frequently asked questions
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that involves the transfer of healing energy from the practitioner's hands to the client's body. It is a non-invasive and gentle form of healing that can help with a wide range of physical, emotional, and spiritual issues.
Somatics is a body-based approach within psychology and trauma-informed therapy that focuses on the relationship between the nervous system, physical sensations, emotions, and behaviour.
From a scientific perspective, somatic approaches are based on the understanding that the nervous system plays a key role in how we process stress and regulate emotions. When we experience overwhelm or threat, the body often responds automatically through patterns like tension, hypervigilance, shutdown, or fatigue.
Somatic work helps bring awareness to these patterns and supports the nervous system in returning toward regulation. It is commonly used in somatic psychology, trauma therapy approaches, and mind-body interventions that focus on stress regulation and embodied awareness.
During a Reiki session, you will lie down fully clothed while the practitioner places their hands on or near your body to facilitate the flow of energy. The session is usually quiet and relaxing, and many people report feeling a sense of peace and well-being during and after the session.
A somatic session is a structured, coaching-based session focused on how your nervous system responds to stress and how that shows up in your thoughts, emotions, and body.
We begin by exploring what you’re currently experiencing — such as overwhelm, anxiety, burnout, emotional stress, or feeling stuck in certain patterns.
I then help you understand what may be happening in your nervous system.
From there, we work with both awareness and regulation. This may include guided awareness, grounding techniques, and regulation exercises to release trapped energy.
I also share practical tools, handouts, or short practices you can use outside of sessions to help you navigate stress in daily life.
The focus is not just insight, but building real-world capacity for calm, regulation, and resilience over time.
Yes, Reiki is considered safe. It is a non-invasive and gentle form of healing that does not involve manipulating the body or using any drugs or medications.
Yes, Reiki can be done remotely. It is also known as distant Reiki. During a distant Reiki session, the practitioner sends healing energy to the client from a distance. A distant Reiki session offers the same benefits as an in-person session.
Yes.
If you’re booking a package, you can choose what feels supportive for you in each session — or mix both Reiki and somatic sessions over time.
Some people like to use all their sessions for either Reiki or Somatics and some like to mix and match.
Your needs may change, and your sessions can change with you.
Yes, Reiki can be used alongside traditional medical treatments. It is not intended to replace medical care but rather to support the body's natural healing processes and promote overall health and well-being.
The experience of a Reiki session can vary widely among individuals, as it is subjective and depends on various factors such as the individual's sensitivity, their state of mind, and their intention for the session. Some common experiences that people report during and after a Reiki session include the following:
- Deep relaxation: Many people experience a profound sense of peace during a Reiki session, as the practice helps to release tension and stress from the body.
- Warmth or tingling sensations: Some people report feeling warmth or tingling sensations in the areas of their body where the Reiki practitioner is placing their hands.
- Emotional release: Reiki can sometimes bring up suppressed emotions or memories, allowing them to be released and processed in a safe and healing environment.
- Increased energy: Reiki can help to increase energy levels and promote a sense of vitality and well-being.
- Improved sleep: Many people report better sleep quality and deeper sleep after a Reiki session.
- Reduced pain: Reiki has been known to help alleviate physical pain and discomfort.
Overall, the experience of a Reiki session is unique to each individual.
It's essential to remember that Reiki is an energy healing practice that works on a subtle level and may not always produce immediate physical sensations. Instead, Reiki aims to balance and harmonize the energy in the body, which can lead to a wide range of benefits.
Many people report experiencing significant improvements in their physical, emotional, and spiritual health after receiving Reiki treatments. Additionally, there is a growing body of research that suggests that energy healing techniques like Reiki may have a beneficial effect on the body and mind. The findings of the studies include the following :
- Pain management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that Reiki may have a positive effect on pain relief and anxiety reduction in patients with chronic conditions.
- Stress reduction: Studies have suggested that Reiki may help to reduce stress and anxiety levels in individuals, leading to improved mental and emotional well-being.
- Improved sleep: Research has indicated that Reiki may help to improve sleep quality and duration, leading to a better overall quality of life.
- Immune system support: Some studies have suggested that Reiki may help to support the immune system by reducing inflammation and promoting healthy immune function.
Most of the time, a person will feel relaxed and uplifted by a Reiki treatment. However, sometimes a person will have what is called a healing crisis. As a person's vibration goes up, toxins stored in the body will be released into the bloodstream to be filtered by the liver and kidneys and removed from the system. When this happens, sometimes a person can get a headache or stomach ache or feel weak. If this happens, it is a good idea to drink more water, eat lighter meals and get more rest. The body is cleansing as part of the healing process, which is a good sign.
Everyone has different levels of sensitivity. Just because you didn't feel anything does not mean nothing is happening. Often times, energetic healing is very subtle. We integrate the work in different ways. And, often, what we want isn't what we need. Reiki energy always goes where it's needed. Check in with yourself a week later, a month later, and you may be surprised at what you notice.
You don’t need to figure this out perfectly.
Each session is either Reiki or somatic work, depending on what feels most supportive for you that day.
Some days your system may need deep rest and stillness — and Reiki is supportive for that.
Other days you may feel ready to explore and understand your stress patterns more directly — and somatic work is a better fit.
If you’re unsure, I can also help guide you at the start of your session.
That’s completely okay — most people don’t in the beginning.
We can decide together based on how you’re feeling when you arrive.
There is no right or wrong choice here — just what your body needs in that moment.