• course Info
  • Content
  • Ce Approvals

Reiki in Clinical Practice: Ethical Integration for Mental Health Professionals

CE Hours 3

About this course

This training offers licensed mental health professionals a comprehensive, ethics-based framework for integrating Reiki—a form of energy healing—into clinical practice. Reiki is increasingly sought after by clients and therapists alike, yet its use in therapy settings raises important questions about scope of practice, legal compliance, and ethical clarity. This course helps bridge the gap. We begin by busting common myths about what is and is not ethical when it comes to energy work in therapy. Clinicians will learn how to investigate and interpret state-specific laws regarding touch, the use of bodywork tables, and whether Reiki or energy healing is regulated as a standalone practice. Key distinctions will be made between psychotherapy scope and alternative healing licenses—especially in states requiring massage therapy or other credentials to perform hands-on work. Participants will explore the history, philosophy, and certification process of Reiki, including its foundational beliefs and healing concepts. Clinicians will be guided through the first steps of ethical integration: from researching legal guidelines to describing their unique Reiki style (e.g., hands-on, hands-near, distance/virtual). The training then offers a structured approach to describing the intervention, outlining risks and benefits, and identifying appropriate theoretical alignment and research support. We introduce a “both-and” perspective to balance clinical integrity with energetic attunement, followed by five real-world case examples illustrating different integration styles. This training empowers clinicians to confidently and ethically offer Reiki-informed care while remaining in full compliance with professional responsibilities.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the foundational principles, historical origins, and certification standards associated with Reiki as a complementary and alternative intervention (CAI).
  • Apply at least one clinical theory (e.g., Transpersonal Psychology, Somatic Psychology, or Energy Psychology) to justify the ethical inclusion of Reiki within a clinical treatment framework.
  • Describe at least three common legal and ethical concerns related to integrating Reiki in clinical mental health practice
  • Locate and interpret applicable state regulations regarding touch-based interventions, massage licensure, and complementary healing practices relevant to Reiki.

Learning Levels

  • All Levels

Course Instructor(s)

  • Dr. Tina Vitolo, LCSW, DSW, QS

    Dr. Tina Vitolo, also known as The Black Sheep Therapist™, is a licensed clinical social worker and doctor of social work with nearly two decades of experience in clinical mental health. She is the founder of the Innovative Practitioner Accelerator and a recognized expert in helping therapists ethically integrate unconventional modalities—such as energy work, somatic practices, and spiritual interventions—into their clinical framework.

    Dr. Vitolo’s work bridges the worlds of theory, ethics, and intuitive practice. Through her popular trainings and mentorship programs, she has guided thousands of therapists in transforming their scope of practice, building ethical documentation systems, and grounding their unique approaches in clinical theory. Her approach is rooted in deep respect for the healing traditions that inform many complementary and alternative interventions, alongside a sharp understanding of what it takes to protect licensure and uphold ethical standards.

    With a gift for turning complexity into clarity, Dr. Vitolo is committed to helping practitioners practice with both freedom and integrity—without having to choose between soul and science.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Thrane, S., Maurer, M., & Danhauer, S. C. (2022). Evaluation of a distance Reiki program for frontline healthcare workers’ health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 28(3), 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2021.0371
  • Guo, X., Long, Y., Qin, Z., & Fan, Y. (2024). Therapeutic effects of Reiki on interventions for anxiety: A meta-analysis. BMC Palliative Care, 23(1), 147. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01439-x
  • Morero, J. A. P., Pereira, S. S., Esteves, R. B., & Cardoso, L. (2021). Effects of Reiki on mental health care: A systematic review. Holistic Nursing Practice, 35(4), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000456
  • Thrane, S., & Cohen, S. M. (2014). Effect of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in adults: An in‑depth literature review of randomized trials with effect size calculations. Pain Management Nursing, 15(4), 897–908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2013.07.008
  • Zadro, S., & Stapleton, P. (2022). Does Reiki benefit mental health symptoms above placebo? A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 897312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312
  • Hecht, L. M. (2019). Mental health professionals’ beliefs and experiences regarding the use of Reiki in session [Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi]. Texas Digital Library Repository. https://tamucc-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/018e4a4b-6c24-43b8-b44f-21ed48c58c2a/content
  • Prasad K et al. (2025) Effect of Reiki on Measures of Well-Being in Low-Income Patients with Mental Health Diagnoses. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. 2025;14. doi:10.1177/27536130251323581
  • Robichaux, M., & Garza‑Chaves, Y. (2025). Reiki and humanistic theory: Common ground for holistic counseling. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 31(2), 30–37.

CE Process Info

Content

  • Module 1: Module 1: Understand what Reiki is—including its origins, philosophy, and certification process
    1 parts
    • Module 1: Module 1: Module 1: Understand what Reiki is—including its origins, philosophy, and certification process
  • Module 2: Myth-Busting: What They Think vs. What’s True (Reiki Edition)
    1 parts
    • Module 2: Myth-Busting: What They Think vs. What’s True (Reiki Edition)
  • Module 3: Building Theoretical Orientation & Reasoning for Reiki in Clinical Practice
    1 parts
    • Module 3: Building Theoretical Orientation & Reasoning for Reiki in Clinical Practice
  • Module 4: Must Haves for you Informed Consent
    1 parts
    • Module 4: Must Haves for you Informed Consent (Reiki Addition)
  • Module 5: Case Examples
    1 parts
    • Module 5: Case Examples
  • Reflective Worksheet: Reiki in Clinical Mental Health Practice
    1 parts
    • Reflective Worksheet for Integrating Reiki in Clinical Practice
  • Joint Accreditation

    Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, CE Learning Systems is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive up to 3 General continuing education credits.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

Reiki in Clinical Practice: Ethical Integration for Mental Health Professionals
You Have Completed This course
$117
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Jun 24th, 2025

Reset password


Reset your password by providing your email below





Next

We sent a reset password link to the email address you provided.


{{reset.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.

Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend



Next

Sign in


Enter your email to get started.




Next

Sign in


Good news! Your email is associated with an account. Enter your password or click here to reset it




Login

Thanks for signing up!


We sent an verification email to the address you provided. Please check your email to verify your email address.


{{signup.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.



Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend

Sign up




Sign up

Shopping Cart


Items
Price
Remove

  • {{ item.name }} ({{ item.courses.length }} courses)

    {{ item.credit_hours }} Credits
    {{ item.coupons.map((c)=> c.code).join(', ') }}
    ${{ item.totals.price }}
    ${{ item.totals.total_price }}
Apply


Cart is empty

${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.price }}
Total ${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.total_price }}
Continue Shopping Checkout

Thank you for your purchase


To access the course content, click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking Courses


Go to Course

Thank you for your purchase

To access your courses, please click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking either Events or Courses


My Account

Payment

{{$store.state.payment.paymentErrorMessage }}
Pay now