A Reiki session should match your needs and your preferences; after all, it is your 
healing
session. Not all Reiki practitioners and services are alike so finding the right Reiki Master or Reiki practitioner who suits you is key.
As Reiki becomes more and more popular, there are more and more practitioners offering services in any given area. That means more options, more diversity, and better chances of finding a practitioner who really suits you.
Practitioner Qualifications
Reiki practitioners may have had Level I, II, or III training. Level I practitioners tend to be those who integrate Reiki into another healing modality such as massage therapy, acupressure, cranial-sacral work, etc. Reiki enhances the energetic aspects of these modalities.
Many practitioners who offer Reiki as their primary modality are Level II. This means they’re not Master Reiki practitioners, i.e., Reiki Level III. Still, they can be excellent healers.
The Difference Between Different Levels of Reiki Training
Level I Reiki – the Self-Healer
Students of Level I Reiki are beginners. However, they may or may not be beginners to energy healing in general. Many students start with different energy healing modalities. But, concerning Reiki skills specifically, the Level I graduate is a beginner, and with practice able to confidently conduct self-healings. They may also combine Reiki energy with other more-proficient healing modalities (e.g., massage), or informally offer sessions accessing purely Reiki energy.
Level II Reiki – the Reiki Practitioner
I tell my students that Level II is when a student is ready to be a professional Reiki practitioner. At this level, a student gains additional Reiki skills that allow the practitioner to provide more efficient facilitation of Reiki healing (of particular note are the Level II Reiki symbols). At this stage, the student moves from being essentially a passive channel to one who can call in and channel different vibrations and qualities of life force energy.
Level III Reiki – the Reiki Master
Level III is for the Master Reiki healer. The Reiki Master can be a Master Reiki Practitioner or a Master Reiki Instructor (Master/Teacher). All instructors are practitioners, but not all practitioners are instructors. Instructors have learned how to give attunements as well as what should be taught in different levels of classes.
Oftentimes, they’ve learned additional techniques and have a somewhat deeper or broader understanding of Reiki because they have to be able to teach and communicate the concepts and techniques to others. Students of any subject invariably end up teaching their teachers as well (see our blog on Choosing the Right Reiki Class and Master/Teacher).
What Makes the Best Reiki Healer
Being a Master Reiki Instructor doesn’t mean that s/he is necessarily a better or more powerful practitioner. A good teacher may focus more on training and less on practice, and a sensitive, experienced, and inquisitive practitioner may have a very rich understanding of Reiki.
Training
We’ve already discussed the different levels of training and the skills a person gains at each level. As noted, the level of training does determine the depth and breadth of Reiki skills. Also noted, many practitioners are trained in other energy healing modalities and bring that expertise to their sessions and teaching.
Experience
Experience counts, but “more experience is better” is true only to a point. Some people are natural healers, easily sensing and discerning energy. As excellent healers, they are innately ethical, kind, supportive, perceptive, empathetic, and intuitive.
They may have been working with energy long before they took a structured class in any form of energy work and, therefore, have many years of informal experience. They may have come to Reiki after studying and practicing other energy work modalities. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to ask about his/her experience and make an informed choice.
Demeanor
The demeanor of the practitioner is very important. Choose a practitioner who you like, and with whom you feel comfortable. You may find that the type of person you prefer changes through time as your healing path or intentions of your visit evolve change. This is especially true once you factor in the fact that many Reiki practitioners integrate other modalities into their sessions.
Different Forms of Reiki
There are quite a few different forms of Reiki: Western Usui, Eastern Usui or Traditional Usui, Usui/Tibetan, Holy Fire, Gendai, Sekhem-Seichim (SSR), Karuna® or Tummo® just to mention some of the more well-known forms. Both Gendai and Karuna training are only offered to Reiki Masters.
See descriptions of the various forms on our What is Reiki page and search our Mind Body Spirit Blog for our blog series on how I experience different forms of Reiki. Use the keywords “How I Experience.” The most common form of Reiki, especially in the United States, is Western Usui.
A Reiki practitioner could be attuned and trained to any one or more of these forms of Reiki. And, Usui Reiki can refer to several forms of Usui: Western, Eastern, Tummo®, etc. All forms access universal life-force energy and are effective.
However, the session or treatment could be a little different, and the energy will likely feel different, particularly for those who are perspective and aware of energy in and around their body. The difference between types of Reiki reflects, in part, the different frequencies of life-force energy.
You need not be concerned about the form of Reiki being practiced. But, if you’re curious or perceive differences between Reiki practitioners, it may be the form of Reiki is different. If you prefer a specific form, you may want to seek out a practitioner who offers that particular form of Reiki in the future. Feel free to ask your practitioner about which form s(he) practices and what level of training s(he) has received.
What to Expect from a Reiki Session
Reiki sessions can take place in a chair or on a massage table. The latter is more common. Clients remain fully clothed. The only time a client is undressed for a Reiki session is when it is combined with another healing modality for which a client typically removes his/her clothing such as a massage.
Practitioners typically request that clients fill out intake forms, sign disclaimers, and discuss their current health status and intentions for the session. Clients may be asked to fill out an assessment form for each visit.
Ambiance
Most practitioners set a calm, quiet space to conduct a Reiki session. The light is usually kept low. Candles and salt (selenite) lamps are common. Some practitioners believe that Reiki should be offered in complete silence: there’s no music and no talking between the client and practitioner.
Others prefer music. Typical musical genera include New Age, relaxation, nature, spacey, dreamy, spa, or spiritual. Alternatively, and sometimes in addition to the music, a practitioner may add sounds such as Tibetan bowls, Native American drums, or chanting: all of which are very vibrational and complement or magnify Reiki energy. None of these variations are right or wrong. It’s all a matter of preference.
Sessions usually begin with the practitioner establishing a connection with Reiki. Some practitioners will invoke a prayer: sometimes out loud. If you’re uncomfortable with prayers, or prayers associated with a specific religious orientation (e.g., Christianity), let your practitioner know. Many practitioners will alter the initiation process accordingly.
If the practitioner is unable or unwilling to decouple the Reiki session from religion and that makes you uncomfortable, find another practitioner. It’s your session and your healing process.
Hands-Off Verus Light-Touch
A Reiki practitioner typically works above the client’s body in the client’s aura. However, s/he may also lightly touch the surface of the body (a simple laying of the hands). Some practitioners follow a series of very specific hand positions on the surface of the body and will rest their hands lightly on the client for each position. However, this practice is not that common. If you don’t want to be touched, just say so. Again, it’s your session.
What the Healing Feels Like
Reiki treatments are generally subtle or lightly perceived. The client may notice only slight sensations or changes in the body or ambient temperature.
Quite a few clients see colors when their eyes are closed. Still, others can feel the energy moving or a sensation of movement (release, openness) and be initially unaware that it’s energy. Ask the practitioner if you have questions or concerns about the sensations.
Experiencing the Benefits of Reiki
The effects of Reiki may be immediate, but they are sometimes more obvious hours or even several days after the treatment. Although Reiki is subtle, the actual healing can be profound.
Duration of a Session
Table sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes long. Chair sessions tend to be shorter: 20 to 30 minutes and less frequently as long as 40 minutes.
For a description of our sessions, see our What to Expect From a Reiki Session page. It also talks about common reasons why people seek Reiki treatments. Or, check out our Reiki session blog post.
Blending Healing Modalities
You’ll find some Masters and practitioners combine Reiki with other modalities. For example, they may incorporate healing crystals and or aromatics.
I often do. these complements may bring in other energetic vibrations (e.g., Lightarian). I and other practitioners also combine other complete energy healing modalities such as Integrated Energy Therapy (IET), chakra therapy, cranial-sacral work, shamanism, etc.
Reiki also combines well with Chinese medicine and is increasingly being used in conventional medicine by nurses in hospitals and hospices. The Yin and Yang energetic attributes help to reveal the client’s story and healing journey.
If you’re new to Reiki, it’s a good idea to ask your prospective practitioner to explain what s/he will do, what additional modalities are integrated into his/her Reiki sessions, and why. Having a better idea of what is going to happen during the session will free your mind from wondering what is going on during the session. You’ll be able to more completely relax and immerse yourself in the process, thus enhancing the healing experience. And, of course, knowing more about your healer, helps you find the right Reiki Master for you.
You’ll also be able to better appreciate which healing modalities are working best for you. Then you’ll know what to look for in future sessions and what to recommend to family and friends.
Summing Up Finding the Right Reiki Master
Find the Reiki Master that suits you. This is true for all healing services whether it’s acupuncture, aromatherapy, or conventional medicine. You need to be comfortable and you need to be the one who is ultimately in charge. You are the one with the most direct and complete experience of your health and wellness so it’s only natural that you would be making decisions based on the best possible information and choices.
The best healing takes place when a person is open to that modality, and part of being open is being comfortable and appropriately engaged. What I mean by “appropriately engaged” is that you have confidence in the process and are committed to the intended outcome.
Important Note
It’s important to stress that it is you who is in control of your healing process. Don’t be afraid to express your preferences. Reiki is a self-healing modality. Therefore, the more comfortable and engaged you are, the more healing you’ll receive.
If you are feeling uncomfortable, you’ll be less open and less receptive to the healing. This doesn’t mean you won’t receive healing energy. You will. It’s just that the more open you are, the more you receive and the more able you are to integrate the healing. This is why it’s so important to find the right Reiki Master for you.
For More Information on Finding the Right Reiki Master see:
- Reiki Healing
- Mind-Body-Spirit blog, particularly:
Updated May 01, 2023
