Meet Suzanne Holmes | Reiki Master & Somatic Healing Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzanne Holmes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Suzanne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After experiencing my own transformative healing journey, I founded Healing Home Reiki to share the wisdom and hope that helped me heal. My mission is to empower others to find their own path to well-being, offering tools and practices that guide them toward living a life they love.

I spent years struggling with chronic pain, a condition that left me feeling trapped and isolated. The constant pain sapped my energy, making it hard to focus, work, participate in fun activities, or connect with loved ones. Most doctors couldn’t help because the cause wasn’t visible on a test or scan. But I knew there had to be a reason why I was in so much pain, so I began educating myself, determined to get better.

I learned about the science of chronic pain. My body was essentially in a perpetual “fight or flight” mode that was keeping me locked in discomfort. What I found was that my experience is quite common. Chronic illnesses often stem from dysregulation in the sympathetic nervous system.

I was finally enrolled in a rigorous chronic pain clinic where I worked with experts in neuroplasticity and embodiment practices, to re-create safety in the nervous system and rewire the brain. I now understand that when someone experiences physical trauma, emotional distress, or chronic stress, the body may lose its sense of safety. In an attempt to protect itself, the nervous system becomes more sensitive and amplifies symptoms. This causes emotional distress, and the negative feedback loop perpetuates itself, leaving people feeling lost and hopeless.

What I’ve learned, however, is incredibly hopeful. The brain is amazing- just by understanding what is going on, pain or emotional distress can improve! Starting to heal nervous system-related issues can happen immediately, but most people get stuck as an anomaly in the healthcare system. That is not necessary for anyone to go through! We can create a renewed sense of safety within the body with the right tools and start the path toward healing.

In this work, I found relief from my pain and an incredible path for guiding others towards healing. Over the past nine years, I’ve trained in many modalities and earned my credentials to become a Reiki Master Practitioner. I offer what I’ve learned to help others not feel alone and find their path to healing much faster than my own. Reiki is a gorgeous process where gentle, healing energy flows through your body, allowing deep emotional and physical healing to unfold naturally. The energy is warm, supportive, and releasing. The center of my work is Reiki because it’s a beautiful and effective way to facilitate nervous system healing. Through each session, you can release stress, alleviate pain, and reconnect with your inner voice, fostering a profound sense of well-being and renewal.

We all live with things that keep us feeling limited in our lives or prevent us from feeling joy just being in our bodies. Whatever you’re experiencing, I want to guide you to an ultimate sense of well-being & trust in yourself. That’s the motivation behind my business, Healing Home Reiki. I realized this approach benefits everyone, and my focus has become broader than chronic pain. My business uses a range of therapeutic tools to offer relief—from stress, anxiety, burnout, stuck emotional patterns, you name it. People find clarity and trust in themselves and make new choices for their path forward. I’m honored to be doing this work, and I can’t wait to see how it also transforms other lives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Healing Home Reiki is a deeply personal journey for me to share the wisdom and training from my own healing experience. Operating from my home office, I offer both in-person and virtual Reiki sessions that are tailored to each individual’s needs. Whether the client is navigating complex chronic issues, struggling with stress or anxiety, or simply curious about energy work, my approach centers on nervous system healing. It blends both science and intuition, using my own nine-year-long personal healing experience. (After all, I was my first client, and I was a tough nut to crack!)

I am there to support my clients’ healing, which means we look at the whole picture of their well-being. I always recommend that clients see their primary physician, and I love to encourage therapy as well. Utilizing my years of training in different modalities, I integrate the following to create an effective healing experience: Angelic Reiki, Usui Reiki, Guided Mindfulness Meditation, Chakra Energetics, and Somatic Release. The focus of my work is giving people relief from chronic stress-related issues, which means soothing the nervous system with feelings of calm and safety. For this reason, I make sure the client gets as comfortable as possible. I incorporate aromatherapy and have a super cushy spa table with an eye pillow and a fuzzy blanket. If the session is virtual, we take time to get the client comfortable at home.

The goal of every session is simple: I want my clients to end the session feeling insanely relaxed. I guide my clients into a “relaxation response” for parasympathetic nervous system activation by beginning the session with a guided meditation. Then we begin Reiki. I use the guiding principle of Angelic Reiki that healing isn’t about acquiring something outside yourself. Healing is about returning to your natural state of wholeness. I hold that intention for the client to feel for themselves. Reiki holistically addresses the body, emotions, mind, and spirit, creating a cascade of beneficial effects such as a deep sense of safety and well-being. It often feels like a gentle, glowing radiance of loving energy flowing through and around you. When the session is over, clients usually feel a sense of clarity, relief, and hope that wasn’t there when they first arrived. I often find that clients get off the table in a new headspace, miles away from the worries they came in with. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.

From a scientific perspective, Reiki cues the nervous system to shift from the stress-driven “fight or flight” mode into the restorative “rest and digest” state of calm, grounded embodiment. Over time, this shift creates a positive feedback loop that releases tension, supports the body’s natural healing abilities, and shifts our mental perspective.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to simply listen to your body. This is at the heart of how I guide my clients. Your body is always speaking up to guide you towards healing —we just need to listen. The body communicates with us in subtle yet powerful ways—through stress, physical symptoms, and emotional cues. It even tells us what habits aren’t serving us. Chronic stress takes hold when we ignore our needs, boundaries, and inner voice. However, when we start responding to our body’s cues, we create a sense of safety, and the nervous system can relax, leading to a positive cycle of healing and well-being. It’s pretty incredible. I have found this to be so powerful for recovering from burnout and chronic stress.

Work that heals the nervous system is like sending a message to our body that’s loud and clear: “I hear you. I’m standing up for what you’re telling me. I’m sorry I thought you were wrong or inconvenient. Now I realize you were sending me messages for my well-being. Thank you for guiding me.” It takes courage to commit to healing your mind-body connection because you have to tap into your inner voice and act on it. This may shift your priorities. I’m very proud of anyone doing this work.

What I love most about Reiki, somatic work, and nervous system healing is watching people shift from feeling chronically rundown, with old emotions and coping behaviors ruling the show, to feeling renewed confidence, radiance, purpose, and alignment. There’s something magical about witnessing someone reconnect with themselves, find hope again, and feel trust in themselves, like a new story is being written in their lives. I get goosebumps when I watch clients step into authentic self-expression and take a brave step towards something they “couldn’t possibly” have done before. This shows they have an embodied sense of safety, and old patterns don’t have a grip on them anymore. They now listen to their inner voice and are rewiring their brain. That is the beauty of neuroplasticity. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is when people begin to feel that living their lives and being in their bodies is enjoyable and feels good. Life starts to feel more like play, and the possibilities become expansive. Seeing people have this shift is really freaking cool.

When I decided to turn this practice into a business, I felt exposed. I enjoyed exploring Reiki, but I mostly kept it to myself. It felt hard to explain to someone who hadn’t experienced it, and I braced to defend myself from judgment. Could I explain it with science? Turning it into a professional endeavor meant admitting I was ALL IN. Ultimately, this was simply what I needed to do. It felt like the culmination of my healing journey, where I had to step into a new level of self-acceptance, integration, and self-expression. Again, I was my first client!

Reflecting on this process with my coach, I realized that starting a business does more than share your work with the world—it also brings up your shadows and shows you areas where you still have growth to do. To practice what I preach, I had to release any shame I carried about who I am and step into embodiment. After all, my inner knowing said, “Yes, this is who I am and what I want to do!”

I overcame those internal hurdles, and things started to flow. I had a cozy vision for my home office that I started putting into place, I completed my higher-level Reiki certificates and took care of the business logistics like licensing and insurance. Still, there have been challenges along the way, and one of my biggest lessons right now is how to communicate the value of my work to those who aren’t familiar with energy work or the nervous system. I know this work benefits everyone, but it can be hard to explain, especially when people aren’t sure how it works or immediately label it as too woo-woo for them. Also, I’m navigating if it’s time to expand my offerings—whether that’s teaching Angelic Reiki, leading guided meditations, offering stress relief workshops for workplaces, or hosting wellness events. I love to collaborate and work with a team. Sharing ideas and producing work together brings me energy and inspiration. I am considering whether I should join a partner or team to expand our impact and services.

What sets me apart is that I am dedicated to making clients feel at home in their bodies and lives. That’s why I named my business Healing Home Reiki. I believe everyone deserves to feel a deep sense of belonging and peace within themselves. One of my favorite quotes, by Hermann Hesse, is: “Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” This is the essence of what I want to help people rediscover: their own sanctuary, inner peace, and inner knowing.

Ultimately, I want everyone to know that healing is possible. No matter where you are on your journey—whether you’re struggling with chronic or emotional pain, or simply need a reset—I believe that you can live in alignment with your highest self. It takes courage and action, but with the right tools and support, a new path is here for you. If you feel stuck or disconnected, I’d love to guide you toward luminous well-being and help you trust in your body’s natural healing abilities. You can heal; you are meant for more, and I’m here to help you get there. This work is my passion, and I’m excited to share it with anyone ready to step into a new healing chapter.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I have two young kids and can’t start the day without strong coffee, I would start at Kindred Coffee in North Richland Hills for my fave drip coffee and muffins. Fully caffeinated, I’d love to share the Sacred Journey store for their beautifully curated collection of crystals. Then we’d head to Truckyard in Alliance for drinks, live music, food trucks, and a ride on the Ferris wheel. If it’s chilly out, I like Messina Hof Winery and Dr. Sue’s Chocolates in Grapevine or Kura Sushi in Euless to see all their robots. Date night is always craft beer and trivia night at What’s on Tap. With kids, the dinosaur skeletons and art projects at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History are always a hit. The Children’s Aquarium in Dallas, the Fort Worth Zoo, the Dream Playground, Trinity Park miniature train in Fort Worth, and the World Aquarium in Dallas are favorites as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow, my list is so long. I’m grateful for everyone who has been an educational resource, especially the people who challenged me as I healed from chronic pain. Medical practitioners and therapists that support nervous system healing are my heroes! The Kaiser Permanente Chronic Pain Clinic taught me the science-backed skill set for healing. (Gratefully, lots of resources are covered by insurance.) Tala Khalaf is a brilliant Physical Therapist who jump-started my healing. Lisa Dale Miller, therapist, introduced me to Somatic Experiencing. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s body of work, “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction,” tailors meditation practices for pain management, which held me for so long as I healed. The “Explain Pain” book cracked the code for me. My Reiki teachers are much-appreciated guides. Lisa Erickson guided me into the world of energetics and chakras. Denver Dykes, Therapist at Compassion Center Counseling & Rosaly Didonna, Coach at The Purifying Place, supported me to break through limiting beliefs as I started my business. Tina Todaro at the Sacred Journey store kindly collaborated with me as I grew my business. Best friends Carrie, Sara, Sandy, and others have been there for me during my dark night of the soul times, giving me enormous courage to offer what I’ve learned to others. My cousin Janice is a brilliant entrepreneur who is always there to brainstorm all things business. My husband is the best at holding down the fort and making me laugh. My two little girls, Willamina & Evelyn, are my ultimate mindfulness & embodiment coaches. My parents unconditionally accept me as I forge unconventional paths.

Website: https://www.healinghomereiki.com

Instagram: https://www.instgram.com/healinghomereiki

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-holmes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healinghomereiki

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/healing-home-reiki-keller-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HealingHomeReiki

Image Credits
Adriana Schneider