Today we highlight another one of the great continuing education opportunities at the 2015 AMTA conference. Remember, even if you’ve already registered for the conference itself, you can still register for CMTEs. Some sessions, including the one featured below, do have space limits, so sign up soon!
Reiki Level 1 Training
Kathy Lorenzato, Reiki III, MT‐BC
Wednesday, November 11, 12:30 ‐6:30 pm, 6 credits
What will you be sharing?
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the history, theory and application of Reiki hand positions for self-care, and to work on their immediate circle of friends/family. Reiki has been used at UC Davis Children’s Hospital for 16 years, where it has helped children and families cope with pain, stress, anxiety, head injury, sleeplessness, traumatic amputation, adverse reactions to medications, and end of life care. It frequently helped when traditional pain medications were ineffective, or caused too many noxious side effects. Reiki has become an integral part of life on Pediatrics at that hospital, adding another tool for helping patients and families cope with the rigors of hospitalization.
What is your experience with this topic?
I have been a Reiki Master for 16 years, and implemented the Reiki program at the children’s hospital where I worked as a Music Therapist for 26 years. I have been teaching Reiki I and II through the Center for the Professional Practice of Nursing at UC Davis Medical Center since 2004. Nurses get continuing education credit for learning Reiki, and frequently use it on their colleagues whenever someone complains of pain during their shift.
In 2013 my article, “A Place for Reiki in a Music Therapy Practice,” was published in Music Therapy Perspectives. I have presented Reiki I and Introduction to Reiki at national and regional AMTA conferences, and trained 9 MT interns in Reiki I and II during their internships at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Now although I’m retired, the new Music Therapist on Pediatrics continues to offer Reiki to children and families, and I offer Reiki to patients on the adult oncology floor. My hope is to build a cadre of Reiki practitioners who will offer services all over the hospital.
Where will attendees be able to implement the information you share?
Participants will be able to implement Reiki techniques for self-care, as well as work on immediate family and friends. I’ve gotten my own children through many nights of pain from braces, growing pains, stomach upsets, etc. with Reiki. It also helps me to focus during writing projects or presenting at conferences. It has deepened my ability to go into trance during dental procedures and other unpleasant events.
Tell us something that makes your CMTE unique or different.
Although Reiki is not a traditional part of Music Therapy, it has augmented my practice tremendously. Working in a children’s hospital brought me face-to-face with children in severe pain. I’d originally tried to help them with basic guided imagery, but found that my patients couldn’t follow my instructions when they were in pain. They couldn’t even take a deep breath to relax. Reiki placed no demands on them and they relaxed easily during our sessions. Snoring became my greatest compliment.
Who should attend your class?
Music Therapists at every level should take Reiki training. I beg parents of young children to take the classes, as it has greatly increased my ability to take care of my own kids. New therapists should take it as a way to learn self-care. Seasoned professionals should learn Reiki as a new approach to age-old problems. Reiki is easy to learn, easy to teach, and highly effective. I teach children as young as 4 years old in our annual Reiki for Kids class. It works.
Registration for this training is limited, so sign up today!
