Much song and dance has been made lately regarding the question of crystal & energy healers misleading the public with certain statements relating to advertising. My personal view on this is that on the one hand, it seems that complementary therapies are targeted by a variety of people who may have a variety of (not always altruistic) motivations; on the other hand some statements that are on the web can indeed be viewed as misleading, and I would like to share some of my thoughts on this matter, since this issue affects all of us.
Like most people, I have bought products that looked great when advertised but that did not fulfil the promised expectations! Equally I have had treatments from practitioners that were fairly appalling and their competence highly questionable. I also, however, have bought brilliant products and had brilliant treatments, so where is the borderline of what can actually be stated in a democracy!
Desperate, vulnerable or very ill people often look to healing as a last resort and because of the condition they are in, could be easily deluded by exaggerated or grossly misleading statements. This is something that is unacceptable and reason enough to ensure firm boundaries concerning advertising are set in place.
I fully endorse that crystal & energy healers must not state that they can cure physical ailments; also that healers must clearly explain to their clients that they do not focus directly on or treat physical symptoms. I also feel that crystal healers must not purport that specific crystals treat specific symptoms, since the layperson could well take this on board and then buy expensive crystals and subsequently feel cheated. A few years ago, there was a TV programme that exposed ruthless individuals targeting gullible folk in regard to clearing curses for huge amounts of money. This was very damaging to many genuine psychics, who were consequently tarred with the same brush, but I am sure all of them fully endorsed the programme.
Much of the derision towards complementary therapies seems to be directed at crystal healing, which is a great shame, since it is a wonderful therapy that can be highly effective. Regretfully I can understand this disrespect to some extent, having had emails and calls from and conversations with quite a number of sceptics and upset individuals, the latter of which had had unpleasant experiences in regard to crystal and energy healing. Many of them unfortunately had a point and most of the sceptics viewed things differently after I explained what crystal healing was about and what was involved in the training and they then actually apologised. The many and mostly justified grievances that were communicated to me (and also colleagues), by dissatisfied or frightened clients, were the main reason for recently updating our code of conduct. We could not really do anything else except suggest they refer any complaints to the relevant organisations.
To oversimplify the afore mentioned issues, most of the sceptics thought that crystal healers were charlatans who, after attending a weekend workshop or two, duped vulnerable people out of money by flogging expensive crystals that were supposed to cure ailments. Some thought that crystal healing was just a scam, mainly perpetuated by workshop or course leaders who set themselves up as gurus in order to fleece the gullible, just like some form of sinister cult. Others questioned me as to why I was involved in such disreputable practices, but soon apologised when I pointed out what our training involved and that people who had bad intentions would certainly not spend many years of hard work, commitment, training and money in order to be able to help others.
In my view, the main reason for the many issues and accusations is the fact that there are advertisements and statements out there that indicate crystal & energy healing treat physical symptoms, as well as proclamations that specific crystals treat specific physical symptoms and this can indeed be viewed as misleading. Equally there seem to be single weekend courses for the layperson that issue crystal healing diplomas and then encourage holders to set up as therapists (after a single weekend)! I do not understand how anyone can suppose that they are able to effectively practice crystal or energy healing after just two days of training, since it is obvious how much is involved in qualifying in any therapy! I have written enough about training elsewhere on this site so will not go further into it, but the point is that one cannot lament when people point fingers at such misleading statements and scenarios.
May be the answer is for all healers to give out clear information to their clients about what their therapies represent, and how they can be beneficial. For those who teach, to advertise their courses with integrity and without embellishments in their own personal words, making sure they have the knowledge & experience to deliver. I do realise that others may have a different perspective on this and would welcome any debate or questions. I just wanted to give my outlook on the issue and hope it may help to make a difference…