Article by Kathleen Johnson
The pre-session begins when the recipient arrives at the healing space. The individual is greeted at the door, warmly welcomed, invited into the healing area, and asked to take a seat in a comfortable chair. New clients then complete and sign a brief intake form, which includes basic identifying information and a standard disclaimer about confidentiality and the scope of the Reiki treatment. Existing clients may be asked if any updates are needed in their information.
The pre-session conversation begins when the paperwork is complete. During this time, I review and discuss the intake form with the client, asking questions as needed to clarify information. This is an essential component of the Professional Reiki Session (PRS), as it sets the tone for the remainder of the session. In my experience, most individuals have some degree of apprehension when they arrive for the Reiki session. This is particularly true of new clients, or those unfamiliar with Reiki. Therefore, spending time with the person prior to the actual treatment is invaluable for relaxing the recipient and ensuring their comfort with the process and the practitioner.
The flow of the pre-session discussion is informal, relaxed, and conversational; this helps the person feel comfortable as it creates a rapport with the practitioner, and this style is also most comfortable for me. Without prying, I also inquire as to the individual’s goals and/or desires for the session. For example, what is their main concern at this time? What prompted them to seek a Reiki treatment? How are they feeling – physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually? What would they like to share that may be of help for the session?
In my experience, the vast majority of individuals are very open and willing to discuss their challenges and concerns. I always emphasize the confidential and sacred nature of the Reiki session and advise that they can share as much or as little as they wish, because Reiki will give them exactly what they need, regardless of what is discussed with me. This reassurance, and the Reiki presence, provide an energetically intimate atmosphere in the healing space, and encourage the exchange of information.
The next step is to fully explain the procedure for a Reiki treatment. This also goes a long way toward easing apprehension and increasing the level of comfort, especially for those unfamiliar with Reiki and/or the new client. My approach is to provide a fairly detailed description of the Reiki treatment, in which I include as much information as necessary, and to encourage questions. I also advise the person that I will be taking notes during the session, which serves two purposes. First, the act of writing down the impressions, experiences, and information received during the session helps to keep me present and grounded, as I have a tendency to into the “zone” when immersed in Reiki. Second, making notes in real-time helps me to remember key information, which otherwise tends to evaporate quickly, because of the aforementioned “zone”. This has always worked well for me, and clients appreciate this extra level of care and attention.
Finally, prior to beginning the Reiki treatment, I ask if there are any remaining questions or concerns, and the person is offered a bathroom break. Attention to practical matters ensures the comfort of all concerned!
* This is the 2nd article of an insightful 4-part series on Professional Reiki Session topic by RMT Kathleen Johnson. Stay tuned!
Previous article: The Professional Reiki Session – A New Perspective (Part 1/4)
What’s next: The Professional Reiki Session – The Reiki Treatment (Part 3/4)
© 2018 Kathleen Johnson
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Kathleen Johnson is a Holy Fire III Reiki Master, Usui Reiki Master, Kundalini Reiki Master, and a Certified Crystal Healer. She is also a Past-Life Soul Regression Therapist, and an Angelic Soul Activation Practitioner. As a Spiritual Teacher and Mentor, she assists others in discovering their unique path to wellness, wholeness, and authenticity.
Kathleen is the Founder of UniverSoul Heart, LLC, a holistic healing and wellness practice based in Pennsylvania, USA. Her education includes a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Criminology, as well as extensive postgraduate studies in Mental Health Counseling and Transpersonal Psychology. Although she taught Reiki for several years, this changed in 2020 when Reiki’s guidance redirected her focus to working with individuals during this pivotal time in humanity’s history.
Kathleen is committed to raising awareness of the benefits of Reiki and holistic wellness. To that end, she has been a co-host as well as a presenter and sponsor for the Reiki Rays Annual Summit since 2017. She has also been a featured guest in numerous radio interviews and also hosted “UniverSoul Heart Radio with Kathleen Johnson- Sensible Spirituality for Everyday Living” on Transformation Talk Radio. Most recently, she co-hosted Seasons 1-3 on the “Beyond the Reiki Gateway” podcast, and in January 2025 was interviewed by MysticMag, in which she shares healing insights and revelations during her transformative journey as founder of UniverSoul Heart. In February 2025, she was a guest on “The Way 126” podcast to discuss Reiki and its benefits.
In her personal life, Kathleen is a passionate advocate for animals and Mother Earth, and as such, committed to a compassionate plant-based lifestyle. In 2021, she became certified as a Plant-Based Nutritionist through Cornell University’s Nutrition Studies Program. She is the mother of 4 grown sons and grandmother to two beautiful babies, who each clutch a substantial piece of her heart in their precious little hands.
Kathleen’s articles about Reiki and Spirituality have been published on Reiki Rays, Reiki News Magazine, and Medium.com. Her eBook “Let Reiki Guide the Way” is available on her website.
Kathleen can be contacted at kjohnson@universoulheart.net.
I don’t discuss why a client is seeking Reiki before the session. I have them sign a release form. Then I will explain what I will be doing during the session. After the session I talk about exactly what I felt and ask the client to share what they experienced. This way I have no preconceived ideas in my mind about how the session should go, and it allows the client’s subconscious to direct the Reiki where it is most needed. During the discussion the client always shares why they came and I can explain how Reiki has addressed those issues by describing what I felt or saw during the session. And I can also better explain their experiences during the Reiki session.
Lisa Harris
Reiki Master
I am just now in the process of opening a home reiki practice, I feel I would be very comfortable with this approach.
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Thank you for reading this article and hope all the insights shared will help you develop your Reiki practice! Many blessings 🙏
Is there a specific site where we can download an intake form?