Join a small in-person group of learners (maximum 9 students) for 2 days of learning & growing.
what to expect
Dates: This class meets Saturday 8/8 9 am - 6pm (1 hour lunch) and Sunday 8/9 (1 hour lunch).
Note: 8/8 is considered a “Lions Gate” portal, a yearly astrological portal that many folks value for making positive changes. It is very cool that our first day of class will coincide with this date!
CE: Learners earn 15 CE (The Institute for Grief Massage Inc is a NCBTMB Approved Provider # 521)
Class location: Hosted at a Key of Life Wellness and Massage, a private practice office near Park and Woodlawn (Montford area) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Address and directions provided after registration
Format: This class experience will consist of teaching, small group interactions, discussions, and hands-on technique (clothed) practice (tables and sheets provided)
Day 1: Saturday 9 am - 6 pm EST with one hour lunch break
Day 2: Sunday 9 am - 5 pm EST with one hour lunch break
Tuition: $595 with discounted rates available (by request for those with financial need, a $100 or $200 discount code can be provided). Email aimeetaylor@griefmassage.org to apply for a sliding scale rate.
Instructor: Aimee Joy Taylor for The Institute for Grief Massage Inc (NCBTMB Approved Provider # 521). Aimee has been a massage therapist since 2007 with a focus on grief and loss for much of her bodywork career. She also works with the emotions and mind as a grief counselor and tends to the spirit as a trained Reiki provider.
Instructor: Angela Dawn Geers is an experienced massage therapist and educator with experience in end-of-life, palliative bodywork and grief. Angela will be co-teaching this course with Aimee.
Registration details: Registration is open now and will remain open until all 9 learner spots are full, or until 8/7, whichever comes first. Register here on Eventbrite if you will be paying full price tuition ($595).
If you would like to request a sliding scale rate of $395 or $495 you can do so by contacting the instructor directly at aimeetaylor@griefmassage.org.
For sliding scale requests, you will be given a request form to complete. If approved for a sliding scale rate, you will be sent a PayPal invoice for class tuition (you do not have to have a PayPal account to register). Venmo is available if desired for tuition payment. Payment plan arrangements can be requested and will be provided at the discretion of the instructor.
Class meets in person both days and a one hour lunch break will be provided along with regular breaks.
If you miss parts of the class (i.e. late arrival or early departures) I won’t be able to issue a NCBTMB CE Certificate at the end of the course, so please be sure you can attend the entire course before registering. Please note that NCBTMB approval does not guarantee acceptance by any state board, you can check directly o ensure your credits will be accepted by your particular state board.
Topics covered: On day one, we will have teaching and discussions on how grief affects the body and nervous system with a special focus on grief theory, the polyvagal theory of the nervous system, why touch is a primal form of care especially in times of vulnerability and loss and how to care for grieving clients sensitively throughout the process of booking a first session, navigating intake and planning a first session.
Day two will include an introduction to a simple Grief Massage sequence that can be shared with clients who wish to remain clothed for bodywork (we will have a short hands-on practice to experience this form of gentle touch), discussion of approaches for staying grounded in our scope of practice while honoring and holding space for emotional release, and a practical review of ways to spread awareness of your work in a regenerative way (building relationships rather than relying solely on advertising/marketing strategies).
This is my favorite way to teach, in community, with human-to-human connections. Reach out if you are curious about joining!
Licensed massage therapists and massage students (and massage therapists who have been away from the field but are considering returning to bodywork) welcome! If you are a healthcare professional or counselor who would like to audit the course, please reach out as these requests are evaluated on a case by case basis.
Cancellation policy: Due to the small class size, cancellations cannot be offered, registration is final.
