We recently connected with Keela Starr and have shared our conversation below.
Keela , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.
My Reiki training was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life because it forced me to slow down, become present, and truly understand the connection between emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. Before beginning my training, I had always felt deeply intuitive and empathic, but Reiki gave me the structure, understanding, and confidence to channel those gifts into healing work that could genuinely support others.
What impacted me most during my training was witnessing how energy affects the body long before we consciously acknowledge it ourselves. I remember working with another student during a practice session who appeared calm on the surface, yet during the session became emotional and later shared that they had been silently carrying grief and emotional exhaustion for years. Watching someone release emotions they had suppressed for so long showed me how deeply the body and spirit hold onto pain — and how powerful it can be to simply feel safe, seen, and energetically supported.
Another defining moment in my training came during my own self-healing practices. There was one evening after an emotionally draining period in my life when I practiced Reiki on myself and experienced an overwhelming sense of peace move through my body. For the first time in a long time, my mind became quiet. I felt grounded, lighter, and emotionally clear. That moment shifted everything for me because I realized healing is not just about relief — it is about reconnection. Reconnection to yourself, your spirit, your inner peace, and the parts of you that may have been neglected while surviving life’s challenges.
My Reiki training also taught me that true healing is deeply personal. No two sessions are ever the same because every person carries different experiences, emotions, energy, and needs. That understanding is what inspired me to create a healing experience through The Nova Center that goes beyond relaxation alone. My intention is to create a safe, grounded space where clients feel supported emotionally, spiritually, and energetically — whether they are seeking balance, clarity, stress relief, emotional release, or simply a moment to breathe and reconnect with themselves again.
For many people, Reiki becomes more than a session; it becomes a doorway back to themselves. That is the greatest lesson my training gave me, and it is the same experience I hope to share with every client who walks through my doors.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Keela Starr, and I am the founder of The Nova Center, a holistic healing sanctuary devoted to helping individuals reconnect with themselves emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and energetically. I am a Reiki Master, energy healer, soul coach, and intuitive guide who combines Reiki, sound healing, chakra balancing, soul guidance, and intentionally crafted wellness products to create transformative healing experiences.
My journey into this work began through my own personal healing and spiritual awakening. Long before I understood what energy healing truly was, I always knew I experienced the world differently. I have always been deeply empathic and intuitive, often feeling the emotions and energy of others very strongly. Like many people, I went through seasons of emotional exhaustion, life challenges, inner searching, and trying to understand my purpose. When I received my first Reiki session, it felt as though my spirit finally exhaled. It brought me a sense of peace, clarity, and emotional release that I had never experienced before. That moment changed the trajectory of my life and inspired me to fully dedicate myself to learning the healing arts.
Over the course of my Reiki training and spiritual development, I realized healing is not one-dimensional. People are not just seeking relaxation — they are seeking relief from stress, anxiety, emotional heaviness, burnout, disconnection, grief, overstimulation, and the pressures of everyday life. Many people are carrying emotional and energetic weight without even realizing it. My work is centered around helping clients clear stagnant energy, restore balance, reconnect with themselves, and create space for peace, clarity, grounding, and healing.
What sets my work apart is the intention and energy behind everything I create. Every Reiki session, sound healing experience, soul guidance session, and all-natural product is approached with deep care, intuition, and purpose. I intentionally create healing environments that feel safe, luxurious, grounding, and spiritually nourishing. I believe healing should feel both transformative and comforting — like returning home to yourself.
In addition to my healing services, I also create handcrafted wellness products including candles, aura sprays, oils, bath soaks, and other intentional self-care items made with essential oils, crystals, herbs, and natural ingredients. These products are an extension of my energy work and are created to support emotional wellness, relaxation, grounding, energetic cleansing, and spiritual alignment beyond the healing session itself.
One of the things I am most proud of is creating a space where people feel genuinely seen, supported, and emotionally safe. Many of my clients come to me during vulnerable seasons of their lives, and being trusted to hold space for someone’s healing journey is something I never take lightly. I am also proud that my work encourages people to prioritize themselves in a world that constantly teaches them to pour into everyone else first.
More than anything, I want people to know that healing does not require perfection. You do not have to have everything figured out to begin your healing journey. Sometimes all it takes is one moment of stillness, one session, one breath, or one experience to reconnect you with yourself again. My mission through The Nova Center is to provide a sanctuary where people can feel grounded, empowered, restored, and reminded of the peace that already exists within them.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele has been genuine word of mouth and client referrals. In the healing industry, trust and personal connection are everything, so recommendations from people who have personally experienced my work have been incredibly impactful.
Most of my growth has come organically through clients sharing their experiences with friends, family, and coworkers after experiencing emotional clarity, relaxation, grounding, or energetic relief themselves. My focus has always been on creating a safe, intentional, and meaningful healing experience rather than simply gaining clients, and I believe people naturally share spaces where they feel truly supported and cared for.
While social media and community events have helped bring visibility to The Nova Center, the foundation of my growth has truly been the relationships, trust, and authentic connections I’ve built with my clients.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, I believe one of the most important things for succeeding in my field is authenticity and genuine compassion for people. Healing work goes far beyond techniques — clients can truly feel your energy, intention, presence, and whether you are creating a safe space for them to simply be themselves.
I also believe intuition, emotional intelligence, and the ability to listen without judgment are incredibly important. Many people seeking healing are carrying emotional stress, burnout, grief, anxiety, or spiritual disconnection, and sometimes what helps them most is feeling seen, heard, and supported in a genuine way.
Consistency, trust, and integrity are equally important in this work. Building meaningful relationships and allowing clients to feel emotionally safe creates lasting impact and naturally builds connection, referrals, and community. In my experience, people may initially come for a service, but they return because of how you make them feel.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenovacenter.com
- Instagram: @thenovacenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BKQ2a91Wk/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/comm/in/keela-starr-1a0bb928?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Aemail_email_next_best_action_digest_01%3BZ4B61TXOSw6J%2B6JkeI0NrA%3D%3D&midToken=AQFunyFfoLF1ug&midSig=3rhdmW_pRFBYg1&trk=eml-email_next_best_action_digest_01-header-0-profile_glimmer&trkEmail=eml-email_next_best_action_digest_01-header-0-profile_glimmer-null-1mnw7c~mpkcskls~mj-null-null&eid=1mnw7c-mpkcskls-mj&otpToken=MWIwZDFiZTMxMDJiY2NjNmJlMmYwMmVkNGYxOGUxYjU4NmM2ZDM0MTlkYTg4NTZmNzljMDA3NmU0ODUyNWJmNGZjOTA4NDkyNmFlOGUwZTI3OGRmNWVhMzhjZDk2NmRhZGY1NzViYTUzMTk0MGYyYzc3LDEsMQ%3D%3D
- Youtube: @thenovacenter
Image Credits
Amy Phillips and Keela Starr