5 Best Practices for Energy Healers Working with Clients Facing Mental Health Challenges

Have you ever felt that mix of deep compassion and uncertainty when a client shares their mental health struggles with you?

Do you sometimes wonder how to create a safe, supportive space for these clients while staying within your scope of practice and protecting everyone involved?

As energy healers, we have the privilege of supporting clients during their most vulnerable moments. The key is finding the balance between compassion and professionalism—creating a safe space that honors their healing journey while maintaining boundaries to protect everyone involved.

This article will guide you in building a heart-centered, professionally sound practice for working with clients facing mental health challenges. You’ll explore practical ways to support your clients, stay within your scope, and safeguard your practice with confidence and care.

1. Creating a Safe Space from Day One

Let's talk about something we all face as healers - that crucial first meeting with a new client. You want to gather important information, but you also want to make them feel safe and understood. You can do both!

Think of your intake form as your first healing conversation with your client. Instead of just collecting data, you're creating a space for them to share their story. Here's what that looks like:

Instead of asking: "List any mental health conditions."

Try this: "To better support your healing journey, would you feel comfortable sharing any mental health experiences that might affect our work together?"

Key questions you might  include (always with gentleness):

• "Are you currently working with any healthcare providers or therapists who are supporting your wellbeing?"
• "What would help you feel most comfortable during our sessions together?"
• "Is there anything that might trigger discomfort for you that I should be aware of?"
• "Are you currently taking any medications that might affect our energy work?"

2. Sacred Documentation

We know - paperwork isn't exactly the most spiritual part of our practice! But think of documentation as creating a sacred record of your client's healing journey. It's not just about protection, but rather your presence and attention to detail.

For each session, you may note:

• The beautiful progress your client is making.
• Any concerns that arise during your time together.
• Special preferences or comfort measures that help them feel safe.
• Observations about their energy and overall wellbeing.

Equally important is ensuring that your records uphold the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality. How you record and store client information matters—especially when working with clients who are also under the care of licensed providers. Session documentation should always be clear, professional, and in alignment with relevant privacy standards.

While HIPAA compliance isn’t required for most energy practitioners, following its principles is a best practice. This “gold standard” ensures your records remain private and secure. In some cases, a client may request that their session documentation be shared with their licensed provider. By maintaining professional and confidential records, you’ll be prepared to support their care in a way that builds trust and reflects the highest integrity of your practice.

3. Setting Boundaries with Compassion

It’s easy to think of boundaries as walls, however boundaries are actually an invitation—a way to create clarity and safety in your relationship. When working with clients facing mental health challenges, clear boundaries help foster trust, protect your practice, and ensure everyone feels secure.

Ways to create compassionate boundaries:

• Share your role clearly: "I'm here to support your energy healing journey, working alongside your other healthcare providers."
• Invite open dialogue: "Please let me know if anything feels uncomfortable during our sessions."
• Create safety signals: "We can pause anytime - just raise your hand if you need a moment."

4. Recognizing When to Make a Referral and Share the Care

Sometimes the most caring thing we can do is recognize when a client needs additional, licensed support alongside our complementary services. Referring a client to a mental health professional or another licensed provider doesn’t mean you’re turning them away. Rather, it shows your commitment to ensuring they have all the resources necessary for their well-being.

As practitioners, it’s our responsibility to guide clients toward extra care if and when it may be needed, creating a holistic approach that truly supports their healing journey.

Watch for these signs:

• Your client seems increasingly distressed despite regular sessions.
• They're seeking support beyond your scope of practice.
• Your intuition tells you they need additional professional care.

5. Protecting Your Work

When working with clients who are under the care of a licensed practitioner, taking medication, or managing complex conditions, unexpected situations can arise. A client might have an unanticipated response to the work, misunderstand its purpose, or raise concerns about your scope of practice. These scenarios can feel overwhelming, but there’s a way to stay protected.

The reality is that anything could happen during or after a session. This is especially true when working with clients who may be sensitive or have a delicate balance.

The best way to protect your practice is through a layered approach. This includes developing a strong understanding of your client’s needs, setting clear professional boundaries, and recognizing when a client requires care beyond your scope—so you can refer them to the right provider. However, even with the best practices in place, unexpected situations can still arise.

That’s why having a solid professional liability insurance policy serves as an essential safeguard, ensuring you’re fully protected no matter what.

Having the right insurance ensures that you’re protected in these situations, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to stay fully present with your clients.

Most practitioners want:

• Professional Liability Insurance: Protects you from claims of negligence, misconduct, or lack of skill related to the services you provide. This coverage applies to incidents that occur during the policy period, even if the claim is filed later (occurrence-based coverage).
• General Liability Insurance: Covers claims for injuries that occur at your place of work, such as trip-and-fall accidents or property damage caused by your actions. Like professional liability, this coverage applies to incidents arising during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is reported.

The EMPA Bundle: There are professional associations that are tailored to work specifically with energy healers like you! At EMPA, we've created a special membership package that includes both professional and general liability insurance that is designed for energy healers. (Plus lots of tools, templates, trainings, and a wonderful community!)

Your Next Step in Creating a Safe Practice for You and Your Clients

Ready to support your clients facing mental health challenges with both heart and wisdom? We've created two valuable resources just for you:

1. Our comprehensive Buyer's Guide answers all your insurance questions with clarity and care
2. EMPA members get free access to our Safe Practice Certificate Course, which includes a full module on working with sensitive situations, filled with detailed insights and actionable steps for your practice. Want to become a member? Click here to join today!

You can access these resources today to elevate your practice to the next level of professional care and compassion.  When we create a practice that's both professionally sound AND deeply caring, we create a space where true healing can flourish.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal or medical advice. The examples are general, and coverage may vary by policy. Always refer to your insurance provider or policy language for specific details, as the policy terms take precedence. For legal concerns related to your practice, consult an attorney.