Complementary Therapies

Complementary Therapies
At Washington Cancer Institute, we use various approaches to healing. Relaxation and stress reduction techniques are valuable for both patients and family members managing the many faces of cancer treatment. We employ trained and experienced practitioners in several complementary healing disciplines, including:

• Professional counseling for patients and family members
• Guided imagery
• Breathwork
• Reiki
• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
• Healing Touch

These healing disciplines are part of treating the whole person. They are geared to helping reduce the stress cancer causes, as well as to promote relaxation. 

Making an appointment
For patients of the Cancer Institute, appointments for counseling consultation by licensed professionals can be made by calling Miriam Ratner, MSW, Coordinator, Psychosocial Oncology, at 202-877-8758.

Volunteer Opportunities
If you are a practitioner who is an expert in any of the above healing disciplines, and might be interested in volunteering with patients at the Cancer Institute, please see volunteer opportunities.

Learn more about some of the Cancer Institute’s healing disciplines:

Reiki
Reiki is a light touch therapy energy therapy that is effective in dealing with the stress of medical illness and treatment. It is easy to administer, and specifically trained Cancer Institute personnel offer the treatment. Reiki generally induces a profound state of relaxation and promotes a sense of well-being. 

Research indicates that when the patient is relaxed, the body’s innate healing abilities are awakened.
Reiki is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative used in hospitals today, and complements standard medical treatment. In addition to stress relief, it is successfully used for symptom management, including anxiety, negative thinking, pain, sleeplessness, nausea and fatigue.

• Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• Call Miriam Ratner to schedule an appointment, at 202-877-8758. 
• The cost of a private outpatient session is $45. There is no charge for patients in the infusion center or those in the hospital.

EFT
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a form of accessing and resolving negative emotional states and thought patterns encoded in energy form. These forms disrupt the body’s flow of energy causing psychological distress. EFT uses a technique that actually taps on specific energy points on the body, and can be taught to the patient to use at home. 

• Tuesday and Wednesdays
• Call Miriam Ratner to schedule an appointment, at 202-877-8758  
• There is no cost for a private session

Healing Touch
Healing Touch is another energy therapy in which practitioners use their hands, using a light touch or near-body touch to clear, balance and energize the human energy system in an effort to promote healing for mind, body, spirit. The goal is to restore harmony and balance the energy system, creating an optimal environment for the body’s nature and innate tendency to move toward self-healing.  

• Thursday afternoons
• Call Miriam Ratner to schedule an appointment, at 202-877-8758 
• There is no charge for this service.

Volunteer Opportunities
Washington Cancer Institute’s Behavioral Health program is offering practitioners with the appropriate training and experience, an opportunity to volunteer for this exciting program, which offers tremendous relief to cancer patients.

To learn more about this program and volunteer opportunities, contact Miriam Ratner, at 202-877-8758.