Stephanie Palmer, LMT, RM, from The Reiki School + Clinic, is a dedicated Reiki Master Teacher, Shiatsu Practitioner, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Sound Healing Facilitator. With a strong foundation in traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, Stephanie’s personal journey with Reiki has transformed her perspective on health and wellness, emphasizing holistic well-being over symptom-focused treatment. As the School Director, she creates a nurturing environment for growth and healing while guiding students to become responsible practitioners. MysticMag has the pleasure.
Can you share the story of how your journey began over 20 years ago, and what inspired you to
establish this wellness center?
Well, I purchased the school from my teacher, Kim Fleisher in 2014. She started the school in 1999 after studying Reiki during a semester abroad in Israel. I had a bunch of interesting run- ins with Kim and other Reiki School folks over a 10 year period,between 2000-2010 while I was chasing a music career. I didn’t even know their affiliation with the school at the time. It seems like there was so much synchronicity in the way I found myself sitting in my Reiki 1 class back in 2010. As my practice has grown, I’ve come to realise there are no coincidences. I should also mention that I purchased the school (because when Kim announced she was selling it and moving to New Mexico) the thought of a world with no Reiki School didn’t make sense to me. Since then, my life looks completely different in every way….In a good way!
Your school offers in-depth Reiki training and a wide range of wellness services. What sets your approach to Reiki education and holistic healing apart from others, and how do you create a
supportive environment for both learning and healing?
I can’t really speak to what other people do but I am aware of the fact that most Reiki training happens over the course of a day or a weekend or even via video online. Our training is a long program that runs over the course of 12 weeks each for Reiki levels 1 and 2. We have also split our master level into 2 classes instead of one. We offer Level 3 “Master Practitioner” which runs over the course of 6 months and Reiki 4 “Master Teacher” that takes anywhere from a year to 15 months. Our students give sessions in a clinic setting and the upper levels apprentice in a Reiki class and even teach a level 1 class before they graduate. These long form classes allow for so much growth and change. Our goal is to bring our students home to themselves. I can attest that my training was a truly transformational experience. The same has been reported by many many of our students.
When it comes to holistic healing, we take the approach of looking at the person standing in front of us, not only symptoms and diagnoses. We offer several different modalities of body work, we are clinical herbalists and do consults, we make a line of our own holistic products, Branch of Wellness and we offer sound baths, space clearings, spirit baths and a few other services. We want to meet people where they are and gently guide them toward their wellness goals for mind, body and spirit.
You emphasize inclusivity and being LGBTQA+ friendly. How important is it to create a welcoming and accepting space for all individuals in the field of holistic healing, and how does
this contribute to your mission?
It is so important to create a safe space for people to be themselves and to know that they will never be judged for who they are or their beliefs. We are here for anyone that needs us. That is basically it. Also, The Reiki school was founded by a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and is currently owned by a married lesbian couple so, there is that lol.
The Reiki School + Clinic is deeply involved in the community, collaborating with healthcare groups and nonprofit organizations. Can you share some examples of the positive impact you’ve had on your community through your holistic wellness initiatives?
In the past we have collaborated with Unite For Her providing massage and Reiki to breast cancer survivors. We also ran a volunteer Reiki program at The Abramson Cancer Center at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and provided Reiki and massage at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse. When the program started at the cancer center, there were not many hospitals that offered Reiki. I like to think that the success of the Reiki volunteer program was one of the factors that allowed Reiki to be offered at hundreds of hospitals across the country.
Bees are a significant symbol in your logo, representing unity and community. How do you see the concept of community reflected in the practice of Reiki and holistic healing, and how does it
contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and society as a whole?
We are meant to live in small communities biologically. I think so many people communicate through screens these days more than in person and then wonder why they feel so disconnected. We like to think of our students as little pollinators, flying forth and spreading positivity with their practice. The Reiki practice is like all mindfulness practices in that it allows us to become the pebble in the pond. Our grounded presence can have a ripple effect.We hold events for healers to talk shop, trade sessions or just hang out and have a cup of tea. We also have events for anyone and everyone to come in and meet like minded people while learning about herbs, experiencing a sound bath, learning about esoteric practices and even a book club.
If you would like to learn more about The Reiki School + Clinic, visit https://www.thereikischool.com/
