A healer’s power stems not from any special ability, but from maintaining the courage and awareness to embody and express the universal healing power that every human being naturally possesses.
— E. Leventhal
At heart, we all have the capacity to heal ourselves and nurture others.
Spirit, energy, thought, intention, skillful practice, and empowered belief are available to all people.
Yet, as individual expressions of the Divine, we all have different paths, and not all of us feel called to healing practices.
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So, are you called to be a spiritual healer? Let’s find out!
Table of contents
Spiritual Healing and Social Rejection
Let’s first briefly explore the ‘dark’ or difficult side of being called to be a spiritual healer.
Those of us who do feel “called” in some way to spiritual healing are often met with some resistance, either from our friends, our family members, or our culture.
This is because spiritual healing can often be frowned upon as a quasi, scientifically misguided, charlatan practice by a society that is built on the mind and ego.
While there are con artists in every practice, the genuinely beneficial aspects of spiritual healing are often ignored mainly because they can’t be quantified or reasoned with.
Unfortunately, this has led to a large percentage of us (particularly in Westernised societies) losing touch with traditional forms of healing.
In this modern world, very few of us were raised around shamans, medicine people, or traditional healers who could pass on ancient knowledge and holistic healing practices.
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Instead, as children, we were taken to GPs, physicians, and doctors who prescribed us medications and other allopathic medicines.
While some of these medications were indeed useful and helped to fix certain parts of us, they never aided us in healing our whole organism with its many layers.
Yet despite the way you were raised, you might still feel a strong pull towards spiritual healing, even if it “goes against the grain” of what you were taught or the model of healing you were raised to accept.
So, are you a spiritual healer? Let’s find out.
30 Signs You’re a Spiritual Healer
If you’re a spiritual healer, you will sense it deep down.
You might feel like an old soul who doesn’t quite belong in this time or place, an empath who feels everything too deeply, or quite simply an outsider or lone wolf who can’t seem to integrate into society properly.
On a personal level, I’ve always known in my blood and bones that I’m a healer.
As a child, I was thoughtful, inquisitive, dreamy, and extremely nurturing. I remember caring for the kids at school, caring excessively for my toys, ‘rescuing’ stranded insects that got caught in spider webs or snails about to get crushed on the pavement, and caring a whole lot about the “bigger picture” in life.
I also remember playing with energy, having precognitive dreams, being hyper-sensitive to the physical and emotional environments around me, and somehow always attracting wounded people into my life.
Spiritual healers come in many shapes and forms. For example, I fulfill my role as a spiritual healer through my writing. Other people fulfill their calling by practicing reiki, kinesiology, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, herbalism, acupuncture, EFT, and a whole range of other practices.
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Spiritual healers are shamans in their own right. They are people who allow the energy of Spirit to flow through them in a way that guides, rejuvenates, and empowers others.
The spiritual healer is also a wounded healer, meaning that by healing themselves, they also heal others. This is the best kind of education available.
Are you a spiritual healer? Here are 30 signs that I’ve compiled (some might surprise you):
- You are highly sensitive to energy.
- You feel other people’s emotions and physical ailments as your own (aka., you’re an empath).
- You’re incredibly intuitive and can ‘read’ others very easily.
- You are a “big picture” thinker (and don’t concern yourself too much with the details).
- You have gone through bouts of existential depression or existential anxiety.
- You’ve felt like an outcast for most of your life.
- You think differently from others.
- You get overwhelmed in public easily.
- You’ve struggled with anxiety or panic before.
- You’re the natural peacemaker between people.
- You’re the confidant that people turn to in times of need.
- You experience digestive issues, lower back pain, or gain weight around the stomach area (lower chakra imbalances).
- You feel drained after spending too much time around people
- Sensitive beings like animals and children gravitate towards you.
- Other people tend to “dump” their emotional baggage onto you to deal with.
- You think in shades of grey rather than in black and white.
- You’re very aware of the interconnectedness of life and deeply respect it.
- You believe in synchronicity more than coincidences.
- You have a history of healers in the family, e.g., nurses, psychologists, massage therapists, doctors, counselors, etc.
- You’ve experienced major trauma in your life, e.g., the loss of your family, a life-threatening illness, a near-death experience, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, war, mental illness, etc.
- You’ve gone through a spiritual awakening or kundalini awakening.
- You’ve experienced the dark night of the soul.
- You tend to be mostly a right-brain thinker rather than a left-brain thinker.
- You experience chronic low energy or pain in your body (e.g., chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc.).
- You are drawn to the archetypes of the shaman, wise man or woman, witch, wizard/warlock, and healer.
- You tend to attract people who need “fixing” but often get trapped in self-sacrificing roles.
- You’re an excellent and compassionate listener.
- You’re naturally drawn toward healing professions that help others experience balance and wholeness.
- You can feel, distinguish between, and alter the energy within and without yourself.
- You have had numerous mystical experiences.
How many signs in this list can you identify with? If you think I have missed any signs of being a spiritual healer, comment below and make a suggestion!
Spiritual Healer Q&A
Think you might be drawn toward the role of the spiritual healer but are still unsure? Here are some commonly asked questions that might help you out:
Spiritual healers come in many shapes, forms, and types. However, overall, a spiritual healer’s focus is on the non-physical realm: the Soul, Spirit, and energetic layers of a person. Most spiritual healers focus on helping a person reconnect with their Soul or Higher Self by clearing away old energy, identifying inner blockages, and channeling healing energy. Spiritual healers may choose to work with ancestral trauma, past life issues, chakra imbalances, soul loss, or anything that may be causing unhappiness, inner dis-ease, and disharmony.
There are many courses out there that can certify you and sharpen your skills as a spiritual healer. However, none of these are mandatory to becoming a spiritual healer (although, they can strengthen your skills and give you a strong theoretical/philosophical basis). Spiritual healing is an innate calling that comes from the Soul; it can’t be handed to you on a piece of paper. Many people study intensively by themselves. With that being said, formal study can help to hone these innate talents. To become a spiritual healer, focus on what subjects and topics you’re drawn to and seek out trustworthy and trained facilitators – that is your path.
Yes and no. Spiritual healing is an inborn gift. If you’re an empathic and naturally compassionate person, chances are you are a born healer. But spiritual healing doesn’t suit everyone – even those with the innate gift. To be a spiritual healer, you need to have done a lot of inner work (working through your own inner wounds), have a high level of integrity, and be a grounded person. Some people find spiritual healing too overwhelming and intense, so keep that in mind when pursuing this path.
How Can I Start Being a Spiritual Healer?
As a healer, the best possible place you could start is with yourself. As the proverb goes, “Physician, heal thyself!”
Starting from within first is the best way to ensure that you have enough energy, passion, and love to give to others. If you haven’t done the right inner work, you may struggle with issues such as:
- Low energy and chronic fatigue
- Poor personal boundaries
- Projecting your problems onto others
- Being a ‘savior’ rather than a facilitator
- Struggle to hold space
- Compassion fatigue
- Overwhelm and burnout
In the words of teacher Phil Good,
Doctos study medicine. Teachers study education. Healers study darkness.
Being a spiritual healer requires a profound, long-term, ongoing commitment to your own mental, emotional, and psychological healing (aka., working through your darkness) so that you can be a clear channel or mirror of Love for others.
There are three places to start. The first is with self-love. The second is with inner child work. And the third is with shadow work.
Here are some further guides that can support you on your journey:
I have also created a Spiritual Healer Journal specifically to help guide you on your path. If you feel called to be a spiritual healer but don’t know where to start and need a helping hand, begin here:
If you’re a sensitive, empathetic, and intuitive person who feels called to be of service to others, this journal can help you awaken the ancient wisdom within you.
The journal includes:
- 40+ journaling prompts exploring the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of spiritual healing
- Lush images with quotes
- Healing mantras
- Oracle/tarot card spreads
- Book recommendations
- 100% editable & printable format
You can download it as a permanent bonus in our Shadow & Light Membership. May it serve you well. ♡
As healer Shakti Gawain writes,
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Spiritual healing occurs as we begin to consciously reconnect with our essential being – the wise, loving, powerful, creative entity that we are at our core.
May you reconnect with that wisdom within so that you can help others access their innate healing power.
Tell me, how many of the signs in this article can you relate to? What is the biggest struggle you’ve had as a healer, and what advice do you have to share? Please share below – you never know who you may help!
Whenever you feel the call, there are 3 ways I can help you:
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I can relate to everything that was said. And I’ve survived my past trauma since childhood but it’s still hurts and I’m trying my best to be strong always.
Every single trait
Just want to offer some tips on healing here. Whatever form of healing you choose to explore, spiritual, scientific, artistic, environmental, or whatever comes to mind, I suggest some basic information every healer should know. Perhaps you can begin by googling these terms/phrases. 1. What not to say to a depressed person / What not to say to a person with anxiety 2. Myths of mental health / Misconceptions of mental health 3. Self-love techniques in psychology 4. 100 self care ideas 5. Grounding techniques list in psychology 6. How to be a good listener 7. Nonfiction books on depression/anxiety / Nonfiction books about trauma 8. Therapy worksheets / CBT worksheets 9. Signs of an unhealthy relationship / Signs of a healthy relationship 10. 100 ways to relax 11. 100 ways to reduce stress. 12. 100 ways to stay calm 13. 100 ways to be happy 14. Quotes on healing (Perhaps to journal with quotes as inspiration). 15. Quotes on trauma (For the same reason as before)
Thanks Anonymous! <3
Grateful for the connection!
Me too, Monica 💗
I have all but I believe one or two!! I recently in the past couple years have discovered I am an empath (my Dad is a medium-grandma was prerogative) and I am currently 15yrs into my karmic relationship (narcissistic husband). I do suffer from fibromyalgia that flared bad after an accident. I am highly compassionate to the point ppl walk all over me. Everything you said you did in your childhood, I did. Down to the spider webs!! Would love to learn more as I follow angel numbers and have since 2021 and they’ve been telling me to ground myself and focus on spiritual not material;)
HI Nicole,
My heart goes out to you while being with a narc husband. I was invovled with one as well being the empath that I am. However once I was able to leave I did notice what a catalyst that relationship was for me to love myself deeper. Best of wishes to you on your spiritual journey.
I have all of these. Every single one. It’s quite different to see them all written out, I’ve felt them deeply in one way or another always. ✨ TY
I personally can relate to 23 signs. Being a highly sensitive empath that has extreme social anxiety. At times becoming overwhelmed by walking into large groups of people and feeling so many different emotions and energy and hurt from the whole room. Spent years as an intuitive physical healer that when completed working on people my energy was completely exhausted, needing time to re-energize myself.
I know without a doubt i am a healer but what do i do with these abilities? Iam extremely introverted so i dont know how i could have my own practice but i feel called to do something with these gifts but what?
HI Brent,
What about helping people online?
I literally have every one of these traits! I have always known but would love to learn to manifest and make my “powers” so called stronger
This evening my Sifu told me I have a healing spirit. I got completely overwhelmed by this observation! I’m not sure what the next step for me should be?
Thank you for this article!
I can relate to everything that was said. I’ve survived abuse of the worst kind. And still, it hurts me more when others are in pain or suffering. I literally feel it like its my own.
Anyone know why I get super tired when healing I literally took my daughters pain and literally been drain since and Nauseous
I’m a natural born healer people, animals of all kinds and communicator. I’ve covered both spiritual and use Reiki healing
i certainly can tick all the boxes on the list ! . I did the test which was so accurate ❤️