Course Descriptions

Oncology Massage Therapy (Level I) 24 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague This 3-day course offers practicing massage therapists an intensive introduction to oncology massage therapy. Students will learn a working knowledge of indications, contraindications and session techniques appropriate for clients presenting with current or history of cancer. This course offers hands-on opportunities to practice appropriately adjusted massage for clients with lymphedema or at risk for lymphedema, and for clients coping with recent cancer treatments and side effects. Appropriate assessment tools for short-term, long-term and late-term side effects will be demonstrated. To obtain a certificate from Tague Consulting, students will be required to successfully pass a written exam (open book with two-week deadline) and demonstrate a working knowledge of oncology massage by being observed for one session during the course clinic by the Instructor or Teacher Assistant (TA). Prerequisites: Current State or NCBTMB certification; proof of liability insurance. This course meets the training requirements for becoming a S4OM recognized "Preferred Practitioner" and 24 CEs for NCBTMB. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Advanced Oncology Massage Therapy (Level II) 24 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague Participation in this course requires successful completion of Level I or permission from the instructor. This course provides additional strategies and techniques for working with clients currently undergoing Western medical treatments for cancer or lymphedema. Complementary, alternative and Eastern approaches to treatment also will be surveyed and discussed in relation to implications for massage therapy. Live cases and clinical experiences are an important feature of this course. Successful completion of a written exam and an appropriate demonstration of an oncology massage session will be required to receive certification from Tague Consulting. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Hospital-Based Massage Therapy (HBMT) Variable CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague The HBMT course is designed for working with hospitalized individuals or other acute care patients. Students will learn best practices for offering massage therapy and bodywork at the bedside. Protocols for general populations as well as an introduction to condition-specific protocols will be taught and practiced. Hospital cultures, patient safety and environment specific tasks will be important topics covered. This course includes lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Certification of Completion is offered to those who successfully complete the hours and exam. If you are interested in coordinating a hospital-based massage program at your hospital, please contact Carolyn Tague at Carolyn@tagueconsulting.com. Prerequisites: State or National CMT, PT or RN license required; 1 year or more of practice recommended. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

How to Create a Hospital-Based Integrative Medicine Service 3 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague This course provides instructions on how to establish clinical care or hospital-based integrative medicine services. Specifics will focus on massage therapy, but the course work also applies to disciplines such as acupuncture, yoga therapy, healing music, and others. This course is designed for practitioners interested in a leadership role and for administrators or other staff who wish to bring integrative medicine services to their units or organizations. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Pediatric Massage Therapy 24 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague This 3-day course will provide professional massage therapists a wonderful environment for learning safe, playful and comforting massage therapy for children with complex medical conditions. With a slight focus on childhood cancers, we will discuss conventional treatments, their possible side effects and massage therapy protocols for providing comfort and healing. An introduction to hospital based pediatric work will be offered in addition to outpatient considerations and private practice models. Protocols and techniques that offer safe, playful and comforting bodywork will be demonstrated and practiced. Childhood physical and emotional development and family dynamics will be explored, along with strategies for healing the whole family. Students will have the opportunity to apply these new techniques with each other and in a clinical simulation setting. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

 

Massage Therapy for People Living with Neurological Challenges 21 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague This 3-day course provides a strong foundation for massage therapists to work with people living with neurological challenges. We will share massage therapy best practices and protocols for people surviving traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, neurological diseases or congenital neurological conditions.
You will learn:
*	Causes and symptoms of neurological dysfunction
*	Understanding of secondary conditions that effect activities of daily living
*	Ability to assess and create massage treatment plans for clients with neurological challenges
*	Hands-on experience offering massage therapy to client with neurologic differences
*	Resources for building a practice which welcomes clients with neurologic differences
Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Building Therapeutic Relationships 3 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague In this interactive seminar, participants will engage in the conversation of “What is a therapeutic relationship and why will it help my practice?” We will look at our own individual preferences when it comes to receiving support (therapy) and a context for assessing our clients’ preferences for support. Many healthcare providers face burnout, fatigue or worse: apathy. This seminar will offer a practical, easily understood framework for practicing from a place of compassion, even in the face of deep suffering. Understanding true self-care will be our final topic with tools for creating our own care plans. All healthcare and related practitioners are welcome. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Supervisor Training 6 CE hours Instructor: Carolyn Tague This course has been created for practitioners pursuing opportunities to supervise fellow practitioners of hospital-based massage therapy.  Lectures, small group discussion, and practice sessions will focus on strategies for successful development of colleagues and excellence in patient service. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level I and Level II with certification is required. Students with over 5 years of hospital-based massage therapy experience may opt for testing only, and with successful completion, may apply for the course subject to instructor approval. Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Oncology Massage Therapy for the Spa Setting – An Overview (didactic only) Custom hours as requested Instructor: Carolyn Tague This overview course for spa massage therapy teams provides a basic awareness of the implications of working with clients who have cancer or a history of cancer. The course discusses basic information about the diseases, Western medical treatments and side effects, implications for massage therapy, and basic in-take strategies to identify clients needing adjusted sessions. The course also covers session adjustments and offers additional resources for oncology massage therapy training for interested individuals. For more information, contact Carolyn at Carolyn@tagueconsulting.com Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Mentoring the Mentor (Leadership Development for IM practitioners) Instructor: Carolyn Tague This 10-week on-line program offers the opportunity to gain practical insights and develop strategies for successful leadership within CAM/Integrative healthcare teams and beyond to seasoned practitioners of any discipline who currently hold “lead” positions or wish to move into supervisory roles. Shared cases and peer consultation will formulate the basis of this leadership development program. Action – Reflection models of “supervision” will be offered as an effective process for individual growth and improved team services. Classes take place one evening a week from October through December and from March through May. Email: to register for the next available program. Space is limited.

Custom courses are available for spas, chiropractic clinics, wellness centers, infusion centers, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, skilled nursing facilities and centers for children with special needs. Please call us to discuss your needs. We are happy to assist! Click here to review our course schedule and register.

Student Testimonials
“This was the best Oncology massage course I have ever attended! Your (Carolyn) clarity and ability to describe these complicated topics articulately and with simplicity is rare. You create a loving, supportive environment, facilitating good, full communication within the classroom. The energy within the classroom mirrors the energy we want to facilitate with treatment sessions with clients. Beautiful. Thank you.” E.B.

“Carolyn is well organized and presented the material in a creative, open and thorough way. It was an exceptional experience. I learned so much!” C.B.

“Very complete…. I’m feeling that my technique is progressing and loving my new skills.” P.G.