Laraine Pounds, RN, BSN, MSN, CMT
Laraine Pounds is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing, Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Esthetician and an experienced educator and speaker in the field of clinical aromatherapy. She has traveled internationally to present at aromatherapy conferences and has conducted specialty aromatherapy workshops for hospices, nursing and aromatherapy organizations. Laraine was inspired throughout her nursing career to study complementary healing disciplines that support the body/mind/spirit continuum. She is certified in Educational Kinesiology (Edu-K) and therapeutic guided imagery, with in-depth study and practice in Healing Touch/Therapeutic Touch, Chi Gong, yoga and meditation.
Ms. Pounds has been a nurse educator for over 40 years and holds an international certification in aromatherapy from the London School of Aromatherapy. She was a charter member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and co-founder of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), 1990, where she served on the education committee that led to the formation of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC). She co-founded the Alliance for International Aromatherapists (AIA) in 2006 where she contributed to the development of educational standards of clinical aromatherapy. She authored the Clinical Standards for Aromatherapy Practice which has been adopted by the Alliance of International Aromatherapists.
Laraine has continued personal explorations in complementary health care, and studied with numerous internationally known aromatherapy educators. She has published articles on aromatherapy care for the elderly and hospice care and pioneered uses of essential oils in the psychiatric setting, including Alzheimer’s care. Laraine continues to serve on the Advisory Board of ARC and was honored to receive the Distinguish Aromatherapist award by the AIA membership in 2009. She is passionate regarding mentoring students through the Integrative Aromatherapy® Certificate Program and is dedicated to developing proficient ways essential oils can be used in the support of holistic and integrative wellness care.