2026 TTNO Annual Conference

Evening of November 20 and all-day November 21
Online via Zoom

Last date to register November 16th 

REFLECTIVE PROCESSES OF THERAPEUTIC TOUCH

Therapeutic Touch^® (TT) is enhanced by reflective practice. It can be as simple as  those quiet moments reflecting on each TT session. It can also be when we look more deeply, beyond the physical motions of Therapeutic Touch, to learn from what we have noticed and to nourish the underpinnings of our healing work.

Join us as we explore these elements to fortify our individual practice.

Friday Evening

7:30-9:00 pm The Montana Dialogues, with Alison Cooke

It has been many years since I last reported back from the Montana Dialogues. Over the years we have looked deep within ourselves to grow in our Therapeutic Touch practice and our understanding of the relationship between our everyday self, our inner self, our healing partner and the universal healing field. We’ll look at topics we covered and enjoy a sample of one of the Laboratory of Self activities that lead to reflection and the continued discovery of who we really are. 

In 1992 Alison Cooke, BSA, B Ed, RT, QTTT, was looking for something she could do to support her husband, David, as he adjusted to a life-changing auto-immune disease. She found Therapeutic Touch, and her life was changed. Alison has now been practising and teaching TT for more than 30 years. For the same number of years, she has been providing TT in Stirling Manor LTC and in Pastoral Care for Eastminster United Church. Recently she has begun providing TT at the Heart of Hastings Hospice residence, a dream finally fulfilled. In 2010, a phone call to Dee Krieger, at the urging of Crystal Hawk, led to an invitation to the Montana Dialogues. She credits the profound effect of the dialogues with a greater understanding of her purpose in life and the awareness of her inner self as an ally as she journeys through life.

 

Saturday

This year our presenters are renowned facilitators from the Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA).  All experts, they come with a wide variety of perspectives and experiences having much knowledge and wisdom to share with our TTNO community.

 

Saturday Morning

9:15-10:30 The Call of Compassion, with Cordy Anderson

The call of compassion is not the same as the call to compassion we experience as a step in Therapeutic Touch^® (TT). What does compassion feel like? What do we notice? How do we know we are in a compassionate state of consciousness?

In 1984 Cordy Anderson, BSN, retired RN, QTTT (she/her), began her 32-year career as a home health and hospice nurse. Therapeutic Touch magically came into her life as the “what to do when there is nothing else left to help.” Almost immediately she found TT to be an amazing adjunct to her nursing care. Now, in her “retreadment,” (a term she learned from Dee) her priorities are to be an involved grandma, teach TT, and offer sessions every chance she gets. Cordy supports TT by participating in both the Northwest Therapeutic Touch Institute and Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA) Boards.  Cordy also carries TT to new places as she travels from Oregon through California, New Mexico, and Colorado. It is her joy to share this experience with others.

 

 

 

 

 

10:45-12:00  A Deep Dive into the Inner Self, with Madonna Pence

What is the Inner Self? What isn’t it? How do you connect with your inner self and why would you want to? Explore the inner landscape as you connect with your inner self to discover what this connection means to you, for yourself and as a healer.

Madonna Pence, BA, QTTP (she/her), knew nothing about Therapeutic Touch when she saw a class advertised at the Theosophical Society in Wheaton IL, and thought, “This sounds interesting.” During that first class, she immediately felt she had found a path forward that connected so many elements of inquiry. Madonna has been an enthusiastic TT practitioner for 13 years and assists with the monthly healing circle in Wheaton, started by founder Dora Kunz and currently run by Dr. Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda. Madonna is a retired technical writer and editor and is the current president of Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA).

  

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Afternoon

12:55-2:05  Reflecting on the Theory of Healing, with Sue Conlin

The Theory of Healing was written by a group of long-time attendees of the TT Dialogues, who based that theory on their cumulative years of TT practice. But to Sue, who is not a nurse, it still seemed pretty theoretical. Then one day, she realized that all the concepts in the theory could be illustrated by a TT relationship that she was experiencing.

Sue Conlin, BA QTTT, TTCCF, has been practicing Therapeutic Touch since 1990, teaching TT since 1998, and studied extensively with the co-creator of Therapeutic Touch, the late Dolores Krieger PhD, RN, Professor Emerita of NYU College of Nursing. Sue is the Operations Manager of Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA) and is credentialed by Nurse Healers Professional Associates International, Inc., the educational arm of TTIA. Sue also serves as Treasurer of The Therapeutic Touch Dialogues, Inc. In addition, Sue volunteers for Ellis Medicine and offers TT to staff and students at the Belanger School of Nursing as well as staff at several other Ellis Medicine sites. Therapeutic Touch is a lifeway for Sue, and its inherent compassion guides her life.

 

 

 

 

 

2:05-3:15  TT CARER Note (revised to be more user friendly): A tool for a deeper reflection, with Lin Bauer and Ann Little

You'll learn about the new CARER Note forms, including the new drawing tools, and you will have an opportunity to try the new forms out in TT sessions in breakout rooms. 

Lin Bauer, MS, CCMHP, QTTT (she/her), has been a Therapeutic Touch (TT) practitioner since 1992 and teacher since 2002. A retired Special Education teacher after 32+ years, she is also a Sound Therapist (2001). Lin is currently on the boards of Camp Indralaya, TT Dialogues, and Northwest Therapeutic Touch Institute (a satellite of TTIA) as well as having served as Education Trustee for TTIA board.  In addition to working with people with special needs, Lin’s TT practice includes working with people with cancer, and those who are on hospice. She has presented Therapeutic Touch workshops internationally. Teaching Therapeutic Touch and being a TT practitioner are among her greatest joys.

Ann Little, BS, LMT, PTA, QTTT (she/her), has been a massage therapist and physical therapist assistant for 33 years. She has also volunteered with hospice since 2023. Ann was introduced to TT about 10 years ago. When she began her TT journey in 2018, she was hooked! Ann continues to take classes, webinars, joins practice groups, serves on TT committees, participates in TT Dialogues, Congress, Friday global meditation…there is always more to learn! Ann credits her journey with TT and its transpersonal nature to creating an environment that “lends itself to a deeper knowing of myself, others, and the interconnectedness of all things. This knowledge helps me be a better person, practitioner, and teacher. TT has become a lifeway for me, and I LOVE to share my passion for TT with others.”