The Reiki Cafe 

Hi,

What are the rules regarding client disclosure. I read an e-mail sent to many by a RM about one of her students who passed away of cancer complications. This student never went to reiki shares nor have I met her in a reiki capacity or practice in the five years I was connected and this particular RM even asked me to call her several times to invite her and her student never came and seemed disinterested.

thanks,

Prosperity

Otoharo!

Prosperity, my training in social work came before reiki. In social work, confidentiality is uppermost. I would never disclose piddle-dy-squat to anyone about anybody living or dead. Therefore, for me that also applies to reiki.

finality

I have never seen any rules, but because of my hospital training and just common sense, I never say who comes to me for classes or Reiki sessions unless they specifically ask me to tell someone else about them and say something about being a student or client of mine. Some people have actually told me that this is a priority for them, meaning confidentiality. I feel that if I broke this confidentiality, it would diminish people's confidence in me. I do discuss experiences in general, but never with a name attached.
Just my opinion.
Feather

prosperity,

I don't know of any 'rules' but maybe because I live in a family that is predominately associated with the health care field or maybe because of my general upbringing regarding respecting other's boundries I never discuss any student or client in terms that would identify them (if I talk about them at all). I have asked others to send to a student of mine but that was with both the permission of the person and their mother. I have also discussed some of my energy sensations with a couple of others who sent to this person but consider this more of a 'consultation and second opinion' type of exchange. It is possible that even this is crossing a boundry that I shouldn't have.

Walk in beauty,
Rebecca

prosperity,

Hi.

Confidentiality is primarily about 'harm' that might occur if information about someone were 'made public'. Could the fact that someone is teaching Reiki harm that person? Well, if that person's employer found out and might fire them for 'doing magic' or some such nonsense then, then, yes, that would be harm I would say.

Now, if the RM asks each student if it is OK to share their name with other practitioners and gets the OK then the RM has done the proper thing. Does this mean no harm might ever come from sharing someone's name? Of course not. But once permission is given the onus falls to that person, not the RM (or doctor or psychologist, etc, etc).

This is what HIPPA is all about in the world of healthcare.

Cheers,

RC

Dear Prosperity,

It is best to keep confidences but not everyone is aware that others view their attendance at a class or a share as confidential information. Private treatment or one on one class is perhaps private but can a more public share be considered confidential? Even if the RM sees it as a confidential situation, all the students may not be of like mind. Anything done in a share may wind up being "shared" with others with or without permission, there is no telling with people. So I would not divulge what one does not want to be spread around.
One of the reasons I broke with the group that trained me was the talk & finger pointing that went on. Silly me, I thought Reiki people were different. Years ago I had the same disillusionment with religous people. The error is the same: I expected people to act contrary to their natures!
I am human as well and frequently not in "best practice" mode. But if we keep reminding one another of how we wish to be, of what our intent should be, maybe it will seep into our thick skulls!! :)
peace & joy,
holobon

Good Morning!

In consideration for a clients confidentiality I prefer to go the medical world route. No disclosure that would identify a client. However if a client does give permission to share their identity then perhaps it would be a good thing to have them sign some type of disclosure agreement. I realize this brings us intot he realm of legalease but...

I do know of a woman who talks often of her clients thinking it is OK to share with her friends. She also seeks info about clients from others. I find this to be offensive and uncomfortable when put in such a position. I simply say "I am sorry but I really cannot share that information." or "I am not at liberty to say"

I work in an elementary school with special needs children and we are not allowed to speak about the kids we work with to other employees but if you sit in the teachers lounge that rule is broken all the time.

Lead by example and pray that you are treated with the same respect of your own confidentiality.

Love and light,
Tracey

Dear Holoban,

Thank you and I agree. This RM teaches one on one and she told me when she forwarded to me an e-mail about one of her students that this person wouldn't mind when I asked her if the other person was ok with it. It seemed she was defensive and assuming the other person wouldn't mind. It seems like a way of calling her on her stuff as I want someone to call me on mine.

peace,

Prosperity

Dear Finality,

Yes I also agree. Especially when they advertise themselves as professional.

Thanks for your response.

peace and blessings,

Prosperity

Dear Feather,

Thank you for sharing that experience which validates my uncomfortableness with this person who does this sort of thing regularly. Some gossip is natural yet this person has a bragging quality about it and is always advertising herself.

peace,

Prosperity

Dear Rebecca,

Thanks for your response and yes it seems there is a fine line. Your situation of talking about energy exchange seems appropriate. To do it for the best interest of student/client or feedback to get more perspective etc. I've done that as well in similar situations.
I've had a Rolfing person do consultation about me with a counselor who referred me to her for my best interest as well and it was disconcerting as they talked about me openly as I listened. They were not too subtle; worked in the same bldg. and referred clients to each other.
I just hope I can be sensitive and confidential all the time and pray I never resort to name dropping.

thanks again,

blessings,

Prosperity

Dear RC,

You do bring up a great point of communicating about that with students. That would be considerate.
Maybe I need to communicate that I don't want her to tell other people I'm her student or have been her student outside the reiki group of people we have worked with unless she has permission from me.
Thank you for mentioning that.

peace,

Prosperity

Dear Tracey,

Thanks for your opinion and how you handle that sort of prying. Some just don't "get it" and maybe never will.
I agree about leading a good example and I am finding that I am spending less time with those who go on about others too much or are too nosy. I know I can often be nosy as well so I need to work on minding my own business. Another thing to say is "we can talk about it later". That seems to give them a subtle hint when someone is asking me nosy questions that I don't want to answer.

peace,

Prosperity

Hi prosperity,

For me, student confidentiality goes without saying ... even when I am treating members of the same family, I make it quite clear that anything said between the patient and myself is totally confidential.

I see many local people in my village who come for Reiki, but the only way they would know about anothers` visit is if they asked each other, not through me.

I do keep records, necessary for insurance, but totally and utterly confidential.

Love and light,
philanty

Dear Prosperity,
All of us can benefit from a reminder once in awhile to really look at what we are doing or saying. That is what I expect my friends to do for me. Some may be offended but when we question the practice of sharing unauthorized or private information we are stating where we stand & that reaffirms our own connection with the principle. In these trying times, principles are important albeit unpopular.

peace & joy,
holobon