Finding a Reiki Practitioner

How do you find a good Reiki practitioner when there are so many of them about?

Firstly, I would look to see if they are members of an organisation that is recognised by the Reiki Council - which is an umbrella group that oversees Reiki membership organisations. In Reiki there are several such organisations like the Reiki Association and the Reiki Federation and others. The Reiki Association has a code of ethics to which members sign up. They also have a complaints procedure.

Secondly, I would make sure the practitioner has insurance. Again, membership organisations usually have block insurance schemes for their members.

How long have they been practicing? If it’s only a short time, then they may not have much experience and although that does not mean that they can’t give a good treatment, they will be less experienced than someone who has been treating people for a long time. If they are a verified practitioner, this means that they have done second level Reiki or above, have reached a certain standard, done a large number of case studies and been assessed. They are then eligible to become members of CNHC - Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - although not everyone who is verified does join them. CNHC registration is usually required for therapists working in the NHS.

There are many forms of Reiki around and it is up to you to find one that you are comfortable with. Some are hands on, others hands off. A good practitioner keeps records in accordance with GDPR, keeps confidentiality and is clear about how much they charge and how long the treatment will be. A treatment should not run overtime. A good practitioner does not diagnose or interfere with a doctor’s treatment. After all, Reiki is a complementary therapy so complements rather than is an alternative to medical aid.

Lastly, have a face to face with them beforehand to see if you think they will suit you, and ask what you can expect in a treatment. If necessary, ask for their accreditation.