Part 2 in the Path to Becoming an Energy Healer Series

Hearing the call to help others sometimes feels like a ping-pong ball – you’re bouncing from the excited and motivated energy of stepping into your passion and purpose, then hitting the other paddle of the immense – and often overwhelming – world of opportunity. Embarking on a journey to study energy healing and start a business is exciting and transformative. With numerous modalities available, choosing the right one for you can seem daunting. Understanding your goals and preferences, how each practice resonates with you, and how you can see helping others can simplify the process. As you delve into these options, consider how each modality aligns with your healing philosophy and past experiences and how it can potentially impact your future clients. 

By thoughtfully considering these aspects, you’ll be better positioned to select an energy healing practice that enhances your life and allows you to offer genuine, impactful healing to others.

Understanding Different Energy Healing Methods

Energy healing encompasses various therapeutic modalities designed to balance the body’s energy fields and promote the four bodies – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These methods can often seem diverse and sometimes even mystifying, but they all share a common goal: restoring harmony within the body. 

One of the primary distinctions you’ll encounter in energy healing is the difference between hands-on and hands-off techniques. For example, Reiki involves a practitioner placing their hands lightly on or just above the client’s body to channel healing energy. On the other hand, practices like Sound Therapy utilize vibrational energy through instruments like singing bowls or tuning forks without direct physical touch. 

Another important factor is whether the practice focuses on specific energy points or is more holistic. Acupuncture and Acupressure target specific meridian points to release blocked energy, while Reiki and Quantum Touch aim to balance the entire body’s energy field. 

Additionally, some methods incorporate elements of traditional medicine or spiritual practices. Shamanic Healing often involves rituals and guidance from journeys, spirit guides, and power animals, while Chakra Healing draws from Ayurvedic principles to balance the body’s primary energy centers. I’ve added a non-exhaustive yet large list of modalities at the end of this post for you to study if you wish.

Understanding these different approaches can help you determine which method resonates with you. Energy healing can be highly subjective; what works wonders for one person might not be suitable for another. The key is to explore and find the type that aligns with your needs and comfort levels, and one that you enjoy so much you want to make a career of it.

Comparing Popular Energy Healing Practices

The most important thing to consider when making a decision is experience. Take time to explore the various modalities. Chances are you’re already experiencing some, whether it be massage, yoga, or classes that help you shift your mindset.

To get a holistic idea of the modality, you’ll need to experience it for an extended period. Yet, I know what you’re thinking… who has the time to do this when there are literally hundreds of modalities? Enter Intuition.

Explore the internet

At the end of this article, I have included a list of healing modalities I found on various energy healer’s insurance websites. They are comprehensive lists, yet they’re not exhaustive. Look into each one and see if it’s interesting to you. If it’s not immediately catching your eye, move on. Dig deeper and find more lists. 

Grab a Book

Books on particular subjects are the next step to diving into the world of energy medicine. Scanning the table of contents will give you an idea about what you want to pursue by reading chapters.

Experience It!

When you’ve found something interesting, find a practitioner! Take your time deciding who you will go to; ask about their certifications, see if your energy matches theirs, and let them know your path. Find other practitioners to understand their skills if your heart is getting invested in a particular modality; if possible, find healers with certifications from different institutions. You’ll probably be drawn to one instructor/course/school over the others immediately.

However you want to explore the many modalities, know your intuition is driving. You’ll know the right one when you find it. Plus, it probably won’t end up being your last course or certification. You’ll be led down more paths… just concentrate on one for the time being.

Evaluating Your Personal Needs and Preferences

Before you begin an energy healing practice, please consider your personal needs and preferences. Are you interested in healing clients’ physical ailments or addressing emotional or mental challenges? Different energy healing methods address various aspects of well-being, so pinpointing your primary goals is crucial.

Touch vs. Energy-Only Techniques

Consider your comfort level with touch-based techniques or healing practices that involve guided visualization, such as meditation, breathwork, or channeling. 

If you’re interested in touch-based techniques, please look at the laws in your state and county. Legally, you may be required to be licensed to touch clients. This was the case when I left the Bay Area in California in 2019. Reiki practitioners couldn’t touch clients if they didn’t have a (costly and very time-consuming) massage license. Of course, you can always practice reiki with the no-touch techniques you learn in your classes; however, if you desire to be a hands-on healer, know the local laws around your goals. If your goal is your life’s motivating factor, look into locations that don’t mandate licensure. You may be moving to a more aligned location! Note: State laws may differ from county and even city laws. Look before you open business!

Online vs. In Person Healing

The world of online connection has never been healthier, and the most fantastic part of energy healing is it’s usually accessible – and very effective – to do it through an online (or over-the-phone) session. Since I live two hours away from any larger town, Zoom is my go-to, with plans for in-person retreats. However, you may “feel” people’s energy and know what they need by being in the same room.  Or perhaps the sound on Zoom gets messy if you’re a singing-bowl practitioner. 

My advice, while finding the suitable modality for you, is to look into your future, see where you’re living, how you’re living, and what makes you the happiest for your joy and freedom, then work backward to find the exact needs that will support your desired life. It works!

Size of Groups

Do you prefer working one-on-one, or are you open to group sessions? Are you comfortable with online sessions, or do you feel in-person interactions will be more effective? If you are drawn to one-on-one sessions, do some math. See if the price you want to charge per session, multiplied by how many sessions per day and how many days per week and year you’re working, will satisfy the life you want to manifest for yourself. If it’s not looking like a financially responsible decision, consider doing group work. This is a way to vertically integrate your purpose work (and I have a passion for this!!) 

There are always ways to get creative and create massive wealth in all areas of your life through your divine purpose work!

– Analiesa

Trial and Error: Finding the Right Fit

Remembering that what works wonders for one person might not bring the same results for another. This is where the concept of “trial and error” plays a crucial role. To begin with, consider trying out a few different techniques to see which resonates most with you. 

Start Small and Simple: Choose one healing practice that appeals to your current needs and interests. For example, if you’re seeking stress relief, you might start with meditation, qigong, or reiki. You can find online classes to incorporate into your day or attend sessions.

Give It Time: It can be tempting to jump from one practice to another, especially if you’re not seeing immediate results. However, effective energy healing often requires consistency and patience. You can try to commit to a practice for at least a few weeks (or a few sessions) before deciding if it’s right for you. Of course, if you immediately feel it’s a “NO!” that’s your honest and honorable answer.

Keep a Journal: Document your experiences, focusing on any changes in your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This can help you track progress and identify your most beneficial modalities. 

Seek Feedback: If possible, discuss your experiences with a qualified practitioner or join a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support and guidance. Tell your practitioner you’re on the path to becoming a healer and ask their advice!

Remember, the journey to finding the right energy healing practice is uniquely personal. Embrace trial and error as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and what works best for your needs, interests, and motivations.

The Importance of Holding a Certification as a Practitioner

Holding a certification has a tremendous impact on the quality of care and outcomes your clients experience and on your status as a trained authority in the subject you’re practicing. Certification is a testament to your dedication to your craft, which should involve rigorous training, practice, and education. If you’re an introvert and just cringed at that sentence, give yourself grace – practice and communication are part of the job, and it’s a skill you’ll gather. When you find a certification you want, you’ll sign up to be in a group of others learning – and you’ll get to know them well. It’ll be a safe space to learn and practice, and you’ll probably meet lifelong friends and people to learn from for years to come.

In my experience, I have a stack of certifications (starting with Reiki Master… then the hamster wheel), yet I lean on my 6-month online Shamanic Energy Medicine Practitioner work and my year-plus Evolved Neurolinguistic Programming Master education on a day-to-day basis. You’ll find that one certification will lead you to another, and the more you learn and experience, the right ones will come your way. 

The best advice I received was, once you get one certification, put it into full-time practice – with paying clients – for six months (or equal time if your energy work practice is part-time). Then you’ll be ready for the next one. 

Continuous Education

Finding a certification group that offers continuous education (or at least a network to communicate with) in your modality is vital for staying updated with the latest tips, techniques, and knowledge. This dedication to ongoing learning ensures you can provide the most effective treatments tailored to your client’s unique needs. Some energy healing certifications are even recognized within the nursing profession, underscoring the legitimacy and professionalism of these practices. 

Ethics & Ecology

Having a certification also entails being committed to adhering to ethical guidelines and best practices. This includes proper training in clear communication with clients so they can be confident that they will receive transparent and informative care well within energetic ethical and ecological standards. Additionally, a certified practitioner is trained to exercise sound judgment in determining whether to treat or refer clients to other health professionals when necessary. 

It’s essential to remember that studying a specific discipline is fundamental to developing skills. Your clients will ensure that YOU – their chosen healer – have undergone comprehensive training in your field and can provide them with peace of mind, knowing that you are well-equipped to support their healing journey effectively.

The Wounded Healer & Certification Hamster Wheel

This topic is VERY important to me because I lived it for around 5 years. Most energy healers are th archetype of the Wounded Healer (Chiron probably plays a big part in your astrological chart.) You are drawn to healing because you have done much of it in your life, or you’re going through a shadow period now and reaching for modalities that will help you – and you’re interested in learning them simultaneously. (That was me *hand raised high*) Wounded healers find the healing they’ve done so transformative, the joy and happiness on the other side of pain so revolutionary that they want to share with others. This is beautiful and something that brings us healers together. However, there are some red flags to keep in mind. Here, I lovingly share two of the things that I’ve encountered.

The Wounded Healer

Being a Wounded Healer (versus a Healed Healer) may be a red flag for you to consider. If you’re in a deep healing phase of life, I deeply honor you and your experiences. Consider doing “the work” (meaning sorting your wounds into wisdom) for a while before committing to a certification for a career change. By simply finding a practitioner of the modality you’re interested in and working through your physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual traumas before entering training, you’ll have a much stronger foundation to stand on, and you’ll almost be entering the course with extra credit already in hand. It’s like getting an apprenticeship or job before going to University or getting a Master’s degree – the experience you bring to the education gives you a much more comprehensive, diverse context for what you’ll learn.

Healing yourself is connected with healing others.
– Yoko Ono

I was in the darkest part of my darkest night as I was working through a $30K certification (and this was right after a $12K one…) and desperately seeking external sources to heal the pain I was living.  As I look back, I should have put a few hundred dollars and a few months into myself, receiving and integrating healings and de-coding what wisdom my traumas held. My certifications were a tricky way to hide from those painful truths. They were a fantastic coping mechanism, so I didn’t have to look within and do the hard work. I felt like I was doing the work as I completed spiritual and energetic homework assignments and practices – yet I was sweeping my pain under the rug and letting it fester. And boy, did they stink when they came out for air.

What was the outcome for me? Well, I use these expensive certifications to this day, and I love them! Yet, I’ve spent gobs more money returning to re-learn from a place of wholeness as I’ve exited that shadow period and integrated those wounds. They didn’t help me out of my dark night of the soul; that happened on its own accord. However, when I remembered what I had learned and what spiritual teachings had been taught in my courses, I had something to lean into and propel me to where I am now. I just had to do the work.

If you decide to dive into an extensive certification program while in a healing phase of life or “dark night of the soul,” you can get excellent benefits, and it can be the perfect time for you. At the end of the day, you know what’s right for you. Don’t get scared off if you think you’re not “whole” enough – if you feel it’s right, it is! Every decision you make is divine and leads you farther down your path.  We’ll never be entirely out of our shadow or completely “healed.” However, honoring your phase in life and choosing the proper phase for your learning is crucial. 

Watch Out for the Certification “Hamster Wheel”

So many healers have experienced this, and we collectively look back and laugh – so I’m imparting this information hopefully before you start. If you’re not well on the path of self-healing and still in the phase of Wounded Healer, watch that you don’t inadvertently climb onto the Certification Hamster Wheel.

This is when you get a certification yet don’t feel “whole” enough, so you get another. Then another. Then another. You find yourself $100K later – having consumed many courses and holding a thick stack of master certificates with no business or clients to speak of.  There’s still an emptiness inside that no number of certificates will fill. The hamster wheel wants to draw you back in, saying it’ll fill that empty hole, yet you realize it won’t. You have to do something different. You have to believe you’re ready to start implementing them.

When we experience this phase of becoming a healer, we have a few core limiting beliefs at play: “I’m not good enough yet,” “I’m not worthy of clients,” “I’m not experienced enough to ask for money,” and so many more garbage lines play through our minds. 

I’m here to tell you – if you played at 100% in your courses and did the practices required – you’re 100% ready to take on clients! And they’re prepared for you. You just need to find them and then place a dollar amount on the worth of your service. Chances are, you’ve had more practice hours during all those certifications than some practitioners with full practices. So take it from here. Build your business. Find one client that pays money. Let their admiration for you be the proof you need.

Certification Cost Considerations and Budgeting

When exploring energy healing modalities, cost is an essential factor to consider. The most common modality first chosen by healers is Reiki because of the low cost (a couple hundred for Reiki I, which usually is completed in one weekend and certifies you to be a real reiki business-owning practitioner). On the other hand, if you’re drawn to meridian work and the five-element theory of Chinese medicine, you may be looking at an acupuncture master’s degree, which will take a handful of years and be much more costly (yet indescribably interesting and necessary in today’s energetic and healing world.) 

You’ll find that certifications come in the form of a couple hundred bucks to tens of thousands and more. Your task is to find the right one for you and put it into action – whatever that looks like to you. Most of these courses have payment plans, and if you can squeak by with one, knowing you’ll be monetizing the skills right after graduating, go for it. Remember, you’re paying money in exchange for something leading you closer to your purpose, so do it with immense gratitude and childlike excitement – NOT fear. Lead your heart with love, knowing the money will be there when payments are due, and you’ll make your clients so happy afterward – which will pay back the cost of tuition quickly. You are investing in yourself – and there’s no better investment in the whole, entire world.

If you’re not in a place to pay a large sum yet an expensive certification is your goal, get a minor certification and have a client or two daily after your 9-5 job, or even at lunchtime over Zoom. Save that money. Put it towards your goal. Price yourself accordingly and make your goal happen!

Learning Environments: Online vs. In-Person Energy Healing Courses

As the world becomes increasingly digital, energy-healing learning environments have also evolved to offer online alongside traditional in-person classrooms. But how do you decide which format is best for you? If you’re genuinely looking into energy healing (not hands-on modalities), you probably have the choice.

Convenience and Accessibility 

One of the primary benefits of online energy learning is convenience. You can participate from the comfort of your own home, saving you time and travel expenses. This is particularly advantageous if you live in a remote area or have a busy schedule. Additionally, online sessions can make many modalities more accessible, connecting you with teachers worldwide who might otherwise be geographically out of reach. 

Personal Connection 

However, some people feel that the personal connection during an in-person class is irreplaceable. Being physically present with your teacher might enhance the experience and make tuning into the energy fields and teachings easier. You might find it more effective or comforting to have a face-to-face interaction where you can more clearly communicate your needs and receive immediate feedback. 

Energy Transmission 

One common concern is whether the quality of energy transmission is affected in an online setting. Many teachers and accrediting agencies ensure that energy is not bound by physical distance and can be effectively channeled through virtual sessions. Distance healing techniques involving focused intention rather than physical touch can be just as potent and are well-suited for online formats. 

One of the things I found by learning in distance formats for 90% of my certifications is that learning distance healing automatically trained me to do distance work with clients. It obliterated my inner skeptic before it could ever even be born. 

Choosing What’s Right for You 

Ultimately, choosing between online and in-person sessions depends on your preferences and needs. Are you seeking the warmth of physical presence, or does the flexibility of online sessions better suit your lifestyle? Consider trying both formats to see which one resonates more with you. 

Whether online or in-person, finding a qualified teacher and company you trust and feel comfortable with is key. This can make all the difference in your energy-healing journey.

Finding Community and Support

While embarking on your energy healing journey, finding a community and support network can be incredibly beneficial. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals provides not just emotional safety but also a shared humanity that makes the experience richer and more impactful. 

First, look for local groups or online forums that focus on your chosen energy healing practice. Social media platforms and specialized websites often host these communities, offering you a space to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others. Participating in these groups can enhance your overall well-being by integrating you within a network of supportive individuals. 

The Beyond community is a great place to start. We are a group of spiritual seekers, warriors, and at all places in our journey. Depending on the level you enter, you have access to weekly healings and daily energy integrations, energy installations, personal channelings, a library of meditations and courses, plus an active and loving group to ask questions and teach from your own spiritual wisdom. We would love to see you there!

Moreover, consider joining workshops or seminars. These events are invaluable for gaining deeper insights and hands-on experience. Many practitioners offer both in-person and online sessions, making it easier to fit into your schedule and budget. Engaging in these learning opportunities with a community helps you commit to self-management and maintain a consistent practice. 

Also, don’t underestimate the power of one-on-one mentorship. Having a mentor can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate challenges. A mentor with a certification, especially, can help you identify any unique needs or obstacles you may face, offering tailored advice to improve your emotional and physical well-being. 

Lastly, in times of disaster or personal crisis, being part of a community can provide psychosocial, emotional, and sometimes even ecological support approaches. The shared experience can make a significant difference, reinforcing that you are not alone in your journey. It’s a reminder of the collective desire to help and support each other, making the path to healing more approachable and less daunting.

The path to becoming an energy healer is exciting, full of push and pull, and potentially that of a certification hamster wheel. You’ll find the energy healing trial and error portion full of insight and potential new comrades on your journey. Keep it simple, start small (unless strongly drawn), and have some fun in your search to select energy healing methods. Every moment is a chance to get closer to your divine purpose – so remember… if it’s not a heck, YES! It’s a heck, NO! Make a fast decision, keep the energy flowing, and I can’t wait to hear what happens!

A Comprehensive (Yet Incomplete) List of Healing Modalities

Body Healing:

• Access Body Processes
• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Alexander Technique
• Body Alignment
• Bowen Therapy
• Breathwork Therapy
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Cupping Therapy
• Dance Therapy
• Feldenkrais Method
• Flower Essence
• Massage Therapy
• Pilates
• Qigong
• Reflexology
• Salt Therapy
• Shiatsu
• Tai Chi
• Tantra
• Thai Bodywork
• Tuina
• Voice Therapy

Energy Healing

• Animal Reiki
• Aromatherapy
• Astrology
• Bio-magnetic Therapy
• Chakra Healing
• Chromotherapy
• Crystal Healing
• Crystal Reiki
• Feng Shui
• Frequency Healing
• Integrated Energy Therapy
• Lama Fera
• Magnetic Therapy
• Marconics
• Music Therapy
• Polarity Therapy
• Pranic Healing
• Psychic Healing
• Quantum Healing
• Quantum Touch
• Radionics
• Reiki
• Sensory Healing
• Shamanism
• Sonopuncture
• Sound Therapy
• Therapeutic Touch
• Trance Healing

Mind Healing

• Access Bars Therapy
• Akashic Records
• Art Therapy
• EFT
• Emotion Code
• HeartMath
• Human Design
• Hypnotherapy
• Intuitive Reading
• Light Language
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Neural Retraining
• Neuro Meditation
• Neuro-linguistic Programming
• Neurosculpting
• PSYCH-K
• Past Life Regression
• Psychotherapy
• Rapid Transformational Therapy
• Somatic Therapy
• Spiritual Mind Treatment
• Theta Healing
• Thought Field Therapy
• Transcendental Meditation
• Vipassana