Reiki May Help Patients With Cancer Find Calm and Emotional Healing

Twanda Frazier, a cancer survivor and Reiki master, administers Reiki at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York. Drawing on her own experience with cancer and her spiritual practice, she helps other patients with cancer navigate emotional and mental challenges during treatment.

Radha Narayan, also a survivor, shares how Reiki has supported her through anxiety, depression and stress. In this conversation, they discuss what Reiki is, what a session looks like, and how it can support healing.

Twanda, you’re a cancer survivor yourself, and now you help others heal. What led you to start offering Reiki to patients, and how does it fit into your approach to holistic healing?

Twanda: My spirit guides, they told me it was time. I already write my own meditations, and I take people on a healing journey, because when you heal your mental body, your physical body heals. The same thing goes with Reiki. It’s allowing yourself to heal from certain things that sometimes we don’t even know are still there in order for your body to heal as well. I made a promise. When I went through my [cancer], I made a promise that I was going to use my gifts to help other cancer patients, and that’s what I’ve been doing.

For people who may not be familiar, can you explain what Reiki is and what a typical session looks like for someone going through cancer?

Twanda: Reiki is a very, very, very old Asian technique. We’re made of energy. It’s about harnessing the energy not only around us but within us and within another person to help them facilitate moving things along. People get Reiki for a myriad of things, but for cancer patients again, it’s about healing the mental body and releasing what no longer serves you. It’s easier said than done. They come more than one time. We have those sessions together, and then when they’re alone, they can do whatever healing work they need to do. It’s not a coincidence that they sign up. Your soul always knows what you need. Some people say, “I don’t know why I signed up.” Because you needed it. At the end of the day, you need that healing energy. Some people are born naturally able to harness these energies and help other people, and I just happen to be one of them.

Radha, what made you want to try Reiki, and what was your first impression going into it?

Radha: I was nervous at first, but I heard it helps with anxiety and relaxes you. I was curious to know what it’s about.

What’s your impression of it now after doing some sessions with Twanda?

Radha: It’s a stress reliever. It helps me with my anxiety, my depression sometimes, and staying focused. And she’s a great Reiki master.

It grounded me and, like I said, it’s a stress reliever. I’m starting to love myself more and focus on Radha before anyone else.

For patients who may be curious about Reiki but aren’t sure if it’s for them, what would you want them to know?

Radha: Just be open-minded and take that risk for yourself.

Twanda, you’ve worked with many patients at different stages of healing. What kinds of changes or responses have you noticed after people experience Reiki?

Twanda: The lightness. The smile returning to their eyes. Because you smile here [motions to face], and when it reaches here [motions to chest], it’s different. The lightness and the joy — they smile and they laugh. You come in one way and leave another. So I know I did what I need to do. I gave them what they needed, and I kept my promise.

How does it feel for you to be in this role, offering something that brings calm and comfort during a very challenging time?

Twanda: Honestly, I never thought about it. It’s just something that my spirit guides said, “It’s time.” Cancers suck big time, but the way I see it is just a ripple in a pond. You’ve gotten through other hurdles, and you’ll get through this. I help them get grounded, release what they no longer need, and whatever I’m directed to do. I know things that I shouldn’t know about people. Sometimes I freak people out.

So in the beginning, I always tell people who I am and what I can do so they don’t get freaked out. It’s kind of spooky, somebody telling you something about yourself that nobody knows. But everyone who has come here has had an open mind. There are people who didn’t know what Reiki was. Again, it’s because their soul led them here, not me. Everything’s in divine timing. For them to come, it was just their time to have that. Same for me — it was my time to start. There’s no coincidence.

What do you want patients to take away about Reiki?

Twanda: Like Radha said, keep an open mind. Your soul always knows what you need, so don’t dismiss it. When you feel that deep urge, follow it. If Reiki is one of them, by all means, come on.

Radha: Just take that chance. Nothing to lose.

Twanda: You don’t have anything to lose when you have a lot to gain.

Radha: Peace of mind.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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