James Hands Awaken Therapy

Using your own trauma experience to help others

✨Online self-paced courses to help you heal ✨ 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/learning-with-james

In recent episodes, I’ve been exploring the qualities that emerge from facing deep challenges and trauma, especially in childhood. Today, I’m reflecting on empathy—the ability to attune to others, feel into their experiences, and connect on a deeper emotional level.

For those of us who’ve been through profound suffering, this capacity grows from navigating dark, intense emotions and turning those experiences into strength. Personally, I’ve catalysed my own journey through trauma—growing up with an alcoholic father, losing him to suicide at 13, and enduring years of terror—into a passion for helping others.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of people, many of whom have faced unimaginable pain. That shared understanding has allowed me to transmute my own suffering into service, supporting others out of dark, stuck places and helping to shift their energy toward healing.

If you’re still feeling weighed down by your past, know that it’s possible to work through it and uncover the qualities of a soul warrior within you. Empathy, compassion, and the strength to heal are incredible gifts—and they can make the world a better place.

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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

Alongside individual sessions, I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

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.

Survived childhood trauma? Let’s honour your strength and determination.

✨Online self-paced courses to help you heal ✨ 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/learning-with-james

If you're here listening to this, you've already shown incredible strength just by showing up and seeking help. Whether it’s been overcoming trauma, childhood adversity, or difficult life patterns, the qualities you've developed in the flames of these experiences are yours forever. 

This strength, determination, and willpower are part of your soul’s character, forged by facing challenges day by day. Yes, the journey is messy and layered, but every step you take, every time you turn up for yourself, that’s courage. 

Honour that resilience and join me as we keep exploring the qualities of the soul warrior.
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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

Alongside individual sessions, I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

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.

Soul warrior qualities

If you’re listening, you’ve probably been through some significant challenges in your life—maybe childhood trauma, adult trauma, or even what I’d call omission trauma, where there was a lack of love, emotional support, or severe neglect. These experiences can be completely debilitating, leaving us frozen in complex post-traumatic stress and barely able to function. But here’s the thing—I believe there’s good that can come out of the bad. Through these challenges, strengths, qualities, and resources can develop.

I’ve had the privilege of working with so many amazing people who have been through incredibly difficult experiences, and yet, they’re here. They’ve managed to survive, to drag themselves through those ordeals, and they’re determined to heal and grow. It’s remarkable, isn’t it? These qualities of strength, wisdom, empathy, courage, and will—they’re what I call the “gifts of trauma.” They don’t come easy, and they don’t come cheap, but they become part of who we are, our “soul personality.”

Sometimes we get stuck in thinking, “This shouldn’t have happened. This is all bad.” And yes, a lot of things happen that aren’t even in the soul blueprint—there’s a lot of free will, and things go wrong. But we can make good out of bad; we can make lemonade out of lemons. And I feel so privileged to work with people who, despite terrible origins, turn it around to be stronger, to be better parents, or to have the courage to show up and seek help.

If you’re listening to this, maybe you’re one of those people who have the strength to catalyse trauma into these remarkable qualities. Not everyone can do this. But those who can, who have the maturity to hold it and own it, develop a resilience that’s extraordinary. It’s like a sword being tempered by flames and hammered on the anvil into a fine blade. And at the core, underneath all the messy residue, is this incredible strength. Just being here, listening, is a testament to the strength you’ve acquired through those struggles.

In the next episode, I’ll unpack another one of these soul warrior qualities. Join me.

 

✨Online self-paced courses to help you heal ✨ 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/learning-with-james

I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

Alongside individual sessions, I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

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.

Sick of how things are? The emotional and physical benefits of therapy.

✨Private sessions✨ 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/private-consultations

✨Online self-paced courses to help you heal ✨ 
https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/learning-with-james

Therapy can be challenging—it takes time, effort, and money. But like dentistry, while it’s not always fun, we benefit from the results. Whether we’re dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, or relationship issues, therapy helps us clear stuck energy and unresolved emotions, creating more freedom and ease in our lives. By doing this inner work, we can experience emotional, physical, and even spiritual benefits, allowing us to live more fully. It’s not easy, but with patience and support, healing is possible. Every part of us deserves attention, and nothing in us can’t be healed.
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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

Alongside individual sessions, I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

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.

Anger isn’t destructive - it’s empowering

✨Do you have hidden childhood trauma? Take the quiz to find out.✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/Do_you_have_hidden_childhood_trauma

Anger gets a bad reputation, but it can actually be an ally. At its core, anger is an expression of our willpower—helping us set boundaries, say no, and stand up to injustice. It’s a vital part of who we are, allowing us to assert ourselves and stay strong. Anger, in its pure, love-based form, isn’t destructive—it’s empowering. It helps us shift from over-giving and pleasing to asserting our true selves. Embrace your will, get comfortable with your anger, and see it as your best friend on your path to healing.

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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses, which you can access without having to wait. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

✨The Power Of Mind – Healing Through Self-Hypnosis✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/the-power-of-mind

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 talk to your partner about your trauma history

How do I talk to my partner about my trauma history? If you’ve already worked out that they’re someone mature enough to listen with empathy and be supportive, then absolutely go ahead. On some level, they already know something is going on. But before you dive in, make sure you’ve done enough work on your own healing, so there’s less charge when you bring it up. Pick a good moment, reassure them, and share gently. You might be surprised at how much it deepens your connection.

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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses, which you can access without having to wait. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

✨The Power Of Mind – Healing Through Self-Hypnosis✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/the-power-of-mind

✨Do you have hidden childhood trauma?
Complete this short quiz to find out.✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/Do_you_have_hidden_childhood_trauma

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.

Should I tell my partner about my trauma history?

In this episode, I explore a common question I’m often asked - "Should I talk about my trauma with my partner?"

How far are you in your healing journey? Are you in a relationship where you're repeating past patterns, or in a healing relationship where growth can happen? Sharing your trauma is delicate and depends on where you and your partner are. If you've done enough inner work and you're with someone who can hold space for you, it's probably worth the risk. The real magic happens when both partners can lean in with love, empathy, and ownership. 

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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your childhood trauma healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses, which you can access without having to wait. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

✨The Power Of Mind – Healing Through Self-Hypnosis✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/the-power-of-mind

✨Do you have hidden childhood trauma?
Complete this short quiz to find out.✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/Do_you_have_hidden_childhood_trauma

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.

Omission Trauma is just as damaging as physical abuse

In this week’s episode, we explore the concept of traumas of omission. Trauma isn’t just about the bad things that happen to us, but also the good things that never did. It’s easy to recognise acts of commission, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. These experiences are clearly damaging, and as children, we can often stay conscious of them because we can feel and see the harm.

But what about the traumas we can’t see? Traumas of omission stem from the absence of things we needed as children, like support, connection, or protection. These forms of neglect can go unnoticed, even though they have a huge impact on our development. The wounds caused by not being cared for or protected can leave us feeling unsafe and disconnected, sometimes even harder to heal than the obvious attacks of an abuser.

Many of us have repressed these traumas, but they can follow us into adulthood, shaping our relationships and sense of self. The good news is, it’s never too late to seek help, start therapy, and begin healing.

Can you relate to the idea of trauma by omission? 

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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and creator of Awaken Therapy. I have trained in and developed various powerful modalities to make your healing journey as safe and manageable as possible. I know the courage and persistence required for profound change, so I offer patient, caring support in all my connections.

I believe you deserve to have access to powerful, effective tools, techniques and supports in timely and affordable ways.

I have committed myself to providing you with a variety of affordable tools and courses, which you can access without having to wait. Each course is filled with practical education, powerful tools and accessible aids you can begin to use right away.

✨The Power Of Mind – Healing Through Self-Hypnosis✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/the-power-of-mind

✨Do you have hidden childhood trauma?
Complete this short quiz to find out.✨ https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/Do_you_have_hidden_childhood_trauma

 

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.