Your first shamanic healing session begins not with drums but with a conversation — and that surprises almost everyone. A good session has three parts: an honest talk about what brings you, the healing work itself (during which you mostly just rest), and an integration conversation afterwards. Nothing is done to you without explanation, nothing requires you to believe anything, and you stay in control the whole time. Here is what actually happens, step by step.
The three parts of a session at a glance
| Phase | What happens | Your job |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The conversation | You describe what brings you; the practitioner asks questions and explains what kind of work fits | Be honest — you cannot say anything wrong |
| 2. The healing | The practitioner journeys, works with their helping spirits, and performs the healing (in person or remotely) | Rest, breathe, notice what you notice |
| 3. Integration | The practitioner tells you what they did and found; you talk about what comes next | Ask everything — no question is too small |
Before the healing: the conversation matters more than you think
In my own sessions, the opening conversation often takes longer than people expect — and it is not small talk. What you name in this conversation shapes the healing: whether the right work is soul retrieval, extraction, power animal work or something else entirely. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis. “I feel exhausted all the time and I don’t know why” is a perfectly good starting point; recurring patterns, anxiety, empathic overwhelm and grief are among the most common reasons people come.
This is also where a trustworthy practitioner explains what they will do and why. If someone wants to skip straight to the ritual without hearing your story, that is a warning sign — more on that in my guide on how to choose a shamanic practitioner.
During the healing: what does it feel like?
Less dramatic than the movies, more moving than you expect. The practitioner enters a light trance state — usually supported by drumming or rattling — and travels on your behalf, a practice explained in my guide to shamanic journeying. Depending on the work, they may retrieve something that was lost, remove something that does not belong to you, or clear and balance your energy field.
What do clients report feeling? Most commonly: deep warmth or heaviness like sinking into the bed, images or memories surfacing unprompted, waves of emotion — tears without sadness are remarkably common — or simply falling into the deepest rest they have had in months. Some feel very little in the moment and notice changes only over the following days. All of these are normal. There is no correct way to receive a healing.
If your session is online, the healing works the same way — you rest at home with headphones while the practitioner journeys for you, and in my practice you receive a recording of the session afterwards. Whether distance changes anything (short answer: less than you would think) is a big enough question that I wrote about online vs. in-person shamanic healing separately.
After the session: where the healing actually lands
Afterwards, the practitioner tells you what they did and what they found — in plain language, not riddles. Then comes the part most people underestimate: integration. A healing session opens a door; walking through it happens in the days and weeks after. This is why my own format always includes a follow-up call: the questions that matter usually arrive two or three days later, once everyday life has met the new state.
Practical aftercare is simple: drink water, keep the evening free, sleep if you are tired (many people are), and be a little gentle with yourself for a day or two. Strong emotions surfacing in the first days are part of the process, not a sign something went wrong.
How to prepare — a short checklist
- Set aside a quiet block of time — no meetings directly before or after
- For online sessions: headphones, a stable connection, and a place where you can lie down undisturbed
- Bring one honest sentence about why you are coming (that is all the preparation the conversation needs)
- Skip alcohol the day before; come as rested as life allows
- You do not need to believe in anything — curiosity is enough
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to believe in shamanism for it to work?
No. You need openness, not belief. Many of my clients are skeptics who came because nothing else had touched their exhaustion — skepticism does not block the work.
Will I be in a trance or lose control?
No. The practitioner enters the trance state — you simply rest. You remain aware, you can speak or stop the session at any moment, and nothing happens without your consent.
Is it normal to cry during a session?
Completely. Tears during or after a healing are one of the most common responses and usually feel releasing rather than sad. Bringing tissues is more useful than bringing expectations.
How many sessions will I need?
Often one focused session creates real movement, and you integrate for weeks afterwards. Deeper themes — old grief, long-standing patterns — may call for a small series. A honest practitioner will tell you openly rather than selling you a package upfront.
What does a session cost?
Most practitioners charge $100–$200 per hour, with complete sessions between $150 and $450. I break down real published prices in my guide to shamanic healing costs.
If you feel ready, you can see formats and book directly on my shamanic healing sessions page.
Shamanic healing complements medical and psychological care — it never replaces diagnosis or treatment by qualified professionals.
