Curiosity meets clarity as we welcome Karen Harrison—senior licensed Reiki Master Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training—to unpack what ethical, effective Reiki looks like in real life. Karen traces her journey from early study in the 1990s to training in Japan with lineage holders, and she shares how Reiki became both her spiritual anchor and a practical toolkit she uses every day.

We dig into the myths: Why distance Reiki is often dismissed, why Reiki is not a religion, and how consent sits at the heart of ethical energy work. Karen explains how she blended counseling and Reiki without blurring lines—clear consent, defined roles, and simple techniques like Kenyoku and room clearing that help both therapist and client. Her insights on trauma care are striking: with completed events like past abuse or divorce, many clients see meaningful relief within two to four sessions, thanks to a gentle “timeline” approach that supports the nervous system without re-traumatizing it.

If you’re building a Reiki practice, this conversation is a masterclass in sustainable growth. Karen talks candidly about keeping your day job while you establish your business, the kind of mentorship that actually helps, and the value of standardized training and pricing within the ICRT community. We also surface red flags—like teaching without consent, copying materials, or coercive boundaries—so you can choose teachers and practitioners who walk their talk. Along the way, Karen highlights resources, from The Reiki Business Book to Animal Reiki and her monthly “Reiki Call” for ongoing learning.

More than techniques, this is a story about Reiki as a life tool: easing anxiety before surgery, repairing family bonds, strengthening clinicians, and opening a direct line to the sacred that you can feel. If you’re Reiki-curious, a practicing clinician, or a teacher shaping the next wave, you’ll find practical guidance and a welcoming path forward. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.

Karen is a Senior Licensed Reiki Master Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT), Co-Director of the ICRT Reiki Master Teacher Training Program, and teaches all levels of Usui / Holy Fire Reiki including Holy Fire Karuna Reiki® Master. She began studying Reiki in 1993 and has studied with several ICRT teachers, along with several Japanese Reiki Masters: Hiroshi Doi, Hyakuten Inamoto, and Mrs. Chiyoko Yamaguchi. Her website is www.karenharrison.net. 

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