Reiki Healer

The Job and What's Involved

Reiki healing is based on the belief that when someone has physical, mental, emotional or spiritual problems the energy within them is blocked, and the whole body needs to be treated, rather than specific symptoms or areas.

As a Reiki healer, you would use your ability to channel healing energy to help clients relax, as well as to relieve problems caused by stress, tension, chronic illness and post-operative pain.

Treatment sessions would last between one and two hours, during which you would:

  • Explain the process.
  • Take a medical history from the client.
  • Make sure the client is as comfortable as possible (either lying on a couch or seated) before beginning treatment.
  • Place your hands in a sequence of positions covering the whole body to guide energy and activate the healing process.

You would not diagnose individual conditions or advise clients on symptoms or treatments, however, Reiki can be used alongside conventional medicine and other complementary therapies.

Most Reiki healers are self-employed and run their own practices. This means that you could choose your own working hours, although you may have to offer evening and weekend appointments to meet the needs of your clients.

You would normally work from treatment rooms that may be at your home or in an alternative therapy or natural health clinic.

Self-employed Reiki healers charge anything from £20 to £70 for a session lasting one to two hours. Rates vary depending on the area of the country and the length of the session.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

Before you begin a training programme you need to get personal experience of some form of Reiki healing, and show an understanding of the treatment and procedures. Professional bodies, such as the Reiki Association or UK Reiki Federation will advise you on the different systems of Reiki.

Education and Training

You can train either with a Reiki master (teacher) or by attending college courses. The training method you choose will depend on which system of Reiki you want to follow.

Training with a Reiki master- The Reiki Association, UK Reiki Federation and Reiki Healers and Teachers Society have details of Reiki masters who may be willing to support you.

When you train with a master you will start by going through a series of 'attunements' or initiations. These are procedures performed by the Reiki master to 'attune', adjust or connect you to energy so you can receive it and pass it on to others.

College Courses - You can attend college courses ranging from introductory to advanced level. Some courses lead to a certificate or diploma awarded by an organisation such as ITEC, and VTCT (the Vocational Training Charitable Trust).

There are three levels of training:

  • Level one allows you to perform Reiki on yourself.
  • Level two allows you to treat clients.
  • Level three – at this stage you are considered to be a Reiki master, qualified to teach others if you wish.

It takes at least three years of training to gain full Reiki master status. You will be expected to have practised Reiki regularly on yourself and others during this time.

You may find experience or qualifications in anatomy and physiology useful (and possibly essential) for entry to some courses. It can also be helpful if you have experience of working in a caring profession, although this is not essential.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

It may help your career to join one of the professional Reiki organisations (the Reiki Council website includes details of a number of professional associations working with them to develop occupational standards in Reiki).

For example, the Reiki Association and UK Reiki Federation both run membership schemes that will give you access to events, networking opportunities and courses to help you continue your professional development.

Voluntary Self-Regulation

Organisations from a variety of complementary therapies, including Reiki, have worked to create a single (voluntary) regulatory body, known as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). The aim of the CNHC is to protect the public by registering practitioners, setting standards for safe practice and providing a means of redress if things go wrong.

To register, your profession must be a member of the CNHC (this is being rolled out in stages). If you are interested in joining, you should check the CNHC website regularly for updates.

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Skills and Personal Qualities Needed

A reiki healer needs:

  • patience and a friendly manner.
  • A sensitive and non-judgmental approach.
  • The ability to empathise with clients.
  • Good spoken communication skills.
  • Accurate record-keeping skills.
  • The ability to inspire confidence in clients.

Your Long Term Prospects

You could combine your reiki work with other therapies, such as reflexology, massage and aromatherapy.

Get Further Information

UK Reiki Federation, PO Box 1785,
Andover SP11 0WB
Tel: 0870 850 2209
Website: www.reikifed.co.uk

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT),
3rd Floor, Eastleigh House, Upper Market Street,
Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
Website: www.vtct.org.uk

International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC),
4 Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Website: www.itecworld.co.uk

Reiki Association, Spa Terrace, Fenay Bridge,
Huddersfield HD8 0BD
Website: www.reikiassociation.co.uk

Reiki Council, 4 Westminister Court,
81 Albermarle Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 5HP
Website: www.reikicouncil.org.uk

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