Rebecca Good, MA, RNC, ACRN, LPC, QTTT
Therapeutic Touch Teacher, Mentor and Practitioner.
Therapeutic Touch
Therapeutic Touch is an intentionally directed process of energy exchange during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process. It is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices. Therapeutic Touch is a scientifically-based practice founded on the premise that the human body, mind, emotions, spirit and intuition form a complex, dynamic energy field. The human energy field is governed by pattern and order. In health, the field is balanced, however in dis-ease, the energy is characterized by imbalance and dis-order.
Therapeutic Touch (TT) was developed by Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN, then a Professor at New York University, and Dora Van Gelder Kunz, a natural healer. In the summer of 1972, Krieger and Kunz began teaching their techniques to a group of Krieger's graduate student nurses. The initial teaching involved nurses because of their natural compassion, understanding of the physical body and contact with people needing healing. As a result, the Therapeutic Touch process was developed.
Because of its development in the nursing community, Therapeutic Touch is primarily practiced in the nursing profession. However, Dora Felt that TT is a natural human potential and anyone could learn to do TT. TT is available to anyone who chooses to learn the process and develop the skill. There is a credentialing process to become a Therapeutic Touch Practitioner. Basic TT concepts are taught in a minimum 12 hour workshop. Additional time is needed for follow-up and for development of clinical skills. A one year mentorship with a qualified Therapeutic Touch Teacher / Mentor and an Intermediate level workshop are required to become a Therapeutic Touch practitioner in a medical or health care setting. An Advanced workshop is strongly recommended along with regular updating in the practice of TT. To become a Therapeutic Touch Teacher, one needs to have practiced Therapeutic Touch regularly (at least an average of 2 times a week for 5 years), had one year mentoring in the practice of TT, two advanced Workshops or Invitationals, and at least a one year teaching mentorship with a Qualified TT teacher.
Nurse Healers Professional Associates International (NH-PAI) was developed by Dr Krieger and Dora Kunz as the offical organization of Therapetic Touch This organization sets the standard and scope of practice for TT. NH-PAI also oversees the credentialing process.
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