Healing Touch is a biofield therapy that is an energy based approach to health and healing. It uses touch to influence the human energy system, specifically the energy field that surrounds the body, and the energy centers that control the energy flow from the energy field to the physical body. These non-invasive techniques utilize the hands to clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields thus affecting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and healing. It is based on a heart-centered caring relationship in which the practitioner and client come together energetically to facilitate the client's health and healing. The goal in Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system placing the client in a position to self heal. Healing Touch complements conventional health care and is used in collaboration with other approaches to health and healing.

Healing Touch is a nursing continuing education multi-level program in energy-based therapy that moves from beginning to advanced practitioner and is complementary to health care. The program incorporates a variety of energy-based modalities that are sequenced in Levels 1 (I), 2 (IIA), 3 (IIB), 4 (IIIA), 5 (IIIB) with Level 6 (IV) being the instructor level. Parenthesis indicates previous titles of the courses before this revision.

Each level in the Healing Touch International Healing Touch Certificate Program includes both didactic and experiential learning in which participants practice and share experiences using energy-based healing techniques. In addition the program encourages the developing practitioner to enhance skills and knowledge through recommended readings and practice sessions. There is also a strong commitment to personal growth and knowledge of holistic health principles.

At the completion of each official level of the Healing Touch International Healing Touch Certificate Program taught by a Certified Healing Touch Instructor, a certificate of attendance is given. All participants who successfully complete the core curriculum through Level 5 will receive a Certificate of Completion. This recognizes the work completed in the program and the use of the designated title, Healing Touch Practitioner, HTP. The HTP is then eligible to apply for certification.

Scientific research continues to suggest that HT is helpful in promoting relaxation, reducing pain and managing stress. It can also be effective in speeding tissue and bone healing and strengthening the immune system. Many people describe an increased sense of well-being after treatment.

Healing Touch is used for surgery, pregnancy & labour, headaches, back and neck pain, bone fractures, cancer, grief, arthritis, depression, PMS, viral infections, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and many other situations. It is useful in combination with traditional medicine as part of an effective health care program.

After talking with you for a few minutes, the Healing Touch practitioner will ask you to lie down fully-clothed on a massage table. You are welcome to ask questions or rest during the treatment. A session lasts 30 minutes to an hour. The practitioner will move his or her hands in a gentle motion around the body. Light touch may also be used if you are comfortable with this.

The Healing Touch Program was developed by Janet Mentgen, RN, BSN (1938-2005) during her nursing career. Over the last 25 years of her life she was committed to studying, practicing, and teaching energy therapies. Healing Touch developed from her study and experience with other healers and her own practice and teaching through courses she offered in nursing continuing education in a Denver community college in the 1980’s. Her healing practice helped her understand and implement the energy techniques and provided the basis for the self care emphasis within the curriculum.

In 1988, Janet was honored as the holistic nurse of the year by the American Holistic Nurses’ Association (AHNA) for her outstanding work in teaching touch therapies and for its impact on individuals and community. AHNA’s efforts to bring energy therapies within their organizational framework created an opportunity for Janet and others to offer Healing Touch in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Gainesville, Florida as a pilot project in 1989. Due to its success, Healing Touch became a certificate program of the AHNA in 1990 with 25 programs offered across the USA in that first year.

AHNA began offering certification for Healing Touch practitioners and instructors in 1993. In 1996 due to its tremendous growth and diversity of the practitioners, Healing Touch International, Inc., a non-profit educational organization, was formed to administer the certification program. AHNA continued to support Healing Touch by providing endorsement for the Healing Touch Certificate Program. Healing Touch International, as the professional membership organization, has as its mission to spread healing and light worldwide through the heart-centered practice and teaching of Healing Touch. There are over 2000 members of HTI with over 200 certified instructors and nearly 2000 Certified Healing Touch Practitioners.

In July 1997 Healing Touch International Foundation, Inc. was also established to receive and distribute funds to assist, encourage and advance the philosophy, objectives, and techniques of Healing Touch therapy and other energy based healing therapies.

Healing Touch continues to expand worldwide and is now currently taught throughout the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, Romania, India, South Africa, Trinidad, Italy, and South America. Over 50,000 individuals have taken Healing Touch classes. Classes are offered through the Healing Touch ProgramTM, universities, and health care facilities. New areas are continually opening and requests are being received from the international community to continue to offer programs. Healing Touch is in harmony with people from all walks of life.

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