I have written previously about the healing power of hypnotherapy regarding smoking cessation, post-surgery recouperation, and anxiety reduction. However, I have not touched on the spiritual growth that I have seen. These cases have been, perhaps, the most amazing of all. In fact, they are so transformative that I am moving more and more toward focusing my practice in this direction.

One example was a client who was extremely depressed. Let’s call her Dianne. She felt completely alienated from God. Completely rejected. I cannot say which came first, but the more depressed she felt, the more alienated she felt, and the more alienated, the more depressed. She spent much of her time crying, she was mean-spirited toward others, and she had little motivation and no energy to accomplish anything. In fact, she missed many of her therapy appointments because she couldn’t get out of bed and get dressed.

We explored many treatment modalities, and as a last resort, she agreed to hypnotherapy. The prospect of hypnotherapy had made her a little nervous, but, when nothing else worked, she hesitantly agreed. She entered a meditative state rather quickly. I guided her to approach the deepest part of her psyche and say a prayer asking for God to love and accept her. I did not pray for her or over her. Beyond helping her reach a trance state, I did not interfere. It was important that she approach her own image of God in her own way.

I always support whatever beliefs a client brings into the session. Most are Judeo-Christian, but I have worked with practitioners of Buddhism, Hinduism, earth religions, Celtic religions, and Native American beliefs, among others.

At first during hypnosis, Diane felt rebuffed, but when she realized that it was her own feelings of unworthiness that were getting in her way, she tried again. This time, she felt herself lifted up by God. Hugged. Held within his arms. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she left the trance state, and she could barely speak through her emotions.

She left my office feeling loved, loving, and loveable. It was not a “magic” cure. Diane continued to struggle against her maladaptive behaviors, but now she had the energy to work on them. She felt changed by the experience. And her changes touched me and others who knew her. Thank you, Diane.