Special Considerations for Energy Practitioners who are also Licensed Professionals

If I’m an Energy Healer do I need separate insurance if I’m licensed in another profession?

Can I just use one policy to cover both my clinical and energy work?

If you’ve ever felt a little stumped by how your credentials affect your coverage, we are here to help walk you through it. This is one of the most common questions we get from dual-trained professionals, and for good reason!

When your work spans both mainstream healthcare and complementary modalities, insurance coverage can get murky. But the good news is, once you understand how insurers look at what you do (not just what you’re licensed for), it gets a whole lot clearer.

In this article, we’ll cover what to watch for and how to keep both sides of your work covered with confidence.

Licensed and Non-Licensed Work Usually Require Separate Policies

If you’re licensed in a medical health profession (like nursing, therapy, or clinical nutrition) but also practice energy healing, odds are high that you’ll need two different insurance policies.

But why?

Licensed work comes with strict rules about what you're allowed to do, how you document your services, and the standards you're held to. It’s typically regulated by state boards and must follow laws that apply to your profession. That includes maintaining HIPAA compliance, using diagnostic codes, or working within an approved treatment model. Your license gives you permission (and protections) to do those things, but also holds you accountable if something goes wrong.

Energy healing, on the other hand, isn’t usually licensed or regulated in the same way. That means it often has fewer legal obligations, but it also falls outside the scope of your licensed profession. If a problem ever arises, your liability is judged differently, and so is your coverage.

Here’s an example: A licensed therapist who also practices Reiki cannot typically blend those services in the same session. In most cases, it’s not just “discouraged,” it’s not allowed, period. That person would need separate client paperwork, separate appointment scheduling, and likely even separate websites. On therapy days, they operate under mental health law. On energy healing days, they are in a different role entirely.

Because of this, insurance coverage needs to reflect the professional role you’re in when working with each client.

What it Looks Like in Practice

Once you know you need two policies, the next question may shift: How do I actually keep these parts of my work distinct?

Consider how you are scheduling. Many dual-trained professionals dedicate specific days to each type of work. For example, therapy sessions on Monday through Wednesday, energy healing on Thursday and Friday.

Create separate client paperwork. Your intake forms, agreements, and documentation should reflect the role you’re in. A clinical intake form is not interchangeable with an intake form for a Reiki or Healing Touch session.

Remember to use clear and separate branding. Some practitioners choose to have different websites or marketing materials, especially if the laws in their state require them to avoid blending the two practices. This also helps clients understand what kind of service they’re receiving and under what terms.

Maintain distinct record-keeping practices. HIPAA laws apply to your licensed work. While energy work is not bound by the same legal requirements, it is still the gold standard of practice when it comes to protecting yourself (and your clients). Apply similar documentation standards. It is a smart, professional move, and your business will thank you for it.

When your work is clearly separated in how it’s offered, marketed, and documented, your insurance coverage and legal protection can align with each role appropriately.

So I Can’t Combine the Two in One Session?

In the majority of cases, no. As mentioned above, licensed and energy work should be kept separate.

Even if you’re qualified in both, combining them in a single session creates a blurred line between professional roles, which can raise ethical, legal, and insurance concerns. It's a good idea to check with your licensing board to understand how your state or profession may handle overlapping modalities.

Let’s refer to our previous example: you’re a clinical therapist who’s also trained in energy healing. Even with client consent, you generally can’t add energy healing into a therapy session and still call it a therapy appointment. Why? Because energy healing is not recognized as a clinical mental health treatment, and your board or licensing body would likely consider that outside your permitted scope.

When services are combined improperly, you risk:

• Losing your license or being investigated by your board
• Having insurance claims denied
• Creating confusion for your clients about what services they are receiving

Your energy practice is separate from your licensed work, it’s treated that way by insurers, too.

Straightforward Steps for a Complex Career

Between energy and licensed healthcare fields, the questions can feel layered…but it doesn’t have to be confusing!

The key is to separate your services by role, not by title. Liability insurance isn’t determined by what degrees you hold; it’s what you’re doing with each client, in each moment. When you start to think in terms of roles, not credentials, the picture gains clarity.

Concerned that dual coverage is too costly? Skipping coverage can cost far more in the long run if you run into a legal dilemma. Read more about it in our article: What Energy Healers Need to Know About the Cost of Liability Insurance.

Fortunately, EMPA was created specifically to address your needs as a non-licensed energy or holistic professional. We offer coverage tailored for energy modalities, from EFT to Esoteric Healing, and yes, even massage. It’s affordable, streamlined, and backed by resources to support safe, sustainable growth.

The first step we suggest: list exactly what you offer in each role, then check whether those sessions are clearly separated – by forms, by schedule, and by client expectations. This will help you determine if your current insurance coverage matches your scope. Next, compare your setup with licensing laws and regulations within your state. And last but not least…choose insurance policies that each match your licensed and non-licensed work!

You may have noticed massage listed as one of the services we cover—yet massage is often a licensed practice. As always, there are exceptions to every rule! While massage typically requires a state license, it still falls under the EMPA umbrella of coverage.

However, licensed professions like nursing, mental health counseling, and clinical nutrition generally do not. If your work falls under one of these fields, you’ll likely need a separate policy for that part of your practice.

What’s Next: Align Your Coverage with Your Practice

Whether you’re working full-time in healthcare and offering energy sessions on the side, or your career is shifting more toward holistic care, getting clear on what you’re offering and how it’s protected is one of the most important things you can do for your business.

Having two sets of skills can be an incredible strength, but only if each is supported by the right structure, boundaries, and coverage.

If you’re ready to make sure your energy practice is properly covered, EMPA’s insurance was designed just for that purpose. Our policies are built for energy modalities and the unique nuances that come with this space. Not only that, but you’ll receive a membership that provides you with additional material, tools, and resources to protect and grow your work!  It’s one less thing to second-guess and one more way to strengthen the foundation of your business.

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.