In preparation for TTAW, members of the complementary therapy team at Bethell Hospice worked with administration to develop procedures to offer distant TT to clients (both in the residence and in the community), family members and staff. The new program was launched May 11, to coincide with TTAW.    
Read More

This year when Nancy Hall, RT, approached Matthews House Hospice in Alliston about hosting an event during TTAW, as has been done the past two years, it was requested that she hold two events. One would be for volunteers and staff as in past years, and the new one would be an introduction to Therapeutic Touch for their community clients and caregivers. The self-care approach as inspired by Crystal and Alison was perfect. Although there was a small turnout for both, the Community Client Coordinator has shared since that she has had positive feedback from clients. We will be exploring
Read More

The Stratford Branch is a small and very new group, but they are committed to spreading the word about Therapeutic Touch. This year, although they had hoped to do a TTAW session at the Stratford General Hospital, COVID-19 made it such that we had to come up with another idea. Instead, they offered distant TT to the volunteers at Wellspring who wanted to give it a try. Seven volunteers were treated and several had good comments, surprised they actually felt the treatment and that they slept very well that night. Kelly, one of our Branch members, also put a very
Read More

This clinic is held monthly at St. Mark’s United Church, with members of the Whitby TTNO Branch providing Therapeutic Touch. The distant TT clinic began in April.  In May they were able to send out an email reminder of the May clinic. Ten TT practitioners presented distant TT at the clinic held Tuesday, May 5 at 1:00 pm. Tips for receiving a distant Therapeutic Touch session were reviewed over the phone or sent via email. Here are some comments from the initial calls to community members and subsequent feedback via email. “Looking so forward to participating tomorrow. Thank you so
Read More

One of the members of the TTNO Kitchener Branch, Debra B., has been very busy making masks for family, friends and health care workers. Bravo. Keep up the good work Debra! Never doubt that you are making a difference.
Read More

In January, 2020, Malia Ronderos returned to Oaxaca, Mexico, to continue the work she started last year in the cancer unit of the Hospital de la Niñez Oaxaqueña. Malia met with nurses at the hospital again, where she facilitated an introduction to Therapeutic Touch for Self-Care. This workshop was part of International Women’s Day weekend and was delivered to an enthusiastic and caring group of women, who very much look forward to the next presentation in 2021. Malia has started a Facebook group in Spanish in order to stay in touch, raise awareness and build a vibrant community in the region.
Read More

Recognizing that those who work at Hospice Simcoe are stressed with all that COVID requires, on April 23rd, Arlene Cugelman, RT, presented a Zoom meeting to introduce “Self-Care with Therapeutic Touch” to all volunteers and staff.  Using a short PowerPoint presentation, Therapeutic Touch (TT) was explained , centering was introduced with a breath meditation and, after teaching how to clear the hand, theywent on to self-care with TT.   This was done referencing parts of Be Your Own Healer: Self-Care with Therapeutic Touch by Crystal Hawk and Alison Cooke.   To support their continued use and rising questions in the coming weeks
Read More

In November 2019, Gail Lafortune and Arlene Cugelman “had the privilege of returning to the sacred valley of Peru ‘Willka Tik’a’, a most beautiful yoga retreat centre” to teach Therapeutic Touch® workshops Arlene taught her continuing education workshop “ Silent mind, Powerful mind”, focussing on the hospice experience, while Gail taught a Level 1 workshop. “Learning such a simple, yet profound, technique to help others on their healing journey was magnified by the sacred space in which we had the opportunity to learn.” Debbie de California
Read More