6 holistic therapies you can have remotely

More therapists are offering remote sessions than ever before, meaning you can experience your session from the comfort of your own home, often via video call. Intrigued? Here are some therapies you can explore remotely.

1. Reiki

One of the beliefs in Reiki is that we’re all connected, so it’s perhaps no surprise that distance doesn’t get in the way of this connection. During an in-person session, the practitioner will use their hands over your body to direct universal energy to help re-balance and unblock your energy. During distance Reiki, the practitioner will instead use a specific distance healing symbol to direct the energy to you. 

You’ll likely be asked to sit or lie down comfortably, and to ensure you won’t be disturbed during your session. Your practitioner will be able to answer any questions you have before you get started and will advise how best to look after yourself after the session is over.

Reiki training teaches how to heal the public anywhere in the UK or world. It includes a specific healing symbol for Reiki therapists to use, to allow them to connect to the client’s energy remotely, through time and space.

Reiki master teacher Julia Trickett explains in her article, Distance healing for mental well-being.

2. Reflexology

Typically, reflexology is a hands-on therapy that involves the reflexologist touching various reflex points on your feet or hands. It’s thought that these reflex points correlate with different parts of the body and, by stimulating them, a reflexologist can help to balance energies throughout our entire body and release tension.

Some reflexologists are able to offer this service remotely. They may use visualisation to carry out the treatment or use something else, like a teddy as a sort of surrogate. In a similar way to distance Reiki, many people find this approach as relaxing and supportive as in-person sessions. 

3. Bowen therapy

Another therapy that usually requires close contact, it may surprise you to know that you can have distance Bowen therapy sessions. During an in-person session, your therapist will discuss your concerns with you before using gentle rolling moves on your body to encourage natural healing and re-balance. 

Similarly to distance reflexology, a distance Bowen therapy session will likely involve the therapist using visualisation to apply these moves to you. 

Bowen therapists who have used this form of ‘distance’ treatment report positive outcomes. But why this form of treatment is successful cannot currently be fully explained. Although, we must ask, is this important? Surely what is more important is that treatment appears to work and the client experiences some benefit.

Bowen therapist Stephen Ludbrook explains more in his article, What is distance Bowen?

4. Crystal healing

In a crystal healing session, you would normally have the therapist place different crystals on or around your body, depending on what you’re seeking support for. The premise behind crystal healing is that each crystal has different energies and properties which can affect our own energy system.

Distance crystal healing sessions can vary depending on the practitioner, but they may use a photograph of yourself to help them identify where to place crystals or they might send you the crystals so you can place them on yourself during the remote session. Talking to you every step of the way, many healers will work intuitively, just as they would in person.

5. EFT

Emotional freedom technique, or EFT, is a practice you apply to yourself, but working with a therapist can help you understand how best to use this practice for the issue you’re dealing with and will talk you through each step. Involving tapping certain parts of your body and repeating phrases, this guidance can be invaluable and easily delivered online. 

Ideal for easing anxiety, stress and pain, EFT could be an ideal approach to learn more about at this time. In our article, Can tapping help anxiety? we share how a virtual EFT session can lift the weight of anxiety.

6. Yoga

When you work with a yoga therapist, they can recommend postures and practices to support your health and well-being. While this can certainly benefit from taking place in-person, virtual yoga classes can work really well. If you both have your video on, which will likely be recommended, your teacher will be able to see your moves to ensure you’re doing them correctly and safely. You’ll also be able to see and speak to your teacher, just as you would in person.

Whether you’re ready to try an online, at-home or in-person therapy session, you can use our search tool to find the right therapist for you and start your holistic healing journey on your terms.