Client Success Story
A.M.
A. was overwhelmed by feelings of loss, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Most nights, he retreated to his bedroom, drinking heavily in an attempt to escape his intense grief and anger.
The Challenge
At 24, A. worked as a financial planner for a major insurance firm and also served as an Air Force Reserve military policeman. He felt accomplished and secure in his career and life direction.
A. and three childhood friends gathered at a bar in Pennsylvania to celebrate their recent achievements before parting ways the next day.
As A. was getting into a friend’s car, he heard gunshots. Instinctively, he ran toward the sound and saw one of his friends being chased by a hooded figure. Within seconds, A. was shot in the upper thigh.
Despite his wound, A. continued toward his childhood friend, St., who had also been shot multiple times. Moments later, St. died in A.’s arms.
A later trial revealed that St. had been mistaken for someone else in an act of gang-related retaliation.
St. was a college senior and an honor student studying engineering. The senselessness of his death—and A.’s inability to save him—left A. struggling with profound grief, rage, and helplessness.
The Experience
Instead of focusing immediately on processing the trauma, I prioritized what mattered most to A. – his unfinished connection with St.
To address this, I used an alchemical hypnotherapy technique called Ethereal Plane Connection (EPC). Through deep relaxation and guided imagery, A. experienced a vivid reunion with St. at the river where they swam together as teenagers.
This session moved A. to tears, breaking through his inability to grieve. During the encounter, St. encouraged A. to embrace his life’s purpose rather than be consumed by the tragedy.
A. realized he could honor St. by helping others as part of his own healing journey.
Notably, we did not directly discuss A.’s drinking, the specifics of the shooting, or attempt to resolve his grief and rage. The session focused on strengthening his bond with St. and finding a way to carry that connection forward in his life.
The Results
One week later, A. reported feeling more peaceful, happier, and alive than he had in years. He described a renewed spiritual connection with S. and a new appreciation for the meaning of their time together.
Three months after our session, A. called unexpectedly to share that his life had completely turned around. He had stopped drinking, returned to church, and left his job as a financial planner.
He also founded Real Talk, a nonprofit organization dedicated to speaking with teens and young adults about tragedy, gang violence, and adversity.
A. found a way to honor S.’s memory while reclaiming his own life. What began as unimaginable loss became the catalyst for a life filled with meaning, service, and renewed purpose, allowing him to inspire others through his journey.
A.’s story and our work together were later featured in Mt. Lebanon Neighbor Magazine.
