History

The roots of the profession were planted in 1971 when M. Lucille Kinlein, at that time a nurse theorist and educator, opened an office for the independent practice of nursing. As she cared with clients, she began to see that there is a kind of gold within that got them through hard days and long nights. From the beginning, clients came for all sorts of reasons, many of which were not related to disease, but to situations that life brings. As clients saw that what she was doing was different from other care they were familiar with, they began to call it “Kinlein Care” and told their friends about it. They called the person who was assisting them their “kinleiner”. Word began to spread and others began to study and to open practices across the nation.

Eventually, Dr. Kinlein came to accept the view of some in the field of nursing. What she was doing was not nursing but something new and different. An integrated theory of the human being emerged, moving the profession solidly into the field of philosophy. Accordingly in 1979, Dr. Kinlein declared the founding of a new profession, The Profession of Kinlein.

In 1983, the Institute of Kinlein was formed for the purpose of education and research in the profession. Today, there are regional institutes in Anchorage, Alaska and Wausau, Wisconsin. More regional institutes are expected to open as the profession continues to grow. Classes are offered both to the public and to persons desiring to become kinleiners.

M. Lucille Kinlein died November 12, 2018, having remained active in the profession through her 96th year. Read our tribute to her here.

This profession has one founder, Dr. M. Lucille Kinlein, and a group of kinleiners who have assisted from the beginning to develop the profession. The developments include: a professional organization, a profession journal, an institute for education and research, written materials for the profession as well as assisting clients in private practice. Today the Profession of Kinlein is solid in its theoretical foundation, its program of study for students and in its effectiveness in assisting clients.