Paula Gil Reiki Master Teacher

Word of mouth is one of the best ways of deciding on a Reiki practitioner. A referral from a trusted source is usually a good indication that the Practitioner is skilled.

When you meet the Practitioner for the first time take note of their 'bedside manner'. They should project a mature, professional attitude, have a clean & tidy appearance and facility, and an appropriate workspace (massage table, pillow, blanket, etc). They may work out of their home or an office setting. In either case, make sure you feel safe and comfortable.

When you talk to the Practitioner you should expect them to listen to you intently and ask questions to establish a deeper understanding of your situation and to clarify information. They should spend more time listening to you than talking. Their whole demeanour should communicate to you that they are interested in helping you get well. If it feels right to you, then it likely is. However, if you feel any sense of doubt about their skills or ability to help you, ask the hard questions. If it still doesn't feel right, thank them for their time and feel free to leave.

It's important that you feel that you are being taken seriously, and that you are given a realistic appraisal of how Reiki can help you. If a practitioner tells you they can cure you, or that you should abandon other treatment options in favour of Reiki solely, move on and find someone else. They are not being truthful or honest with you.

Selecting a Reiki practitioner is an important decision. Do the homework upfront so that you find someone worthy of being on your wellness team. Finding the right person to work with is a key variable in ensuring that Reiki is a successful part of your treatment plan.

Selecting a Reiki practitioner should be treated with the same diligence as selecting a doctor or any other health care professional. Do your homework up front so that you find some that is focused on meeting your needs.

The first thing to look for in a Reiki practitioner is their qualifications. Because there is no single governing body for Reiki, its important that you understand the two core qualification components - their training level and lineage.

There are three levels of Reiki training:

• Level 1: Attuned (a Reiki teacher has opened up their energy field) and taught the hand positions to self treat.
• Level 2: Attuned to treat others in person or at a distance.
• Level 3 (Master Level): Attuned to achieve maximum vibrational frequency thereby making the practitioner more effective at transferring and directing energy.
• Teacher: They have achieved level 3 and are then attuned to open up the vibrational frequency of others and to initiate individuals through levels 1-3 and Teacher level.

A practitioner must be able to explain the level they have achieved. If they are a Master they should be able to explain all three. You should only receive treatment from someone level 2 and above.

The practitioner must also be able to clearly outline their Reiki lineage. In other words, they must be able to demonstrate their relationship to Dr Usui by showing how they are connected through their teacher, their teacher’s teacher and so on until the link is established. Lineage is important because it demonstrates that the individual has been trained in the original teachings and that they have been properly attuned.

Once you establish their level and lineage, the next step is to inquire into their practice. Key questions you should ask include:

• How many individuals have they treated?
• Do they have references?
• How do their rates compare to others at their level?
• What other disciplines have they studied to augment their skills (i.e, acupressure, reflexology)?
• How do they continue to build their knowledge?
• Do they have a treatment facility? Where is it located?

The practitioner should answer these questions openly, honestly and patiently. The answers will of course vary.

Generally speaking, you want a practitioner that has treated many individuals and has at least 3-5 references you can contact for more information. Their rates should be competitive with others in your area that are at the same training level. And, you should also look for someone that is actively learning other disciplines and is involved with the Reiki community. This demonstrates their level of commitment to energy healing. Finally, if you are doing an in person session, find someone that has a treatment facility that you feel safe and comfortable visiting. Because Reiki is a hands-on, 1:1 session, I recommend that female clients work with female Reiki practitioners.