James Hands Awaken Therapy

Attending to the unmet needs of our inner child

➡️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

In this week's video I’m talking about something that affects us all—our early dependency needs and how they shape us as adults. As babies, we’re completely dependent on others for survival, and if those needs weren’t consistently met—through touch, presence, and responsiveness—it can leave deep imprints that show up later in life as anxiety, neediness, or difficulty in relationships.

In the video, I reflect on the ways unmet childhood needs can lead us to unconsciously seek that same care and security from partners, bosses, even spiritual beliefs—when in fact, no one else can truly fill that space for us. That’s why learning to re-parent ourselves is such a vital part of healing.

We do that by turning inward, using our adult strengths—our capacity for love, patience, wisdom—and offering them to the parts of ourselves that still feel stuck or scared. 

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 we need to become comfortable with Anger

➡️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

Let’s talk about anger—because anger often has a bad reputation. We’re taught it’s dangerous or destructive, but that’s only one side of the story.

When anger comes from fear, it can show up as aggression—lashing out, hurting others, or turning inward as self-loathing, criticism, or even self-harm. That fear-based expression is destructive, and we’ve all seen how it can play out, from fights at sporting events to wars.

But anger itself isn’t the problem. At its core, anger is a powerful energy. It’s our will in action—it gives us a spine, a sense of determination, and the ability to say, “No, this isn’t right for me.”

When we express our will from love, not fear, it’s not aggression—it’s assertiveness. It’s gentle, peaceful, but firm. Like the story of Jesus clearing the temple, it’s about saying, “This isn’t okay,” and standing in that truth with quiet authority.

So today, I want to invite you to reframe your relationship with anger. See it as an ally, as a friend. It’s a force we all need at times—to set boundaries, to make things happen, to live in alignment with our deepest values.

Without it, we’re like jellyfish—without structure, without direction. With it, we have a spine. We have access to our Divine Will.

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.

Worrying is praying for something bad to happen

➡️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

There’s a wise saying: Worrying is praying for something bad to happen. When we worry, we’re not just anxious—we’re actively focusing our energy on what we don’t want. This video explores how our thoughts and subconscious beliefs shape the outcomes we experience, and why it’s so important to become aware of the deeper patterns that drive us.

Our subconscious is incredibly powerful—often far more influential than our conscious mind. We might want to manifest love, success, or peace, but if our subconscious is holding onto fear, guilt, or old wounds, we can unintentionally create the very experiences we’re trying to avoid.

Through practices like therapy, hypnotherapy, and inner inquiry, we can heal these deeper layers and create space for greater alignment with our true self. This is the real work of transforming worry into trust and creating the life we long for.

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.

Grounding yourself through animal and nature connection

➡️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

In this video, I’m continuing our series on triggering—what to do when old emotional material comes up and overwhelms us.

We’ve already looked at tools like breathing, movement, singing, and Qigong. Today, I’m sharing two more really helpful ways to support yourself when you’re in that dysregulated state: connecting with nature and using cold exposure.

Nature helps us ground when we’re triggered. That could be standing barefoot on the grass, walking in the bush, hugging a tree, or just looking at the sky. We are nature, and getting back into connection with it can be deeply calming.

Animals are also a powerful part of this. Playing with your dog or cat, listening to birds, or spending time with any animal that brings you joy—these connections help regulate us too. The animal kingdom is already in balance, and being around them can gently bring us back into harmony.

Cold exposure is another tool—ice on the back of the neck, cold water on the wrists or face, or even a short cold shower can all help calm the nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve.

When we’re activated, we don’t have to stay stuck there. These simple tools can support you to come back to calm. I hope this was helpful—feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further support.

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 simple technique for when you're feeling triggered

➡️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

When we’re activated or triggered, old emotions and trauma surface—and if we don’t know how to manage them, they can lead to destructive behaviours or shutdown. In this video, I share a simple but powerful movement technique rooted in Qigong that helps shift energy out of the body and regulate your nervous system. I also explain why movement is essential right now as the world goes through intense energetic shifts.

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.

How to look after that deeper part of you that needs love

➡️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

Today I wanted to speak a bit about triggering — those moments when old, stuck energy surfaces in the body. It’s never pleasant, but it’s not bad either. It’s our psyche trying to bring something up for healing. When we recognise that, we can work with it rather than against it.

In this video I guide you through a powerful breathing technique based on Wim Hof’s method. It’s one of the best tools I’ve found for calming the nervous system when you’re feeling activated.

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.

How to find your purpose

➡️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

How do we know what our purpose is? This is a deep question that everyone asks at some stage. It can drive us for years trying to find that sense of purpose, meaning, fulfilment, satisfaction. I approach it by exploring who we are internally. When we’re only looking at the external, human egoic level, purpose looks like money, houses, family, travel, holidays—material things. That’s fine, but deeper purpose comes from our inner life. As we do our inner work—clearing trauma and reconnecting to our greater self—we align with our soul’s purpose. It’s about remembering who we are, then expressing that through service in the world. Service guided by the unique gifts, wisdom and empathy we’ve cultivated. When we live from that place, purpose and fulfilment naturally follow.

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.

You're not broken

➡️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

You are not broken, my friend. You're simply midway through your healing journey—a soul warrior in human form, navigating the rubble and residue of life’s challenges.

Yes, it’s tough down here. But seeking therapy doesn’t mean you’re weak or lacking. As we move through the old emotions and clear the residue of trauma, what often gets revealed is something extraordinary: your wise, loving, powerful self. That soul essence is always there—like the sun behind the clouds.

You’re a work in progress, not a problem to be fixed.

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.