Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
The resistant client can be puzzling for a helping practitioner. Why would anyone take the time and spend the money to seek help, only to argue against every suggestion made? Why would a person dismiss every bit of advice, stating “that doesn’t work”? What are the underlying reasons for this behavior?
There are a variety of reasons for client resistance but let us examine a few of the more common ones. There are many clients who have already sought cures with a number of healing practitioners – from psychotherapy, to acupuncture, to sound healing, to medical physicians – the list goes on. Often, there is an attitude of passivity – please just fix me. They may have heard advice and suggestions on what changes they need to make but they hold onto false beliefs about their ability to be an active participant in their own healing. They may have feelings of powerlessness, incompetence or victimization. Rather than look within for strength, they learned to seek healing outside of themselves.
Often, these clients will present as discouraged and sad. And, that will certainly pull at your heartstrings! Our natural inclination to help others in need may cause us to act in ways that are unhealthy, for both the client and you. You may take on too much responsibility for the outcome and wonder what you are doing “wrong.” The client may try to blame you, or the Reiki energies, for her lack of healing progress.
Other clients may express anger towards you, or Reiki. Know this may be a verbalization of the client’s frustration or hopelessness. It can be helpful to make a statement such as, “It seems you are frustrated in dealing with this constant pain.” This can be an invitation to the client to talk further about their emotions. If the client is threatening in any way, it is appropriate to ask her/him to leave.
For most people, change of any kind is a difficult process. As Reiki practitioners, we can view ourselves as conduits to change. We do not create the change, but we offer the space and tools to help others to make healthy changes in their lives. The healing path is fraught with up’s and down’s and twist’s and turn’s. It is rarely a straightforward, easy path!
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a Reiki practitioner is offering the healing energies of Reiki. Reiki energies touch the core, the root cause, of a problem. It can be a miracle experience for a client. As the client awakens to unlimited possibilities, beautiful events happen. Clients can awaken to a new insight, have a meaningful dream, release hurtful memories, forgive others – the list of healing occurrences has no limits.
Being a part of the healing process for resistant clients is certainly a joyous experience. As each of us grows beyond our own resistances (yes, we all have them), we appreciate what our clients must go through, to create true healing.
Free eBook download: We’ve created an eBook with our best articles on this topic, and offer it for free to all our newsletter subscribers.
Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at deb@deblloydhealing.com and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.
Leave a Reply