As complementary therapists we need to keep our skills updated, and maintaining certification requires Continuous Professional Development (CPD). However, it can be difficult to know what to train in and therapists are increasingly required to make their skills more specific. 

Cancer is a global problem with more people being diagnosed each year, touching more lives, which is why cancer care beckons to therapists. Yet most therapists don’t know whether their skills are appropriate, or how to adapt their treatments; while other therapists have the skills but lack the confidence to apply them. As a result, therapists miss the opportunity to participate in very rewarding work, while patients miss out on the relief, relaxation and improved quality of life complementary therapies can provide.

I hope that by the time you read this article, you will share my vision of how therapists can develop their skills in their own time, home and pace through an e-learning platform; gain confidence and participate in rewarding work through clinical experience.

My name is Marie Duggan, I am an accredited CPT provider and complementary therapist in cancer care. My journey began in complementary therapies in 1997 after my mother died from lung cancer. You can imagine my mother’s shock when, aged only 55, she was diagnosed with cancer with only six weeks to live. She was an incredibly determined woman who accepted living with a life limiting condition but would not accept she was going to die so soon. She started experimental chemotherapy; aware that it would extend her life not remove the cancer. 

I had to persuade her to visit our local hospice as she felt it would be all tea and sympathy. On her first visit we were given the warmest welcome, were shown around and observed people laughing and socialising. We saw the hairdressers, a beauty room and last but not least, a therapy room offering Aromatherapy Massage and Reiki. It was a place of unconditional support, love and light. 

Mum received weekly Aromatherapy Massage and Reiki and acknowledged these treatments would not ‘cure’ her but described the sessions as ‘me time’; a place she could go and feel calm, accessing stillness and peace. At the time I thought “What an amazing gift to give someone”. Mum died just over 12 months later. 

Seeing the relief mum received inspired me and I trained in Aromatherapy massage, various massage techniques, Reflexology, Reiki and Craniosacral therapy. My first experience of treating patients with cancer was as the Reflexologist at the Holistic Cancer Care Centre in Middlesbrough, UK. I delivered treatments to patients going through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In 2010, I moved to Australia and joined the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, a $200 million purpose-built cancer centre. As Subject Matter Expert on the Integrated Medicine Steering Committee, I delivered the guidelines, best practices and contraindications for Reflexology and Reiki in cancer care. We uncovered a pressing need for appropriately trained therapists, so using the guidelines, I created a CPT cancer care workshop accredited by the RAoA and delivered it to therapists throughout Australia and in the UK. 

In 2013, I returned to the UK and my course was CPD accredited for reflexology, reiki and massage. In 2015 I was awarded the FHT Excellence Award for ‘Accredited Training Provider of the Year’.

I received many requests from therapists who, being challenged by travel and accommodation costs, asked if I could offer this as an e-learning. On February 19th 2019, after three years of development we went live with the CPD e-learning ‘Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care’ for Massage, Reflexology and Reiki, accredited with the AoR, CThA, FHT & RAoA. 

The e-Learning solution combines theory and practical, using audios, powerful recordings from patients, videos and patient case studies backed up by continuous assessments, with practical and theory hand-outs. 

Our Vision: Clinical Practice Program: Many therapists wish to gain confidence under the umbrella of a clinical lead. Our vision is to establish a clinical practice training pathway local to all therapists and participating centres. 

This initiative involves a mutually respectful exchange of skills, where, in exchange for 20 hours voluntary reflexology treatments, a therapist will be observed by a clinical or complementary therapy lead during their hands-on experience. The therapist receives their ‘Clinical Practice’ certificate from the Hospice, Hospital or Cancer Care Centre. 

The Clinical Practice program is an optional opportunity and NOT a requirement for completing the eLearning course. It is an initiative in progress and subject to centre participation.

 

Marie Duggan ATL, I.I.H.H.T, I.C.H.T, CST and Reiki Master Teacher;

Member of CThA, FHT, UK Reiki Fed, RAoA & CNHC.