Reiki and Energy Healing

This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.

Alternative therapies are therapies designed to treat mental health concerns in unique ways. We often see “traditional therapy” as therapy done in an office, where a psychologist sits across from you and listens to you talk. Although talk therapy or CBT can be super beneficial, there are many other therapies that can work for you as well.

Reiki and energy healing are two types of spiritual-based therapies that can be used alongside traditional therapy to help treat mental health and physical symptoms. If you want to learn more about spiritual therapy, read on.

What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of spiritual healing that comes from ancient Buddhist teachings. A Reiki master is someone who knows how to practice Reiki and use their own energy to manipulate and guide the energy of others. It is often used to cure ailments, aid in mental health treatment, and provide a calming feeling to patients.

Reiki therapists often utilize Reiki and energy healing together in a session to heal the body, mind, and soul. Although not everyone believes in Reiki, there are some studies that show that the healing gained from it is more than a placebo effect.

For those who have a spiritual side or require spirituality to be included in their mental health therapy, finding a therapist who practices Reiki can be exactly what you need to find healing.

How Can Energy Therapy Help Me?

Reiki and energy healing are not for everyone. If you’re unsure whether this therapy is for you, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I believe that energy can be manipulated to help me feel better?
Do I feel comfortable meditating with another person?
Do I feel comfortable with someone having their hands close to my body?
Would I feel comfortable talking about my feelings while someone does energy work with me?

If you answered no to 3 or more of the questions, you might want to reconsider going to a Reiki therapist.

If you are still curious, there are some benefits to energy therapy that are often reported by patients who experience it:

A sense of calm
A sense of meditation
Feeling “refreshed” and ready for the day
Feeling decided on a certain matter
Reduction of chronic pain or headaches
Feeling cared for

Are There Other Forms of Spiritual Therapy?

If you’re not interested in trying Reiki, there are other forms of spiritual healing and therapy that you can try if you like the idea of spiritually based alternative therapies.

Faith-Based Counseling

If you have a certain religion, check in with your church or religious organization to see if there are any therapists within your organization. Many Christian churches have a priest or bishop that provides counseling. However, there are also licensed therapists who provide faith-based counseling.

You can find faith-based counseling on matters from marriage issues to mental health conditions to general life advice. These therapists will utilize religious texts and beliefs to help you heal whatever you come in to heal.

Energy Healing

Like Reiki, energy healing involves using energy to heal the body and mind. However, energy healing can encompass many things, such as spiritual surgery, sound therapies, Reiki, and more. Massage can even be a form of energy healing if utilized alongside other spiritual methods.

Astrological Counseling

If you believe in astrology, astrological counseling is another form of spiritual therapy that may be able to help you. Astrologers will work with you on your personal birth chart to discuss possible personality traits, life events, and ways to heal.

Of course, if you don’t believe in astrology, you would likely not do well with a therapist or counselor who offers astrological services.

Acupuncture

Although acupuncture is more physical than spiritual, it has its roots in spirituality. The practice can also create interesting effects on your body. If you have a needle phobia, we don’t recommend this one. However, for those who enjoy utilizing trigger and pressure points in the body to relieve stress, acupuncture might be the option for you.

What Type of Therapy Should I Choose?

When it comes to choosing a spiritually-based alternative therapy, it’s always up to you. If you’re not a spiritual person but simply curious, see if you can book a trial appointment. Many therapists will give the option of a “first session” at a reduced cost.

If you are looking for regular therapy, try searching for any of the following:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT, traditional talk therapy)
DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy)
Exposure therapy (for anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders)
Trauma therapy (for traumas and childhood trauma)
General counseling (for general life advice, stresses, etc.)

Spiritual therapy can often be extremely helpful in cases of trauma. It has been shown to be a great method for those struggling with PTSD and C-PTSD. It can also help calm anxiety, as it utilizes several methods seen in mindfulness practices and meditation, which both come from a spiritual background.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, spiritual therapy is a great alternative therapy for those looking for it. It can provide healing on a spiritual, mental, and physical level. Although not everyone believes in it, it can provide healing and comfort for those who do.

You can find spiritual therapists both online and in-person, so don’t worry about distance when it comes to finding the right provider for you.