Alastair Cunningham

Alastair Cunningham

Alastair Cunningham is the person who developed the Healing Journey programme. He started courses for people with cancer in 1982 at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Canada’s largest cancer treatment centre, where the Healing Journey has been based.

Alastair began work in cancer-related research as a cell biologist at the Australian National University but then re-trained as a clinical psychologist – since he felt he could be more help to people with cancer in the psychological sphere.

His own practice of  psychological and spiritual growth techniques was particularly valuable in recovering from a serious cancer diagnosis in 1987, and subsequently.

He has published widely, having written 3 books and numerous papers in the psycho-oncology field.

Alastair has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours. The citation described him as “a groundbreaking researcher and a man of immense compassion” as well as “a pioneer and world leader in this field [of psycho-oncology]”.

In 2007, he was the joint winner of the first Dr Rogers Prize, which is awarded biennially to people who have made a significant contribution to the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Canada.

Up to his retirement, he was Professor of Medical Biophysics and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.  Alastair continues to teach Healing Journey courses at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. In addition, the Healing Journey is also offered at a number of Wellspring cancer support centres in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada.

Alastair has been very supportive of our work in bringing the Healing Journey to the UK. The Canadian Healing Journey website can be found at www.healingjourney.ca.