Developed in 1972 by Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN, who was then a professor at New York University, and by DoraKunz, a natural healer, TT is a contemporary version of several ancient healing practices. Thanks to Patricia Reardon, RN, Therapeutic Touch has been available as an option to patients at Grace Cottage, as well as Patricia's own clients, for over ten years. First introduced to TT by Dr. Ed Mulhern, Patricia completed the training required to become a Therapeutic Touch practitioner. "I've always been a holistic nurse," said Patricia, "and Therapeutic Touch fits right in with this approach."

Each TT session with a client lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. The fully-clothed patient lies down and Patricia runs her hands about 4" above the body, head-to-toe, detecting trouble spots in the energy field. "I can feel where the trouble spots are and smooth them out, to get the flow going again," said Patricia.

Virginia Jones of Brookline first experienced Therapeutic Touch when Patricia used it with Ginny's husband, John Paul Jones. "During the last month of his life he got so nervous and fidgety because of his illness, and Patty would calm him right down, using Therapeutic Touch. It was like a miracle, watching it - I just couldn't believe my eyes," Ginny recalled.

Ginny continues to see Patricia for her own health concerns. "I don't tell her, on purpose, what's bothering me, and she always picks right up on the spot that's causing trouble. I don't know how she does it, but she finds the area and soothes the pain right away." Bill Eckhardt of Townshend also gives Patricia and Therapeutic Touch enthusiastic praise: "It works. I don't know how it works, but it gets rid of the pain in my knees and ankles."