HOW MANY SESSIONS OF REIKI HEALING ARE NEEDED?

Fiona Phillips | Certified Japanese Reiki Shihan (Teacher)
Apr 18, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Sep 17

HOW MANY SESSION OF REIKI HEALING ARE NEEDED — HOW MANY SESSIONS OF REIKI HEALING ARE NEEDED

One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “How many Reiki sessions will I need?” Whilst I would love to give a decisive answer, the truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to Reiki energy healing. Just as every person’s life journey is unique, so too is their healing path with Reiki.

Reiki isn’t like taking a prescribed medication with a set dosage, it's more like a journey of unfolding; it works cumulatively, with each session building upon the last. And healing is like an onion, there can be many layers to peel back. Each session builds on the last, and healing unfolds at its own pace.

Think of healing as a piece of string; it has no set length. It's a journey that unfolds at its own pace. Some may experience profound shifts after just one session, while others may find that regular sessions over time yield deeper, more lasting results.

Having said that, there are some indicators of whether you might one a few or more ongoing sessions might be called for and much of it has to do with what you are looking to get out of your sessions. So let's take a look at the factors which influence how many sessions people might need.

Immediate Shifts vs. Ongoing Healing

Some people experience profound shifts after just one session. I’ve seen insomnia lift for a month after a single treatment, and chronic, weekly panic attacks which the client had been experiencing for a period or two years, completely disappear after three sessions. Headaches, period pain, or acute stress can often respond very quickly.

For others, healing runs deeper. Long-term stress, grief, trauma, or chronic conditions usually take more than one session to shift. In these cases, Reiki often works best when sessions are received regularly, especially close together at the beginning.

Traditional Japanese Practice

In the original Japanese approach to Reiki, people would receive treatment daily until their condition improved. For some, that might be days or weeks. For those with chronic disease, it might be months or more. Reiki wasn’t just seen as an occasional treatment but as a continuous, dedicated approach to healing.

Alongside this, students of Reiki were expected to practice self-healing every day. Reiki was always meant to be a lifelong companion, not just something to turn to in times of crisis.

Understanding this, provides a foundational context for us to understand what to expect when we turn to Reiki for support and healing. It helps to understand why often, more than one session is required.

The “Trio of Reiki” Approach

When I first came to Reiki, my teacher suggested a series of three sessions in a short space of time (ideally within ten days or as close as financially and practicably feasible). Over the years, I’ve found this to be a powerful way to begin. It gives Reiki a chance to move things along (gathering momentum without too much of life in-between setting it back) and helps clients drop more deeply into the healing process. In my experience, within those three sessions, clients really get an idea of where the healing is taking them, if not resolving their issue entirely within the trio - just depending on the issue.

It doesn't surprise me that many of the clients who have left glowing reviews on my website and Google have done this “trio” of sessions. It doesn’t mean everyone must follow this path, but it is a testament to the power of the trio and how often it sets a strong foundation for ongoing healing.

Exception to the Trio Of Reiki's Approach: Reiki for Self-Care and Maintenance

Not everyone is looking for deep healing. Some people use Reiki the way they would a massage, to relax, restore, and take time out from busy lives. Reiki has even been described as an “energetic massage.” Some of my clients come every few weeks as part of their self-care routine, while others book in occasionally when they feel the need for nurturing or relief from stress or situational emotions.

This is just as valid as using Reiki for bigger, deeper shifts. Healing can simply be about tending to yourself when you feel called to it.

Trusting Your Own Instincts

One of the most important parts of Reiki is that it encourages you to tune in to yourself. A good practitioner will never pressure you into a certain number of sessions. Instead, they’ll invite you to notice how you feel after each treatment and let your intuition guide you. There is no greater guide.

Ask yourself:

Do I feel a shift in my energy, emotions, or physical body?

Do I feel more balanced, clearer, or lighter?

Do I feel drawn to return?

Your answers to these questions will tell you more than any rule-of-thumb possibly could.

And let Reiki Guide you. For a first session, I recommend clients try Reiki and see if it resonates with them before making any plans or decisions beyond that. Rather than taking the approach of needing to know exactly how many sessions you might need ahead of time, allow Reiki and your own experience of each session guide you as you go.

Quality Matters Too

It’s also worth noting that aside from the question about the number of sessions, the quality of the practice may influence the number of sessions you end up needing. A Reiki practitioner with a strong personal spiritual practice and regular self-Reiki is likely to channel more effectively, meaning clients may notice results in fewer sessions. This is why is can be helpful to really take you time when choosing a Practitioner. I've written several articles about what to look for, some are listed below this article.

Learning Reiki for Yourself

For those who resonate deeply with Reiki, learning to practice on yourself can be life-changing. Courses are short, affordable, and accessible. Every human being has the capacity to channel and utilise Reiki, and there are not special skills or 'energetic talents' needed. In a single weekend (often for less than the cost of three sessions) you can learn to treat yourself daily and bring Reiki into your everyday life. That doesn't mean you can't still go and have sessions with a Practitioner as well, sometimes it's nice sometimes just to lie back and receive through someone else, but the difference is that you are empowered to continue your own healing and have the support of Reiki in your every-day life, without needing to rely on someone else. Reiki was always intended to be something we all have access to, not just something received from others.

So, How Many Sessions Do You Need?

There really is no hard and fast rule. For some, one session provides exactly what’s needed, for others, a short series of sessions provides deeper transformation and for others, having regular ongoing Reiki support their long-term healing and self-care goals.

My advice? Begin with one session. See how it feels. If you feel drawn, consider a series of three to deepen the effect. From there, let your own body, mind, and instinct guide you.

Reiki is ultimately a journey of self-discovery as much as it is a healing practice. Trust yourself, listen closely, and let the process unfold at your own pace.

If you have any more questions about Reiki, or are interested in receiving or learning Reiki in Melbourne and wish to discuss your situation further, please contact me and we can arrange a time to chat. Otherwise, if you are ready to start your Reiki journey, you can book an appointment here or sign up for a Reiki course here. I look forward to connecting with you!