What is Therapeutic Touch?

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is based on the idea that human beings are energy in the form of a field. When you are healthy, that energy is freely flowing and balanced. In contrast, disease is a condition of energy imbalance or disorder. The human energy field extends beyond the level of the skin, and the Therapeutic Touch practitioner connects with that energy using the hands as sensors.  A Therapeutic Touch session is a process that is always individualized and usually does not exceed 20 minutes. Your practitioner may ask you to sit in a chair or lie down. It is not necessary to disrobe.  Exact methods vary between practitioners, but generally, they will pass their hands over your body from head to toe, front and back, holding them between 2-6 inches from the skin. They may use rhythmical, sweeping motions with the hands, as if they are smoothing or rebalancing your energy field. The practitioner may or may not touch you physically. TT Practitioners are conduits of energy – the Healing Partner actually does the work.
See https://therapeutictouch.org/about-us/how-did-therapeutic-touch-begin/the-process-of-therapeutic-touch/ for more about the TT Process.

Therapeutic Touch International Association

Therapeutic Touch (TT) was developed by Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN (1921 – 2019) and Dora Kunz (1904 – 1999). From their observations and insights into the healing process, they felt that the ability to heal could be taught to anyone who has compassion and a desire to help. They were very interested in supporting a scientific approach to the healing process. In the early 1970’s they began teaching Therapeutic Touch to Krieger’s graduate nursing students at New York University. Now TT is taught to many who are interested in healing in many countries around the world. Therapeutic Touch has been a part of research-based practice since its development. Dr. Krieger’s initial research demonstrated that Therapeutic Touch interaction could increase hemoglobin levels in recipients as previous studies had indicated that chlorophyll content could be increased in healer treated plants. This finding was one of the first that allowed quantitative biochemical measurements in humans to detect healing energy effects.

We were incorporated in 1979 as Nurse Healers Professional Associates International, Inc.(NH-PAI) and in 2008 began doing business as Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA). NH-PAI is the credentialing arm of the organization and TTIA is the membership arm.