How Hypnosis Can Heal Grief and Guide You Through the Rocky Terrain

Read below my new article published in Brainz Magazine. 

 

Grief. A word so small, yet it holds a universe of emotion. Whether sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one sends shockwaves through our entire being. The pain is sharp, deep, personal, and sometimes indescribable. 

 

And here’s the truth: there is no timeline for grief. No one-size-fits-all solution. No guidelines manual to follow. But there is hope. And there is one powerful, often misunderstood tool to help people rediscover calm amidst the storm — hypnosis. 

 

In my work as a trauma focused hypnotherapist and certified grief educator, I have walked alongside many brave souls on their grief journey. And time and again, I have witnessed hypnosis gently open a doorway to healing, resilience, and emotional relief. Let us explore what hypnosis really is, and how it can support those navigating the often chaotic, rocky terrain of grief. 

 

Understanding hypnosis: separating fact from fiction 

 

When people hear “hypnosis,” they often think of swinging watches or stage performers making people cluck like chickens. That is stage hypnosis and entertainment. Therapeutic hypnosis is very different — it is science-backed, safe, and profoundly healing. 

 

Hypnosis is a natural, focused and heightened state of awareness — a bit like being absorbed in a good book or movie. In this state, your mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions, allowing you to shift thought patterns, release emotional pain, and tap into your inner strength. It is certainly not about control — you are always aware and in charge. Instead, it is a collaborative process that empowers you to heal from within. 

 

During a hypnosis session, you undergo a process that helps you relax and focus your mind. This state is similar to sleep, but your mind will be very focused and more able to respond to suggestion. 

 

Hypnotherapy is the application of psychological therapy during a state of hypnosis, to change or modify behaviour patterns. 

 

Hypnotherapy can deal with psychosomatic problems, that is, problems that are rooted in and controlled by the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy can bypass the conscious mind, allowing positive, life-affirming suggestions for change, to be fed directly to the subconscious mind and acted upon. Hypnotic suggestions have a cumulative effect; over time, there is a buildup of reinforcement in the subconscious that will be acted upon by the conscious mind. 

 

While in this relaxed state, you are more willing to focus on your powerful subconscious mind. This allows you to explore some of the deeper issues you are dealing with and to start the reprogramming process which will ultimately lead to creating and manifesting the changes you want the most. 

 

The practitioner, or therapist, is there to help guide this process and as previously mentioned they are not there to control your mind. You are always safe and in full control. 

 

Research shows that hypnosis can reduce stress, improve sleep, ease anxiety, and help process unresolved emotions — all of which are essential on a grief journey. 

 

A few words about grief 

 

Grief is not simply the pain of loss—it is the sacred echo of love that endures beyond presence. It arrives like an unwelcome storm, reshaping the landscapes of our hearts, yet within it lies a profound invitation to honour what we have cherished. Grief teaches us that we are deeply capable of love, connection, and meaning. It is not something to “get over or overcome” but rather something to walk with—to learn from. Grief is a powerful teacher, revealing our inner strength even in our most fragile moments. It does not diminish who we are; it expands our capacity to feel, to heal, and to rise again—anchored in the memories, wisdom, and light of those we love and have lost. 

 

Yet grief is also transformation. It carves space for growth, allowing us to emerge softer in our empathy, stronger in our resilience, and more present in our lives. While it can feel isolating, we are never alone in it—grief is a universal experience, uniting us in our humanity. Through every tear shed and every breath taken in the quiet aftermath, there is potential for renewal. Remember that when we are grieving, we are not broken—we are becoming. Grief, when met with compassion and courage, becomes a bridge between the past and the future, guiding us home to ourselves with gentleness and grace. 

 

And this is when hypnosis becomes a powerful ally… 

 

Grief has no timeline — and that is okay. 

 

One of the most liberating truths about grief is this: there is no timeline. You are not “doing it wrong” if you are still in pain after six months, a year, or even a decade. Grief is not a straight line. It comes in waves — sometimes crashing, sometimes quietly lapping at your soul. 

 

Each grief is as unique as the love that preceded it. Whether it is he loss of a parent, a partner, a child, a friend, or even a pet — the emotions can be complex, overwhelming, and unpredictable. And that is where hypnosis can be a guiding light. 

 

Rather than pushing you to “move on,” hypnosis helps you move through. 

 

How hypnosis can help your grief journey 

 

Let us be very clear: hypnosis does not erase grief. But it can soften its sharp edges. Here is how: 

1. Creating emotional safety 

Grief can make you feel lost, anxious, and out of control. Hypnosis helps calm the nervous system, creating a safe internal space where healing can begin. 

 

2. Processing complex emotions 

Guilt. Anger. Regret. Loneliness. These emotions often ride shotgun with grief. In hypnosis, we can work with the subconscious mind to gently process and release these feelings without reliving the trauma. 

 

3. Rebuilding inner strength 

Hypnosis can reconnect you with your inner resources — courage, peace, self-compassion. It is about remembering your strength, not pretending the pain is not real. 

 

4. Honouring the memory 

Grief often carries a fear: “If I let go of the pain, will I forget them?” Hypnosis helps you hold onto the love, the memories, the essence — while releasing the suffering that no longer serves you. Remember that pain is inevitable, but that suffering is optional… 

 

A Gentle path forward 

 

Imagine standing at a crossroads — one path leads to isolation, numbing the pain, and pretending to be “fine.” The other path? It is not easy, but it leads to integration, acceptance, and even meaning. Hypnosis is like a lantern on that second path — it will not do the walking for you, but it lights the way. 

 

I have seen clients shift from despair to peace, from numbness to reconnection — not overnight, but step by step, at their own pace. The beauty of hypnosis is that it meets you where you are. There is no pressure to “fix” anything. Just an invitation to explore, gently and safely, what your heart needs to heal. 

 

You do not have to walk this path alone 

 

If you are grieving, please know this: your pain is valid. Your process is sacred. And you deserve support that honours your story. 

 

I invite you to reach out if this article has resonated with you. Whether you are newly bereaved or still navigating the ripples of a past loss, hypnosis could be a compassionate ally on your healing journey. 

 

Together, we can explore a path forward — one breath, one step, one moment at a time. 

 

I am sending you love, light, and deep respect for your journey,