Spiritual Swindler
This is the first time I have ever shared this experience publicly, and I felt called to do so because it provides everyone with clearer insight and greater awareness about what to watch out for when working with certain healers. It is one of the hardest lessons I had to endure but grateful for it because it made me become a better version of being a healer and also to spread word on working with other healers without losing full trust, as there are still great healers out there.
Twinflame Universe, as many of us know, has been at the center of some of the most serious allegations of sexual assault, while also charging exorbitant fees for life coaching, promising results that often seem unrealistic, and displaying inappropriate and cult-like behavior within its community. Sadly, this is not an isolated case; in my experience exploring the broader landscape, I’ve found that numerous other groups and individuals engage in very similar practices, often without recognizing how closely they mirror Twinflame Universe. If you haven’t seen my YouTube episode on the subject, I recommend watching it or checking out related coverage on streaming platforms like Netflix for a fuller picture.
Famous gurus who are widely recognized such as Deepak Chopra, Jay Shetty, Dalai Lama and Sadhguru have also been implicated in allegations about inappropriate behavior and in questions about how they teach spiritual practices to some of the world’s biggest celebrities. My aim here is to help you learn what warning signs to look for, how to evaluate who to trust, and which types of spiritual teachers are appropriate and safe to work with.
Here are some warning signs that you are working with a spiritual swindler:
If a healer asks about your needs but then suggests something different and you feel uncertain, find a different healer who fits you better.
If someone you just met is showering you with excessive affection and flattery, be careful they may be a spiritual narcissist (covert narcissism).
Recruiting you into group activities that demand donations is bait to hook you into repeatedly giving money for programs you may not need (it is okay to promote but not demand money from any group activities, as this should be free at all times).
When healers form dual relationships like offering you a place to stay, becoming friends outside sessions, having a romantic relationship, or inviting you to parties, this creates a conflict of interest and can distract from your healing progress (unless there’s a promotional event for a grand opening or a sale of operational items, it’s fine but healers should not overdo it).
If a healer tells others about your work outside the session, that breaks confidentiality (this includes the healer sharing your vulnerable times to their family members or partners). Stop seeing that healer to protect your well-being (this is the reason why healers must avoid dual relationships).
If someone suddenly changes their personality and behavior and expect you to act the same, it's a major warning sign and could lead to unsafe situations like sexual assault, harassment, or unrealistic expectations (signs of no respect in autonomy).
If a healer uses sales pitches that makes you feel guilt, don’t fall for them. At your first meeting you decide what’s best for you. You can ask for their recommendation, but there should be no pressure to join a program or to sign up immediately. Healers often offer sliding-scale fees to help with costs, and programs shouldn’t be overpriced. If a program costs $1,500–$10,000, walk away.
When offered a program, ask the healer who taught them, where they trained, and credit the original sources for each method. Healers have teachers too if their knowledge comes only from internet searches of others and they won’t say so, walk away.
Lastly, ask to see a healer’s credentials. Ask what school or program they attended and where they were certified. When you visit their office, their certification should be displayed on the wall so you know they’re qualified.
If you or anyone you know have experienced anything that is on this list, you may contact ICF Life Coaching Code of Ethics and Spiritual Association Code of Ethics and place a formal complaint to conduct an investigation. If you have experienced any form of harassment and sexual assault, contact your local law enforcement immediately or seek legal counseling.
Now that I have informed you of the warning signs, here are some of the best spiritual teachers you can feel safe and work with:
Healers give informed consent at the first session. This shows you respect the space and the professional relationship. Read all paperwork before signing and ask any questions.
Healers must respect your autonomy: they cannot change who you are and must honor your wishes. Change is your own work and happens gradually not something the healer forces on you.
Healers inform clients they are not allowed to form a dual relationship, (romance or friendship) as it hinders their healing process. If healers have finished their sessions with their clients and terminated any kind of healing work, it is okay to form a relationship (but thread lightly on it).
Healers that does not accept gifts lightly, as this forms a dual relationship and unrealistic expectations. However, this is case by case. If the gifting is based off the client culture and traditions, then it is okay to accept but cannot be more than $50 dollars.
Tipping is not okay if the healer is on life coaching mode, as life coaches should not be accepting any tips. However, it is okay for reiki healers to accept tipping, as this similar to a massage therapy work (please see the reiki code of ethics handbook by William Rand).
Healers that offers program less than $60-$1000 dollars only usually means they are safe to work with. If anything above that is demanded, it is time to walk away.
Healers explains professional boundaries are normally safe to work with and respect their clients boundaries as well.
Now that you have all the list on how to stay aware and to work with trust worthy healers, here are some of my honorable list to work with if you happen to want to try other healing modalities aside from working with me:
Spiritual Journey Within Holistic Center - Concord, CA - Elena; she is number one in Concord with over 100+ reviews and she is amazing. I highly recommend with her credentials reiki therapy, shamanic practitioner, and she just finished her BA in Psychology
Be Radiant - Walnut Creek, CA - Deanna Jaromay - she has credential in Reiki Therapy and partially finished her high priestess training but she is working on it and specializes in essential oils very knowledgeable and cacao ceremony
Reiki Warrior Healing - Tina - El Sobrante, CA & Vallejo, CA - she has Reiki credentials, went to the same school as I did for her shamanic practitioner, specializes in substances abuse and cacao ceremony
New World Allstar - Kurt - Ohio - Twinflame Coaching and number 1 across the country, as he has union over 8000 twinflames with the right coaching & has Reiki Credentials
Spiritual Activator - Oliver Nino - Energy Healer and Geo Love Healer - well-known author that works with Jessica Alba & Gweneth Paltrow
Awakened Self- Healing - Leni - she specializes in self-healing, as she is a cancer survivor only using holistic modalities and has reiki credentials.
Pallas Athena - San Mateo, CA - Mary-Anne - has reiki credentials and she is also my client that has been learning from me. She offers reiki facials and helps boost your confidence to feel beautiful with great price that most facial salons do not offer.
Honorable mentions: they offer affordable, tailored healing programs. If a place isn’t listed, I don’t recommend it. I won’t name places I don’t recommend to avoid defamation. These healers respect confidentiality, keep healthy professional boundaries, and don’t form dual relationships.
Be careful and choose your healers wisely. Check the Spiritual Association Code of Ethics and the ICF Life Coaching Code of Ethics to learn what a healer should and shouldn't do.
I send you all great healing, light, love, acceptance, health, and abundance in all aspect of your lives.
Aho Mitakuyin Oyasin,
Rika Igarta - Master Healer
