Legal Anxiety: Why Energy Healers Don’t Need to Fear the Law

✏️ Editor’s Note:
If the legal side of your healing practice has ever left you feeling frozen, worried, or unsure what’s actually required of you, you're not alone. Many energy healers carry a fear that one misstep could land them in trouble.

Attorney Ian Foster has spent decades inside the legal system, and now works directly with healing professionals to bring clarity and calm where confusion once lived.

In this article, he breaks down where those fears come from, what’s actually true about government oversight, and how you can approach the law with confidence instead of anxiety.

As an attorney dedicated to serving healing practitioners, I’ve worked with hundreds of healers on the legal and tax side of things. My clients have an amazing gift for helping people on their healing journey.

Yet recently I've found myself doing the healing work by helping my clients heal legal anxiety. I’m helping healers get in touch with their very real emotions and concerns about the law so we can all bring the temperature down and take empowered action without being governed by fear.

Now, there's certainly nothing wrong with having a healthy respect for the law so we know our boundaries and limitations and understand how to stay safe.

But there's a big difference between healthy respect that helps us take action … and fear of government power that freezes us into inaction.

Look, I'll be really honest with you, because otherwise what’s the point?

... yes, there are real-life stories that might cause legal anxiety.
... yes, there are laws that sound scary and might stress you out.
... yes, I am aware of real-world examples that would feel like a gut punch.

But let's not go there! There's no point in me fanning the flames of anxiety and stress. I’d rather we heal our legal anxiety so we can practice safely and make a real difference in people’s lives.

Naming Your Legal Fears

So here’s what I want you to do.

Start thinking about the legal and tax side of being a healer. Let yourself imagine all the horrible things you think might happen.

Now write down all the emotions that are bubbling up.

Seriously, go ahead. Write them down. There are no right or wrong answers here. Everything you feel is valid.

In fact, I want you to lean into those feelings. I know this is a difficult ask, but I want you to draw power from them … the more uncomfortable they are, the more power you can draw.

Why draw power from the anxiety and discomfort?

Because those feelings mean your body and mind are functioning properly!

You see: anxiety and discomfort are perfectly normal reactions when confronted with complicated things that are not well understood and come with unknown potential consequences.

That’s right … if you’re feeling anxiety and discomfort around legal issues then you are a normal, healthy human being!

And in a world full of bad news, isn’t that some good news for which we can be grateful?

Check out EMPA’s blog article: The Unspoken Discomfort Around Insurance

Let’s Talk About What’s Actually True in the World of Law

And there’s some more good news! So let’s all take a deep breath as I’m once again going to be honest with you … about things which are actually helpful:

… there is NOT some epidemic of healers getting arrested or criminally charged.
... there is NO conspiracy of government officials and medical professionals trying to shut down energy healing.
… the government is NOT out to get you or shut down your business.
… the tax agencies are NOT trying to steal your money

Instead, the government wants you to run a thriving business that brings value to your community. Tax agencies simply want you to pay what you owe while taking advantage of the tremendous benefits for business owners.

How can I be so certain of these things? Because I spent nearly 20 years as a government attorney who prosecuted people for violating business and tax laws. I wrote business and tax laws. That means I know firsthand, from the inside, how the government operates and what kind of people work there.

Government employees do have lots of power and I realize that’s intimidating. But the vast majority of them are good and decent people who are just trying to be of service and put food on the table for their families.

What Government Employees Are Really Like

Your typical government employee is not there for the money. They can quit their jobs tomorrow and double their salaries in the private sector.

And they aren’t there because they can’t get good jobs. It’s incredibly difficult to get a job as a government investigator, auditor, or attorney.

This means the government employees with the real power are highly skilled and educated folks who have a heart for service … just like you.

I am a fairly typical example of what a government attorney is like. I should know, as I spent most of my career there. Do I seem like someone who wants to shut you down and put you in jail?

I don’t think I do seem like that kind of person. And I’m pretty sure you all don’t see me that way, either.

So the next time you think about law and taxes, think of attorneys like me who work in government and are just trying to do right by their communities.

What’s Next: Respect the Law, Don’t Fear It

And, should you actually get investigated or audited, go ahead and be open and cooperate with them. Get good representation, of course, just because that’s the smart thing to do. But be friendly and open minded, remembering that the person on the other side is not so different from me and you

And remember that you don’t have to be afraid … because you are someone who has a healthy respect for the law and you want to comply in good faith!

So let's all take a collective deep breath and calm down. Being terrified is not going to help. Let's instead gain a healthy respect for the law and learn how the laws work for us so we can take empowered action!

✏️ Editor’s Note:
For many energy healers, the fear of legal trouble has been a weight—built on stories, assumptions, and a lack of guidance.

Now that you've heard directly from someone who’s worked on both sides of the coin, you can replace fear with understanding and take steps from a place of clarity.

You deserve protection that understands your practice. EMPA provides liability insurance created specifically for energy healers and holistic practitioners—so you can focus on healing, not worrying. See how EMPA supports you!

This article was originally published in the July/August 2023 issue of Energy Magazine. As part of the ongoing Laws & Regulations column by Ian Foster, these articles aim to help energy healers navigate legal 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.