What Actually Happens During a Reiki Healing Session? What to Expect at Your First Appointment

If you've been curious about Reiki or energy healing and want to know exactly what happens in a session, keep reading!

My goal with each client, for every session, is simple: To hold space for clients to slow down, receive universal life force energy (i.e., Reiki), and bring energetic balance to the whole body.

Arrival & Getting Started

Your session starts the moment you walk into my space - I've intentionally designed it so your body starts relaxing before you even lie down. If you haven't already, you'll complete a brief intake and consent form before we get started.

We'll sit for a moment and talk about what's going on in your world, and what brings you to the session. This includes touching base on anything you've been feeling physically, emotionally, or energetically, where you want support, and what you're hoping to get out of our time together. There's no right or wrong way to explain what brings you in. Many clients say things like, "I feel stuck," "I'm overwhelmed," or "I haven't done anything for myself in a while."

Your Session Begins

You'll lie fully clothed on a warm massage table. We'll work together to make sure you're as comfortable as possible with pillows, bolsters, and blankets if needed. We'll take a few moments to get settled and grounded, which may include me recommending you take a few deep breaths, using a few tuning forks to ground you, and speaking intentions into the space for our session.

From there, I use a mix of light touch and hands-off/hands-above energy work to bring balance to the energy centers of the body (i.e., chakras). I serve as the facilitator of the session, while the Reiki energy does the work, wherever it is needed. As I feel called to, I may burn some palo santo, place crystals on or near your body, or diffuse essential oils during the session.

My style is intuitive, nurturing, and deeply presence-based. During your session, I'll be paying attention to subtle shifts - your breath, temperature or sensations in my hands or body, where energy feels free-flowing and where things may feel stuck or heavy. There's no force, no pushing, and nothing you need to do to receive the benefits from Reiki flowing.

No two sessions are the same - the Reiki and your body guide the work that needs to be done during your session.

What You May Experience

Clients often tell me their session begins with a racing mind, and that it usually settles within a few minutes. You may feel warmth or tingling in different parts of the body. Sometimes clients notice a wave of calm or warmth wash over them, and sometimes emotions may come to the surface to be felt and released. All of these are normal to experience, and it can be normal to not experience much!

Some people fall asleep during the session. Some stay awake but drift into a dreamy or calm state. Some people have insights, moments of clarity, see swirling colors, or have vivid memories. Every experience is completely unique.

We Close the Session

When the energy work feels complete, I'll wrap up the session with techniques to ground your body and energy and softly end the flow of energy. I'll gently guide you back to the physical space and your body with my voice.

We'll talk through anything you noticed during the session, and I'll share any relevant insights about what I felt in your energy field and if anything shifted during the session. Many clients say this integration time is one of their favorite parts of the session because it helps them understand their body and energy in a new way.

How You Might Feel Afterward

Most clients leave feeling:

• Calmer

• Lighter

• Clearer

• More settled in their body

• More connected to themselves

• Ready for a nap!

It's also normal to experience:

• Emotional release

• Increased awareness of your needs

• Deep insights or clarity about a situation

• Temporary fatigue as your system recalibrates and integrates

An energy healing session is less about "fixing" and more about creating the conditions for your mind, body, and spirit to reconnect and self-restore. My approach is grounded, intuitive, and deeply supportive, whether you're brand new to Reiki or returning to energy work.

If you're craving a reset, a sense of calm, or space to breathe, I'd be honored to hold that space for you. Book your session now, or contact me with any questions you have.