending a soaper’s conference in 2011. I was sitting at a table with some soapers that were saying that using essential oils could be dangerous and that they would never use them. This piqued my interest because at that point in time I had used them without any problems. I witnessed some amazing benefits and decided that it was time to learn from a professional. So, I looked online and found an in person certification class that was in the same state as me.

What do you love most about aromatherapy?

I love that aromatherapy has a broad range of benefits when used properly. I was initially amazed and I am still amazed at how an oil can have an profound effect on our emotions as well as the therapeutic part.

Describe what training you’ve had in aromatherapy. Please also list any aromatherapy certifications:

  • Aromahead: ACP 2012
  • Aromahead: Advanced Aromatherapy 2013
  • Aromahead: Teacher’s Training 2013
  • Aromahead: Scholars Program 2013
  • EORC (Essential Oil Resource Consultants): Clinical Aromatherapy and Infectious Diseases Advanced Formulation Skills 2014
  • Robert Tisserand: Skin Series 2016
  • EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy Level 1 2015
  • Attended Essential Oil Chemistry with Robert Pappas 2016
  • Heal Center and The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy: Harmonizing the Spirit: Five Element Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Acupoint Massage for Physchological Conditions 2016
  • EORC: Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy for Respiratory Challenges: Evidence and Applications 2016
  • EORC: Clinical Aromatherapy approaches for Painful and Inflammatory Conditions 2016

What other specialty training have you had? How do those things relate to your work with aromatherapy?

I will be completing my degree in massage therapy and preparing to take the board exam in a few months. I love the idea that I will be able to use aromatherapy responsibly when in practice. My school focused a lot on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and I am looking forward to incorporating acupressure with aromatherapy when necessary.

Describe how you use your aromatherapy training in your day-to-day life:

I use aromatherapy to cope with some emotional struggles that may arise. Aromatherapy has supported my family in great ways both emotionally and therapeutically. I am known as the aromatherapy go to person at work which is pretty cool.

Describe how you use your aromatherapy training in your business:

I provide a series of miniature aromatherapy classes that range from introduction to aromatherapy to skin care formulation classes. I stress the importance of safety and suggest that more is not always better.

Tell us a story about how you’ve successfully used aromatherapy with either yourself or a friend or client.

When I first started offering consultations a lady reached out to me because she wanted to use something natural due to scarring from an emergency surgery. I made up a blend and was happy to receive feedback that her doctor was impressed at how well her scar had healed.

What are you most excited about with regard to the future of aromatherapy and your place in it?

I love the fact that more people are becoming aware of aromatherapy and this is the time to teach them about the safety of it as well as the benefits. I have talked to some people and have recommended to them that knowledge is key and suggested that their (MLM / mulit-level marketing) line should seek more of it. I have received a lot of positive feedback from people that are selling essential oils when I suggest to them to acquire proper education.

What advice would you give to someone considering aromatherapy certification?

Conduct your own research. It is okay to learn from various qualified professionals.

What are your top 3-5 favorite essential oils and what do you love about them?

  • Lemon (Citrus limon) because it makes everything around me feel bright and fresh. It always provides me an emotional uplift.
  • Rhu Khus (Vetiveria zizanoides) because it keeps me centered.
  • Laurel Leaf (Laurus nobilis) for mental endurance.

What are your top 3-5 favorite aromatherapy books and what do you love about them?

Please share a recipe with Marvy Moms readers

I made an massage blend for an individual suffering from PTSD. The blend was her favorite and it supported her in a positive way. It was used for emotional support. I also supplied an affirmation to use from Louise Hay: “I feel protected and safe at all times.” I instructed the client to use the massage oil several times a day or when needed.

The blend was to support feelings of anxiety, stress and to bring calmness to the heart.

Keeps Me Grounded Recipe:

  • 1 oz Vanilla infused Jojoba
  • 4 drops Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
  • 3 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • 2 drops Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
  • 1 drop Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
  • 1 drop Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum)

Thank you, Yolanda, for sharing your aroma-story with Marvy Moms!

Read other snapshots of aromatherapists.

About Emily Carpenter

Emily is a Web Whiz, Blogger, Speaker, Student, and Mom. She is the owner of WhizBang! Web Solutions LLC, and the founder of Marvy Moms. She loves working from home so that she can be there for every possible moment with her son, JW. Learning as she goes, Emily breastfed, bought cloth diapers (but never used them), made her son’s baby food, had a family bed for nearly two years, and loves spending time with her son. Emily is a certified Level II Reiki practitioner and offers her services both in-person and remotely to people interested in this energetic healing modality. Emily is currently enrolled as a student at the American Academy of Homeopathy to become a Certified Classical Homeopath and has earned a diploma in botanical medicine at Botanical Medicine Institute. She is also a Certified Aromatherapist, and received her training from Aromahead Institute.

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