What Is Shamanic Healing? The Complete Guide

If you have ever felt stuck, emotionally heavy, or disconnected from yourself in a way that is hard to explain, you are not alone. Many people reach a point where conventional approaches - talking therapy, self-help books, meditation apps - are helpful but do not quite reach the root of what feels wrong.

Shamanic healing is one of the oldest forms of healing known to humanity. It works with the energetic and spiritual dimensions of a person, addressing patterns and wounds that exist beyond the purely psychological. And while the word "shamanic" might conjure images of far-off indigenous rituals, the practice is very much alive, accessible and relevant to modern life - including right here in Birmingham, UK.

This guide is designed to give you a thorough, honest understanding of what shamanic healing actually is, how it works, who it helps, and what you can expect if you choose to explore it.

What Shamanic Healing Actually Is

At its core, shamanic healing is a spiritual practice rooted in the understanding that everything - people, animals, plants, places - has an energetic or spiritual dimension. When we experience trauma, shock, grief, prolonged stress or significant life events, our energy can become disrupted, fragmented or blocked.

A shamanic practitioner works to identify and address these energetic disruptions. They do this by entering an altered state of consciousness - often through rhythmic drumming or rattling - and working with helping spirits to facilitate healing on behalf of the client.

This is not about belief or religion. Shamanic traditions exist across virtually every culture on Earth - from Siberia and Mongolia to the Andes, from Celtic traditions to Australian Aboriginal practices. It is one of the few healing approaches that has persisted across continents and millennia because, quite simply, people have found that it works.

What it is not

It is worth being clear about what shamanic healing is not:

• It is not a replacement for medical treatment or mental health care
• It is not religious - you do not need to follow any particular faith
• It is not performance or entertainment
• It is not something you can learn properly in a weekend

Genuine shamanic healing is quiet, grounded work carried out by trained practitioners who have spent years developing their skills within authentic lineage traditions.

A Brief History of Shamanic Traditions

The word "shaman" originates from the Tungus people of Siberia, but the practice itself predates any single culture. Archaeological evidence suggests shamanic practices date back at least 30,000 years, making it arguably the oldest spiritual practice on the planet.

Different traditions bring different approaches and strengths:

• Tibetan and Mongolian traditions - work extensively with the spirit world, ancestral healing, and the relationship between inner and outer landscapes
• Andean traditions - focus heavily on energy work, the living energy (kawsay) that flows through all things, and the relationship with the natural world
• Core shamanism - developed by anthropologist Michael Harner, this distils cross-cultural shamanic practices into a framework accessible to Western practitioners
• Celtic and Northern European traditions - work with the land, ancestors, and seasonal cycles specific to these regions

A well-trained practitioner will typically have studied within one or more of these lineages over a period of years. Ryan Jones, for example, trained under Nicholas Breeze Wood in Tibetan and Mongolian shamanic traditions, holds Andean lineage teachings, and practises core shamanism - bringing together multiple streams of knowledge into his work at The Heart Shaman in Birmingham.

Types of Shamanic Healing

Shamanic healing encompasses several distinct practices. A skilled practitioner will use whichever approach (or combination of approaches) is most appropriate for the individual client.

Soul retrieval

One of the most well-known shamanic healing techniques. The concept is that when we experience trauma, shock, or overwhelming events, parts of our essential self can become disconnected or "lost." This is not just metaphor - many people describe a tangible sense of something being missing after a difficult experience.

Soul retrieval involves the practitioner journeying to locate and return these lost parts, helping the client feel more whole, present and connected to themselves again.

Extraction

Sometimes, rather than something being lost, something has become lodged in a person's energy field that does not belong there. This might manifest as persistent pain, heaviness, intrusive thoughts, or emotional patterns that seem to resist all attempts to shift them. Extraction work involves identifying and removing these energetic intrusions.

Shamanic journeying

Shamanic journeying is the foundational practice of entering an altered state of consciousness - typically through sustained drumming at a specific rhythm (around 4-7 beats per second). In this state, the practitioner can access non-ordinary reality to gain insight, guidance and healing for the client.

Power animal retrieval

In shamanic traditions, helping spirits often appear in animal form. A power animal retrieval reconnects the client with a spiritual ally that provides protection, guidance and strength.

Energy clearing and balancing

This broader category encompasses work with the energy body - clearing blockages, rebalancing the chakras and energy centres, and restoring healthy energy flow throughout the system.

Ancestral healing

Many shamanic traditions recognise that unresolved patterns can be inherited through family lines. Ancestral healing addresses wounds and patterns that may have their origins generations back.

Who Is Shamanic Healing For?

While shamanic healing can benefit a wide range of people, certain experiences and life situations tend to draw people towards this work:

• Professional women experiencing burnout - you have achieved a great deal outwardly but feel depleted, disconnected or lost inwardly. Read more about shamanic healing for burnout.
• People navigating life transitions - divorce, career change, bereavement, empty nest, health challenges
• Those carrying unresolved trauma - especially if talk therapy has helped to some extent but something still feels unresolved. More on shamanic healing for trauma.
• Anyone feeling stuck in repeating patterns - the same relationship dynamics, the same self-sabotage, the same emotional cycles
• Spiritually curious individuals - people who sense there is more to their experience than the purely physical and want to explore that in a grounded, safe way
• Therapists and healers - practitioners in other modalities who want to deepen their own personal work or add shamanic tools to their practice

Not sure whether shamanic healing might be relevant for you? Here are seven signs to look out for.

What Happens in a Shamanic Healing Session

If you have never experienced shamanic healing before, it is natural to wonder what actually happens. While every session is unique, here is a general outline of what to expect:

Before the session

Most practitioners will have an initial conversation with you - either on the phone or at the start of the session - to understand what you are seeking help with and to answer any questions. You do not need to prepare in any special way, although arriving with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the process is helpful.

During the session

You will typically lie down comfortably, fully clothed, while the practitioner works. You may hear drumming, rattling, or singing. The practitioner enters an altered state of consciousness and works with their helping spirits on your behalf. Some people feel physical sensations - warmth, tingling, heaviness, or lightness. Others see images or have emotional releases. Many simply feel deeply relaxed.

Sessions generally last between 60 and 90 minutes.

After the session

The practitioner will share what they experienced during the healing and provide guidance on integration - how to support the healing process in the days and weeks that follow. You may feel tired, emotional, energised, or a combination of these. It is normal for the effects to continue unfolding over time.

Benefits of Shamanic Healing

People seek shamanic healing for many different reasons, and the benefits experienced are equally varied. Commonly reported outcomes include:

• A deep sense of emotional release and relief
• Feeling more grounded, present and connected to oneself
• Breaking free of repeating patterns and cycles
• Greater clarity about life direction and decisions
• Reduced anxiety and a calmer inner state
• Improved sleep and energy levels
• A sense of wholeness and integration
• Deeper connection to intuition and inner wisdom
• Resolution of grief and loss
• Renewed sense of purpose and vitality

It is important to note that shamanic healing is not a quick fix. While many people experience significant shifts in a single session, deeper patterns may require ongoing work over several sessions.

How Shamanic Healing Compares to Other Approaches

A question many people have is how shamanic healing relates to therapy, counselling, or other healing modalities. The honest answer is that they are complementary rather than competing approaches.

Therapy and counselling work primarily with the mind - thoughts, beliefs, cognitive patterns, and emotional processing through conversation. This is valuable and important work.

Shamanic healing works with the energetic and spiritual dimensions - the parts of our experience that may not be fully accessible through talking alone. Many clients find that combining both approaches gives them the most complete support.

Ryan regularly works with clients who are also in therapy, and is supportive of any other healing or therapeutic work a client is engaged in.

How to Choose a Shamanic Practitioner

If you are considering shamanic healing, choosing the right practitioner is important. Here are some things to consider:

• Training and lineage - where did they train, with whom, and for how long? Authentic shamanic training takes years, not weekends
• Experience - how long have they been practising and how many clients have they worked with?
• Reviews and reputation - what do previous clients say about their experience?
• Personal connection - do you feel comfortable and safe with this person? Trust your instincts
• Ethics and boundaries - a good practitioner will never claim to "cure" anything, will respect your autonomy, and will be transparent about what they do

If you are in the Birmingham or West Midlands area, this guide to finding a shamanic healer in Birmingham may be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shamanic healing safe?

Yes. When practised by a trained, ethical practitioner, shamanic healing is a gentle and safe process. You remain conscious and aware throughout, and you are always in control. A good practitioner will also check in about any mental health conditions and work sensitively around them.

Do I need to believe in it for it to work?

No. Shamanic healing does not require any particular belief system. An open mind is helpful, but scepticism is perfectly fine. Many of the most profound healing experiences come from people who arrived unsure.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies greatly depending on the individual and what they are working with. Some people experience significant shifts in a single session. Others benefit from a series of sessions over weeks or months. A good practitioner will be honest with you about this rather than creating dependency.

Can shamanic healing be done online?

Yes. Shamanic healing works with energy and spirit, which are not limited by physical distance. Many practitioners - including Ryan - offer online sessions via Zoom that are every bit as powerful as in-person work. Clients across the UK and internationally regularly work with Ryan online.

Is shamanic healing the same as Reiki?

No. While both work with energy, they are distinct practices with different origins, methods, and approaches. Shamanic healing involves working with helping spirits in altered states of consciousness, whereas Reiki channels universal life force energy through specific hand positions. Some practitioners, like Ryan, are trained in both and can draw on either as needed.

What if I am already in therapy?

Shamanic healing and therapy complement each other beautifully. Many of Ryan's clients are also in therapy or counselling, and the two approaches support each other well. It is worth mentioning to both your therapist and your shamanic practitioner that you are working with both.

Take the First Step

If something in this guide has resonated with you - if you recognise yourself in the experiences described, or if you simply feel curious - the best next step is a conversation.

Ryan offers a free 20-minute discovery call where you can share what is going on, ask any questions, and get an honest sense of whether shamanic healing might be right for you. There is no pressure and no obligation - just a genuine human conversation.