Martin Thirlwell – Reiki Tradition
Tell us a bit of background about yourself and your interests… (How did you get into the industry? What made you want to become a Therapist?)
My interest with Reiki started back 40 years ago I used to own a Business in India Goa and I often used to commute from India to the UK often staying long periods in India. At this time Reiki was rippling towards the West but arrived in India first. It was at this time I discovered Reiki being carried out, although Goa then was a very tropical paradise with hot humid conditions I was hooked when I saw the energy of Reiki being transferred from the Reiki Practitioner to the client, from that moment I was hooked. Looking back now it is funny because at the moment I became hooked, I knew I would be teaching Reiki one day, I even had visions of me teaching. I love my job as a Reiki Practitioner although I am a 10th Generation Reiki Master from the Usui Shiki Ryoho system of natural healing I never place myself on a pedestal as a Master, I never even mention the word ‘Master’ I’m simply a mere Reiki Practitioner. In Reiki we teach everyone, is at the same level, as a teacher my knowledge is passed to my students making us the same level in knowledge, understanding and gratitude for what we have in common.
My work sees me working with very seriously poorly people, I specialise in Reiki with cancer patients, Dementia, Phantom chronic pain amputees, unborn newly born babies mums to be and families. My work sees me working within many Hospitals ranging from Sheffield to North Wales and as high up as Lancaster, Kendal and Barrow in Furness working with the midwives from Safe Active Birth. I work with Manchester Age UK with Dementia and NHS Oldham amputee day care clinic. My work also sees me working with many local Hospices in and around the Oldham area. My work with Reiki is 24/7 365 I specialise Solely with Reiki I don’t participate with any other Complementary Therapies. Working with so many poorly and sick people and making a massive impact and difference on their lives makes me feel very proud and happy I’ve been able to help so many people.
What do you enjoy most about your job as a Therapist?
I love my work with Reiki as I get to meet so many different people. Whether this is at my Therapy Rooms at a Hospital, Hospice, Care Home or even a clients own home. Each person and treatment is different you get to meet so many new friends this also leads to the clients families and carers. Reiki is so much different than any other complementary therapy, Reiki has a 90% spiritual aspect attached to it. In the Reiki community we say “One foot forward leads to a magical journey”. I certainly have been on a magical journey travelling all over the UK with Reiki.
Are there any challenges you have had to overcome as a Therapist and Teacher? How have you overcome these?
The only Challenges I have ever had is creating my own assistants to help me run my Business and Assist me on all my courses. 2014 I started training my ever Reiki 1st degree courses, after these same students attended 2nd degree, they were asked to assist on further upcoming 1st degree courses, this process continued, gaining more and more assistants. 2023 we have 16 dedicated, passionate, and loyal assistants. We still enrol Assistants today.
What is your seminar about and what can viewers expect to come away with?
My seminar is about Reiki and Integrated Healthcare and working professionally within Statutory Settings alongside orthodox medicine either single handily or working as part of multidisciplinary teams either as a volunteer or in paid positions. Viewers will learn about the standards and qualifications required to work withing these settings. The Syllabus Standards are the Core Curriculum and the National Occupational Standards. Students will also learn the training required to conform to the Core Curriculum. Upon completion students will fully understand working professional within Statutory Settings to the Core Curriculum.
What is it about your topic that appeals to you and why is it useful for Therapists?
Why this topic appeals to me is simple, we have been teaching Integrated Healthcare with Reiki since 2014 many of our students now work professional in Statutory Settings, in both paid and voluntary positions within NHS Hospitals, Hospices and even veterinary surgeries with animals. Reiki Tradition Stand up for Standards safeguarding the general public with Reiki. We also Stand up for Standards safeguarding animals in Statutory Settings with Reiki.
What is one piece of advice you have or have received for Therapists wanting to develop their Therapy practice?
My advice for therapist starting their own therapy business is firstly obtain insurance make sure your insurance fully covers your therapies both place of work, and mobile. Make sure your own vehicle insurance is covered for business. Secondly obtain membership from a leading reputable organisation this shows credibility to your clients. Make sure you are listed on an accredited Register, again this gives credibility to your clients and can lead to social prescribing.
What do you consider to be the most important traits and skills for a therapist to have?
The most important traits for a therapist to have are:
- A good listing ear
- Superb aftercare
- A gentle voice
- Gentle touch
- Always being calm
- To go above and beyond
- Cleanliness
Do you have a goal for 2023?
My goal for 2023 is to move to much larger and bigger premises. To increase all incentives, we operate. And to provide a much larger network of Accredited Reiki Practitioners throughout the Hospitals and Hospices we support.
Book your FHT Training Conference 2023 tickets today at www.fht.org.uk/conference
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