Nestled in the heart of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Debbie Lawrence has been a beacon of healing and transformation for over two decades. As a seasoned Holistic Therapist and Reiki Master Teacher, Debbie has dedicated her career to empowering individuals on their journeys toward spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Through her diverse array of treatments, workshops, and teaching programs, she has touched countless lives, inspiring clients and students alike to unlock their innate potential for healing and self-care. In 2015, Debbie’s vision culminated in the establishment of The Holistic Therapy Centre, a sanctuary where clients can experience therapies ranging from deep-tissue massage to her signature AromaReiki healing method. A passionate educator, she also leads Reiki training at all levels and shares the profound benefits of essential oils as natural plant-based medicine. Debbie’s holistic approach extends beyond her treatments—she’s an advocate for self-empowerment, teaching practical techniques that enable her clients to integrate wellness practices into their daily lives. Join Mystic Mag as we explore Debbie’s journey, her philosophy of healing, and her insights into creating a balanced and harmonious life through holistic therapies.
You’ve been practicing as a holistic therapist since 2003. What initially drew you to holistic therapies, and how did your journey into Reiki and Aromatherapy begin?
I started using essential oils when my children were small and often in and out of the hospital with chest infections. I felt so helpless during those times, and that sparked a desire to explore natural ways to support their health. I began creating different blends of essential oils, and I was amazed at how much they seemed to help. Having children also inspired me to adopt a more natural lifestyle overall. I wanted to minimize their exposure to chemicals and create a healthier environment for them. Reiki came as a natural next step. When I was 18, a clairvoyant told me I had healing hands, and while I found it intriguing, I didn’t act on it immediately. It wasn’t until I had children and stepped away from full-time work that I had the space to explore this. I remember finding a book on Reiki in the library, and as I read it, I had the most incredible shift. It felt like an awakening, and I instantly knew this was something I had to pursue. I’ve learned to trust those powerful moments of clarity—they always guide me to the right path.
I started with a Reiki Level 1 class, which opened the door to the world of holistic therapies. While the children were still young, I trained in massage, became a Reiki practitioner, and completed a diploma in essential oils. As soon as they started school, I felt ready to fully step into this work, and my practice was born. Since then, it has been a journey of continuous learning and growth, blending my passion for natural living with helping others.
You teach a style of Reiki called AromaReiki. Can you tell us more about this unique approach and how it integrates the power of essential oils with traditional Reiki healing?
AromaReiki is a unique combination of all the skills I’ve developed over the years, brought together in a deeply transformative 60- or 90-minute treatment. I felt strongly that essential oils needed to play a more integrated role in my Reiki sessions—not just through a diffuser or in my hands, but as a core part of the experience. With my background in acupressure, essential oils, massage, and Reiki, I created a format that blends these modalities seamlessly.
The treatment begins with grounding pressure points on the feet, paired with a grounding blend of essential oils. This creates a sense of calm and prepares the body for healing. Next, I apply carefully chosen essential oils topically to the rear aspects of the chakras, using gentle, relaxing massage techniques. The aromatic qualities of the oils work alongside Reiki energy to encourage powerful physical and emotional release. Throughout the session, I’m also working intuitively with the energetic essence of the oils in harmony with Reiki, which enhances the overall impact of the treatment.
Clients quickly noticed how effective and transformative these sessions were, and many started recommending AROMAReiki to their friends. As demand grew, my Reiki students began asking if I could teach them how to integrate essential oils into their own practice. In response, I developed the AROMAReiki course, which is fully certified by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM). This allows practitioners to confidently combine essential oils with Reiki in their treatments and offer this powerful approach to their own clients.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer a range of holistic therapies and services designed to support emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. These include Reiki, AROMAReiki, Swedish massage, Indian head massage, Hopi ear candling and Akashic Record Clearing. I also teach all levels of Reiki, including my own AROMAReiki technique. In addition to treatments, I run a monthly meditation circle called Gifts of the Earth. This is a beautiful space where we explore the healing gifts of nature through guided practices using crystals, herbs, essential oils, and meditation. I also host workshops for those interested in incorporating essential oils into their daily lives. These sessions focus on how to use oils to support emotional and physical health naturally, offering practical tips and knowledge to help people feel empowered in their wellness journey. Once a month, I run a Reiki share group, where Reiki practitioners of all levels come together to share treatments, connect, and engage in Reiki development.
In your experience, what are some of the most common transformations that people experience after attending your treatments or workshops, either on a spiritual, emotional, or physical level?
The transformations people experience after my treatments or workshops are often multi-layered, touching on spiritual, emotional, and physical levels. Many clients share that they leave feeling deeply grounded, calmer, and more connected to themselves. The combination of energy work, essential oils, and other holistic techniques creates a space for their body and mind to relax, which allows healing to occur naturally. On an emotional level, people often describe a sense of clarity and release. Whether it’s through a Reiki session or a guided practice in one of my workshops, they feel lighter, as though a weight they’ve been carrying has been lifted. This is especially true when using essential oils, as their properties work so effectively to support emotional well-being.
Physically, clients report improvements such as reduced tension, better sleep, and relief from aches or discomfort. AROMAReiki, in particular, seems to facilitate these shifts by combining the therapeutic benefits of essential oils with the balancing effects of Reiki.
Spiritually, many feel a renewed sense of purpose or connection, whether it’s to themselves, their intuition, or something greater. In my workshops, such as Gifts of the Earth, participants often describe moments of awakening and gratitude for the wisdom and healing power of nature.
The most rewarding part of my work is seeing these transformations unfold and knowing that people leave my treatments or workshops feeling more aligned, empowered, and nurtured.
You run monthly Reiki Development & Meditation Groups. What are the key benefits of these groups, and how do they support the personal growth of those who attend?
The monthly Reiki Development & Meditation Groups are truly transformative experiences, and people often tell me they’re unlike any meditation sessions they’ve attended before.
These gatherings are much more than guided meditations—they’re self-healing journeys that help participants reconnect with their inner purpose.The sessions provide a sacred space where attendees can pause from the demands of daily life and focus on their personal growth. Through meditation, energy practices, and Reiki development, participants gain clarity, release emotional or energetic blockages, and deepen their connection to themselves and their path.The self-healing aspect is a key benefit. The meditations are carefully designed to guide participants inward, helping them to explore their emotions, intentions, and dreams in a nurturing and nonjudgmental space. Over time, this work supports their spiritual and emotional growth, giving them the tools to align more fully with their purpose and navigate life with a sense of calm and balance.The group dynamic also adds to the experience. There’s something powerful about coming together in a circle of like-minded people to share energy, insights, and healing. It’s a space for connection, learning, and support, which fosters a sense of community while enhancing personal transformation.
In addition to your therapy work, you also sell crystals and doTERRA essential oils. How do these tools enhance your clients’ healing journeys, and how do you recommend people use them in conjunction with Reiki?
My work with crystals and doTERRA essential oils is about so much more than just selling these tools—it’s about empowering people to become the healer in their own home. I believe that everyone has the ability to tap into ancient healing wisdom, and these tools are a beautiful way to support that journey. So along with selling the tools I also teach people how to use the crystals and essential oils with confidence, helping them to reconnect with the natural world and their own intuitive abilities. Whether it’s learning how to balance their energy with crystals or create essential oil blends to support their emotional and physical health, it’s all about giving them the tools and knowledge to take charge of their well-being.
When used in conjunction with Reiki, these tools can enhance the healing process in powerful ways. Crystals can amplify the energy of a Reiki session, bringing deeper balance and alignment to specific areas. Essential oils, with their unique energetic and therapeutic properties, work beautifully to support emotional release, grounding, and relaxation during and after a session. By teaching people how to incorporate these tools into their daily lives, I aim to inspire them to step into their own power and remember the ancient ways of healing.
It’s not just about the tools themselves—it’s about helping people reconnect with their own healing potential, creating rituals that nurture their mind, body, and spirit.
