Often patients have to decide among various treatment plans recommended by several equally respected medical specialists. In such a scenario, a medical intuitive may help the client connect with his or her own intuition. This often happens when the intuitive mirrors the client's own intuitive sense, but even a contrary opinion can be useful if it galvanizes the client's preference and helps him or her commit to a course of treatment.

When considering the use of medical intuition, it is important to find an intuitive who is credible and reasonable. Such a professional understands that his or her role is supportive rather than authoritative. Beware of intuitives who are too sure of themselves or aggressive in sharing their perspectives. I practiced for years before I felt comfortable sharing intuition with my clients (again, I would like to draw a clear distinction between practicing Reiki and serving as an intuitive consultant, a distinction which is too often ignored.). As in the use of any consultant, the client should never turn over responsibility for decision-making. An intuitive consultation can support the decision-making process by bringing insight into larger issues and raising meaningful questions which the patient must answer for himself.

Advisory - I have seen much confusion about medical intuition among Reiki practitioners, who may mistakenly think that Reiki treatment includes giving their feedback. This puts the client in the position of receiving unsolicited “information,” often delivered without skill or sensitivity to the client’s deeply relaxed post-treatment state. Before I learned to practice Reiki, I was already a professional health care consultant. I provided mind/body consultations and training, lifestyle guidance, and medical intuition. Reiki treatment and medical intuition are two distinct skills. Reiki treatment is safe and non-invasive. If you are receiving Reiki treatment from a new practitioner, ask whether or not he/she routinely gives feedback after treatment and decide for yourself if this is something you want.

Intensive Healing Retreats
Retreat is a time-honored approach for creating profound life changes. Withdrawing from the busyness of contemporary lifestyle for a period of time to deepen our inner engagement is an investment that yields powerful dividends. Retreat can be as simple as an evening or morning spent in silence and contemplation and without ringing phones, or it can be something longer and more structured.

An intensive healing retreat can be a catalyst for inner transformation. Each intensive is a co-creation with the client designed to meet the individual's needs and goals. The client elects to stay alone for a predetermined period of time (usually 7 to 10 days) in a setting free from distractions and outside communication. During the retreat, clients receive daily Reiki treatment and individualized training in meditation and self-inquiry, Reiki self-treatment, and hatha yoga. Other practitioners and therapies are included as suits the retreatant’s needs and goals. Each client remains alone except for visits from practitioners, using the abundant solitude to practice the skills being learned, and for journaling, contemplation, and artistic self-expression.

The goal of the intensive healing retreat is profound inner immersion. From the perspective of ever deepening self-awareness, the client reviews important life choices, identifying and re-evaluating the values that have shaped those choices. At the same time, clients learn spiritual practices that will support them to continue creating well-being as they re-gather the threads of their lives after the retreat.