The client is always in charge during a Reiki session. Don't be afraid to ask for anything that will increase your comfort, whether that be information, adjustments to lights, temperature, music, or position, or not to be touched in any place or way that is uncomfortable for you.

Generally, you have had the opportunity to speak to a practitioner on the phone before you book a session, and presumably you wouldn't be seeing them if they didn't impress you as kind, ethical, knowledgeable, and sensitive to your needs. But if this is the first time you have met the practitioner in person, speak to him/her for a few minutes and ask questions about what will happen so that you are comfortable before you proceed.

Once you are comfortable in mind and body, the session can start. The practitioner may ask you what you would like to accomplish in the session; this will set the intent for the session and give you a chance to put into words what sort of work you give him/her, and the Reiki itself, permission to do.

Your only job is to stay aware of what is happening for you. You may wish to observe quietly or to ask questions. You may wish to describe what is happening, to express the emotions that come up, to follow a deep internal process, or to fall asleep. All of these are okay. If you need to laugh, cry, cough, move around, or take a break from the process to gather yourself or use the bathroom, all of these are okay, too.

What the practitioner is doing during all this is laying his/her hands gently on your person, and feeling the energy flow into you. S/he will move his/her hands when it seems you have received enough energy in a given spot. Reiki is not a massage technique; in pure Reiki the hands will stay still and will not try to manipulate the tissues.

As soon as you are touched, you may notice energy coming from the practitioner's hands. You may feel this as heat, coolness, tingling, buzzing, or just about any sensation. It may occur under the healer's hands or it may occur at any other point in your body. You may feel bundles of tightness release, or you may feel lightness in your limbs.

You may start to experience strong emotions or remember events from your past; how you deal with these things is up to you, but you can get a great deal out of verballising these things in the loving space created by the Reiki. The practitioner may say very little or may ask questions to encourage you to explore further; his/her job is to maintain the space and the energy flow so that you can work through whatever happens to find the answers that are right for you. Any time something gets uncomfortable, you have the right to say you want to stop talking about it.

About the only thing one can say is that every Reiki session is a little different, even for someone who has had many. It makes sense; with every session you complete, you are a little different than when you started.

Some time into a session, the practitioner may ask you to turn over so s/he can work on your back. Generally, a session will last between sixty and ninty minutes, but shorter sessions can be of benefit if there isn't time for the whole package. Some Reiki practitioners get together and do all day marathons for people with severe problems.

Some Reiki practitioners are also trained in other healing techniques such as massage, reflexology, crystal healing, polarity, herbalism, colour therapy....etc etc etc....these things may add to your healing experience, but it is not necessary to add anything to Reiki for it to be healing. The loving space created by Reiki which allows you to open and explore yourself, the flow of balancing energy through your being, and the self-love you show by allowing yourself this experience are all that is necessary for healing.

After a Reiki session, you may need help to get grounded before you try to drive home. You may also find that the healing can continue for two to three days after the session. During this time, emotional material may continue to surface. You may also find that your dreams are more vivid than usual.

Sometimes, you may be offered a distance healing session. The practitioner will be sending Reiki energy to your Higher Self or Soul to use for your healing. Choose a time when you can be undisturbed for an hour, and lay down and open to the energy. If candles or incense will help you focus, use these; if soft music will help you relax, use it. Just welcome the Reiki energy to work on whatever healing issues you would like it to address and stay open and focussed during the time you set aside. This may be a time agreed to by both parties, but most Level Two practitioners will send the energy to be held for you until you open to it.

A single session can help you feel better. A series of three is often recommended at the beginning of healing. Many people like a tune-up once a month. If you have a serious condition more frequent sessions might be of benefit. If you find that you are wanting to receive Reiki often, you might decide to take the Level One training so that you can give yourself Reiki; once you receive Level one, you can give yourself a treatment anytime, and daily use of Reiki can produce remarkable effects in your life.