It was in a dream that I discovered that I was a healer. It happened in1993 after I had taken an unplanned and intuitively guided three month long solo backpacking trip through ten countries in Europe. During the nine months from the end of this journey and the beginning of my next sojourn in Europe, I had that amazing dream. I knew that I was to do Energy healing work and so the adventure began with a few classes including a weekend workshop with Barbara Brennan. It was really her work and books that formed the foundation of my healing work in Europe. She even came to me in dreams.

      Upon my return to Europe, I discovered that I was to live in Austria. In the Salzburg area, I held a couple of guided meditations for five or six people in which healings occurred. Then, I connected with the largest Light Center in Vienna. (Would you believe that while I was still in Boston, I had seen a picture in a planetary newsletter of the people from that center?) Suddenly, there I was standing before a group of thirty very "in the know" people and being introduced as an "Amerikanische Heilerin", an American Healer. I took a deep breathe, with knees knocking, and simply jumped off! Grace was with me: all went beautifully and I was invited to work in that Center. And so it was with very little training, I began my healing practice, working intuitively and empathically. This was another one of those periods of intense personal growth. Or is all of life like that? One of the gifts here was that I knew from the beginning that I was not "doing" the amazing healings I witnessed.

      When all was completed in Europe, I am delighted to say that I was led to the island of Kauai in Hawaii where I spent four fabulous years. What do I mean by fabulous? The beauty, the wonderful spirit of the Polynesian way and the intense personal restructuring. Please notice, I did not say it was all fun. Do you know that picture of the Wounded Healer in the book "Sacred Mirrors" by Alex Grey? Well, it was more like that!

      It was in Hawaii that I connected with Healing Touch International and their training programs. (By the way, in Austria, I called my work "Heilende Beruhrung," i.e, 'Healing Touch,' although I had not heard of the program.) I was guided to begin these trainings and my resistance was mighty. After all, I worked intuitively and I had had a private healing practice for a few years prior. The ego still needed taming. Even with this resistance, I continued along the path leading to being a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner because it simply felt right. Now that I have completed that journey, I understand the value.

      Healing Touch was founded by Janet Mentgen, RN and is an energy-based therapy. In fact, HT is a Nursing Continuing Education Program endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association and is open to all. It is a structured program with definite criteria. The first four levels (through 3a) of training are taken as it feels appropriate (there are recommended time frames). However, at the fourth level begins the process of being certified. One year of mentorship with a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner (RN, CHTP) and many criteria must be met, e.g. properly documenting one hundred healing sessions, receiving ten different healing modalities, preparing a comprehensive case study on an individual client, demonstrating competency in case management. An understanding of the healing process and the importance of continued self-development is also required. As much time is as needed can be taken to complete the process. The application package is reviewed by the Certifying Board of Healing Touch International (HTI) and must receive their approval.

      Although I had been practicing Energy Medicine for several years, I found this mentorship period to be a time of tremendous personal growth. I saw patients in the hospital, in pre and post op, in clinics, in the office, at home; with a wide range of illnesses from simple to complex to life threatening. Of course, this work blended well with my own background, an M.S. in Biochemistry and ten years of medical research.

      What is the importance of this program? For me, it forms a linkage between my natural ability to do Energy Medicine and my scientific background as it also forms a bridge between the allopathic and complementary. HTI certifies the level of professionalism by providing consistency of instruction, a standard of competency and a code of ethics which provides assurances to patients, families, nurses and physicians. Healing Touch is widely available in many hospitals both in the United States and abroad. In the time of a new paradigm of Medical care in which allopathic and complementary practices are being integrated, Certified Healing Touch Practitioners are ready to partner with patient and physician.

      And so it is to be here in the Atlanta area that I have the opportunity to do just that and I am grateful!