James Hands Awaken Therapy

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.

Earth School is hard, but the benefits are huge

If you thought that human existence is challenging, you would be correct. Turning up here and dealing with it all is an intense rollercoaster ride, the biggest and scariest ride in the cosmic theme park.

Apparently only the bravest of souls take on earth school. It is certainly not for the faint of heart. Down here we have to deal with:

- Physical body of dense, material energy
- Insecurity of constant change in time and space
- Extreme polarity of emotions, from wonderful peaks to devastating lows
- Illusory experience of separation from others
- Forgetting our spiritual Self, sense of vulnerable isolation

The risks of getting lost and buried beneath the traumatic pain are great. It is inevitable that we take on patterns, beliefs and wounding that go deep. The consequences of being born on this messy, confused planet are inevitably complex. Thankfully we have as many lifetimes as required to sort it all through.

The upside to this journey is that our soul evolution is turbo charged. The severe dynamics of human life put us through a vast range of strong feelings, growing our empathy, compassion and wisdom. Just getting through it all tempers our courage, strength and resilience in profound ways.

Brave soul warrior, the good news is you will return Home so much more than when you left. Your adventures here are all fuel for growth; your courage for embracing earth school is celebrated in Heaven.

✨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.

Reconnecting to your True self

✨Pre-orders for my new book "From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior" have opened!✨

We all have a sense of lack, a sense that something’s missing. Deep in our mind, deep in our heart, we know there’s more to us than what we experience as a human body or personality. If we’re not connecting to something deeper, not finding purpose or meaning, there’s a sense of emptiness that grows. But our inner wisdom knows there’s a truer, deeper self. Some call it the soul, the absolute, or the enduring. It’s the spiritual, unchanging self—the true self we’re all looking for.

Therapy, inner work, and psychology help us move through trauma and de-identify from pain and ego. As we heal, we create space for greater light and awareness of who we are. Therapy becomes a spiritual process, and the true self that shines through feels like waking up, like remembering. Moments of peace, joy, and connection remind us of this self, and the journey is about anchoring more securely into this deeper reality.

This is what my book is about. My book Presale Crowdfunding Campaign is now on and your support helps me to create a paperback, an ebook, an audiobook and even a hardcover copy.

There are different ways you can support, from buying one copy, to ten copies with ten personal therapy sessions included! I have packed each option with heaps of bonuses and perks, to make it highly beneficial to you as well as super helpful for me.

I would love your support in whatever way you can manage. It is all greatly appreciated.

Pre-order your copy 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.

In each moment, ask yourself, “What would Love with a capital L do?”

✨I'm writing a book! "From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior" Subscribe for early access, perks and to join my Author Community. ✨ 

https://www.awakentherapy.com.au/From-trauma-survivor-to-soul-warrior

In each moment, ask yourself, “What would Love with a capital L do?”

As spiritual beings, it’s possible that on a soul level, we’ve pre-planned our lives—even the really hard stuff, like trauma and challenges. But once we’re here, free will gives us the ability to choose how we respond.

It takes a lot of courage to face life’s challenges, and I deeply respect all of you soul warriors for turning up and navigating your journey. In therapy and in healing, we can start to find meaning in these experiences, seeing them not just as events but as opportunities for growth and learning.

Our choices matter. How we respond—from fear or love—shapes our path. Spirit never violates our free will, so we have the freedom to make the best or worst choices, and everything in between. It’s not about perfection; it’s about nudging ourselves toward love, healing, and alignment.

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.

Celebrating our deeper spiritual essence at Christmas

On Christmas Day, I take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of this special time. Beyond the beautiful celebration of Jesus' birth 2000 years ago, Christmas speaks to something universal—the birth of the Christ child within each of us. This Christ child represents our deepest spiritual essence, the bridge between our humanity and divinity. It’s a reminder that no matter our background, we are all connected to something greater.

When we nurture this connection regularly—through stillness, reflection, and being present—we allow it to flourish. 

May this Christmas remind us of our divine nature and inspire us to nurture that light within, allowing it to shine brightly in the world. 
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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Spiritual 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.

I am also in the process of writing a book - From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior due to be published September 2025

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.

Turning childhood trauma into love, light and service

Have you turned your challenges into service? Maybe you've faced unimaginable struggles—childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse—and yet here you are, not just surviving but thriving. You've found the courage to heal, to grow, and to take those hard-earned lessons and extend them to others. Perhaps you've become the parent, teacher, carer, or healer you once needed, offering empathy, love, and understanding in ways you never received. Maybe you've taken on the brave work of helping others heal—as a therapist, a yoga teacher, a spiritual guide, or even through small, meaningful acts of connection.

Every step you've taken to transmute darkness into light and love is profound service. You've made the world a better place by turning your pain into purpose, your wounds into wisdom, and your story into hope. As you share these gifts, you not only bring healing to others but also to yourself, recognising the soul warrior you are. The world thanks you, the spiritual realms thank you, and I thank you—for your courage, your light, and your extraordinary service.
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I'm James Hands, Holistic Psychologist and Spiritual 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.

I am also in the process of writing a book - From Trauma Survivor to Soul Warrior due to be published September 2025

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.