Reiki to Support Healing; An integrated approach

In recent years, more people have begun to explore integrative approaches to mental health—blending traditional talk therapy with complementary practices that support the mind, body, and nervous system. I recently finished reading the book The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer ( which had been on my list for a while!) and felt even more validated in what myself and so many other practitioners and energy healers know to be true, that we are energy, and our energy helps us to connect. One such modality of energy work is Holy Fire Reiki, a gentle yet powerful form of energy healing. While it is not a replacement for psychotherapy, many clients and practitioners are finding that it can meaningfully enhance the therapeutic process by allowing release of stuck emotions, reducing stress, and enhancing mind-body awareness.

Holy Fire Reiki is a newer evolution of Reiki energy healing that emphasizes a sense of inner peace, emotional release, and spiritual connection. Practitioners believe it works by channeling healing energy to help clear emotional blockages, calm the nervous system, and promote a deeper sense of safety within the body.

One of the core goals of therapy—especially trauma-informed therapy—is helping clients feel safe enough to process difficult emotions. Many individuals struggle with trauma therapy not because they lack insight, but because their nervous systems are overwhelmed. Holy Fire Reiki can support this process by encouraging deep relaxation and grounding. When the body feels safe, the mind can open more easily to reflection and healing. Holy Fire Reiki can often be a gentler approach then other trauma modalities, and can compliment work such a brainspotting, EMDR or other trauma re processing therapies. I personally like to use Reiki during or after a Brainspotting session as a way to continue to clear energy, ground and nourish.

Even if you aren’t processing trauma, Reiki can be a wonderful compliment to your self care or self growth practice. Reiki can help release stored emotional energy, making therapy sessions more productive and helping you to feel lighter and less tangled in an old narrative. Reiki can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which impacts our nervous system, often keeping us in a cycle of fight or flight. A central idea in The Untethered Soul is that emotional pain persists because we hold onto it. Singer encourages allowing emotions to move through us rather than resisting or suppressing them. Therapy often works toward this same goal, helping clients safely process and release past experiences.

Holy Fire Reiki can complement this by facilitating a gentle energetic release. While therapy provides language and meaning-making, Reiki may help shift the underlying emotional charge—making it easier for clients to “let go” in the way Singer describes.

It’s important to emphasize that Holy Fire Reiki is best used as a complementary practice rather than a substitute for licensed mental health care. Therapy provides structure, evidence-based tools, and a safe relational container for healing, while Reiki can support the internal conditions that make that work more accessible.

Never tried Reiki? Skeptical? Thats ok! I was at first too. I encourage you to explore what might be calling you to explore Reiki at all, do some research, and experience it for yourself.

To read more about energy, meditation and the journey beyond yourself, you can explore Michael’s book here:

The Untethered Soul- Michael A Singer.