Dora Kunz and Dolores Krieger

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 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, TT is a natural human potential and is available to anyone who chooses to learn the process and develop the skill. 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 practitioner / Teacher 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.

NH-PAI has:

• Standards of Care & Scope of Practice for Therapeutic Touch
• Policies and Procedures for Practicing TT in a medical setting
• Guidelines for Qualified Teachers & Mentors for Therapeutic Touch
• Statement of Ethics
• Complete Bibliography
• List of facilities where TT is practiced
• For more information about obtaining these documents, please contact the NH-PAI office.

In 1992, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) created the Office of Alternative Medicine. The experts in this office found that Therapeutic Touch has one of the strongest research bases of any of the alternative/complementary modalities. There are over two dozen doctoral dissertations, dozens of master's theses, and many post-doctoral studies, several of which have been funded by NIH. Research continues at a rigorous pace in institutions of higher learning throughout the country. TT is accepted in a growing number of hospitals and universities throughout the US, Canada and around the world.