“Every mortal human being is only temporarily abled, is only temporarily without an ailment. If you live long enough, you’ll see.”
Natashia Deón, The Perishing
People are often scared to talk about illness and death. It is daunting to consider losing our abilities and our freedom. It is hard to face losing the people we love. But life is precious because we know it will end. And we know for certain of this one thing, it will end.
Whether you are facing serious illness or death or you are walking a loved one through this passage, I am here to provide comfort. Life-threatening illnesses can come with medical interventions and procedures that can feel invasive, painful, and dehumanizing. My goal is to provide you with respite and relief. I am not here to cure or even to show up with an agenda. My goal is to be present with your body, your fear, your grief, and your pain and to help you find stillness, gentleness, and presence. While this work was designed to care for the infirm and elderly, it is beneficial for anyone in need of comfort.
This type of work is much different than traditional massage. Comfort Touch is a nurturing style of acupressure that provides deep relaxation, nervous system regulation, and pain relief. Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that focuses on promoting balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit.
These modalities are safe for anyone in any setting. No table is necessary. The work can be done with patients in wheelchairs, hospital beds, regular beds, recliners, or chairs. Patients remain fully clothed, and no oil or cream is required.
For those with illness, the sessions are much shorter, typically no longer than 30 minutes. For caregivers, the grieving, or others in need of relief, Comfort Touch and Reiki can be incorporated into a longer session. These sessions are usually done in the home of the patient.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I am here to support you on this journey. You are not alone.
My work with Montgomery and Prince George’s Hospice
In May 2024 I began working with Montgomery Hospice and Prince Georges Hospice as part of their Complementary Therapies. I offer Comfort Touch, Palliative Massage, and Reiki. This work is centered around comfort, both for patients and for caregivers. It requires deep presence and an ability to create a container for grief, pain, and transition. No work I do is more important than being with patients during this liminal time.
You can read more about Hospice and Complementary Therapies here: