Frequently Asked Questions about Healing
Many people understandably have questions about Healing, especially those that are new to the practice. Drawing on our 40+ years’ experience of advancing the practice of Healing, we have put together a list of answers to the most commonly asked questions. We have kept these as jargon-free as possible but if there are terms here you are unfamiliar with, just let us know. Your Healing practitioner should be able to answer any questions specific to your unique circumstances and situation.
- What is Healing Energy?
Different Healing practitioners have different names for healing energy including chi, prana, ki, or universal energy. Typically it is understood as a natural positive energy that exists within the universe and is vital to wellbeing. It is believed to come from a higher source, which may be natural or divine.
- How does healing work?
A common understanding is that healing works by intentional activation of a person’s own inherent self-healing mechanism in order to restore wellbeing. As wellbeing involves the whole person, healing works at an emotional, mental, physical, spiritual and psychological level in order to bring about a restored sense of balance. The process of healing is brought about by the channelling or focussing of healing energy through the healer to the person receiving healing.
- Is Healing the same as Spiritual Healing, Reiki and Energy Therapy?
Healing has a variety of names and practices including these and many more. A helpful way to understand this is that they are all different ways of achieving the same result.
- Can anyone have healing?
Yes, anyone from a baby to an adult; from the healthy, the pregnant, to the terminally ill may have healing and it can be safely used alongside medical treatment and other therapies. As healing concerns the whole person it can be beneficial and helpful at different times in life, not just situations where you might feel unwell. For example, people can find comfort and help from healing in times of bereavement, stress and times of upheaval and unrest.
- Can anything have healing?
As healing involves energy, any living thing can have healing, including animals, and there are healers who specialise in animal healing. Healers also regularly send healing into situations of stress, conflict and even war.
- Can healing cure me?
No reputable healer would ever claim to be able to cure people. Our registered healers along with many others are bound by their Code of Conduct never to claim to cure. They will only ever speak of the benefits that can be found through healing, backed up by their own experiences.
- What can healing do for me?
Healing can be helpful with a wide range of conditions and because it seeks out the underlying cause affecting wellbeing, the outcome of a healing session may be beneficial in an unexpected way and not necessarily immediately.
- Does healing require faith?
While faith can help some recipients of healing, just as it does in life as a whole, it is not necessary to have faith or any religious belief to believe in healing or to benefit from it. Perhaps the most helpful thing is an open mind and a willingness to receive healing.
- Are there side effects from healing?
Occasionally people can feel worse for a few days before improving, but this is all part of the healing process. If this happens, give yourself the time to rest up and relax to allow the process to work. Should you feel any concern, contact your Healing practitioner.
- Should I tell my doctor that I am receiving healing?
It is your choice but it is in the best interests of both you and your healthcare professional to discuss any complementary treatment you are considering or receiving. After all, Healing is a recognised complementary therapy as denoted in the House of Lords Science & Technology – Sixth Report printed 21 November 2000. As such, healing complements the treatments your healthcare professional is giving you, therefore it is important to maintain an open, ongoing discussion with them, especially about any positive benefits you experience.
- What if my doctor advises me against healing?
The CHO was instrumental in negotiating a change of policy that allows healers to provide healing for patients under the supervision of their doctors. Therefore we feel that it would be very unusual for your doctor to advise you against healing. Ultimately the choice remains yours. However, if you do choose to receive or continue to receive healing, it may help to reassure your doctor by confirming that you will see a registered healer and to point out that you will remain under your doctor’s charge.
- Can anyone be a healer?
In one sense we can all be healers. A parent, carer, doctor, nurse, or anyone able to put aside his or her own self in the act of tending or caring is giving healing. Registered healers are people who have chosen to train and learn how best to use healing energy for the wellbeing of others.
- Do all healers have to be registered?
The simple answer is no, but training and registration is something we take very seriously. As a condition of membership within the CHO, our full member organisations’ training has to reach a high standard and their members are insured as such. We are constantly updating our membership criteria, taking the National Occupational Standards for Healing into account. Individual healers’ names and contact details are held on a register by their professional association (our full member organisations). It would be wise to check a healer’s credentials with their professional association before booking an appointment. It is good practice to ask your healer to see their membership certificate and certificate of insurance.
Because we have been recognised, along with UK Healers, as Joint Lead Body for Healing by the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT) our member organisations’ individual healer members are entitled to voluntarily join the national register held by the GRCCT. This is used by the NHS and members of the public to check a healer’s registration status.
- How confidential is my treatment?
Healers treat your confidentiality with the same importance as your healthcare professional. The only time a healer will share their records is if requested to by the client or for legal purposes. All records must be kept securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
- What happens at a healing session?
Each healer will have their own unique way of holding a healing session but there will be a number of things in common. A healer will typically begin by explaining what to expect and answer any questions that you may have. Then you simply sit in a chair or lie on a couch in relaxing surroundings whilst the healer works around you, either with a light touch or none at all - it is your choice. There is no requirement to remove any clothing except for maybe shoes or a top coat. It is quite normal to feel tingling, heat, coolness, the sensation of a flow of energy, as well as other sensations such as seeing colours, or alternatively nothing at all. What you feel however makes no difference to the outcome. Your job is to relax as much as you can during the session and allow it all to happen.
- Is absent healing the same as distant healing?
“Absent healing” refers to the practice of sending out healing energy by a form of focussed intent, when the recipient is not present. The phrase “distant healing” is often used in the same context but is also used to denote non-contact healing.
- How long does healing take?
Healing sessions can vary in time depending on the situation and how a healer works. This is something to establish when making an appointment. One session may be sufficient, but it is more usual that several sessions are needed dependent on how deep-seated the presenting condition is.
- How much does healing cost?
There is no one rate for healing. Many healers work on a voluntary basis and give healing by donation. Others charge on a per session basis. We advise that anyone seeking healing asks about charges before booking an appointment.
We trust you found the above helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch via our Contact page and we will do our best to help in any way we can.
