Dr. Benu Gopal
Professional Credentials & Institutional Roles
With a foundation in oncology and over a decade of Integrative Care leadership, Dr. Benu brings a unique blend of medical knowledge and evidence-informed Reiki Integration to hospitals, clinical care programs and oncology centers.
Hospital-based Reiki programs reduce patient anxiety, support staff resilience, and extend the reach of care into dimensions that clinical treatment alone cannot fully address. The evidence base is growing. The implementation gap remains large. Dr. Benu has worked inside that gap since 2013 — as a physician, as a Reiki practitioner, and as Program Coordinator for one of the nation’s longest-running hospital-based Reiki programs at Hartford Hospital. She understands both the clinical environment and the practical barriers to integration from the inside.
What she offers institutions:
Program Development
Design and implementation of patient-facing Reiki programs within oncology, palliative care, behavioral health, and rehabilitation settings. Includes protocol development, scope-of-practice alignment, and institutional policy integration.
Staff Training and Certification
Structured Reiki certification for healthcare staff - nurses, social workers, chaplains, and allied health professionals - with curriculum designed specifically for clinical application. All levels from First Degree through Teacher Certification.
Program Consultation
For institutions with existing Reiki or integrative medicine programs seeking clinical structure, expanded protocols, or staff development support.
Speaking and Presentation
Grand rounds, interdisciplinary team training, continuing education, and conference presentations on evidence-informed Reiki integration in clinical settings.
If you are exploring what Reiki integration could look like in your setting, please contact Dr. Benu.
Research & Academic Contributions
Poster Presentation — Society for Integrative Oncology, New York (2019): Hospital-based Reiki: Program Assessment and Establishing Best Practice
Pilot Study — Yale New Haven Medical Center (2013–2016): Effects of Reiki on Acute Stress, Anxiety, and Pain
Thesis — Christian Medical College & Hospital, India (2003): Comparison of Chemotherapy Schedules with Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer