Episode #154 Kathleen Ahern Healing with Reiki: A Guide for Neurodivergent Individuals

Ready Set Reiki

Tracy Searight welcomes Kathleen Ahern a nurse coach specialized in supporting neurodivergent adults, for a powerful conversation about reconnecting with authenticity through energy healing.
After self-diagnosing with ADHD in her twenties, Kathleen's journey led her to combine traditional nursing with Reiki and somatic practices. She shares how her first experience with a Reiki circle at a nursing conference left her feeling deeply rejuvenated and changed her perspective on what was possible within her medical profession. "I can be a nurse and a Reiki practitioner," she explains, describing the liberation of merging these seemingly separate worlds.
When skeptics dismiss Reiki as "woo-woo," Kathleen offers a beautiful analogy: like wind that can't be seen but whose effects we observe in moving trees and windmills, energy work's impact is tangible even when the force itself remains invisible. This accessible explanation opens doorways for those curious about energy healing but hesitant due to misconceptions.
The conversation delves into why energy conservation matters deeply for neurodivergent individuals. "Knowing how much battery you have left is important," Kathleen explains, framing boundaries not as selfishness but as necessary self-care. Both women share vulnerable moments of overwhelm and how Reiki has helped them respond differently – placing hands on the heart center rather than lashing out at loved ones, showing the practical application of these healing modalities in everyday life.
For those seeking emotional regulation tools, Kathleen offers a simple yet profound practice: identify the emotion, locate where it lives in your body, place your hands there, and breathe deeply into that space. "You always have your breath," she reminds listeners, emphasizing that healing tools need not be complex or require special equipment.
The episode concludes with a beautiful guided somatic practice connecting participants to divine energy, grounding forces, human connection, and inner love – a perfect demonstration of how Kathleen's work bridges the physical and energetic realms. Ready to explore how energy work might support your authentic self-expression? This conversation offers both inspiration and practical starting points for your journey.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Ready Set Reiki (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Kathleen Hearn (00:00:49)

3. Discovering Reiki and Nursing (00:03:02)

4. Misconceptions About Reiki (00:06:21)

5. Challenges and Slowing Down (00:07:57)

6. Finding a Reiki Practitioner (00:17:07)

7. Book Recommendations (00:22:08)

8. Services and Connecting Online (00:26:14)

9. Energy Work for Neurodivergence (00:28:54)

10. Emotional Regulation Techniques (00:33:37)

11. Somatic Closing Practice (00:37:27)