The question of whether healers should charge in return for giving healing is an ongoing debate. Here I present the arguments as I see them & my own view on this thorny issue.

In the ‘Healing Should be Free’ camp the reasoning runs:

-Healing is a ‘God given’ gift; as such it would be wrong to take advantage of the gift and make money from it.
-Healers use Universal energy and that costs the healer nothing, therefore it would be unreasonable to put a price on it.
-Healing is a calling, not a profession.
-Many people cannot afford much and wouldn’t come forwards if healing were charged for.

In the ‘Charge for Healing’ camp the arguments run as follows:
-Healers have to make a living just like anyone else. If they don’t charge for their services then most would have to take a ‘day job’ that would impact on the number of people they could help.
-Many healers have undergone professional training. The training has usually been at their personal expense and they may also have had to purchase equipment & tools for their chosen healing modality. Asking for payment is therefore reasonable as both time and money was invested into getting trained.
-Charges represent the time spent with each client.
-Charges cover overheads such as room hire, heating, lighting & consumables.
-Healing is as much a job as plumbing, hairdressing, or any other line of work. You wouldn't expect to walk up to a hairdresser & get a free haircut or call a plumber out for no charge!
-Clients often respond better when they have invested something into their treatment. They are more likely to respect the healer as a professional. They are also more likely to listen to & follow after care advice.
-Healing should involve an energy exchange- it shouldn’t be one way- the Healer just gives & the client just receives. Money can be viewed as energy & represents the client’s part of the exchange.

So where do I stand as a professional Crystal Healer?

I do charge my clients. If I didn’t then I would have to sideline my therapy practice & return to teaching in the classroom. I believe I can help many more people by charging for my time & skills.

The energy I use in healing is not my own, it is channelled through me & costs me nothing. However I do provide a therapy room that has to be furnished and heated and over the years I have invested more money than I care to admit gathering the tools of my trade- my crystals.

I give my undivided attention, time & skills for the duration of the therapy session. As a professional I feel confident that my time is just as worthy of being charged for as say a lawyer, whom I’m sure has no conscience about levying a consultation fee (though I’m pretty sure that my fees are much more affordable!)

What do you think about this debate? Are you a Healer or a client with views on this matter? Do join us in the New Age Forum to have your say.