REIKI TIPS
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HOW TO FIND THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU
Finding the best Reiki Therapist for your needs can be overwhelming with broad search terms like "Find Reiki Near Me" and "Best Reiki Melbourne". The sheer number of potential Reiki Therapists who advertise their practice as "Traditional Reiki", "Japanese Reiki", or "Authentic Reiki," can leave you wondering how to discern one from the next.
DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF REIKI
There are many different systems of Reiki and understanding the differences can be vital in helping you determine which Practitioner is the best fit for you.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF A REIKI PRACTITIONER
Did you know that anyone can called themselves a Reiki Therapist without any training? Understanding what is required to qualify as a legitimate Reiki Practitioner will help you avoid Practitioners who claim to be practising Reiki but have not been adequately trained or attuned to the Energy.
ESSENTIAL FACTORS TO FINDING THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER FOR YOU
To find the best Reiki Therapist, it’s important to understand the essential factors that impact a healing session: from the basics like qualifications, lineage, and the system of Reiki they practise, to more subtle aspects that influence the depth and effectiveness of healing. These include the Practitioner’s spiritual and self-healing practices, their style of Reiki, the healing techniques they use, and their overall approach to sessions. Together, these factors can help you find an authentic and effective Reiki Healer.
As you embark on this journey of self-love and healing through Reiki, I am dedicated to ensuring you experience the optimum benefits it offers.
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Whether you choose me or another Practitioner, these tips will guide you in selecting the ideal Reiki Practitioner to facilitate your healing journey.
FINDING THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER
OVERVIEW & CHECKLIST
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1. AUTHENTIC LINEAGE
It may surprise you to know that not all Reiki Therapists that claim they practice Reiki are trained Reiki Practitioners and possibly not channeling Reiki at all.
'Usui Reiki Ryoho', often shortened to 'Reiki' specifically refers to a method of spiritual & healing practices created by founder, Mikao Usui. The hallmark of his teaching is Reiju (the passing on from Teacher to Student, the capacity to channel Reiki) .
That line of passing on, from Usui to his student and from his student to their student and so forth, is called Lineage. No matter how far down the line, a person who practices authentic Reiki, can trace their Lineage straight back, down the line, to Mikao Usui.
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Recommendation: Ensure the Practitioner's Lineage traces directly back to Mikao Usui and that the Practitioner trained in person (see tip no. 2).
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2. IN-PERSON TRAINING
Reiki Practitioners receive their capacity to channel Reiki through a process of Reiju handed down by Teacher to student in person. This is an essential aspect of Reiki training and traditionally is to be done in person. For this reason, most Reiki Associations do not recognise Therapists who have trained online.
Recommendation: Ensure that the Practitioner trained in-person (as opposed to online).
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3. THE SYSTEM OF REIKI PRACTICED BY THE REIKI THERAPIST
With so many different Reiki systems in practice today, it’s important to understand how much a system may have altered the original teachings of Reiki and how that affects the depth and effectiveness of a session.
Broadly speaking, Japanese Reiki systems have sought to retain the spiritual and energetic foundations of Usui Sensei’s original practice, while most Western systems have stripped back these elements, removing also some of the more advanced practices for the Practitioner as well as more advanced energy and healing techniques.
All Reiki is effective, the question is whether all versions of the practice are 'as effective'.
Recommendation: It is important to understand the difference between the systems, more broadly, the difference between Western Reiki (as described above and and the lesser known traditional Reiki systems of practice, often known as 'Japanese Reiki'. Take time to understand the difference and find a Practitioner who practices a system that resonates most with you.
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4. CERTIFICATION LEVEL OF THE PRACTITIONER​
There are usually 3-4 Level of Reiki (it can vary between different systems). Level I focusses on self healing and self-cultivation, Level II focuses on advanced healing techniques (only in Japanese Reiki, not Western) and the healing of others - whilst Level II upwards focuses advanced spiritual philosophy (only in Japanese Reiki no Western Reiki) and on teaching Reiki.
NB: Whilst the highest level possible to acquire is most commonly known as 'Reiki Master' in the West, the traditional Japanese title for this level, is 'Reiki Shihan'.
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Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who has acquired a minimum of Level II Training or higher.
Additional Recommendation: When assessing price and value, consider both the level of training and the depth of practical and spiritual experience the Reiki Therapist brings to their work.
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5. DAILY SPIRITUAL AND ENERGY HABITS AS THEIR FOUNDATION
SPIRITUAL AND ENERGETIC PRACTICE: A Reiki Practitioner’s capacity to channel energy is directly linked to their spiritual depth and energetic wellbeing. The deeper their spiritual path, the more effective they are at channeling Reiki.
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It’s important to ask whether they have a committed daily spiritual and self-healing practice and what that involves. It’s equally important to get a sense of their depth of spiritual growth and integration
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Recommendation:
Find a Reiki Practitioner who has a substantial, committed and integrated daily spiritual and self-healing practice.​
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6. EXPERIENCE OF THE PRACTITIONER
IS REIKI THEIR MAIN FOCUS?
Consider is whether Reiki is the practitioner’s main focus or more of a side offering. While part-time Practitioners can still be effective, those who are deeply immersed in the work often have more consistent experience and a stronger energetic presence. Reiki practitioners continue to deepen their spiritual cultivation the more they practice, both on themselves and with others. The more time spent in the healing and spiritual space, the more opportunity they have to embody and truly integrate the practice into who they are and how they serve.
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HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN PRACTICING?
While time alone doesn’t guarantee a Practitioner is an effective channel, those who have worked as Reiki Healers over a longer period are more likely to have developed greater sensitivity, depth, and experience working with a wide range of people, issues, and ailments, especially if Reiki has been their main professional focus over that time. When combined with the other factors listed here, this can be an important consideration.
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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.​
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7. INTUITIVE PRACTICE vs SET POSITIONS AND TIMING
In the majority of Western Reiki practices, a standard set of hand positions is used for every client and each position is timed regardless of their situation or condition.
In Traditional Japanese Reiki, Practitioners were trained in an advanced technique known as the 'Byosen Technique', where they were trained to sense the 'troubled ' areas on each client and work intuitively. It was considered to be more efficient and effective than using standard hand positions.
An advanced Reiki Practitioner works intuitively on the areas of your body where the Reiki is most needed according to your unique needs. Each position is not timed but determined by how much energy is needed in each position.
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Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who works intuitively rather than set and timed hand positions.
8. HANDS ON vs HOVERING REIKI
Reiki is traditionally a direct-contact, hands-on modality (over the clothed body of the recipient). There are several benefits to this which are elaborated further on below.
The adaptation to hovering over a position rather than hands-on, is a result of modern sensitives to direct touch and may compromises the benefits of the hands-on approach.
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Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who practice hands-on Reiki, rather than hovers.
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9. SESSION LENGTH & STRUCTURE
An experienced Reiki Practitioner will offer longer sessions (as an option) beyond the standard 45 minutes or one hour. Longer sessions allow for a deeper and more complete healing experience allowing time for pre-discussion, effective hands-on healing and time to integrate the healing after the treatment.
Recommendation: For a comprehensive healing experience, consider Practitioners who offer longer sessions than the standard one hour or less.
Additional Recommendation: When weighing price between Practitioners, consider not just the duration, but the overall value of longer sessions.
10. PRICING, VALUE & UNIQUENESS OF OFFERING
Session prices can vary substantially. When assessing the value of a session, it is important to take into account various factors including:​
The type of Reiki offered (is it specialised or general Westernised Reiki)
The duration of sessions (some are longer than others and offer additional benefits)
The experience, depth of training and self-healing and spiritual practices of the Practitioner (this is vital in determining value of session)
Effectiveness of sessions based on testimonials and whether the Practitioner uses more advanced healing techniques (including intuitive Reiki vs set and timed positions)
The level of capacity for the Practitioner to hold space and your personal connection and energetic fit with the Practitioner
11. INSURANCE COVER OF YOUR PRACTITIONER
Although Reiki is very low-risk, it is always recommended to only see a Reiki Practitioner who is covered for negligence & Public Liability.
12. CLIENT TESTIMONIALS AND REPUTATION
Look for a Practitioner with a solid number of testimonials, whether on Google or their website. Around 20–30 reviews or more can offer a clear and consistent sense of who they are and how they work. This is much less about 'the more the better', and more about the quality of the reviews and the sense you obtain from them.
Pay attention to the energy and feel of the Practitioner through the eyes of their clients: their character, ability to hold space, and the depth of their Reiki experience, as reflected in client outcomes.
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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.
13. WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Take time to explore the Practitioner’s website and social media pages, as these often offer valuable insight into their style, values, and approach to Reiki.
This isn't about who has the most followers, it's about the energy and tone they communicate with, and the way they speak about Reiki which can reveal a lot about their depth of understanding and the kind of experience you might have with them. It's a great way to get a more personal insight into their engagement and connection with their practice.
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When looking through their website, take time to get a feel for their practice approach and overall style. Be sure to check their 'About Me' page as this often gives a sense of who they are beyond their qualifications.
Their Testimonials or Reviews page can also offer meaningful insight into how clients experience their presence, support, and the healing impact of their sessions. All of this helps build a clearer picture of whether they’re the right fit for you.
Recommendation:
Read through their website to get a feel for who they are, their journey, their style of Reiki, values, and how clients experience working with them.​
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Check their social media to get a better feel for them personally and professionally.
14. PERSONAL CONNECTION & ENERGETIC FIT
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 feeling.
Recommendation: The best way to approach finding the right Practitioner for you, is to get a feel for them via their website and testimonials. Even better, reach out to connect with them directly before booking in a session if you feel that will help you determine your connection. And always trust your instinct - it truly is your greatest guide!
15. BE GUIDED BY YOUR INSTINCT
After considering all the practical factors, from their training and experience to the style of Reiki they offer, it’s just as important to tune into your own instinct.
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.
Recommendation: Tune in to your body and inner voice - trust your instinct - it’s often the most reliable guide.
A DEEPER DIVE
HOW TO FIND THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU
REIKI TIP
1 & 2
THE IMPORTANCE OF IN-PERSON REIKI TRAINING AND REIKI LINEAGE
THE IMPORTANCE OF REIJU
IN PERSON vs ONLINE TRAINING
The passing on of Reiki from Teacher to student in person, known as 'Reiju,' 'initiation,' or 'attunement,' is an essential energetic transfer that opens the student's/practitioner's capacity to channel Reiki. This is a vital aspect of Reiki training and was always done in person, from founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui to his students and from his studnets to their students and so forth.
This direct process from Teacher to student works similarly to tuning into the correct station with an antenna on a radio.​
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With the rise of online courses, the authenticity of attunements becomes questionable, as some courses don't provide proper (or any) attunements or Energetic transfer.
Consequently, it is vital to enquire about a Reiki Practitioner's training, ensuring they studied Reiki in person with a Reiki Shihan/Master.
REIKI LINEAGE
The sacred tradition of Reiju - passed down from Founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui, to his Master students, who, in turn, imparted the energy ritual onto their students and successive generations - is known as 'Reiki Lineage'.
In order to know that a Practitioner is offering authentic Reiki, their lineage should always trace directly back to Reiki Founder, Mikao Usui. This ensures the Practitioner has a genuine and reliable connection to Reiki Energy.
You can see examples of what a typical Reiki Lineage looks like here.
REIKI TIP 3
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REIKI SYSTEM (AND TRAINING) PRACTICED BY YOUR REIKI PRACTITIONER
There are hundreds of different Reiki systems today, each with their own modifications and adaptations to the original teachings of Usui Sensei. And with these adaptations and modifications, the obvious questions that arises is, how much has this system changed the original practice and how does that impact the intensity or effectiveness of the Reiki channeled?
With so many options, it becomes challenging to discern what type of healing you are truly receiving and how much is genuine Reiki.​
Over the years, I’ve researched and trained in many different systems and have come to understand that there are broadly two categories of Reiki systems, Japanese and Western Reiki.
The Japanese systems centre around spiritual cultivation, self-purification as a pathway to the Practitioner becoming a clearer, more open channel for Reiki. These systems have intentionally stayed true to the essence of the original Practice (as taught by Reiki founder, Mikao Usui in Japan) and include advanced healing and energy techniques such as the Byosen technique for sensing energy and intuitive Reiki as well as a powerful detoxing technique known as zenshin kekko, done at the end of every healing session.
By contrast, Western Reiki systems (such as Traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho), which is now the most widespread globally, focus almost entirely on hands-on healing and have removed many of the practices that help cultivate the Practitioner spiritually and energetically to be an open channel for Reiki as well as the traditional spiritual and intuitive practices that are designed to enhance the efficiency and intensity of a Reiki healing session.
While the energy is still Reiki, these changes can affect how deeply and effectively a Practitioner is able to channel it and the overall intensity of the healing experience.
In my experience, the Japanese systems, Jikiden Reiki most closely reflects the teachings and practices of the original Japanese Reiki teachings, with Komyo ReikiDo a close second.
Jikiden Reiki, meaning “directly taught,” transmits the healing techniques exactly as taught by Hayashi Sensei (Usui’s final Shihan student). Komyo ReikiDo builds upon these same teachings, integrating adaptations while retaining a strong focus on spiritual practice.
While Gendai Reiki is also a Japanese system, it acknowledges itself as a system that blends traditional elements with a heavy emphasis on Westernised Reiki, a more complex discussion than required here.
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For this reason, in my own practice, I’ve chosen to teach and offer sessions in Jikiden Reiki and Komyo ReikiDo, as I find these systems uphold the integrity, depth, and spiritual heart of the original Reiki tradition.
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As Jikiden Reiki and Komyo Reiki Do are my preferred choice, if you are looking for a Practitioner near you, this would be where I'd start.
ADDITIONAL MODALITIES
Aside from the Reiki system itself, it’s also important to consider whether a Practitioner incorporates other modalities such as crystals, metaphysical elements, I Ching, or Tarot into their sessions. It's important to understand that these practices are not part of traditional Reiki.
That said, I don’t believe these additions necessarily detract from a session, provided they don’t replace or reduce the time dedicated to Reiki itself. In other words, if you’re booking a Reiki session, it’s important that you receive a full session of Reiki, not just a few minutes of it surrounded by other healing tools.
If a Practitioner blends multiple modalities, it’s worth asking how much of the session will be dedicated to Reiki specifically - that way you can make an informed choice about what you’re receiving.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SYSTEM OF REIKI PRACTICED BY YOUR REIKI THERAPIST
REIKI TIP 4
CERTIFICATION LEVEL OF YOUR REIKI PRACTITIONER
CERTIFICATION LEVELS EXPLAINED
Level I, known as the Beginners/Student Level, offers the basic training and an initial attunement to access Reiki. Students are encouraged to practice on themselves, close friends, and family but are advised not to practice professionally until gaining sufficient experience. This period of practice is essential for understanding the intricacies of Reiki, although it is often fast-tracked in some courses whilst giving them time to deepen their own healing and spiritual growth.
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Level II, the Practitioner/Certification Level, empowers students with greater access to Reiki through additional attunements and sacred symbols. They learn to practice distance healing. After completing this level, students become Certified Reiki Practitioners.
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Level III and beyond, the Teacher Level, is designed for those who want to teach Reiki and pass it down to students. It focuses solely on attuning the practitioner to be able to initiate others into Reiki. Some systems have Level IIIA and IIIB allowing for an "Apprenticeship" period before Shihan or Mastery, but this is only relevant for those interested in teaching.
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It is possible that a more advanced Practitioner (if they have depth to their spiritual practices) may be a greater Reiki Channel, but this is an individual thing and it is really hard to qualify as the depth of their own healing and spiritual growth may not necessarily be determined by how long they have been practicing or how many qualifications they have. Asking them questions about their spiritual journey and practice, getting a feel for them, reading their reviews and trusting your instinct are just some of the ways to try an ascertain the depth and quality of them as healers.
When is comes to level of training, at the very least, when seeking a Reiki Practitioner, it is advisable to find someone with Level II or III training.
REIKI TIP 5
WHY THE SPIRITUAL AND ENERGETIC HABITS OF YOUR REIKI PRACTITIONER ARE IMPORTANT
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR REIKI THERAPIST'S DAILY SPIRITUAL AND SELF-HEALING PRACTICE ROUTINE
The depth of a Reiki Practitioner's spiritual practice and healing directly impacts the quality and intensity of the Reiki they Channel. However, many Westernised Reiki systems do not emphasise the importance of the Healer's self-practice. This is why it is essential to make sure any Reiki Practitioner you seek has a devoted self-healing practice and that they have a deep spiritual integration of their practice.
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In Reiki these include meditating on the precepts twice a day (Gokai), Hatsurei Ho method of generating enerygy, Self-Healing Reiki and Gassho meditation. Ask if they have a daily committed self-practice and what that includes, do they do any other additional practices like traditional yogic spiritual practices or Qi Gong, for example?
You may even want to ask them what they have learnt from their practices and how they have grown spiritually. If their daily practice is a tokenistic 20 minutes a day, it might be better to keep searching. ​
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Inquiring about their daily spiritual and self-healing routine, not only ensures integrity and authenticity but also practicality, as their spiritual well-being influences their ability to be clear and open Channels for facilitating Reiki.
REIKI TIP 6
HANDS-ON VS HOVERING REIKI
HOVERING HANDS
Some Reiki practitioners have adopted a method of 'hovering' their hands above the body instead of placing them directly on it. However, this approach deviates from the original teachings and may not yield the most optimal results.
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The power of human touch combined with Reiki's healing energy is a beautiful and effective aspect of hands-on practice, preferred for its profound results.
Clients often report feeling more held and connected to the energy and experience subtle sensations during hands-on Reiki, leading to a deeper sense of relaxation and nurturing.
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Hovering, on the other hand, may result in a sense of disconnection both physically and energetically. 'Where the attention goes the energy flows'. When clients know where the Practitioner's hands are placed on their body, even on a subconscious level, their own attention and energy is drawn to that area, potentially increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
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In traditional Japanese Reiki there is also a technique known as Byosen Reiki Ho where 'trouble areas' are detected by the Practitioner through their hands being in contact with the recipient and using a special symbol while the Healer's hand remains in contact with the recipient's body, to help remove any stagnation or areas of trouble.
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While hovering can be beneficial for clients with injuries, hands-on practice is the best practice as intended by Reiki Founder, Usui Sensei, for most situations.
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REIKI TIP 7
THE IMPORTANCE OF INTUITIVE REIKI HANDS POSITIONS AND FLEXIBLE TIMING
COUNTING
TIME
Some practitioners adopt a streamlined approach to Reiki, timing each hand position in fixed session durations. However, this one-size-fits-all method is contrary to the Traditional practice of Reiki which emphasises intuitive Reiki healing to cater to individual physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Reiki therapy works by facilitating a connection between the recipient and Universal Energy. The recipient's energy body instinctively guides the process. To receive the optimal benefits of Reiki, it is crucial for the practitioner to allow the higher intelligence of the recipient's energy body to direct the treatment as needed. The practitioner must not interfere or limit the flow of Reiki before the recipient has drawn the necessary energy for each position, ensuring a more personalized and effective healing experience.
As unique beings, we have distinct requirements based on our conditions and experiences. The time and hands-positions needed for a broken arm differ from those with depression, trauma, cancer treatment, or end-of-life care. Moreover, there is no uniformity as to where and for how long the Reiki will be needed even for two people with the same condition, as the root cause for each may differ. Each person and position in Reiki treatment varies, depending on the recipient and their unique needs.
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The role of a Reiki practitioner is to 'tune in' and be guided by your energy body and not to interfere with your healing process or restrict the Reiki supply prematurely by timing hand positions. This is your unique journey with Reiki. This approach honors your individual healing process and maximizes the potential of Reiki's transformative power.
YOU ARE UNIQUE
ALLOWING REIKI TO ADDRESS YOU OWN UNIQUE NEEDS
