Many people come to past life regression with a mix of curiosity and hope. Some feel drawn to a certain era or place without knowing why. Others carry a fear, a grief or a relationship pattern that seems older than their own story. A session gives you a calm, guided space to explore those images and feelings, and to see what they might mean for your life now.
At A Way Forward, past life regression is offered as a 2-hour session, in person at our office near Lake Nona or online, with Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez or Jennifer Adams. Below we walk through what happens, what research says about hypnosis and memory, and how to get the most from the experience. You can also read more on our past life regression page.
What is past life regression?
Past life regression uses hypnosis to guide you into a deeply relaxed, focused state, then invites you to explore scenes, characters and feelings that present themselves as memories of another life. The approach is experiential. You are awake, aware and in control the whole time, and you can speak, pause or open your eyes whenever you like.
It is different from QHHT®, which is a longer, full-day method with its own structure. If you are weighing the two, our QHHT® page explains how that session works.
What happens in your brain during hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a measurable state, not sleep and not a loss of control. In a 2016 Stanford study published in Cerebral Cortex, researchers scanned 57 people with functional MRI. In those who were highly hypnotizable, hypnosis lowered activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate, a region tied to scanning for threats. It also strengthened the link between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula, which helps the brain connect thought with what the body feels, and loosened the link to the brain's default mode network, which is linked to self-reflection.
In plain terms, hypnosis quiets worry, deepens attention and lets you notice inner experience with less self-judgment. That is the state a regression session works in. Research on hypnosis continues to grow stronger: a 2024 review of 49 meta-analyses in Frontiers in Psychology found meaningful benefits for emotional and physical wellbeing, and a 2019 meta-analysis found large reductions in anxiety.
What happens during a past life regression session?
Your session begins with a conversation. Your hypnotherapist asks what brought you here, what you hope to explore and whether there is a feeling, fear or pattern you would like to understand. This intake shapes the rest of the session.
Next comes the induction. Using breath, relaxation and guided imagery, you settle into a calm, focused state. Most people describe it as deeply restful, similar to the moment just before falling asleep.
Then the exploration begins. You are gently guided toward a scene and invited to notice what is there, such as your surroundings, your clothing, the people around you and the emotions present. Some people see vivid pictures. Others mostly feel, hear or simply know. There is no right way to experience it.
As the scene unfolds, your hypnotherapist helps you move through key moments and reflect on what they bring up. Toward the end, you are guided back to full awareness, and you take time together to talk about what came up and how it connects with your present life.
Are past life memories real?
This is the question most people ask. Our answer is that you do not need to settle it to benefit from a session.
What matters most is what the experience brings up for you. In the focused state of hypnosis, the mind draws on imagery, emotion and memory in ways everyday thinking rarely reaches. Clients often describe scenes that feel deeply familiar and carry real emotional weight, and exploring them can shed new light on patterns, fears and relationships in their present life.
Some clients see these experiences as true memories, others as symbols or stories from the subconscious mind. Either way, the reflection that follows is where much of the healing and insight happens, and your hypnotherapist helps you connect what you experienced to the life you are living now.
Who is past life regression a good fit for?
Past life regression suits people who are curious, open to an imaginative experience and looking for a new angle on a theme in their life. Clients often explore recurring relationship patterns, unexplained fears, a strong pull toward a place or time, grief, or a wish to feel a bigger sense of meaning.
It is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. If you are living with a diagnosed mental health condition, a history of trauma that feels unsettled, or symptoms of dissociation, talk with your doctor or therapist first, and tell us during your consultation. For trauma-related concerns, our trauma-informed hypnotherapy may be a better place to begin.
Can you do past life regression online?
Yes. Online sessions follow the same structure as sessions in our office. You will need a quiet, private room, a comfortable chair or bed, headphones and a steady internet connection. Many clients find it easier to relax at home. Learn more about online hypnotherapy.
How do you prepare for your session?
Give yourself a calm day. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals beforehand, wear comfortable clothes and set aside a little time afterward to rest and journal. Come with an open mind rather than a fixed picture of what should appear. The less you try to force the experience, the more freely it tends to unfold.
Ready to explore?
If you are curious about past life regression, the first step is a free 15-minute consultation. You can ask questions, share what you hope to explore and find out whether this session is right for you. Book your free consultation with A Way Forward, offering hypnotherapy in Orlando and online.