In my early days of learning Therapeutic Touch, I discovered its brilliance and was in awe at the wisdom of its founders, Dolores Krieger, RN, PhD and her mentor, Dora Kunz.
It was at a Practice Group meeting in the middle of offering a healing session that I realized quite suddenly that in this simple act of helping another, I felt better – I was, in fact, helping myself. And I got it…”In helping others, we help ourselves ~ in giving, we receive!”
I thought I heard the Universe laughing as this insight flashed through my mind, It made me want to laugh and jump for joy! A Dalai Lama quote came to mind “Compassion is enlightened self-interest”…which all of sudden made sense in a new and more coherent way – “we are all connected…we live in a dynamic and interconnected universe….and in Therapeutic Touch we live it.”
I gave thanks, quieted my mind and re-centered my consciousness and refocused on the Therapeutic Touch session I was in the middle of. After the session, I took my time to reflect on my experience and explored what it meant for my practice and for my life. The learning journey on the healing path that is Therapeutic Touch never ends which, of course, is wonderful and one of the reasons why I love to teach it to others.
The experienced practitioner cultivates an intentional healing presence that honors the fundamental principles of Therapeutic Touch: permission-based, client-centered, unattached to outcomes establishing a safe and sacred healing space within which their healing partner is invited to give themselves permission to relax, receive and rest following the session to allow their energy field to recalibrate integrating whatever shifts towards wholeness and balance are possible.
At the beginning of the session, the practitioner centers her consciousness and aligns with the Universal Energy Field to become an “instrument of healing”. Centering in compassion and gratitude for the gift of being able to be of service, the experienced Therapeutic Touch practitioner sustains a centered state of consciousness for the duration of the session. Centering practice opens the practitioner’s perception and facilitates a transfer of universal energy through the practitioner to help the healing partner rebalance their energy towards wholeness and balance.
Competence in Therapeutic Touch is developed through practice, continued study, training and reflective practice (case studies). Therapeutic Touch, also known as “mindfulness practice in action” develops self-awareness, enhanced perceptual and intuitive skills and heightened sensitivity integrated and lived in all aspects of everyday life.
Therapeutic Touch Works! For healing and wellness. Backed by 45 plus years of scientific research and clinical experience, Therapeutic Touch:
- Promotes relaxation
- Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
- Alleviates pain; changes the perception of pain
- Accelerates healing of fractures, swelling, wounds and infections
- Improves sleep and immune function
- Facilitates the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Therapeutic Touch is practiced in 120 countries and in hospitals, hospices, long term care centres, stress and cancer clinics, schools, workplaces and homes across Ontario. Learn more.
About Julia von Flotow
