Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I’m interested in getting into the field of working with preemies or hospitalized babies but don’t know where to start. Any suggestions?

A. The key to success in implementing a touch therapy program with the medically fragile infant population is education and training. Until now, there has been little formal education in this new and innovative field. The Nurturing NICU^® Workshop  provides both NICU experienced and Non-NICU experienced professionals the training to implement a touch therapy program in the medical environment. For specific information on the workshop, please refer to the "Workshop" section of the website.

Q. Are there any prerequisites to taking the Nurturing NICU^® Workshop?

A. The workshop is open to anyone who is interested in working either with premature or medically fragile infants in the hospital setting or once they have gone home. If you do not have experience working in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) you are required to attend the pre-workshop. Though I also recommend getting certified in well baby instruction (CIMI), I do not require it as a prerequisite to my course because my workshop is so specific to the premature and medically fragile population.

Q. What will I receive when I have completed the workshop? Am I "certified"?

A. Because of the nature of the environment and population that you will be working with, it is not possible for me to offer certification. You will, however, receive a Certificate Of Completion at the end of the course. This certificate should provide you with the necessary documentation for Continuing Education Units or for a prospective employer.

Q. How many Continuing Education Units (CEU) are provided by The Nurturing NICU^® Workshop?

A. The Nurturing NICU^® Workshop is approved for 11 CEUs through St. Luke's Hospital and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). In addition, the Pre-Workshop is approved for four additional hours of CEU credit for a total of 15 hours.

Q. Where are the Nurturing NICU^® Workshops held?

A. At the present time all of the workshop are in Kansas City, Missouri. However, if you are interested in sponsoring a workshop in your area, please contact me for further information. If you would like to be put on the mailing list to receive a brochure, please email me with your name, address and email address.

Q. I’m interested in the workshop but am not able to travel to Kansas City. Do you do on-site training?

A. Yes, I am available to do trainings at medical institutions and massage therapy schools. If you would like to receive information regarding an on-site consultation, please email me or refer to the "On-Site Training" section of the web site.

Q. I’m interested in working with term, well babies. How do I get training and certification in that area?

A. If you are interested in getting certified in well baby infant massage instruction, that is not something I do. However, there are two organizations that do. If you call them they will be happy to mail you a schedule of their upcoming trainings which occur throughout the United States. They are the International Association of Infant Massage at 1-800-248-5432 (www.IAIM-US.com) or the International Loving Touch Foundation at 1-800-929-749 (www.lovingtouch.com).

Q. I am looking for information regarding studies that have been done with infants and other populations. Where do I start?

A. For information regarding research, you should check out the website for Touch Research Institute at www.miami.edu/touch-research or do a literature search at your local library. You can also go to the National Institutes of Health website and search their PubMed library (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi).