The Science of Reiki Part 2 - Deep Dive Into the Research

The Witchy Therapist Podcast

Chapters
0:00
Intro
1:46
Quick jaunt into medical studies of Reiki
3:48
Reiki for professionals
4:13
Study: Reiki reduces burnout among community mental health clinicians
6:44
Stacey wants the science to speak for itself
7:20
Findings of community mental health study
10:54
Study: Burnout in professionals that work with autistic children
12:24
Study: Reiki for preventing professional secondary traumatic stress
20:07
Study: The impact of Reiki on anxiety
21:38
Study: Reiki for depression and post-menopausal symptoms
22:45
How Reiki practitioners apply Reiki
24:52
Take a grounding moment with us
26:11
Study: Depression in elderly people
26:43
Study: Reiki vs no intervention for anxiety and depression
27:25
Lit review: Reiki for pain
28:23
Stacey wants to take Reiki Master Teacher training
30:41
Different types of Reiki
32:49
Where to get Reiki if you want to try it
34:16
Where to find a Reiki training
34:53
Charity’s experience with Reiki that was not trauma-informed
36:37
Trauma sensitive modifications and how to advocate for yourself
40:45
Distance Reiki
43:50
Stacey’s energy clearing session with R.H Stavis
46:14
Conclusion
The Witchy Therapist Podcast
The Science of Reiki Part 2 - Deep Dive Into the Research
Jun 16, 2026 Episode 4
The Witchy Therapist Podcast

In Part 2 of The Science of Reiki, Stacey and Charity dive into the research. What does the science say about Reiki for anxiety, depression, and burnout? What did studies using Reiki with mental health professionals working in community mental health show? Can Reiki prevent secondary trauma in professionals? We find the answers in part 2!

A full list of 166 published scientific studies may be found at The Center for Reiki Research https://centerforreikiresearch.com/

Please visit our website for research summaries, that's more information than we can put here in the show notes. https://witchytherapistpodcast.staceyaldridgelcsw.com/2026/05/30/show-notes-the-science-of-reiki/ ‎

Research studies mentioned in this episode in chronological order:

  • Effects Of Reiki Treatment On Anxiety And Depression: A Randomized Control Trial. Porter, et al.  International Journal of Healing and Caring. 2012.
  • The Effects of Reiki Treatment on Mental Health Professionals at Risk for Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Placebo Control Study. M. Novoa, D. Cain. Best Practices in Mental Health Vol. 10, Issue 1. 2014. 
  •  Reiki Reduces Burnout Among Community Mental Health Clinicians. Rosada, et al. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 2015 Aug, 21. 
  • The effect of Reiki on depression in elderly people living in nursing home. Zeynep Erdogan & Sezgi Cinar. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 15(1), January 2016. 
  •  The Impact of Psychotherapeutic Reiki on Anxiety. Webster, et al. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, Volume 15. 2020. 
  • Reiki as nursing care to people in mental suffering: an integrative review. Santos, et al. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem. April 2021.
  • The effect of Reiki on pain: A meta-analysis. M. Dogan. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 44. August 2021.
  • The effects of Reiki treatment on mental health professionals who are at risk of burnout.  S. Ijaz, F. Rafaq, F. Shafiq. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies. 2022. 
  • Effect of Reiki on Measures of Well-Being in Low-Income Patients with Mental Health Diagnoses. Prasad, et al. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. 2025, Feb 28.
  • The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study. Kavehci, et al. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. April 2025.
  • Reiki for decrease postmenopausal symptoms and depression: a randomized clinical trial. E. Baransel, T. Uçar.Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira.  2025, Aug 8.

As mentioned in the episode: You can see Stacey's Reiki lineage on the Kaya Holistic Wellness website https://kayaholisticwellness.com/reiki/

Stacey's Reiki Master Teachers, Krista Tew and Jina Daniels can be found at Reiki4Life https://www.empowering4life.com/reiki-4-life

About the hosts:
Charity O’Reilly, LPC has been a trauma healer since 2006. She provides EMDR intensives to clients from all over the world. Charity is the co-author of You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health Tool Kit, and How to Understand and Deal with ADHD. She trains nationally and internationally on topics related to healing trauma and our parts. She has also been featured talking about trauma healing on multiple podcasts and on Letters from Love with Elizabeth Gilbert. Charity lives with her husband, chickens, cats, and many foster kittens on a homestead on Lenape Land in what is now called Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Visit her website to learn more about working with her.

 Stacey Aldridge, LCSW has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years. She works with women and LGBTQ+ clients in Mississippi addressing trauma, late diagnosed ADHD and autism, and religious trauma at her therapy practice Inspired Happiness Therapy, LLC. She is also a Reiki Master, Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique practitioner, and Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. Stacey sees coaching and Reiki clients from anywhere in the world at Kaya Holistic Wellness, LLC. A late diagnosed ADHD-er herself, Stacey also has a small business making and selling ice dyed clothing and home goods as well as an Etsy shop with curated vintage items, handmade ritual candles, and magical supplies. Stacey lives with her husband Jon and their 3 elderly dogs on unceded Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) land in Central Mississippi.

Follow us on social media! @ WitchyTherapistPodcast on Instagram
WitchyTherapyPodcast on Facebook  http://witchytherapistpodcast.staceyaldridgelcsw.com
Charity O'Reilly, LPC @ TeaWithATraumaTherapist http://charityoreilly.com/
Stacey Aldridge, LCSW @ HolisticallyStacey http://www.staceyaldridge.com