You may have some questions about the various services I offer, and I have endeavoured to answer some of those below. If you do have any questions that are not covered here, please feel free to get in touch and I will do my best to answer. I also have a separate page specifically for counselling FAQs, here.
I’m not spiritual or religious – do you talk about spiritual stuff in counselling sessions?
No, I do not. Not unless this is something you bring up, that you would like to explore, and even then, it is about exploring your views, your wonderings about life, from your point of view. It is not about me imposing my views onto you or anyone else. Counselling is your space, and is lead by you and what you wish to explore. I do not let my own beliefs intrude on this safe space. Also, I am very open-minded, an eternal student, and always interested to explore different peoples’ views on life – therefore, I am not firmly fixed on any particular view about life; even my own views are always developing and I would never wish to impose these on anyone else.
I’m rubbish at drawing but I’d like to try creative therapy – is that ok?
It’s absolutely ok! Creative therapy does not require any artistic or creative skill or experience for it to be useful. Creative therapy is about finding ways to express yourself other than by talking. Creativity can be messy, precise, colourful, monotone, small or big, and everything in between. It’s not about drawing a perfect picture or singing every note perfectly, it’s about self-expression and you cannot get that wrong. Talking things through in a safe space can be very therapeutic, but not everyone likes to talk, or finds it easy to talk, and there are some things that we would really struggle to physically talk about because of how our brains have processed and stored it. Creative approaches tap into things that talking cannot always reach. Creative approaches are often accompanied by some talking, but this is often used to describe what is happening/what happened in the creative activity, how it felt, how you feel now, and so on.
Do I need to believe in Reiki for it to work?
No, you don’t need to hold any particular beliefs, and reiki is not connected to any religious traditions. Reiki works on a subtle energetic level, and many people experience relaxation, peace, or gentle shifts whether or not they approach it from a spiritual perspective. All that’s needed is an openness to try, and an intention to receive the energy for your highest good.
What’s the difference between Usui, Divine Remembering, and Spirit-Led Reiki?
There are a number of philosophical and training differences between Usui, Angelic, and Spirit-Led Reiki, but here are some differences in a nutshell:
- Usui Reiki is the traditional Japanese form of Reiki, focusing on channelling universal life energy for balance, wellbeing, and spiritual and personal development, based on the practices and philosophies of its founder, Mikao Usui.
- Divine Remembering channels reiki, or universal life-force energy, through angelic beings, (possibly accompanied by other being such as Spirit Guides, and other spiritual beings) which is said to offer the receiver a purer, higher vibrational energy, as well as a sense of lightness, support, and divine presence. This approach is designed to be more focused on the core purpose of reiki, which is to help you remember your own Divinity. It is also designed to remove much of the human rules and stories that have developed around various reiki approaches over time, which have detracted from the purity of reiki. Divine Remembering was devised by me, Laura Hughes.
- Spirit-Led Reiki is more akin to trance mediumship, where the practitioner is as close to a pure channel as they can be, and allows the reiki energy to be offered and guided by Spirit (be it Spirit Guides, angels or another form of spiritual being) in the moment to bring through what is most needed for you. Like Divine Remembering, it is also designed to remove much of the human rules and stories that have developed around various reiki approaches over time, which have detracted from the purity of reiki. Spirit-Led Reiki was devised by Hannah Macintyre.
In practicing all forms of reiki, I aim to be a pure channel, guided by the reiki energy and Spirit. In my mind, all healing energies come from the same place, and it can possibly be a matter of belief and intention that defines how the energy is experienced. I do not believe any one approach is better than another, as, to my mind, they all involve a connection to divine, sacred, universal life-force energy. With each approach, you will receive exactly what you need for your highest good, healing, and understanding in that moment. All are gentle, safe, and supportive forms of energy healing, and in deciding which one would be right for you, it can be best to just think about which one you drawn to most. You are also welcome to try each one and see if you feel any difference in the energies.