Reiki Is Not Recommended for Depression Treatment
You should not use Reiki as a treatment for depression; instead, choose cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line treatments, as these have proven efficacy in major depressive disorder while Reiki lacks any evidence base in clinical guidelines.
Why Reiki Is Not Supported
Reiki does not appear in any major clinical practice guidelines for depression treatment, including the comprehensive 2016 American College of Physicians guidelines that systematically reviewed all treatment modalities for major depressive disorder 1.
The ACP guidelines specifically evaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments including acupuncture, meditation, omega-3 fatty acids, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, St. John's wort, and yoga—but Reiki was not even considered among evidence-based CAM options 1.
No randomized controlled trials of adequate quality exist comparing Reiki to established depression treatments or placebo for major depressive disorder 1.
First-Line Treatment Recommendations
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT and antidepressants demonstrate equivalent efficacy for initial treatment of major depressive disorder, with similar response rates (relative risk 0.90,95% CI 0.76-1.07) and remission rates (relative risk 0.98,95% CI 0.73-1.32) 1.
CBT provides a unique advantage: it has an enduring effect that reduces risk for relapse and recurrence even after treatment ends, unlike medications which only prevent symptom return while being actively taken 2, 3, 4.
For severe depression, CBT can be as effective as medications when delivered by experienced therapists 2, 4.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are well-established first-line pharmacotherapy with proven efficacy, good tolerability, and safety in overdose compared to older antidepressants 5.
SSRIs work rapidly and robustly to reduce acute symptoms, with approximately 50% of patients responding to a given medication 2.
They are particularly suitable for patients who cannot access or prefer not to engage in psychotherapy 5.
Treatment Selection Algorithm
For mild to moderate depression:
- Start with CBT alone as monotherapy 6
- CBT provides both acute symptom relief and long-term protection against recurrence 4
For severe depression:
- Consider either CBT or SSRIs as initial treatment, as both are equally effective 1
- Combined treatment (CBT + SSRI) may enhance response probability, especially in chronic or treatment-resistant cases 3
For patients who fail initial treatment:
- Switch to an alternative SSRI or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) 7
- Add CBT if not already included 3
- Consider combination therapy with mirtazapine and venlafaxine only after first-line treatments fail 7
Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not delay evidence-based treatment by trying unproven interventions like Reiki—depression is potentially lethal, with suicide occurring in up to 15% of patients with recurrent episodes 5.
Do not assume all therapies are equivalent—while interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) also shows efficacy comparable to CBT and medications, Reiki has no comparable evidence base 1, 2.
Do not use SSRIs alone for long-term management without considering CBT—medications prevent relapse only while continued, whereas CBT provides enduring protection even after treatment termination 4.