What Is a Reiki Certification?

Reiki is a energy based healing practice that can be traced to Japan. It is now quite popular in the West. Reiki practitioners channel universal energy through their hands to treat themselves or others. There are generally three levels of certification taught by a Reiki master to practitioners of this alternative healing method.

Types

• Level one and two Reiki certification usually happens over the course of two to three days, according to the National Institute of Health, but master level can take years.

Function

• Reiki certification is designed to allow practitioners to practice Reiki on clients as a stand alone therapy or in conjunction with other disciplines, such as massage therapy or nursing.

Significance

• Reiki certifications may be used for continuing education credits (CEUs) by nurses, massage practitioners and occupational therapists, according to the International Center for Reiki Training (Reiki.org).

Considerations

• Reiki is a controversial form of healing that has yet to prove any health benefits, according to a review of over 200 studies of Reiki published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice in April 2008.

Warning

• Reiki schools and certification programs are unregulated by external or governmental bodies and there is no set price for Reiki certification programs. Beware of scams and fraud.