James Hands Awaken Therapy

How to use being triggered as a healing opportunity

➡️Download The Soul Warrior’s Journey - a Free Roadmap & Hypnotherapy Session 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/The-Soul-Warriors-Journey-Through-Childhood-Trauma-to-Transformation

So, what’s triggering?

Triggering is a colloquial word for when a memory, an old emotion, or something stuck in our process—stuck in our experience—gets brought to the surface.

It can be triggered by an event, something we see on TV, or a song on the radio—it can be anything—even the temperature. Something activates the memory, and suddenly, we’re swamped with strong emotion, unsure of what’s going on.

We tend to relate to this negatively because what comes up—if it’s stuck—is, by definition, something difficult. In fact, it can be very intense and very painful.

But as we get more used to working with it—usually starting with a therapist to learn how—we can begin to recognise what’s happening and work with the material. 

The part of us that’s coming up is doing so for healing.

Over time, we can get more confident using those moments of being triggered to our advantage. They’re healing opportunities.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

 

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

Why Separation is Part of Your Spiritual Growth

➡️Download The Soul Warrior’s Journey - a Free Roadmap & Hypnotherapy Session 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/The-Soul-Warriors-Journey-Through-Childhood-Trauma-to-Transformation

I wanted to talk about a soul journey aspect today—the journey as a soul warrior out from oneness, from the merged unity at the top of the pyramid. At the top, there’s harmony, unity, and wholeness. That’s where we came from, and deep down, it’s what we long for. But in that unity, we were half asleep, dissolved in oneness. The masculine aspect of the soul wanted to experience itself as an individual, while the feminine longs to return to unity.

So, we ventured out—into separation, into duality, into the human experience. Constantly experiencing contrast: light and dark, hot and cold, joy and sorrow. The desire to know ourselves in this polarity prods our consciousness, leading to growth, awareness, and the evolution of our soul.

But separation is hard. It can be painful. And so, like the prodigal son, we feel the pull to return to unity. Through healing, therapy, and spiritual growth, we find our way back—not as we were, but with a conscious awareness of self. It’s the out-breath and in-breath of God, the tide going out and coming back in.

There’s purpose in duality, even in struggle. Seeing it this way helps in healing, in letting go. The Soul Warrior book I’m writing explores this—how trauma healing is deepened by spiritual understanding. When we recognise light and dark as part of our evolution, it doesn’t take away the pain, but it helps make sense of it.

Brave you, for venturing into separation and duality. And Godspeed on your return journey to oneness—because you don’t go back as you left. You return with the awareness of self, individuation, and "I am-ness" that could only come from the courage to leave home in the first place.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

Stop Pushing Parts of Yourself Away – Here’s What to Do Instead

Stop Pushing Parts of Yourself Away – Here’s What to Do Instead

Healing is all about reintegrating the parts of ourselves that have been fragmented by trauma, fear, and pain. When we suppress or reject these parts, we stay stuck. But by embracing them with love and curiosity, we allow them to soften, transform, and reintegrate into our whole self. This process brings greater peace, spaciousness, and freedom in our lives. If you're on this journey, remember—each part of you matters. Each piece of the puzzle brings you closer to wholeness. I hope this video helps you understand why embracing is such a powerful healing principle. 

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

The divine has its own gravitational pull

Just as Earth has its own gravitational pull, so does the divine.

I call it God Gravity—a force that calls us, pulls us, guides us, and leads us with absolute accuracy on our journey back to the ocean.

We might find ourselves in the mountains—a little pool, a small stream, a tiny rivulet. Lost, separated, and feeling far from our source. And yet, there is a purpose in that journey.

But God’s gravity is always pulling us back to the ocean.

Just as water inevitably finds its way home, so will we—returning, in time, to the absolute, greater reality of who and what we truly are.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

Loving your inner critic

Loving your Inner Critic

A common problem for people, especially trauma survivors, is a loud and vicious inner critic. This part attacks self in harsh, angry judgments. It doesn’t stop attacking until we have collapsed in a powerless, guilty mess.

My personal and professional experience with inner critic is a repetitive message that cuts us down and keeps us in our place. It sabotages success and joy, undermining positive experiences and feedback from others. It keeps us small and shamed.

When we reframe the critical voice with gentle curiosity, we find a strong part of self trying to protect us. By getting in first with the attack, we avoid a greater blow when the abusive parent, sibling or partner attacks us. Better to be in control of the process rather than caught by surprise. Better from inside than outside.

So turn our attitude around 180 degrees. Trust me, this part loves you and will do it’s new job with the same consistent dedication as before. Now it builds you up into the self-love you deserve.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

 

Reframing our Inner Darker Parts

Our human nature is to fear and reject anything unfamiliar, different or intense. We push away the strange and uncomfortable because that helped us survive in the past.

Doing our inner work however, we need to over-ride that tendency. So many parts of us - old emotions, negative beliefs, traumatic memories - show up in confronting ways. Avoiding or suppressing them will only prolong our symptoms and suffering.

Therapy is a messy, uncomfortable process because we are unpacking the endarkened parts within us. It is not for the faint of heart. Yet by facing our wounds with gentle acceptance, reframing them as hurt rather than bad, we shift the stuck energies. 

Once freed of the burdens, these parts reintegrate. Our inner children come home.

So next time you notice yourself judging a part of yourself - a thought, a feeling, a behaviour - pause to remember every part of you is important.

Once reframed as not negative, but a scared, shamed, angry aspect of yourself crying out for help, the healing begins.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

Trauma survivor therapy and soul growth happen in parallel

Trauma survivor therapy and soul growth happen in parallel

For our healing tree to soar into the sky of our potentials, the roots need to be deep, strong and healthy. We can only grow into mature, soul power in parallel with robust shadow work.

To move from trauma survivor into soul warrior, we are not ignoring or rejecting our wounded human parts; we need to address them head on. By processing them with courageous love, our roots flourish and space is created for upward expansion. A solid human foundation, carved out of challenges resolved, supports our search for greater truth.

Inner work and spiritual awakening are correlated in the other direction too. A spiritual practice expands our consciousness; we remember our true Self and draw on the unlimited love, peace and wisdom that live within us. This light makes it easier to shine away the shadows and let the pain of the past go.

A caution: focusing only on one direction gets us stuck. Just doing the heavy lifting of therapy becomes exhausting and discouraging. We might be shifting old emotions, but without better feelings to replace them, can end up churning in circles. We are moving in the mud but not getting out of it.

And to only do spiritual practices, without addressing our wounded parts directly, makes us top heavy. Fine when we are on the mat, but the first puff of wind blows us over. This has been called spiritual bypassing. Trauma never healed through denial.

So, dear soul warrior, do both in parallel. Access great Love every day, and bring it to your endarkened parts. Transmuted trauma becomes the foundation for enduring, powerful presence.

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.

A tree is a powerful metaphor for our healing journey

A tree is a powerful metaphor for our healing journey. We begin in the root system, where we work through difficult emotions, past experiences, and trauma—processing them through the body and releasing their weight.

As we move upward into the trunk, we integrate psychology, understanding, and hypnotherapy, allowing us to reparent our inner child and build a stronger foundation for healing. Then, we reach the branches, connecting with our greater self—plugging into soul and spirit. At this level, we gain clarity, make sense of our journey, and move into true forgiveness.

So, let’s climb our healing trees together, growing from our roots into our highest selves.

✨Pre-orders for my new book "From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior" have opened!✨
 
My mission has always been to help set people free from their past suffering. My new book, From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior: Reconnect to Your True Self  (Manuscripts Press, due to be published around September 2025), contains messages I believe are important and need to be out there.

I am excited to share that pre-orders for my new book have opened. For a limited time, you can make sure you will be amongst the first people to own a copy, and receive many extra bonuses for getting in early.

Thank you in advance, dear soul warrior, for your support. It means the world to me.

You can pre-order your copy of my new book here: https://presale-campaign-for-james-hands.presale.manuscripts.com/

James Hands
Holistic Psychologist
Spiritual Hypnotherapist
Author and creator of Awaken Therapy
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/

Disclaimer: this episode is for education and information purposes only. It does not constitute individual advice and the information contained may not be applicable or appropriate for everyone. If you need support, consider seeking individualised support from a qualified health professional.