Placing hands on someone in pain is nothing new. You’ve probably experienced the desire to place your hand on the shoulder of a friend or to stroke the head of a sick child. Reiki (pronounced RAY’-KEE) is a centuries-old Japanese laying-on-of-hands practice based on the belief that each of us has a life energy, ki, flowing through our body, and that an imbalance in that energy can cause physical and emotional problems. Imbalances (blocks) can come about due to many reasons, such as negative thinking.

Reiki is used to get rid of these blocks. A practitioner acts as a conduit for the universal energy, an energy that is ever-present and pervasive and good. (A practitioner is someone who has been attuned to universal energy by a Reiki Master—one who has studied, practiced, and has, herself, been attuned.) I will act as the practitioner during a Reiki session with you. I am also a Reiki Master who can attune other people.

During a Reiki session, you will sit or lie down fully clothed. I will put on music, if you like, and will lay my hands on you lightly and discreetly. The energy does not depend on my directing it (nobody has the power to do that), so it goes where you need it; again, I am only the conduit. Reiki can never do harm. It can benefit people of all religions and faiths.

Click on each entry in this FAQ list to learn more about Reiki:

What happens during a Reiki session?

You will lie on a padded table, fully clothed, with soft music playing, while I place my hands lightly on you to transfer universal energy through my hands. This transference is so that universal energy is added to your own to make up for any depletion. When no more energy is needed or able to be received, the transfer stops, which a skilled practitioner can sense. Reiki is called “smart energy” because it knows which areas of the body it needs to reach.

I also do a second pass of non-contact Reiki, during which I place my hands above your body to feel for imbalances in the energy field surrounding you.

How will I feel during a session?

“Relaxed” is the feedback I hear again and again, with a sense of peace and comfort. Some people drift off to sleep or feel as though they’re floating (my hands always feel as though they’re rising when I receive Reiki). Almost everyone reports that they feel positive afterwards. The first time that I received Reiki, while feeling the practitioner’s hands on my body, I suddenly felt a second set of hands. I opened my eyes to see only my practitioner, with a sparkling light blue and silvery glitter-like field moving around her head. Everyone’s experience is unique.

What can I expect after a session?

Most people feel an immediate sense of overall well-being. You may want to schedule a Reiki session for a time that you can rest afterwards and enjoy the sense of peace with a cup of herbal tea to help flush out toxins, as toxins that have been stored in the body may be released into the bloodstream. This can sometimes make a person feel a bit weak or bring on a headache, so it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water and get rest. The body is being cleansed, which is great.

What can Reiki help?

Reiki is wonderful for stress reduction. It can help anything from a bruise to a serious illness, and works wonderfully in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Many people have Reiki sessions while they’re undergoing chemotherapy or in preparation for surgery. Many people suffering from depression relish the sense of peace that Reiki can provide.

Please know that Reiki enhances whatever natural healing is occurring. Sometimes the natural healing is not the outcome we would choose, as when somebody’s time has come. But being able to feel at peace at all times is certainly a valuable “healing” that we all want.

How many sessions will I need?

This is as difficult to answer as “How many massages will I need?” One session will certainly render results. Subsequent sessions will enhance results. I can certainly give feedback about how many sessions I think are necessary, based on what I feel during a session. Sometimes, people have a few sessions up front, then schedule regular maintenance sessions. It’s totally up to you.

Reiki works beautifully while participating in hypnotherapy, as it relaxes and opens your heart and mind.

How much does a Reiki session cost?

A one-hour Reiki session is $70. If you decide to have Reiki while having hypnotherapy sessions, a one-hour session is $60. In the latter situation, we can add an hour of Reiki to a hypnoanalysis session, or you can come back for a separate hour of Reiki (we’ll decide this together).

Does insurance cover Reiki treatments?

Most likely, no. Some insurance companies are beginning to cover Reiki treatments, so check with your provider for details. Then decide to make a wonderful investment in your well-being.

Is Reiki a religion?

While Reiki does promote personal spiritual growth, adhering to a religion is not a requirement.

Who can benefit from Reiki?

All people can benefit, including infants, children, and pregnant women; Reiki sessions have even been carried out during childbirth. While I don’t hold sessions for animals, they too certainly benefit from Reiki.