We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Serana Sparks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Serana , we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
There are many different methods of self-care that I implement in my daily life, such as self-reiki, meditation, walking in nature, taking luxurious baths and spending time with loved ones, however, my greatest motivation for self-care is service to others. I understand that I cannot serve others to my full potential if I have not taken care of myself first.
This has also greatly served my reiki practice because I have learned over the years the deeper I get into my spiritual practice, the deeper and more healing my reiki sessions have become.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My educational background is rooted in Psychology, where I learned the importance of client confidentiality and trust along with learning about the deeper psychological impacts of trauma, and stress. I believe my background in psychology has provided me with a deeper and more complex understanding of how a person’s background can shape the way they see themselves, the world and how they interact with others.
I see Reiki as a way to provide a safe space where a person can have the opportunity to feel their emotions, express them in an understanding environment and process them with loving acceptance.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My experiences in university learning Psychology and later on working with young children who are on the autism spectrum have been two extremely important life lessons for me. Both experiences lasted years and taught me many important lessons about the great importance of being a respectful and active listener for others, being a loving non-judgmental presence and having the patience for long or complex processes.
The importance of being a respectful and active listener in a therapeutic setting cannot be overemphasized. Having the validation and confirmation of one’s emotions, experiences and feelings can be the greatest catalyst for healing.
It can be argued that it is impossible to be truly listening if one is not also being present so that everything being communicated is also being received. Judgment, even unexpressed, can be felt, therefore I always intend to listen in non-judgment and unconditional positive regard so I may be of the greatest service to my clients.
I understand all humans are incredibly complex and diverse, therefore every healing journey will look different. It is my intention to honor every person’s healing journey, no matter how it looks or how long it may take.
All of these important qualities can be learned anywhere in life, all it really requires is a loving heart willing to take the time for another.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who is interested in persuing their own healing and willing to put in the time and effort for their healing.
People are able to heal from traumas in their past if they are equipped with everything they need. I will provide everything in my power to assist my clients in every way I know how.
It is my greatest blessing to assist others to become closer to their most empowered selves.
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