What to Expect in Your First Reiki Session (and How to Prepare)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or weighed down by grief or stress, you’re not alone. Many people carry emotional experiences in their bodies without realizing it. Over time, this can show up as tension, fatigue, or a constant feeling of being “on edge.”
I offer Reiki and energy healing as a gentle way to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and begin releasing what no longer serves you. My approach is grounded, supportive, and focused on helping you feel safe in your body again—whether we meet in person in Dallas, TX or connect virtually.
This article will walk you through what to expect in your first Reiki session, how Reiki works, and how you can prepare so you feel comfortable and supported every step of the way.
What Reiki Is (and What It Isn’t)
A simple explanation of Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that supports stress reduction, relaxation, and overall wellness. It works with the body’s natural life force energy—the energy that helps you feel balanced, clear, and grounded.
When life becomes overwhelming, that energy can feel blocked or depleted. Reiki helps restore flow, allowing your nervous system to settle and your body to move out of survival mode.
What Reiki is not
Reiki is not:
A medical treatment
A replacement for therapy or healthcare
About forcing change or “fixing” you
Instead, Reiki supports your body’s own ability to regulate, rest, and process experiences at a pace that feels safe.
Why People Seek Reiki and Energy Healing
People come to Reiki for many reasons. You might be:
Experiencing anxiety or chronic stress
Carrying unresolved grief or emotional pain
Feeling disconnected from yourself
Going through a life transition
Struggling to slow down or rest
Often, it’s not one big thing—it’s the buildup of many small things over time. Reiki creates space for your system to soften and reset.
How our Reiki Session Begins
We start with conversation
When you arrive—either in my Dallas office or on a video call—we begin with a short conversation. This is a chance for you to share what’s present for you right now.
You don’t need to have the “right words.” You can talk about:
What’s been heavy lately
What’s feeling stuck
Anything that’s coming up emotionally or physically
Sometimes people are surprised by what comes out once they start talking. That’s okay. This space is here for honesty and curiosity, not perfection.
Naming what’s ready to be seen
Often, we move through life by pushing past discomfort just to function. Over time, this can turn into patterns, tension, or emotional shutdown. When you’re ready, those patterns begin to surface.
This part of the session helps gently bring awareness to what your body and nervous system are holding—without pressure or judgment.
Why the Body Matters in Healing
We can understand something with our minds, but that doesn’t always mean the body feels safe or settled. The body holds memory, emotion, and stress in its own way.
When emotional experiences aren’t fully processed, they can show up as:
Tight shoulders or jaw
Low back pain
Shallow breathing
A constant sense of alertness
This is where Reiki becomes especially supportive. It helps shift the energetic imprint held in the body, not just the story in the mind.
What Happens During the Reiki Portion of the Session
Getting comfortable
You’ll lie fully clothed on a padded massage table. You can choose whether the table is heated or not. I’ll support your body with bolsters under your knees and blankets so you feel warm, grounded, and secure.
I’ll ask you to remove items like watches or belts—anything that might distract from your comfort. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing is best.
Gentle hands-on energy healing
I place my hands gently on or just above different areas of your body. Common placements include:
Head and face
Shoulders and neck
Back and low back
Belly and hips
Legs and thighs
You remain covered with a blanket the entire time. There is no pressure, manipulation, or force involved.
Your body leads the session. I follow its cues.
What You Might Feel During Reiki
Every Reiki experience is different. There is no “right” way to feel.
You might notice:
Deep relaxation
A sense of calm or peace
Warmth, coolness, or tingling
Emotional release
Feeling grounded and clear
Some people feel subtle shifts. Others notice more noticeable sensations. Both are completely normal. Reiki works on the whole self—body, heart, and mind—even if the experience feels quiet.
After the Session: How People Often Feel
Most clients leave feeling:
Less overwhelmed
More connected to themselves
Calm and steady
Better resourced emotionally
The effects can continue unfolding in the hours or days after your session. You may notice changes in sleep, mood, or how you respond to stress.
Healing is not about rushing. It’s about creating safety so your system can unwind naturally.
How to Prepare for Your First Reiki Session
You don’t need to do much to prepare. A few gentle tips:
Wear comfortable clothing
Eat lightly beforehand if possible
Arrive with an open mind
Allow yourself to rest afterward
Most importantly, come as you are. You don’t need to know what you want to work on or have everything figured out.
Reiki as Part of Ongoing Wellness
Reiki is not a one-time fix. It’s a supportive practice that can help you build awareness, resilience, and connection over time.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, stress, grief, or simply wanting to feel more at ease in your body, Reiki offers a grounded path back to yourself.
Ready to Experience Reiki for Yourself?
If you’re curious about Reiki and energy healing, I invite you to schedule a session with me. I offer Reiki in Dallas, TX as well as virtual sessions, depending on what feels best for you.
This is a space where you don’t have to perform, explain, or hold it all together. You’re welcome exactly as you are.
When you’re ready, you can book your Reiki session and begin the process of reconnecting with your own natural balance and inner support.