Professional Reiki Practice and the Law and Regulation of Reiki is a complex topic but here I have tried to cover all you need to know. There is a lot to know. So practitioners of any Reiki styles may find this guide a handy reference unless only using Reiki in the home environment. There is not much way to make this fun, but I hope it is useful at least. I have included a brief explanation of each law and regulation I am aware of. Some apply regardless of your situation, some depending on how you operate and the people you work with.
Please note this is intended for informative purposes only and I am not a legal specialist. I have an awareness of these matters having operated as a professional holistic therapist for many years. Things change and may go out of date although I will try to keep this page current. The information below is not a substitute for a proper legal opinion by a lawyer other legal specialist.
Professional Reiki Practice and the Law
Why We Cannot Claim Reiki Helps Cure Cancer
So let us start with the Law that prevents us from claiming we can help cure cancer in the UK. This is the Cancer Act of 1939. This actually prevents anyone claiming anything can cure cancer at all. It is not just about healing systems like Reiki or acupuncture. There have been successful prosecutions including relatively recently. One case involved selling of a colloidal silver product as a cure-all. So be very careful before you say to anyone that you can help cure their cancer.
Potential Problems Advertising Reiki
But there is another law that goes further than this. That is The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. This one sets out the way in which you can advertise your services, designed to protect the consumer from misleading adverts, false claims and the like. Has important implications for how you sell and advertise Reiki treatment.
Health and Safety
Two key pieces of legislation have a variety of implications concerning your duty of care to your clients and the public. These are The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as amended by the Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008.
In British Law an Act is primary legislation. Regulations known as secondary legislation can be made under these acts. There are many regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act as Amended.
Companies with employees of 5 or more have greater responsibilities. In some cases you will need to know about things like risk assessment even if you don’t employ anyone.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 – Covers a range of health and safety activities including risk assessment. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 – Sets out your responsibility to have first aid facilities for your employees and yourself etc.
Record Keeping & Data Protection
The Data Protection Act of 1988 sets our obligations for keeping certain information secure. Like personal details including consultation forms, signed disclaimers, treatment notes, contact details etc.
Running a Company and / or Employing People
The Companies Act 2006 applies to those registering a company. If you are an employer the Employment Act of 2002 applies to you.
Notifiable Diseases
There is a list of diseases that must be reported to authorities if you come across them. This is under the The Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and The Public health (Infectious diseases) Regulations 2010. The UK Reiki Federation also have some good info on their website.
Professional Reiki Practice and the Law if Working With Animals
Working with animals you may have additional things to consider (unless you are working only with animals, which is likely much simpler). Laws include the Protection of Animals Act 1911. You may also need to consider The Veterinary Surgery Act 1966 (Amended). The UK Reiki Federation Website is also a good resource.
Selling Treatment, Training and Products – Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions are advisable when selling anything, especially higher value things like Reiki training. They can protect the customer and the practitioner and set expectations. But when you write them you may want to get a professional to help you or do it for you. Alternatively you must make sure they do not breach the Unfair Contract Terms Act of 1977.
Playing Music E.g. During Treatment or Training
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 sets out the requirements for obtaining a license for playing music in the workplace and public places. The license fees are collected by the Performing Rights Society, whom you register with and pay an annual fee to. You can visit The Performing Rights Society website for more information.
Dealing With Suicide
Naturally it is not nice to think about this. But in Reiki we must be prepared to meet people with serious problems. Knowledge of the Suicide Act of 1961 may be useful should you encounter a client that expresses suicidal feelings.
Professional Reiki Practice and the Law – Last Word
Ultimately I hope you have found this a pretty definitive guide. You may want to keep link to it for future reference as this is very much a work in progress. Now you have got this far – I can promise you that there are many other Reiki Articles on this site that are far more interesting!
[starbox]
