No, I just used information from the consent form my Reiki Master had along with information from the Reiki federation. To be honest, I don't think you need a lawyer as Reiki is not harmful and all I am doing is making sure the client understands the treatment.
No, I just used information from the consent form my Reiki Master had along with information from the Reiki federation. To be honest, I don't think you need a lawyer as Reiki is not harmful and all I am doing is making sure the client understands the treatment.
Yes I thought the same as it was not harmful but wanted to check as actually hadn't considered a constent form before. Thanks for the advise!
Hi,
It's so nice to hear a professional discussion about Reiki. In terms of a consent form - I don't use one as I believe consent is given when they book a session. I may be naive but...
But my point was that Reiki is not harmful - absolutely correct - but the therapist? I have heard cases of healers who basically should not be healing as they are a danger to clients either through lack of training or through stepping WAY over boundaries.
This is another area in which the client needs protection.
Kindest regards,
Christina
This is another area in which the client needs protection.
... that's an area where the Reiki person needs training. Proper training.
Hi,
I have heard cases of healers who basically should not be healing as they are a danger to clients either through lack of training or through stepping WAY over boundaries.Kindest regards,
Christina
Really!! I am intrigued and can't imagine what a Reiki therapist could do that might be considered a danger to clients. Are you able to elaborate?
Really!! I am intrigued and can't imagine what a Reiki therapist could do that might be considered a danger to clients. Are you able to elaborate?
I thought exactly the same, please tell......
Really!! I am intrigued and can't imagine what a Reiki therapist could do that might be considered a danger to clients. Are you able to elaborate?
Perhaps things like placing hands in places that are considered 'inappropriate'. I know in traditional japanese reiki, if you look at some of the hand positions for treating some conditions, they are not ones that would be considered appropriate in "normal western society", There's also the danger of a therapist trying to diagnose conditions or offer a prognosis for a condition... something which is considered to be against the law in many countries if you are not medically trained. Also, some therapists can offer inappropriate advise about reducing medications or (and I've heard this one myself) suggesting a person should stop taking a meditation in favour of some natural remedy (not saying that the natural remedy wouldn't work, but telling people to stop their medication is a big no no!)
Having a consent form is a good idea for both client and practitioner. It allows the client to understand what the therapy provides (some clients do come along without a clue, just because a friend has recommended they try it, or they're desperate and are trying everything under the sun) as well as their responsibility for dealing with their medical doctor in terms of medications, and allowing them to express any concerns or objections about any aspect of the treatment prior to it happening. It also covers the practitioner in terms of the client coming back with any "You told me I should do such and such..." when in fact you have offered advice that they can look into themselves rather than telling them specifically to do things. etc.
There are good practitioners, and bad practitioners, and good clients and bad clients in all the world of therapies. In the modern blame culture and with lawful restrictions, it's good to have documentary evidence to show what has been discussed between the two parties. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Perhaps things like placing hands in places that are considered 'inappropriate'. I know in traditional japanese reiki, if you look at some of the hand positions for treating some conditions, they are not ones that would be considered appropriate in "normal western society", There's also the danger of a therapist trying to diagnose conditions or offer a prognosis for a condition... something which is considered to be against the law in many countries if you are not medically trained. Also, some therapists can offer inappropriate advise about reducing medications or (and I've heard this one myself) suggesting a person should stop taking a meditation in favour of some natural remedy (not saying that the natural remedy wouldn't work, but telling people to stop their medication is a big no no!)
Having a consent form is a good idea for both client and practitioner. It allows the client to understand what the therapy provides (some clients do come along without a clue, just because a friend has recommended they try it, or they're desperate and are trying everything under the sun) as well as their responsibility for dealing with their medical doctor in terms of medications, and allowing them to express any concerns or objections about any aspect of the treatment prior to it happening. It also covers the practitioner in terms of the client coming back with any "You told me I should do such and such..." when in fact you have offered advice that they can look into themselves rather than telling them specifically to do things. etc.
There are good practitioners, and bad practitioners, and good clients and bad clients in all the world of therapies. In the modern blame culture and with lawful restrictions, it's good to have documentary evidence to show what has been discussed between the two parties. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Thanks Giles this was useful!
I am shocked that a Reiki practitioner would dare to tell someone to reduce or stop their meds 😮
Where are their brains?? And as for inappropriate touching, surely that's just common sense. I always ask what people are comfortable with and explain what I am going to do and which areas I will be working on and if the client does not want to be touched at all then that's fine, I will just work above the body instead.
Even when carrying out massage treatments we were always taught to respect the dignity of clients and ensure they were comfortable about what cloths were to be removed and we made sure that the towel always more than covered any areas we shouldn't be touching.
Personally, I always think it's best to ask the client what they are comfortable with.
Inappropriate touching may depend on the community one is practicing Reiki in... I think it was 5 or 6 years ago I attended a Gay Men's Reiki weekend workshop in San Francisco. I did not know anyone who was attending, nor were any who attended my friends, clients, or Reiki students.
During the first treatment exchange I lay down onto a table (fully clothed as is the norm, excepting only my shoes) and awaited someone to approach. An older man approached the table and politely introduced himself. He asked if I had received Reiki before, and I nodded with a "yes". He placed his hands on my chest and the workshop facilitator signaled all providers to start the treatment.
His hands slowly walked down my torso in a way similar to the procedure I would teach, but there was a difference when he got to the groin area... He placed his hands directly on my genitals.
Needless to say I was a bit surprised. Once his hands were in the new position, I realized that because it was a Gay Men's group gentle cupping and touching of the genitals was to be expected -- but honestly what surprised me the most was that he didn't give me any indicator that he was going to place his hands there... When his hands moved from my belly, I was expecting them to go where I would put my hands on any client and where I would teach all of my students -- the sides of the hips in a slight V-position that is at a safe distance away from the genitals -- but his hands gently rested right on my privates.
I was going to ask him to move his hands to the sides of my hips, but I noticed that a huge flow of Reiki was suddenly flowing through my system to his, and when I looked at him I noticed that his eyes were closed and that he had started to break out into a sweat -- between the flow of healing energy and the reaction of his body, it was obvious that he needed the healing so I simply let things be as they were.
I recognize that there are a lot of LGBT individuals who need sexual healing, and that genital touching in a safe environment can greatly contribute to that healing -- but I did not need that level of healing. And I haven't returned to the group since that time, either.
But boundaries are subjective to the community, to the environment, where they are practiced. What may be inappropriate touching in one environment may be perfectly appropriate (and even expected) in another.
I am shocked that a Reiki practitioner would dare to tell someone to reduce or stop their meds 😮
Where are their brains??
Indeed. But some people get so passionate about their belief in natural remedies (or are so very anti orthodox treatment) that they don't care about the law. It does happen.
And as for inappropriate touching, surely that's just common sense. I always ask what people are comfortable with and explain what I am going to do and which areas I will be working on and if the client does not want to be touched at all then that's fine, I will just work above the body instead.
Which is good, and that's part of the consultation, so you would have on your consultation form that the client is signing to say that you have explained where you are going to place the hands and the client is happy with what you have explained.
If you have the following book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Reiki-Handbook-Mikao-Usui/dp/0914955578
There is one position for treating one ailment (can't recall which one) where he puts his hand... as my beloved would put it... "right on her foofy". 😀 But again, we're talking about Japanese society where such things may not necessarily be seen as wrong when giving healing, as we would consider it to be in the west (just like the age of consent in Japan is 13 which many in the west would be horrified at).
Personally, I always think it's best to ask the client what they are comfortable with.
Absolutely. That's the need for consultation.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi,
Whilst I won't go into details a Reiki healer is still a human being and can make the same mistakes, say the wrong thing and act in physically inappropriate ways with a potentially vulnerable and trusting client.
Kindest regards,
Christina