Elizabeth Close (Close Comforts) and Tracy Chalmers (Endwell) welcome you to Natural Touch: A Gentle Touch Training for End-of-Life Doulas and Palliative Care Professionals.


This 7-module, self-paced online course is designed to prepare you to offer gentle touch in a safe, ethical, and deeply compassionate way to those experiencing serious illness or nearing the end of life.


The training is thorough, thoughtful, and practical - rooted in both skill and heart.

By participating in this course, you will learn to:

  • Describe the benefits and precautions of gentle touch in palliative care.

  • Maintain clear, ongoing consent throughout a session.

  • Ground yourself before, during, and after offering touch.

  • Practice self-care and self-compassion as a practitioner.

  • Grow your capacity to offer touch with confidence.

Your Learning Journey

The Natural Touch Training was created with accessibility in mind - honouring many learning styles.

The modules move from foundational understanding to hands-on specifics, and professional considerations including how to move forward with community support. 

Each module includes written teachings, video demonstrations (where applicable), reflection exercises, quizzes, and a comprehensive workbook to deepen integration.

Participants also receive access to:

  • An online forum for connection and questions

  • Monthly live Zoom Office Hours

  • Information about volunteer and paid opportunities

  • Optional in-person practice workshops in the Greater Vancouver area

  • A certificate of completion

After completing the course, you will not only feel prepared to offer gentle touch to clients, friends, or family members - you will also develop a clear plan for how to bring this work into your community, supported by a growing community of practice.

This is not just skill-building - it is capacity-building.

Course Curriculum

    1. Nice to Meet You!

    2. Introducing Your Guides

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Navigating the Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Definitions

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Course Details

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. Course Outline

      FREE PREVIEW

    7. Course Learning Intentions

      FREE PREVIEW

    8. Important Note

      FREE PREVIEW

    9. Legal Considerations

      FREE PREVIEW

    10. Refund Policy

      FREE PREVIEW

    11. Let's Get Started!

    1. Join the Community

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Introduce Yourself!

    3. Questions? Ask Away!

    4. Local Practice Groups

    5. Opportunities!

    6. Natural Touch Live Zoom Support Session with Elizabeth and Tracy

    1. Module 1 Overview

    2. Benefits of Gentle Touch

    3. Ward on Benefits of Gentle Touch

    4. Timeline of Challenges

    5. Changes Toward Death Chart

    6. Navigating Conversations

    7. Tips for Compassionate Communication

    8. Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy

    9. Module 1 Quiz

    1. Module 2 Overview

    2. Your Presence Matters

    3. Importance of Consent

    4. When to get Consent

    5. Verbal Consent Before Session

    6. Helpful Phrases for Ensuring Consent and Safety

    7. Doctor's Approval

    8. Cautions and Contraindications

    9. Making Referrals

    10. Activity: Communication Cue Cards

    11. Module 2 Quiz

    1. Module 3 Overview

    2. Preparing for the Session

    3. Positioning

    4. Equipment

    5. Equipment Checklist (PDF)

    6. Adjusting Hospital Bed

    7. Pre-Session Checklist

    8. Beginning Session on Zero Gravity Chair

    9. Pressure and Techniques

    10. Techniques 'Cheat Sheet'

    11. Techniques: Scalp Demo

    12. Techniques: Forearm with Oil

    13. Techniques: Low Leg Demo

    14. Techniques: Feet Demo

    15. Techniques: Dry Stroking

    16. Activity: Practice Techniques!

    17. Signs to Watch For

    18. Closing the Session

    19. Finishing Up With Client

    20. Module 3 Quiz

    1. Module 4 Overview

    2. Definition and Background

    3. Aromatherapy: Different Pathways and Effects

    4. Get the Psychopomp

    5. Common Uses in Palliative Care

    6. Delivery and Dosing

    7. Purchasing Aromatherapy Supplies

    8. Safety Considerations

    9. Aromatherapy Checklist

    10. Scents That Make Sense

    11. Getting Acquainted With the Oils

    12. Evidence: Aromatherapy and End-of-Life Care

    13. Module 4 Quiz

About this course

  • $450.00
  • 102 lessons
  • 1 hour of video content

Learn how to offer gentle touch to your clients with care and confidence.

Enroll today

Instructors

Elizabeth Close

Instructor

Elizabeth Close has been caring for the living and the dying since 2005, as a shiatsu therapist, Registered Massage Therapist (2012), hospice volunteer (2019), end-of-life doula (2020) and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (2023). Grounded by the values of holism, presence, choice, and compassion, Elizabeth brings a deep calmness and connection to Spirit to her gentle touch work. She is of British descent, and is grateful to live on unceded Coast Salish lands, now known as East Vancouver, British Columbia.

Tracy Chalmers

Guide

Tracy Chalmers (she, her) is grateful and humbled to be living on Coast Salish land known as the North Shore of Vancouver, in British Columbia. In 2017, Tracy co-founded the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada, and since serves as an end-of-life doula and forest therapy guide through her organization Endwell, is a hospice volunteer and mentor, has written her first book (The Nature of the Journey), and continues to facilitate the End-of-Life Doula Care program at Douglas College. A friend to grief and death, and servant to many, Tracy considers herself a perpetual student. She is of Norwegian, Swedish, Scottish, and English ancestry, and values her roles as mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend, listener, and lover of the natural world and all of life. Tracy’s work honours and is supported by countless ancestors.

Pricing options

One time payment of $450 or 3 monthly payments of $150

Refund Policy

We want participants in Natural Touch: A Gentle Touch Training for Doulas and Palliative Care Professionals to feel confident in their decision to join this learning experience.

If you find that the course is not the right fit for you, we offer the following refund policy:


Participants may request a full refund (minus Thinkific fees) within 30 days of purchase, provided they have completed at least one but not more than two modules of the course.


To request a refund, please email [email protected] within 30 days of your purchase date. Refunds will be processed within 7–10 business days after approval.