Overview of Caring/Healing
Modalities in Conjunction
with Caring Literacy
Presented
By
Maria Chang, RN, BSN
1
Caring Healing Modalities
Learning Objectives:
 At the completion of this course, the participants will
be able to understand the Core Concepts of Dr.
Watson’s Caring Literacy incorporating into
Caring/Healing Modalities and how to apply the
Modalities into daily clinical practice.
2
Healing Modalities
 Mission of Caring/Healing Modalities is to create
“habitats (place) for healing” where:
 Nurses thrive, and
 Patients receive quality, holistic care by the
implementation of the caring/healing model for clinical
practice
3
Examples of Healing Modalities :
 Massage/Therapeutic
 Prayer
touch
 Dance/
Expressive Movement
 Guided imagery
 Music
 Relaxation
 Humor
 Meditation
 Listening to inspirational
speakers
 Watching caring videos
 Bringing in positive
things to share
 Pet Therapy
4
Caring Literacy
Definitions:
 Literacy is defined as the “ability to read and write”
 Caring Literacy is defined as “having fluency in
caring at personal and professional levels, including
heart intelligence, consciousness, intentionality,
lifelong journey of self-growth and self-awareness”
5
Caring Literacy Examples
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cultivate Caring consciousness and intentionality as
a starting point
Ability to Center -- quiet down, pause before entering
patient’s room or be still in the presence of the other
Ability to Read the Field when entering into the life
space or field of another
Ability to Be present – Be with other as well as
Do for other
Accurately identify and Address Person
by Name
6
Caring Literacy Examples (cont)
6. Maintain Eye Contact as appropriate for
7.
8.
9.
10.
person/cultural meaning and sensitivity
Ability to Ground Self and other for comforting,
soothing, calming acts
Accurately detect Other’s Feelings
Stay within the other’s Frame of Reference
Invite and Authentically Listen to the inner meaning,
the subjective story of other
7
Caring Literacy Examples (cont)
11. Authentically Listen/hear behind the words
12. Hold other with an attitude of Unconditional Loving-
Kindness, equanimity, dignity, and regard
13. Ability to Be with Silence, waiting for other to reflect
before responding to questions
14. Respond to the other’s feelings and mood verbally
and nonverbally, with Authentic Affective
Congruence
8
Caring Literacy Examples (cont)
15. Cultivate and Create Meaningful Caring-Healing
Rituals: translate conventional nursing tasks into
purposive healing acts



Hand washing
Intentional use of music, touch, aroma
Carry out nursing tasks in reverential & respectful way
9
Healing Modalities
In Summary:
 Continue to cultivate Caring Literacy.
 Caring Literacy is “biogenic” that is, life giving and life
receiving for self and others.
 Caring Literacy is the core knowledge that leads directly back
to the original 10 Caritas Processes.
 The Nurse is not only in the environment, but that the nurse
IS the environment!
 The nurse can affect the entire environment for
better or for worse. The nurse’s caring-loving
consciousness radiates energetically.
10