HOW TO FIND THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU
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Finding the right Reiki Practitioner can feel overwhelming. A search for terms such as "Reiki Near Me" or "Best Reiki Melbourne" can return hundreds of practitioners, all claiming to offer authentic, traditional, or Japanese Reiki.
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Reiki Practitioners can vary enormously in their training, experience, lineage, daily practice, qualifications, and even the system of Reiki they practice. Two Practitioners may both call what they do "Reiki", yet offer vastly different treatments, techniques, and approaches to healing.
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​This clear guide will help you find clarity about what to search for so that you may find the best Practitioner for you.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m Fiona Phillips, a Traditional Japanese Reiki Shihan (Teacher) and professional Reiki Practitioner based in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
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Over many years of professional practice, client care and teaching, I have trained extensively across Western Reiki systems, including Om Reiki and Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho; Japanese systems including Gendai and Komyo ReikiDo; and Traditional Japanese Reiki. My practice today is primarily informed by Jikiden Reiki® and the Arjava Reiki Institutes, alongside ongoing study of lesser-known traditional spiritual and healing practices.
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It is through this experience - both as a practitioner and teacher - that I have come to understand how significantly Reiki training, systems and practitioner approaches can differ. I hope this guide helps you make a more informed choice when finding the right Reiki Practitioner for you.​
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Learn more about me, my training and Within the Space.
FINDING THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER
OVERVIEW & CHECKLIST
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1. AUTHENTIC LINEAGE
RECOMMENDATION
Choose a Reiki Practitioner who can clearly provide their Reiki lineage back to Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system.
DETAILS
Reiki is passed from teacher to student, so a Practitioner should be able to clearly identify who they trained with and trace their lineage back to Mikao Usui.
A clear lineage provides transparency about where a Practitioner’s Reiki training comes from and the system of Reiki they have been taught. If a Practitioner cannot provide their lineage, I would ask why.
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You can see examples of lineage here.
2. IN-PERSON TRAINING
RECOMMENDATION
Ensure that the Practitioner trained in-person (rather than online).
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DETAILS
Traditionally, Reiki was taught in person, with students receiving Reiju (attunements) directly from their teacher. This process is fundamental to opening their capacity to channel Reiki. Many believe that this process cannot be done remotely,
For this reason, most Professional Reiki Associations do not offer membership unless the Practitioner has trained in person.
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3. THE SYSTEM OF REIKI PRACTICED BY THE REIKI THERAPIST
RECOMMENDATION
Take time to understand the difference between Western Reiki and the lesser-known Japanese systems. Find a Practitioner who practices a system that resonates most with you and offers the depth you’re seeking.
DETAILS
Not all Reiki systems are the same. Since Reiki left Japan, its teachings, techniques and spiritual practices have changed considerably, and there are now many Western and Japanese systems of Reiki.
Even systems described as ‘Traditional Reiki’ can differ significantly in what they teach and practise. If receiving Reiki in its more traditional Japanese form is important to you, ask which system the Practitioner follows and what their training involved.
4. CERTIFICATION LEVEL OF THE PRACTITIONER​
RECOMMENDATION
Find a Practitioner who has acquired a minimum of Level II Training or higher.
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DETAILS
Reiki Level I provides the foundation for personal practice and treating family and friends.
Level II allows students to offer Reiki professionally.
Higher-level or Teacher/Master training can demonstrate further study, experience and practice, although certification alone does not necessarily make someone an experienced or skilled Practitioner.
5. DAILY SPIRITUAL AND ENERGY HABITS AS THEIR FOUNDATION
RECOMMENDATION
Look for a Practitioner who has an established personal Reiki and spiritual practice.
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DETAILS
Reiki is not simply something a Practitioner does to other people. Traditionally, personal and spiritual practice are an important part of Reiki and the Practitioner’s own ongoing development.
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Regular self-Reiki, meditation and traditional spiritual practices can help develop greater sensitivity, awareness and effectiveness as a channel. Don't be afraid to ask a Practitioner about their own personal Reiki practice.
6. EXPERIENCE OF THE PRACTITIONER
RECOMMENDATION​
Choose a Reiki Practitioner for whom Reiki is their main profession, not a side offering.
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Consider how long they’ve been practising Reiki and the variety of clients they’ve worked with.
DETAILS
The number of years since someone received their Reiki certificate does not necessarily reflect their level of practical experience.
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Consider how long they have been actively practising, how regularly they treat clients and whether Reiki forms a significant part of their professional work. Someone who has worked consistently with many different clients will naturally develop experience that cannot come from certification alone.
Having worked alongside Fiona and been one of her teachers in her starting-out days with Reiki, I can highly recommend her as a practitioner. There are few practitioners I have met who have truly dedicated themselves to deeply exploring Reiki, its history, applications and mystery. Fiona has my full recommendation as a Reiki Practitioner, and I refer people to her myself — both personally and professionally.”​
Helen Callanan
7. INTUITIVE PRACTICE vs SET POSITIONS AND TIMING
RECOMMENDATION​
Find a Practitioner who works intuitively rather than set and timed hand positions.
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DETAILS
With experience and regular practice, a Reiki Practitioner can develop greater sensitivity to what they are feeling through their hands and how the recipient responds during treatment.
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In Traditional Reiki, Practitioners are trained to understand what each sensation they feel in their hands mean, and this directs their treatment.
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A Reiki session should ideally not be a rigid sequence performed identically on everyone. An experienced Practitioner should be able to respond to what they feel and spend more time working where it is needed.
8. HANDS ON vs HOVERING REIKI
RECOMMENDATION​
Find a Practitioner who offers hands-on Reiki as their primary approach, rather than hovering.
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DETAILS
Reiki was traditionally practised with the hands placed directly on the recipient’s body.
While hands may sometimes be held away from the body when appropriate, hands-on treatment is an important part of traditional Reiki practice.
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If this matters to you, ask how the Practitioner conducts their treatments rather than assuming all Reiki sessions are performed in the same way.
9. CLIENT TESTIMONIALS AND REPUTATION
RECOMMENDATION​
Read reviews on Google and the Practitioner's website and get a feel for the Reiki Practitioner. Trust your gut feeling as you read them.
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DETAILS
Look beyond the star rating and read what clients actually say about their experience.
Notice recurring themes around the Practitioner’s care, professionalism, knowledge, communication and the experience of receiving Reiki from them.
A larger body of independent reviews can give you a much better sense of a Practitioner than one or two selected testimonials.
10. WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
RECOMMENDATION
Look at how clearly and transparently the Practitioner presents themselves and their practice.
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Check their social media to get a better feel for them personally and professionally.
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DETAILS
Their website should make it reasonably easy to understand who they are, their training, the Reiki system they practise, their approach and what you can expect from a session.
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Social media can also give you a sense of their philosophy, professionalism and whether their approach to Reiki resonates with you.
11. PERSONAL CONNECTION & ENERGETIC FIT
RECOMMENDATION
Choose someone you feel comfortable receiving Reiki from.
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DETAILS
Reiki is personal. You’re entrusting someone with your energy body, your vulnerability, and your healing process.
A Reiki Practitioner may appear to have impressive credentials, have years of experience, lots of qualifications and have a substantial daily committed spiritual and healing self-practice, but none of that ensures that they have integrated that into the way they work or within themselves.
Moreover, even after crossing all those things off the list, If you don’t feel safe, connected or intuitively at ease with them, you won't get the most out of your session. Trust your instincts.
12. BE GUIDED BY YOUR INSTINCT
RECOMMENDATION
Once you have done your research, trust your own instinct about who feels right for you. Tune in to your body and inner voice - it’s often the most reliable guide.
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DETAILS
After considering all the practical factors, notice how you feel when exploring their website, reading their reviews and when speaking to them (if you decide to reach out to them before making an appointment).
Do you feel safe, at ease, or drawn to them? Do you get a sense of their warmth and integrity?
Our bodies often register truth before our minds do. While credentials matter, the energetic connection between you and the Practitioner plays a significant role in the effectiveness of your healing experience.
This has been a life changing experience for me. I started to like myself again, felt excited for my future and proud of my past. I feel free and so much stronger mentally, and it has really been an amazing life changing experience that I am so grateful for. I felt like Fiona just knew me and what I needed without even me having to say anything.”
Simge Mat
13. PRICING, VALUE & UNIQUENESS OF OFFERING
RECOMMENDATION
Session prices can vary substantially. Look beyond the cost of the session and consider the overall value being offered.
DETAILS
Training, lineage, experience, daily practice, qualifications and treatment approach can all influence the quality and depth of a Reiki session.
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Also consider how much hands-on Reiki you are actually receiving. Some Practitioners offer 60-minute sessions, while others provide longer treatments or include consultation and aftercare.
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Ultimately, the best value is not necessarily the cheapest session, but the Practitioner whose experience, approach and offering best align with your needs.
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14. INSURANCE, FIRST AID & WORKING WTH CHILDREN
RECOMMENDATION
Ensure the Practitioner holds appropriate insurance and relevant professional safeguards.
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DETAILS
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Insurance: Look for a Practitioner who holds Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.
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First Aid: A current First Aid certificate is an important professional safeguard when working with clients.
Working With Children: Practitioners offering Reiki to children or minors should hold a valid Working With Children Check where required.
15. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS - CODE OF CONDUCT
RECOMMENDATION
Ensure the Practitioner is aware of and complies with the relevant State and National Codes of Conduct.
DETAILS
In Victoria, Reiki Practitioners are classed as unregistered healthcare workers and must comply with the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner's Code of Conduct.
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The Code sets standards for areas including ethical practice, informed consent and client privacy. Practitioners are also required to display the Code and provide information about how a complaint can be made.
Quick Checklist: Choosing a Reiki Practitioner
✓ Can they show a Reiki lineage back to Mikao Usui?​
✓ Have they trained in person (rather than online)?​
✓ Are they Reiki Level II (Practitioner) or higher?​
✓ What system of Reiki do they practice - does this align with you?​
✓ Do they maintain a regular self-Reiki and spiritual practice?​
✓ How much experience do they have working with clients?​
✓ Do they work intuitively and tailor treatments to the individual?​
✓ Do they primarily use hands-on Reiki (rather than hovering)?​
✓ Do they have genuine reviews and testimonials?​
✓ Do they hold appropriate insurance and professional safeguards?​
✓ Most importantly, do they feel like the right fit for you?​
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FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE....
Once you’ve found the right Practitioner for you, it’s time to simply relax and enjoy the experience. Reiki is an incredibly beautiful practice that can support healing on every level of being. I sincerely hope that your Reiki experience will bring you exactly what you need at this point in your journey, supporting you in your healing and path ahead.
