The UK Reiki Federation
Codes of Professional Practice
This section applies the UK Reiki Federation’s ethical principles to specific situations that may arise during the course of professional practice.
1. Insurance
All Reiki Practitioners must be adequately insured to practice. The insurance policy must state provision for public liability and employee liability (if personnel are employed) and public indemnity, as well as provision for professional treatments.
2. Clear Contracts
- Before treatment, Reiki Practitioners must explain fully, either in writing or verbally, all the procedures involved in the treatment including such matters as client records, likely content and length of consultations, likely number of consultations, and fees, etc. It is not possible to guarantee the outcome of any course of treatment, therefore the terms on which it is offered, should be stated clearly before the first session of treatment, with subsequent revisions being agreed in advance of any change.
- Reiki Practitioners must never claim to ‘cure’.
- If another therapy is used in conjunction with Reiki, this must be made clear to the client from the outset.
- Reiki Practitioners must act with consideration concerning fees and justification for treatment. A Reiki Practitioner has the same obligation to the client whether being paid or working in a voluntary capacity.
- Reiki Practitioners need to recognise the client’s right to refuse treatment or disregard advice.
- Reiki Practitioners must retain the right to refuse or postpone
treating a client should the practitioner believe the treatment
to be inappropriate. The Reiki Practitioner should make it clear
to the client why they are refusing or postponing treatment, e.g.,
- if the client is under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances;
- if the client is intimidating or offensive, in a physical or sexual manner, or otherwise;
- if the client behaves in any way which may lead the Reiki Practitioner to feel physically unsafe, disrespected, or abused;
- in the case of late attendance of the client, the Reiki Practitioner may exercise discretion in refusing treatment;
- A copy of the Codes of Professional Practice should be available to the client on request.
- Reiki Practitioners must not use titles or descriptions to give the impression of medical, or other qualifications unless they possess them and must make it clear to their clients that they are not doctors and do not purport to have their knowledge or skills. (See Appendix 2 – No.1. Prohibited Appellation)
- Certificates and other qualifications shall be displayed or be made available by the Reiki Practitioner.
3. Empowerment of the client
- Reiki Practitioners should be empathic, supportive and positive, thus encouraging uplift in the client’s mental outlook, and a belief in a progression towards good health practices. It is the client’s prerogative to make their own choices with regard to their health, lifestyle and finances.
- Reiki Practitioners must not countermand instructions or prescriptions given by a doctor. Reiki Practitioners must not advise a particular course of medical treatment, such as to undergo an operation or to take specific drugs. It must be left to the client to make his/her own decision in the light of medical advice.
- Reiki Practitioners should refrain from making judgements upon the choices made by clients, and the way in which clients choose to conduct their lives. (See Codes of Practice - No. 5 Confidentiality and Appendix 2 – No. 5. Guidelines for dealing with Clients expressing suicidal feelings)
4. Client Assessment
- Reiki Practitioners must never give a medical diagnosis to a client in any circumstances, this being the responsibility of a registered medical practitioner. Reiki does not take the place of conventional medical treatment.
- The Reiki Practitioner will make a base-line assessment during the first treatment and discuss appropriate aftercare.
- All clients must be asked what medical advice they have received. If appropriate they should be advised to consult their GP if they have not already done so. Since it is legal to refuse medical treatment, no client can be forced to consult a doctor. A Reiki Practitioner may suggest that it would be advisable to seek an allopathic diagnosis but should not attach a medical name to the perceived condition.
- A client should be advised not to discontinue prescribed medication without consulting their doctor.
- All advice must be recorded for the Reiki Practitioner’s protection.
5. Confidentiality
- Reiki Practitioners, their assistants and receptionists have an implicit duty to keep all information relating to attendance, records and views formed about clients, entirely confidential. No disclosure may be made to a third party, including any member of the client’s own family, without the client’s consent unless it is required by due process of the law, whether that be Statute, Statutory instrument, order of any court of competent jurisdiction or however otherwise.
- Reiki Practitioners must ensure that they comply with the Data Protection Act.
- Reiki Practitioners who sell or otherwise transfer their interest in a practice must inform all their clients of the change and give the name of the Reiki Practitioner who has taken over. No information on a client shall be provided to the incoming Reiki Practitioner without the permission of the client.
- If a Reiki Practitioner believes that there is a risk of self-harm by an individual, the confidentiality guidelines are overridden. (See Appendix 2 – No. 5. Guidelines for dealing with Clients expressing suicidal feelings)
- If a Reiki Practitioner believes an individual intends to harm or abuse a child, or learns of any terrorist activity then the confidentiality guidelines are overridden. The Reiki Practitioner is obliged by law to report this to the appropriate authorities.
6. Client’s Records
- Reiki Practitioners must ensure they keep clear and comprehensive records of their treatments including dates and advice given. These records should be factual and avoid opinion. This is especially important for the defence of any negligence actions as well as for efficient and careful practice.
- Records are to be kept in safe custody for seven years from the time of the last consultation.
- Reiki Practitioners should arrange for the correct disposal of case records in the event of their death.
7. Personal Relationships – Boundaries
- The relationship between the Reiki Practitioner and client should be of the highest professional standard. Due diligence of care, skill and integrity should be demonstrated at all times.
- Reiki Practitioners must not exploit their clients financially, sexually, emotionally or in any other way. The Practitioner will not undertake any form of sexual activity with a client in their care or with a student in their tutelage or supervision. The UK Reiki Federation requires that the Practitioner formally ends the therapeutic or educational relationship before starting a sexual relationship.
- Reiki Practitioners must not request the removal of clothing except for coat and footwear.
- Reiki Practitioners shall be without judgement concerning race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation.
8. Responsibilities to Self
- Reiki Practitioners shall recognise the value of self-treatment and also receiving Reiki from another, as part of their continuing self-development.
- Reiki Practitioners have a responsibility to themselves to maintain their own effectiveness. They are expected to monitor their own personal functioning and to seek help and/or withdraw from giving treatments when their personal resources are sufficiently depleted to require this through personal or emotional difficulties, illness, disability, alcohol, any mind altering substances or for any other reason.
- Members must take all reasonable steps to monitor, develop and advance their professional competence, and to work within that capacity. Professional development may include in-service training, supervision, counselling, research and other consultative support.
- A Reiki Practitioner shall be aware of their own professional limitations and refer a client elsewhere when the need demands.
9. Responsibilities to Others
- Reiki Practitioners shall seek a good relationship and work in a co-operative manner with other healthcare professionals, recognise and respect their particular contribution within the healthcare team, irrespective of whether they perform an allopathic or complementary base. Reiki Practitioners will not undermine a client’s faith in any other form of treatment and shall respect and support the client’s choices.
- Reiki Practitioners will encourage understanding of Reiki within other fields and modalities within the healthcare sector.
- Reiki Practitioners shall at all times conduct themselves with due diligence in their relations with all people whilst conducting their professional practice.
- Reiki Practitioners must not attend women in childbirth or treat them for 10 days thereafter unless they hold an appropriate qualification in midwifery or unless the client, in consultation with a practising midwife or a Registered Medical Practitioner requests their services. (See Appendix 1 - REIKI & LEGISLATION)
10. Soliciting of Clients
Reiki Practitioners shall not encourage clients away from other professional colleagues.
11. Reiki in Hospitals
- The hospital is responsible for the patient.
- Reiki Practitioners may only treat patients in hospitals with permission from the patient and the hospital authority including the ward charge nurse.
- Reiki Practitioners shall not wear clothing which gives the impression that they are a staff member of the hospital. They may have some form of identification such as a lapel badge.
- Where permission is given to provide treatment on the ward, this must be carried out without fuss or interruption to other patients and staff.
- If other patients request treatment, the permission of the ward charge nurse, nursing officer (and if relevant, the patient’s doctor) must first be obtained. Reiki Practitioners must never undermine the patient’s faith in hospital treatment or regime.
- Where credentials are requested, Reiki Practitioners must provide their current membership card or other proof of membership and permission to visit.
These are the guidelines set down by the British Complementary Medicine Association.
12. Premises
All Reiki Practitioners shall ensure that their working conditions are suitable for the practice of their therapy. (See Appendix 2 – No. 3. Premises)
13. Reiki Code of Disciplinary Procedures
- Reiki Practitioners will follow and abide by decisions made under the disciplinary procedures of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association).
- The primary concern of the UK Reiki Federation shall be to protect the public and to uphold the reputation of the organisation and its members.
14. Advertising/Public Statements
- Advertising must be discreet and dignified in tone. It shall not contain testimonials or claim a cure or mention any disease. It shall be confined to drawing attention to the therapy available, the qualifications of the Reiki Practitioner and offering general information regarding the treatment process. (See Appendix 2 – No. 4 Advertising)
- The UK Reiki Federation’s Logo can only be used to advertise events that are being officially organised on behalf of the organisation and approved by the Council.
