What is The Heart Touch Method
The Heart Touch Method is a hands-on palliative care training program that teaches comfort care and end-of-life support through compassionate touch. This heart-centered course provides a safe space for sharing, mindfulness, and awareness while offering a truly transformative learning experience. Through experiential activities, group dialogue, and guided touch techniques, participants gain a practical toolkit for supporting patients or loved ones facing serious or terminal illness.
Throughout the weekend training, you’ll deepen your understanding of the physical and emotional challenges hospice and palliative care patients face. The Heart Touch Method emphasizes presence, empathy, and human connection, helping caregivers, massage therapists, nurses, and volunteers apply comfort care principles in real-world hospice and palliative settings.
CEUs are available to massage therapists, RNs, LVNs, CNAs, HHAs, and chaplains. By the end of the program, you’ll have the confidence and skills to deliver meaningful care that touches both the heart and spirit of those in need.
Who This Training Is For
The Heart Touch Method is ideal for caregivers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers who want to expand their skills in palliative and hospice principles through hands-on learning. Whether you’re a massage therapist seeking CEUs, a nurse looking to deepen your understanding of comfort care, or someone simply called to serve others with compassion, this program provides the foundation to make a meaningful impact.
Designed for all experience levels, this palliative care training program welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, including RNs, LVNs, CNAs, HHAs, and chaplains, who wish to bring peace and presence to those facing serious illness. Each participant learns how to offer emotional and end-of-life support while developing professional confidence in their caregiving approach.
What You’ll Learn in The Heart Touch Method
In this palliative care training program, you’ll gain the practical and emotional skills to provide comfort care and end-of-life support with professionalism and compassion. The Heart Touch Method combines experiential learning, mindfulness, and science-based palliative care education to help you serve patients with confidence and empathy.
During this CEU-approved weekend training, you’ll learn:
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The fundamentals of palliative and hospice principles applied through safe, heart-centered touch
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How to communicate mindfully with patients, families, and care teams during sensitive moments
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Techniques for positioning, presence, and comfort to ease pain and anxiety in fragile or terminal patients
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How to integrate compassionate care into daily clinical or volunteer settings across Los Angeles and beyond
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Practical steps to continue your growth through Heart Touch’s palliative care certificate programs
By the end of the course, participants leave with a deep understanding of how connection and gentle touch can transform the experience of care for both patients and caregivers.
Training Benefits & CEUs
The Heart Touch Method offers more than education in palliative care. It builds a foundation for compassionate practice, professional growth, and meaningful human connection.
Through this hands-on training, participants gain the skills and confidence to provide compassionate touch and comfort care in both personal and clinical settings, including hospice, dementia care, and end-of-life support.
Designed for massage therapists, nurses, CNAs, HHAs, chaplains, and hospice volunteers, the program combines practical skills with emotional presence to support the dignity and well-being of individuals facing serious illness.
Continuing Education & Approvals
Upon completing the weekend training, participants earn 16 continuing education credits, through the following approved providers (subject to verification):
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National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) – Approved Provider #450864-08
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California Board of Registered Nursing – CEP 13426
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Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians – Approved Provider V10953
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California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – NAC #1247
The program may also be used for continuing education credits by members of the Association of Professional Chaplains. Note for CNAs and HHAs: Training records must be retained for four (4) years from the date of enrollment.
Training Cost and Scholarships
The Heart Touch Method Training Program costs $400, payable with your application. Partial scholarships $200 are available to those who commit to a minimum of one year of volunteer service with one of our partner organizations.
Training Schedule & Locations
The Heart Touch Method training is offered several times throughout the year, with upcoming dates and locations available on our Training Calendar.
Designed for both healthcare professionals and volunteers, this weekend training combines classroom instruction, experiential learning, and guided practice in compassionate touch.
Participants gain practical skills in comfort care and end-of-life support while connecting with others who share a commitment to compassionate care and meaningful human connection.
Ready to take the next step?
Explore our training calendar below for upcoming dates, locations, and registration details. Join us to develop your skills in compassionate care and earn continuing education credits through The Heart Touch Method.
How to Enroll
Ready to get started? Explore our Training Calendar to view upcoming sessions, select your preferred date and location, and complete your registration.
Don't see an upcoming training date that works for you? Feel free to enroll now and submit your application. We'll be in touch as soon as new training dates and locations are announced.
FAQs
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for individuals living with serious or chronic illnesses, while hospice care supports people nearing the end of life. The Heart Touch Method teaches palliative and hospice care principles that help caregivers provide emotional and physical comfort through compassionate touch.
Do I need medical or massage experience to take this course?
No. The Heart Touch Method welcomes everyone, including healthcare professionals, volunteers, and caregivers who want to learn the foundations of comfort care and end-of-life support. All instruction is guided and beginner-friendly.
How long is the training, and what certification will I receive?
The Heart Touch Method is a weekend, in-person training program. Participants earn 16 continuing education credits approved by state and national boards. Graduates receive a certificate of completion recognizing their training in palliative care and practical compassionate-touch skills.
Where is the training held?
Training sessions are held at various locations throughout the Los Angeles area, including partner facilities such as the National Holistic Institute (NHI). Visit our Training Calendar for upcoming dates, locations, and registration details.
What will I learn during the training?
You'll study palliative and hospice care principles, mindful communication, positioning for comfort, and emotional awareness. The program combines education in palliative care with hands-on exercises to strengthen confidence and empathy in real-world care settings.
Want More Information?
If you have questions, please call us at 310.488.9016 or email us at admin@hearttouch.org.