reiki healing

What Is Reiki — And Why It Fits So Well at Flourish

When you hear “Reiki,” you might think of energy healing, something spiritual, a bit mysterious. That’s okay — it is spiritual, but it’s also gentle, accessible, and centered on you. Reiki is a healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and pain, and supports healing on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. (flourishcounselingmd.com)

At Flourish, Reiki isn’t added on like a luxury; it’s integrated with a deep understanding that mental wellness is whole-person wellness. Because Flourish is not a conventional mental health center. Our professional providers will take time with you and support you through mutual collaboration. And Reiki fits beautifully into that mission.

Origins & What Reiki Means

“Rei” and “Ki” are Japanese words. “Rei” refers to spirit or universe, “Ki” is life force energy. Put together, Reiki is about channeling universal life force energy to assist healing. (flourishcounselingmd.com)

While Reiki is commonly known today through the Usui System of Natural Healing, the modern form was rediscovered in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui. Later, through practitioners like Hawayo Takata, Reiki came to the West. (flourishcounselingmd.com)

So though the origins are old, the practice keeps evolving — and it works best when it’s tailored to you, not when it’s one-size-fits-all.

How Reiki Works in Practice at Flourish

Healing with Reiki at Flourish means a few things:

• You are fully involved. The provider doesn’t just “do something to you.” Rather, the two of you work together. It’s collaborative: you talk about what you’re experiencing, what you need.
• Time is honored. Sessions are not rushed. You will be given space to settle in, to feel the energy, to share what shows up for you.
• Comfort and safety. You lie fully clothed on a treatment table; hands lightly touch or hover over parts of you (head, torso, etc.). The setting is gentle, grounded. (flourishcounselingmd.com)
• Holistic support. Reiki at Flourish is offered alongside talking therapies, mindfulness, wellness coaching, etc. Because healing isn’t just physical or mental—it’s all the parts together.

What Reiki Can Help With

People often turn to Reiki for things that standard counseling or therapy might not touch as directly. Here are some of the benefits people report, especially when they get consistent Reiki in a supportive environment like Flourish:

• Relaxation & stress reduction — Reiki helps to calm the nervous system.
• Pain management — Chronic aches, tension, or pain from injury can ease.
• Reduced anxiety & depression — Energy work can help shift stuck emotions, thoughts.
• Improved sleep — When the body and mind are more relaxed, sleep often follows.
• Emotional clarity — Sometimes what feels overwhelming becomes more manageable with gentle healing touch.
• Spiritual or existential support — If you’re grappling with meaning, purpose, sense of self, Reiki can support those deeper conversations.

It’s important to say: while many people experience these benefits, Reiki is not a replacement for things like medication, crisis intervention, or medical care. It’s complementary. At Flourish, Reiki is used as part of a larger tapestry of care.

Why Reiki Aligns with Flourish’s Philosophy

Let’s pause and look at Flourish’s core idea: “Flourish is not a conventional mental health center. Our professional providers will take time with you and support you through mutual collaboration.”

Here’s how Reiki echoes that:

• Not conventional → Holistic Conventional mental health can sometimes focus strictly on talk therapy or pills. Flourish offers more: Reiki adds energetic, body-centered healing to what many traditional clinics don’t.
• Taking time → Being present Reiki needs presence — from both you and the provider. You’re not just filling in a slot. The sessions at Flourish recognize that healing happens in a pace that suits you.
• Mutual collaboration → Co-creation of the healing journey You bring your own needs, boundaries, feedback. The provider listens, adjusts. Reiki isn't imposed. Together, you shape what helps.

What a Reiki Session Might Feel Like

If you’re wondering what happens during a session, here’s a walk-through of what many clients at Flourish report:

1. Arrival & settling in You’ll be invited to make yourself cozy. Maybe lie down, or sit if that’s more comfortable. Breathing. A short discussion — what you’re hoping for, what’s going on in your body and mind.
2. Energy work The Reiki practitioner gently places hands on or near parts of the body. Sometimes directly, sometimes hovering. There may be gentle pressure, light touch, or even no touch in certain places.
3. Sensation & reaction Many people feel warmth, tingling, waves of relaxation. Some feel emotional responses — sadness, joy, release. Some feel no strong sensation, but just a deep sense of calm. All responses are valid.
4. Reflection & integration After hands-on time, you may rest quietly. Then there’s often a space to share: “What did you feel?” “What shifted?” “What do you want to take with you going forward?” That reflection is part of the healing.
5. Follow-up & support Outside the session, Flourish encourages you to notice changes in sleep, mood, physical sensations. Maybe to use simple practices at home (quiet time, breathing, etc.). Because healing doesn’t pause when the session end

Who Should Consider Reiki (And Who Should Be Careful)

Reiki can help many, but like any healing modality, it might not be right for everyone — or not in every moment.

Might help if you:

• Are dealing with anxiety, tension, depression.
• Feel disconnected from your body, or that your mental health is stuck.
• Want non-invasive, gentle healing — not an immediate fix, but gradual support.
• Are open to complementing talk therapy or other mental health work.

Be careful or check with provider if you:

• Have serious medical conditions, recent surgeries, or open wounds. Reiki can support healing, but it should be used in tandem with medical care.
• Are in a crisis (self-harm, suicidal thoughts, psychosis) — those need immediate safety interventions.
• Expect instant miracles — Reiki can be profound, but often subtle and cumulative.

At Flourish, the providers will help you assess if Reiki makes sense for your specific situation. There’s no pressure; you go at your own pace.

How Many Sessions, and What to Expect Over Time

Healing is not linear, and Reiki is most helpful when it’s not treated as a one-off fix. Here’s a rough guide based on experiences at Flourish:

• First session: often a bit of orientation. You’ll see how your body responds, what blocks or tension come up. You may feel immediate calm or some gentle after-effects.
• 3–5 sessions: more of the patterns may emerge. Deeper release, subtle shifts in mood, better sleep, maybe noticing differences in pain or stress levels.
• Longer term (weekly or biweekly over months): often people feel more consistent, more resilient, more able to carry forward the calm from the sessions into daily life.

You work with your provider to decide what schedule feels sustainable and useful. Because again: Flourish is not a conventional mental health center. Our professional providers will take time with you and support you through mutual collaboration.

What to Ask Before Starting Reiki

Before your first Reiki session, you might want to ask:

• What is the practitioner’s training, especially in working together with therapy or other wellness services?
• What are their expectations: how many sessions? what pace?
• How do they handle client feedback during sessions? (You should feel free to speak up anytime).
• What else they offer at Flourish that can pair with Reiki — counseling, mindfulness, coaching, etc. — so you can build a supportive, integrated plan.

Final Thoughts

Reiki at Flourish isn’t an added “extra” or a quick fix. It’s part of a caring, collaborative path toward deeper healing. Because Flourish is not a conventional mental health center. Our professional providers will take time with you and support you through mutual collaboration.