Selecting a Therapist “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore

Choosing a Practitioner or Teacher

You may have experienced Reiki sessions with a friend or family member and feel you now want to explore Reiki with an experienced practitioner, or you may be new to Reiki healing. Either way, if you are to invest time and money in sessions with a professional Reiki therapist, it is worth spending some time seeking out someone who is the best fit for you. Because the basic techniques of Reiki are simple to learn and accessible to everyone, it is important to make sure the therapist has sufficient depth of experience.

Professional Reiki therapists should have completed at least level two; they are likely to have an ongoing relationship with their own teacher. It is also useful to know how long the therapist has spent exploring Reiki and progressing through the Reiki levels. This can be a useful indication of how seriously s/he takes Reiki. Some people complete all three levels in a weekend course. Many Reiki masters feel that this does not allow sufficient time for the necessary understanding and spiritual development to grow.

A professional Reiki practitioner ought to be friendly and open but professional and respecting of confidentiality. You want, and need, someone who will be sensitive to your needs and who is willing to answer any questions you might have about the healing. Above all, your Reiki therapist should be someone whom you will be able to talk easily to and whom you can trust to help you progress in your development.

A Reiki practitioner or teacher should have clarity, integrity, compassion, and a good depth of knowledge of Reiki; moreover, they ought to be continuing to develop their skills. A personal recommendation from someone who knows you well is an excellent way to find a good Reiki therapist, but you can also get in touch with professional Reiki organizations, like the International Association for Reiki Practitioners (IARP.org), and check their, “Locate a Practitioner, ” directory. Foremost you need is to trust your intuition. Below you will find some criteria to consider when deciding where to go for Reiki.

• If the practitioner or Reiki teacher belongs to a Reiki association, such as the IARP, they are required to follow a minimum code of ethics. Different associations follow different codes of practice.
• Speak to the Reiki practitioner first by telephone to be sure that you feel comfortable with the practitioner. Make sure that they are empathetic, candid and can readily answer any of your questions, or are willing to investigate with you if they do not know the answer.
• Ask the practitioner questions about how they work with Reiki to make sure it suits you. Some practitioners are not willing to work on specific conditions, which is fine if all you want is a treatment purely for relaxation, but if you have anything that needs treating make sure you go to a practitioner who works actively with Reiki and will work directly on your condition(s).
• If you are undertaking a Reiki course, make sure that you will receive a manual or appropriate level materials and post course support. Some Reiki teachers do not provide you with a manual and it will be hard for you to remember everything you have learned and practice Reiki effectively after you have completed your course.
• Be sure to check the Reiki teacher or practitioner’s lineage. All "legitimate" Reiki practitioners will be able to trace back their teachings in a direct line to the founder of Usui Reiki Ryôhô, Usui Mikao.

These guidelines are by no means exhaustive but they should give you an idea of what to look for in a Reiki practitioner or teacher. If you have, any questions about choosing a practitioner or teacher feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you!

Questions You May Want to Ask a Reiki Practitioner

When you are looking for a Reiki practitioner or teacher, it can be helpful to have a list of questions to ask them. This list may guide you in your search for the correct Reiki practitioner and teacher for you.

• How long have you been working with Reiki?
• What training have you had?
• Did your Reiki teacher attune you in person?
• How often do you teach?
• How many hours in-person study does the course entail?
• How much does the course cost?
• Am I required to do any case studies/number of hours practice in order to become certified?
• How do you personally use Reiki?
• What is your lineage?
• Will this training initiate me into, or progress me within the Usui lineage?
• What qualifications are required to take Reiki Training?
• Will I get a certificate and a comprehensive manual?
• Can I take notes during the class?
• Is there a Reiki support group in my area or can you help me establish one?
• Will you openly support me in being a successful Reiki practitioner or master?
• Do you have a positive respectful attitude toward other Reiki practitioners and masters regardless of lineage or affiliation?

Pay attention to how you feel about their answers and if they are responding in a loving manner that is supportive and empowering. Listen to your heart and you will be guided to the appropriate Reiki practitioner or teacher for you.