A seven-year-old is not going to lie still on a massage table for 60 minutes with her eyes closed while a practitioner moves through 12 hand positions in silence. That is not how children work, and practitioners who try to run an adult session on a child will fail. the child will fidget, get bored, ask to leave, or simply shut down.
Pediatric Reiki is its own practice. The principles are the same. The execution is fundamentally different.
Deciding for Your Child
Reiki may help if: Your child experiences anxiety, stress, or difficulty calming down. They have been through a difficult medical experience and need emotional support. They are open to trying new things. You can find a practitioner specifically experienced with children.
Reiki is probably not the right fit if: Your child is deeply uncomfortable with strangers or new situations. the novelty itself will create stress. They have a condition requiring clinical treatment that is not yet being addressed. You are hoping Reiki will solve behavioral issues that need other interventions (therapy, occupational therapy, medical evaluation). Your child clearly does not want to try it.
Critical requirement: The child’s consent matters. A child who does not want Reiki should not receive it. Forcing a “relaxation” practice defeats the purpose and can create negative associations with wellness care.
Why Parents Consider Reiki for Their Children
The reasons parents bring children to Reiki in New York City cluster around a few patterns. Anxiety leads the list, and not just in teenagers. Elementary-age children in competitive NYC school environments carry stress loads that surprise even their parents. Test anxiety, social pressure, sensory overload from the sheer density of city life, difficulty sleeping because the apartment upstairs has hardwood floors and a toddler who runs at 11 PM.
Some parents come after their child has been through a difficult medical experience. Hospitalization, surgery, chronic illness management. these leave emotional residue that children cannot always articulate. Research at major pediatric hospitals supports this pathway. A pilot study at a tertiary care children’s hospital trained caregivers of pediatric inpatients in basic Reiki techniques (Kundu et al., published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2013). Of the 17 families who participated, 88% reported that Reiki provided relaxation for their child, 76% reported improved comfort, and 41% reported pain relief. Every caregiver in the study identified becoming an active participant in their child’s care as a primary benefit.
Other parents explore Reiki because their child has a condition that involves chronic discomfort. A quasi-experimental study examined Reiki therapy for 13 children with cerebral palsy, ages 5 to 16 (published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2022). Eight weekly sessions were delivered in the children’s homes. Pain while lying down decreased significantly (3.09 to 2.00, p = .002). Anger symptoms showed improvement trends. All 13 participants completed all 8 sessions. a 100% completion rate that researchers noted as particularly strong for this population.
Then there are the parents who simply want their child to have tools for self-regulation. In a city where children are scheduled from morning to evening. school, tutoring, sports, music lessons, playdates. the idea of a practice that teaches a child to slow down and notice their own body has obvious appeal.
The Core Differences: What Changes for Children
Experienced pediatric practitioners in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens describe several adaptations that separate children’s sessions from adult work.
Duration shrinks dramatically. An adult session runs 60 minutes. For children under 6, experienced practitioners work in windows of 10 to 20 minutes. Ages 6 to 10 typically tolerate 20 to 30 minutes. Preteens and teenagers may handle 30 to 45 minutes. These are guidelines, not rules. the child’s engagement determines the real session length. If a five-year-old is done after 12 minutes, the session is over at 12 minutes.
Positioning becomes flexible. Children do not need to lie on a table. Practitioners who work with young children in NYC report conducting sessions while the child sits in a chair, lies on a floor cushion, sits in a parent’s lap, or even stands. The practitioner adapts to what makes the child comfortable.
Hand positions simplify. The standard adult protocol involves systematic placement across multiple body areas. With children, practitioners reduce to a few key positions. typically the head, shoulders, and back. With very young children, hands may hover above the body rather than making contact, especially if the child is touch-sensitive. The child’s consent matters here: a practitioner who touches a child without clear permission from both the parent and the child is violating a fundamental boundary.
Communication changes completely. Adults can be told “just relax and close your eyes.” Children need context. Practitioners who work well with children explain what they are doing in age-appropriate language: “I am going to put my hands near your shoulders. You might feel warm, or you might feel tingly, or you might not feel anything different at all. Any of those is fine.” Some use visual language. Others skip explanation entirely with very young children and simply let the child experience whatever happens.
Silence is optional. Children, especially younger ones, may talk during the session. They ask questions. They narrate what they are feeling. Some practitioners encourage this. Others find that gentle background music helps maintain engagement without requiring silence.
The session may not look like a session. With children under 5, a skilled practitioner might provide Reiki while the child is playing, drawing, or looking at a book. The child does not need to be in a meditative state. This surprises many parents who expect something more formal, but it is often the most effective approach.
What the Research Shows. Honestly
Pediatric Reiki research is sparse. That needs to be stated clearly before citing what exists.
The strongest body of evidence comes from palliative care settings. Susan Thrane and colleagues have conducted multiple studies with children receiving palliative care. A 2017 pilot study with 16 children ages 7 to 16 (published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine) found decreased mean scores for pain, anxiety, heart rate, and respiratory rate after Reiki sessions, though small sample sizes prevented statistical significance. Effect sizes were medium to large. All families completed the study, and every mother said she would participate again.
A follow-up study (Thrane et al., 2022, Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing) examined Reiki in very young hospitalized children ages 1 to 5 receiving palliative care. Results showed medium-to-large clinical effect sizes for quality of life, stress, oxygenation, heart rate, and respiratory rates, though again, results did not reach statistical significance due to small sample size. Children exhibited visible signs of relaxation. quiet sleep after sessions compared to active wakefulness before.
In pediatric oncology, a pilot study examined 88 Reiki sessions delivered to 9 children (mean age 12) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Zucchetti et al., 2019, Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing). Pain decreased during the experimental period and remained stable in the follow-up period. The researchers concluded that trained pediatric oncology nurses could incorporate Reiki into clinical practice.
What the research does not yet show: large randomized controlled trials in pediatric populations, long-term outcome data, or evidence specific to the kinds of concerns that most NYC parents bring their children in for. test anxiety, school stress, sleep difficulty, emotional regulation. The hospital-based studies with seriously ill children tell us that Reiki appears safe and acceptable for children, but they do not directly address the wellness applications that drive most private-practice pediatric Reiki in a city like New York.
Age-Specific Considerations
Toddlers and preschoolers (ages 1-5): Sessions are brief, informal, and often conducted with the parent holding the child. The child may not understand what is happening and does not need to. Practitioners observe the child’s body language for signs of comfort or resistance. If the child pulls away, reaches for a parent, or becomes agitated, the session pauses or ends. No negotiation. Research with this age group comes primarily from hospital palliative care settings, where Reiki was delivered in 10 to 15 minute windows.
School-age children (ages 6-11): This group often responds well to simple explanations and can provide verbal feedback during sessions. “That feels warm.” “My tummy feels funny.” “I feel sleepy.” Practitioners who work with this age group in NYC neighborhoods like the Upper East Side, Tribeca, and Carroll Gardens describe these children as surprisingly perceptive about subtle body sensations. Sessions typically run 20 to 30 minutes. Some practitioners in this age range introduce the concept of self-Reiki. simple hand placements the child can use at home before bed or during moments of anxiety.
Preteens and teenagers (ages 12-17): Teenagers present a unique dynamic. They are old enough to consent meaningfully, old enough to be skeptical, and old enough to articulate what they feel. Many teenage clients in NYC come because a parent suggested it; some come because a friend tried it. Practitioners report that teenagers who arrive skeptical often become the most engaged clients if the practitioner respects their autonomy and does not talk down to them. Sessions approach adult length. 30 to 45 minutes. The parent may or may not be present, depending on the teenager’s preference.
The Parent’s Role
Pediatric Reiki diverges most sharply from adult practice around the question of parental involvement. A parent is almost always present during sessions with children under 13, and their role matters more than many practitioners initially expect.
The parent’s anxiety transfers. If a parent is nervous, hovering, or visibly skeptical, the child picks up on it. Experienced practitioners in NYC address this directly: they spend the first few minutes talking with the parent, explaining what will happen, answering questions, and giving the parent something to do. even if that something is simply sitting quietly and breathing.
Some practitioners go further. A caregiver training model tested at a major children’s hospital taught parents basic Reiki hand placements so they could provide sessions at home. The results were notable: parents reported feeling empowered by having an active role in their child’s comfort, and 65% of families attended all three training sessions offered. This model. teaching the parent alongside treating the child. is gaining traction among NYC practitioners who work with families.
The question of the child’s consent deserves emphasis. A child should never be forced into a Reiki session. If a parent brings a reluctant child, the practitioner’s job is to explain gently, offer a brief demonstration (perhaps on the parent first), and let the child decide. Forcing a body-based therapy on an unwilling child undermines the entire premise. Practitioners in NYC who specialize in children report that about one in five children declines the first session entirely, and that this is fine. Some return later on their own terms.
Finding Pediatric-Experienced Practitioners in NYC
Not every Reiki practitioner works with children, and not every practitioner who accepts child clients has the skills to adapt effectively. The questions that matter when evaluating a practitioner for your child:
Have you worked with children in my child’s age range? A practitioner experienced with teenagers may not know how to engage a four-year-old. The skills are different.
How do you modify sessions for children? Look for specific answers. shorter duration, flexible positioning, age-appropriate communication. Vague responses like “children are very receptive to energy” without practical details suggest limited hands-on experience.
What is your policy on parental presence? Any practitioner who insists the parent leave the room during a session with a young child should be reconsidered. Parental presence is standard practice in pediatric healthcare settings for good reason.
How do you handle a child who does not want to continue? The answer should be simple: the session stops. No persuasion, no pressure, no “just try a little longer.”
NYC has several pathways to finding these practitioners. Pediatric integrative medicine programs. Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and the pediatric programs at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital both incorporate complementary therapies into their care models. Private holistic wellness centers in neighborhoods with high family density. Tribeca, the Upper West Side, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, sometimes have practitioners who specialize in or accept pediatric clients. Doula and midwifery networks that serve families through pregnancy (as discussed in the context of prenatal Reiki) often maintain relationships with practitioners who work across the family lifespan, including with children.
Pricing for pediatric sessions in NYC typically runs lower than adult sessions, reflecting the shorter duration. Practitioners who charge $120 to $180 for a 60-minute adult session commonly charge $60 to $100 for a 20 to 30 minute children’s session.
What Reiki Does Not Replace for Children
Reiki does not replace pediatric medical care, therapy, or psychiatric treatment. A child with clinical anxiety needs evaluation by a mental health professional. A child with ADHD needs appropriate assessment and management. A child with chronic pain needs a medical workup.
This is not a disclaimer. it is a clinical reality. The pediatric Reiki research that exists comes from hospital settings where Reiki was used alongside conventional medicine, never instead of it. Practitioners who suggest that Reiki can address a child’s behavioral, emotional, or medical needs without professional evaluation are operating outside what the evidence supports.
What Reiki can offer children, based on the available research and practitioner reports: a non-pharmacological tool for relaxation, a gentle introduction to body awareness, a practice that gives both the child and the parent something calming to do together, and. in clinical settings. a complementary approach to comfort during difficult medical experiences.
For a city full of overscheduled, overstimulated children, those offerings are not small.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. Reiki is a complementary practice and should not replace pediatric medical care, therapy, or psychiatric evaluation. Always consult your child’s pediatrician or specialist regarding any health concerns.
Sources:
- Kundu A, Dolan-Oves R, Engel L, et al. “Reiki training for caregivers of hospitalized pediatric patients: a pilot program.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2013;21(6):615-621.
- Thrane SE, Maurer SH, Ren D, et al. “Reiki therapy for symptom management in children receiving palliative care: a pilot study.” American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 2017;34(4):373-379.
- Thrane SE, Williams E, Grossoehme DH, Friebert S. “Reiki Therapy for Very Young Hospitalized Children Receiving Palliative Care.” Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing, 2022;39(4):260-271.
- Zucchetti G, et al. “The Power of Reiki: Feasibility and Efficacy of Reducing Pain in Children With Cancer Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.” Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2019;36(5):361-368.
- Love L, et al. “A study of Reiki therapy on unpleasant symptoms in children with cerebral palsy.” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2022;46:101524.
- Thrane SE, Wanless S, et al. “Feasibility and Acceptability of a Reiki Intervention With Very Young Children Receiving Palliative Care.” Nursing Research, 2021;70(6):469-474.