REIKI

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a complementary healing practice from Japan, developed in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, that supports physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I am trained in the traditional Japanese Usui Reiki lineage and offer hands-off Reiki, a gentle practice that works with the body’s energy system to promote relaxation, balance, and connection between mind, body, and spirit. Reiki is both a wellness and a spiritual practice, based on the idea that a universal life energy flows through all living things. In a session, the practitioner places their hands just above the body to help facilitate this energy flow. Many people find Reiki calming, centering, and helpful for reducing stress, and it is often used alongside—but not as a replacement for—medical or mental health care.

From a scientific perspective, Reiki aligns with principles of human bioenergetics. All humans generate measurable electromagnetic fields, and individual organ systems also produce their own fields. Reiki is thought to support well-being by restoring areas where these energy fields may be weakened or imbalanced, which can contribute to mental or physical discomfort. Research and anecdotal reports suggest Reiki can help reduce stress, anxiety, and perceived pain, and foster a sense of calm and overall well-being. These effects are often understood through mechanisms such as the relaxation response, nervous system regulation, focused attention, therapeutic presence, and expectancy effects.

Psychotherapeutic Reiki, developed by clinical psychologist and Reiki Master Richard Curtin, Jr., Psy.D., RMT, builds on traditional Reiki by integrating energy work with psychotherapeutic principles. This approach combines Reiki energy awareness with supportive dialogue, reflective exercises, and insight-oriented techniques to help clients process emotions, release stress, and explore underlying mental or emotional patterns. Psychotherapeutic Reiki enhances self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth, while maintaining the noninvasive, calming, and restorative qualities of Reiki.