Gentle healing that works beneath the surface
A non-invasive form of energy healing that supports your body’s natural ability to restore balance. No diagnosis, no pressure, no talking required — just a calm, restorative space where your nervous system can finally let go.
What is Usui Reiki Ryōhō
Reiki is a Japanese healing practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1920s. The word itself translates as ‘universal life energy’ — ‘rei’ meaning universal, ‘ki’ meaning life force. It’s the same vital energy that acupuncture, qi gong, and traditional Chinese medicine have worked with for thousands of years.
During a session, the practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above the body in a series of positions. There’s no manipulation, no pressure, no need to undress. You remain fully clothed throughout. The experience is deeply calming — most people describe a warm, gentle sensation and a profound sense of stillness.
Clare practises Usui Reiki Ryoho — the traditional Japanese lineage that traces directly back to Mikao Usui. This isn’t a reinterpretation or a modern hybrid. It’s the original system, passed down through an unbroken line of practitioners, and it carries a depth and subtlety that sets it apart from many Western adaptations.
Reiki doesn’t require belief, conversation, or any effort from you. It works with the body’s own natural ability to rebalance and restore. For people who find talking therapies difficult, or who carry tension they can’t quite articulate, Reiki offers a different way in.
What the research says
Reiki is increasingly recognised within healthcare settings. It’s offered in over 60 NHS trusts across the UK as a complementary therapy, and a growing body of peer-reviewed research supports its physiological effects.
Nervous System Regulation
Research published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system — shifting the body from fight-or-flight into rest-and-repair mode. Heart rate variability improved significantly in participants receiving Reiki compared to placebo.
Cortisol Reduction
A 2017 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine measured salivary cortisol and IgA levels before and after Reiki sessions. Participants showed statistically significant reductions in cortisol (the primary stress hormone) alongside improvements in immune function markers.
Pain & Anxiety Relief
A systematic review across 13 randomised controlled trials found that Reiki produced statistically significant improvements in pain intensity and anxiety levels compared to control groups. The review, published in the Journal of Pain Management, noted particular efficacy for pre-operative anxiety and chronic pain conditions.
NHS Recognition
Reiki is offered as a complementary therapy across more than 60 NHS trusts in the UK, including cancer centres and palliative care units. It’s recognised by the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
Reiki and hypnotherapy — working together
Most practitioners offer one or the other. I am trained in both — and that combination is what makes my approach genuinely different. Where hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious patterns driving your symptoms, Reiki works at the energetic and somatic level to release what the body is holding. Together, they address the full picture: mind, body, and energy field.
Reiki alone
Releases stored tension and restores energetic balance. Calms the nervous system. Creates space for the body’s own healing response. Works beautifully for relaxation, stress, and physical discomfort.
Hypnotherapy alone
Accesses subconscious patterns, beliefs, and emotional roots. Rewrites the inner narrative. Addresses the psychological drivers behind anxiety, habits, and self-sabotage. Powerful for targeted behavioural change.
Combined approach
The mind and body are addressed simultaneously. Subconscious reprogramming is supported by somatic release. Clients report deeper shifts, faster progress, and a sense of wholeness that neither modality achieves alone. This is Clare’s signature approach.
What to expect
Arrival and settling in
You’ll arrive at Clare’s calm, private treatment room in Shilton, Burford. There’s a brief conversation about how you’re feeling and what you’d like to focus on — though you don’t need to share anything you’re not comfortable with. You remain fully clothed and lie on a comfortable treatment couch.
Scanning and connection
Clare begins by scanning your energy field — holding her hands above you to sense where energy is blocked, depleted, or overactive. This isn’t performative. It’s a practised, intuitive process that guides the rest of the session. Many clients feel warmth, tingling, or a subtle magnetic pull during this stage.
The healing session
Clare places her hands gently on or just above a series of positions across your head, shoulders, torso, and limbs. Each position is held for several minutes, allowing the energy to flow where it’s needed. Most people enter a deeply relaxed state — somewhere between waking and sleeping. Some see colours, feel waves of warmth, or experience emotional release. Others simply drift into profound stillness.
Closing and grounding
The session closes with grounding techniques to bring you gently back. Clare will share what she noticed in your energy field — areas of intensity, release, or blockage. You’ll have a glass of water and a few minutes to reorient before leaving.
Aftercare
You may feel deeply relaxed, energised, or emotional in the hours after a session — all normal responses. Clare will provide simple aftercare guidance: drink plenty of water, rest if you need to, and notice what shifts over the following days. Many clients report improved sleep and a sense of lightness that builds gradually.
People who benefit most from Reiki
Reiki is gentle enough for anyone — and I work with a wide range of people. But it’s particularly powerful for:
Chronic stress & burnout
When your nervous system has been stuck in overdrive for so long that rest doesn’t feel restful anymore.
Grief & loss
When the weight of loss sits in the body and words don’t seem adequate. Reiki meets grief without requiring you to talk about it.
Physical tension & pain
Chronic pain, headaches, digestive issues, or tension with no clear medical explanation. The body often holds what the mind hasn’t processed.
Sleep difficulties
Insomnia, restless sleep, or waking exhausted. Reiki helps recalibrate the nervous system so the body can settle into deeper, more restorative rest.
Recovery & transition
Post-surgery, post-illness, or navigating a major life change. When the body needs support to rebuild and the mind needs space to adjust.
Talking therapy resistance
If CBT or counselling hasn’t worked for you, or if you find verbalising your experience difficult, Reiki offers a non-verbal route to release and healing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to believe in Reiki for it to work?
No. Reiki doesn’t require belief, intention, or any particular mindset. It works with the body’s own energy systems regardless of what you think about it. Many of Clare’s clients arrive sceptical and leave genuinely surprised by what they experience.
What will I feel during a session?
Everyone’s experience is different. Common sensations include warmth, gentle tingling, a feeling of heaviness or lightness, and deep relaxation. Some people see colours or have emotional releases. Others feel very little during the session itself but notice significant shifts in the days that follow. There’s no wrong way to experience Reiki.
How many sessions will I need?
A single session can be profoundly relaxing and restorative. For deeper or more persistent issues, Clare typically recommends an initial course of 3–4 sessions, spaced weekly or fortnightly, to allow the work to build. Many clients then move to monthly maintenance sessions. There’s no lock-in and no pressure — you’ll know what feels right.
Is Reiki safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Reiki is non-invasive and involves no physical manipulation, making it safe throughout pregnancy. Many expectant mothers find it helpful for managing anxiety, sleep difficulties, and the physical discomfort of later pregnancy. Clare will adapt her approach as needed.
Can Reiki replace medical treatment?
No. Reiki is a complementary therapy — it works alongside medical care, not instead of it. Clare will always encourage you to maintain your relationship with your GP or specialist. Reiki supports the body’s healing process and can help manage symptoms, stress, and emotional wellbeing alongside conventional treatment.
What should I wear?
Whatever is comfortable. You remain fully clothed throughout the session — there’s no need to remove anything except your shoes. Loose, comfortable clothing is ideal but not essential.
Do you offer distance Reiki?
Yes. Distance Reiki is a core part of the Usui tradition and works with the same principles as in-person treatment. Clare offers remote sessions via a scheduled appointment — you’ll be guided to lie down in a quiet space at home while she works with your energy field from her treatment room. Many clients find distance sessions just as powerful as in-person ones.
Is Reiki religious or spiritual?
Reiki is not a religion and requires no specific spiritual beliefs. It originated in Japan as a healing practice, not a faith system. People of all beliefs and none benefit from Reiki. Some experience it as deeply spiritual; others see it as a practical relaxation and recovery tool. Both perspectives are equally valid.
What’s the difference between Reiki and other energy healing?
Usui Reiki Ryoho has a specific lineage, methodology, and attunement process that distinguishes it from general energy healing. The practitioner has undergone formal training and attunements that open specific energy channels. It’s a structured, reproducible system rather than an intuitive or improvised practice. Clare’s training traces directly back to Mikao Usui through an unbroken lineage.
Can children receive Reiki?
Yes. Reiki is safe for all ages. Sessions for children are typically shorter and adapted to their comfort level. It can be particularly helpful for children dealing with anxiety, sleep issues, or adjusting to difficult life changes. A parent or guardian is welcome to remain in the room throughout.
Start with a conversation
Not sure if Reiki is right for you? Book a free 15-minute consultation with Clare. No obligation, no pressure — just an honest conversation about what you’re experiencing and how Reiki might help.
Book a free consultation