Subtle energy healing - be this traditional spiritual healing, Reiki or Therapeutic Touch - involves the healer preparing him or herself through bodymind processes often referred to as grounding, centering, protection and attunement. The healer is generally concerned with the deeper spiritual concerns of their client, and will be interested in what is happening for them on a purely energetic, vibrational level. It is what the healer picks up with their senses, and particularly their sixth sense, which is used to help in their subjective 'diagnosis' and treatment.
The recipient remains fully clothed and is either seated or lying down. The healer lays on hands either on or off the body, working with his or her own learned or developed style of channelling, modulating, and transmuting universal life force energy. Usually the healer employs a knowledge of the chakra system, the aura or human energy field, the use of colour and sound, clairsentience (feeling sensations or emotions through one's body), imagery (using one's inner eye) and clairaudience (using one's inner listening capacity).
The beneficial effects of healing are far reaching - varying from pain relief, long-term help with chronic conditions, reduced anxiety and so on. At the least, healing by laying on hands offers the recipient the experience of relaxation, being cared for just as they are and 'held'; relaxation in itself is known to strengthen the immune system.
See also Dynamic Healing.