Healing FAQs

What is energy healing?

It is a natural form of therapy in which pure energy flows from the healer to the client, unleashing our innate ability to self-heal on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. When our energy is unbalanced or depleted (often resulting in illness or stress) the healer acts as a gentle set of jump leads and the energy is then drawn to where it is most needed. This process promotes self-healing by relaxing the body, releasing blockages and tension, and strengthening the body’s own immune system. Also called spiritual healing, it is non-invasive, has no harmful side effects and is a complementary therapy, meaning it works well alongside regular medical treatment. Energy healing is "holistic" in nature, meaning it addresses symptoms not in isolation but in relation to the underlying issues of the whole person, dealing with ‘dis-ease’ at its deepest level. Crucially, it works in the most effective way for you. 

What happens in a healing session?

Like most energy healers, I work with my hands at a short distance from the body, while inviting you to relax and close your eyes if you wish. You can sit in a chair or lie on a couch, whichever you prefer. Usually recipients are aware that something is happening through sensations such as warmth, coolness, tingling or pressure. Some liken the experience to deep meditation. There is no need for contact during healing, but if you consent then it can be beneficial for me to use a light touch of the shoulders (to signal the start and end of a healing) and the feet.

Do I need to be ill to receive healing?

No. Healing is about restoring balance to your life and in your relationships with others, about expressing feelings, about change and the need for it. It often helps bring a sense of proportion and perspective and a greater feeling of "feet on the ground", of regaining control, irrespective of whether you are ill or not. On the other hand, it can be especially helpful in crisis situations and with terminal illness. It can stand alone as a therapy, has no harmful side effects and works well with any other therapy. It is a process, above all, to help you to help yourself.​

How can healing help me?

Healing can be helpful with a wide range of conditions, sometimes to a remarkable degree. Possible outcomes include:
• Reduced pain
• Deepening inner peace/lightening of burden
• Reduced anxiety
​• Alleviation of physical symptoms
• Greater sense of connectedness with life
• Increased vitality
Energy healing is a process of revitalisation, relaxation and release at a profound level, which helps your body to adjust and heal spontaneously at its own pace and in its own way. Healing seeks out the underlying cause as well as the "presenting symptom". This can mean that the outcome of a healing session may be beneficial in an unexpected way, and not necessarily immediately: for example you may feel a sudden benefit days later or gradual improvement over a period of time. You may also experience some kind of emotional release. Sometimes the healing process is obvious, sometimes more subtle. After healing, you might feel lighter, brighter and more positive in attitude. Healing can also help people who feel spiritually "blocked." While many people report benefits from attending healing sessions, a particular result cannot  be guaranteed.

How often do I need to go for healing?

One session may be enough, but it's more usual to have several. Typically, a course of five to six sessions is recommended. If you are new to healing, it may take two or three sessions to relax into the process and enjoy the full benefit. ​

What is the Healing Trust?

The NFSH Healing Trust (Charity No 1094702) is the oldest and largest membership organisation of healers in the U.K. Formed in the 1950s, the charity sets national standards of training by accredited tutors, with would-be healers receiving a minimum two years’ training and a final assessment. The Healing Trust upholds professional standards through its Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines that, among other things, outline disciplinary procedures. The Healing Trust also provides professional insurance to healers.

Do I need to be religious or have faith?

No. Healers work from a wide range of philosophies and many simply see their ability as a natural resource. 

Can energy healing cause harm?

No. Healing is about restoring balance to your life and in your relationships, about expressing feelings and about change and the need for it. It often helps bring a sense of proportion and perspective and a greater feeling of "feet on the ground", of regaining control, irrespective of whether you are ill or not. It has no harmful side effects and works well with any other therapy. It is a process, above all, to help you to help yourself.

How does it relate to medical treatment?

Energy healing is not a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment. Always consult your health-care professional or General Practitioner first. Energy healing is meant only to complement medical treatments and not to replace them. It is strongly recommended that you see a licensed physician, GP or other licensed health care professional for any physical or psychological ailment whether it be acute or chronic that you may be suffering from or suspect that you may have.

What academic research is there?

In probably the largest healing study in the world, the U.K.'s University of Birmingham undertook a two-year trial involving 200 hospital patients with longstanding illnesses, backed by a National Lottery grant. Results revealed significant improvements regarding symptoms and wellbeing. The main paper, published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, reported that patients benefited physically, their symptoms were reduced, their quality of life enhanced, and they felt better in themselves and were more able to lead a normal life.  Improvements were found to be long-lasting and may have continued beyond the period of study.

In addition, the researchers confirmed that the level of these improvements was substantially more than could be expected from a placebo. The researchers concluded that a study should be conducted to investigate whether adding healing to conventional healthcare would reduce NHS expenditure. A secondary paper, published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found that patients talked about coping better with their condition and reported feeling uplifted and more optimistic. 

To find out more about the study, read Sandy Edwards' account in "Spiritual Healing in Hospitals and Clinics."
"Spectacular research results. Patients and clinicians should take this seriously." Dr Michael Dixon, Chair of Council, College of Medicine and Chair of NHS Alliance.

For a summary of earlier research, check out the Healing Trust's synopsis or Su Mason's paper on healing, "Spiritual Healing: What is it? Does it work and does it have a place in modern healthcare?"  ​

Is energy healing the same as Reiki?

From a casual onlooker’s point of view, there won’t appear to be much difference at all. As The Healing Trust puts it, the main differences are in the training and the approach. "Healers are taught how to attune directly with the Source of Healing and to allow that energy to flow directly from that Source. Reiki Healers on the other hand are attuned or ‘initiated’ via their teacher, known as a ‘Reiki Master’, who installs various etheric symbols into their energy field through which the healing energy flows to the recipient. Energy healers (spiritual healers) must have been through a two-year training and spiritual development programme in order to be registered."