What is Reiki?
Reiki is an energy healing system that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It utlizes “life force energy” to augment and support the body’s own intrinsic energy which can become drained or blocked as a result of physical, mental and emotional stress. Reiki is a simple technique that is used by a trained practitioner and has been demonstrated to promote emotional well-being, reduce stress and anxiety and to relax and calm the nervous system in many people.
Why is Reiki useful in grief?
Using Reiki on yourself or receiving a treatment with a practitioner can help guide you through the uncomfortable feelings and even physical suffering that grief can bring about. Because Reiki is known to alleviate anxiety and sleep concerns for many who have tried it, it can be particularly helpful for people who are grieving.
How would I expect Reiki to be offered in a grief counselling session at Healthy Directions?
In my practice there are two ways in which Reiki is offered and practiced:
Reiki may be requested or offered during your talk therapy session if traumatic memories arise or you are experiencing somatic reactions while recounting your grief experience. The treatment is applied while you are comfortably reclined in my office chair, with your feet up and a warm blanket placed over you. I spend approximately 20-40mins of treatment and then a few minutes to process and alert yourself before carrying on with your day.
The second is a longer and more focused treatment which would occur in a separate room in my office, in which there is a massage table for this purpose. There you would lie down on a massage table, fully clothed and with pillow and blankets for your comfort. The treatment is 45mins long with 10 mins to process afterwards. Together we would determine the number of amount of sessions, that are right for you as, together we move through your grief or transition story.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool/technique.
Why can Hypnotherapy be helpful with grief and loss?
Death is such a shock to one’s autonomic nervous system. Grief can become complicated and prolonged for many after a death or loss especially if the nature of the death is traumatic, sudden and unexpected. When someone is experiencing prolonged or chronic grief it is recognized that their nervous system is in a state of sympathetic or parasympathetic shock. This is known as the fight or flight response. With these prolonged or complicated grief experiences and shock comes difficulty coping with everyday living activities. Regular activities like sleep and eating are disrupted, focus and concentration, increased fears and anxiousness, fatigue etc. Mind and body therapies like hypnosis and[ mindfulness meditation] are known to soothe the shock experience of the nervous system and help ease the discomfort of the troublesome somatic symptoms that the loss and grief can bring.
What you can expect in session with me if hypnotherapy is being applied?
Together we would have agreed in the first session that hypnotherapy would be a complimentary technique to help you through your grief and soothe the distress in your autonomic nervous system. If you have never encountered hypnosis before, I introduce you to how easy it is to experience. You have full control, I am just a guide. Clinical hypnotherapy is a safe and effective way to quickly move through difficult life challenges.