Get Paid as an Energy Healer: Make Money & Protect Your Work

✏️ Editor’s Note:

Have you ever hesitated to raise your rates—or even charge at all—because you weren’t sure if it was “okay” to make money doing healing work?

Or maybe you've told yourself that helping people and earning a good income just don’t go together?

Let’s clear that up right now: You can serve with heart and get paid well. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to sustain your energy, your business, and the people you’re here to help!

In this article, attorney Ian Foster breaks down why being paid fairly is not only “okay;” it's foundational to a safe, ethical, and thriving practice. You’ll also learn how to write clear payment, refund, and cancellation policies that protect both you and your clients from the start.

As an attorney who serves energy healers, I’m about to give you some of the best advice you’ll ever hear: It’s okay to get paid for your work.

In fact, it’s okay to get paid well for your work.

Not only that … you’ll do more good in the world and make a bigger difference in people’s lives if you’re getting paid well for your work! I know this from personal experience.

Unlike most of you, I’m not an energy healer by profession. I’m a business and tax lawyer who supports energy healers and the broader healing industry. However, like most of you, I’ve had to do a lot of healing in my life to get to this point where I’m doing what I love, making a difference in the world, and getting paid well to do it.

You see, I have lived a life of service. It’s a fulfilling life and I have no complaints or regrets. But due to my upbringing, for many years I was convinced that service and abundance did not go hand-in-hand. I believed that I could make a difference through service … OR … I could make a good living.

I didn’t believe I could have both.

I had to go through a lot of healing and therapy to come to the realization that a life of service and a life of abundance are totally in alignment.

Now I realize that not only can I have both, but in fact it’s better to have both, because an abundant life helps me be of better service to the people who need me.

Because I get paid well for my work, I have more freedom for self-care, and I’m much less stressed overall. In turn, that allows me to help more people and devote more energy to the clients and work that I love.

I also have the freedom to give discounts and complementary services when I feel called to do so because I’m not desperate for the income.

Then there’s the oft-overlooked part of getting paid well … the fair exchange of energy. As healers, we all know that the universe runs on flows of energy and every action is an exchange of energy in some form. And money is just one more form of energy.

💡Want help explaining your rates without flinching? Read EMPA’s article: "How to Confidently Explain Your Pricing to Clients as an Energy Healer."

Getting paid well helps both healer and client by creating a fair exchange of energy that keeps the relationship and the healing going.

So now let’s get to the legal aspect of all this.

Why Payment Policies Are a Legal Must-Have

If we start with the baseline expectation that it’s okay to get paid well for energy healing services, then we need to have good payment policies in place. In particular, you want solid written policies that cover all of these questions:

• How much do you charge for individual sessions?
• How much do you charge for group sessions?
• Do you give discounts for purchasing packages?
• When do you give refunds or not give refunds?
• When must clients pay for late cancellations or no-shows?

Keep in mind I’m not here to tell you how to answer those questions. The exact answers are totally up to you. Just make sure that you come up with policies that feel in alignment with your values and which align with the type of clients you want to attract and serve.

Why Written Policies Protect You and Your Clients

I’m here to make sure that, once you decide how to answer those questions, you are putting the policies in writing. Your payment/refund/cancellation policy absolutely must be in writing if they are to be legally enforceable.

Plus, putting your policies in writing is simply the right thing to do as a matter of simple fairness and equity for your existing and potential clients. People who work with you have every right to know what your payment/refund policies are up front, and they have every right to see these policies put in writing.

So, as you put your payment/refund/cancellation policies in writing, here are the things I want you to keep in mind:

Be clear – the whole point here is to have something that’s legally enforceable and fair to your clients, so clarity is essential.

Be concise – don’t use more words when fewer will do, as more words can only serve to create ambiguity and confusion.

Be precise – say what you mean and don’t beat around the bush, as clients will appreciate you simply being direct.

Where to Share Your Payment Policies

Now let’s think about where we should put our written policies for things like payments, refunds, and cancellations. Here are my suggestions based upon long experience serving the healing industry:

• Put these policies in your written contract that all clients sign. You may not call that document a “contract” … you may call it something else like “agreement” or “informed consent” or “terms of service” … and that’s okay. The point is, there is a legally binding agreement between you and your clients, and that agreement should contain these policies.
• Put these policies prominently on your website where people learn about you and sign up for your services. You want to be up-front about these policies from the very beginning so nobody feels ambushed or surprised later.
• Have a “Client Bill of Rights” that is designed to comply with safe harbor laws and include your payment policies there as well.

What’s Next: Payment Policies Support a Safe and Profitable Practice

Remember that putting things in writing is always key in any business relationship, and the relationship between healer and client is no different. Putting things in writing gives everyone clear expectations from the get-go and creates a safe container for you and your client to have a long-term beneficial relationship.

Our payment and refund policies are no different. Figure out what policies feel in alignment with you and your clients, remember that it’s okay to get paid well for your work, and then inform people in a clear written document right from the start.

If you can do that, you are already well on your way to a safe, vibrant, and fulfilling life running an energy healing business!

✏️ Editor’s Note:
Getting paid fairly for your work isn’t selfish. It’s part of running a sustainable practice.

Clear payment policies don’t just protect your time and income; they create mutual respect and trust with your clients from the start.

If you’re serious about building a thriving healing business, it’s time to make sure every part of it—from your pricing to your protection—is set up to support that vision.

Check out EMPA’s coverage and pricing page to see how energy-healer-specific insurance and professional support can actually strengthen your business—not strain it.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2024 issue of Energy Magazine. As part of the ongoing Laws & Regulations column by Ian Foster, these articles aim to help energy healers navigate legal, ethical, and business challenges with clarity and confidence.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal, financial, or medical advice. The examples are general, and coverage may vary by policy. Always refer to your insurance provider or policy language for specific details, as the policy terms take precedence. For legal concerns related to your practice, consult an attorney.