Engaging with Mind & Body - An Interview with MysticMag/Ewa Litauer
In your holistic practice, you blend hypnotherapy, Reiki, and craniosacral therapy. How do these modalities complement each other in supporting individuals on their healing journey?
I view these three modalities as pathways for engaging in a profound dialogue with our body, mind and heart, allowing each part of ourselves to voice its experiences and be witnessed. For example, when someone tells their story, certain parts can evoke sensations and memories within the body, accompanied by attached emotions. Hypnotherapy allows us to delve deeper into the subconscious mind, connect to our core and activate our tools and resources. Combined with Reiki, this approach is particularly beneficial for trauma survivors carrying memories stored within their bodies. Through hypnosis, we explore these sensations, following them to their roots and begin integrating in a new way. Reiki as a healing practice, aids in energetically supporting the person through these experiences. My recent exploration into cranial sacral therapy intrigued me because of its biomechanical focus, paying attention to the craniosacral rhythm, which includes the bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Both Reiki and craniosacral therapy involve gentle touch and support the body toward inner balance and integration. Ultimately, it’s about engaging in a conversation with the body, understanding ‘symptoms’ as messages from the subconscious and supporting everyone in strengthening their own body’s ability to heal itself.
Could you share a specific instance where combining hypnosis and Reiki has resulted in a profound transformation or healing for one of your clients?
I recently worked with a young woman who felt completely stuck in various aspects of her life—her career, finances, and romantic relationship. During a Reiki session, she felt sensations in her lower belly. Curiously, I asked, “What do your ovaries say?” This question sparked a profound inner dialogue about not just the physicality of her ovaries but also her femininity and personal power. It became clear to her that she needed to leave her job, and she did, landing a much better, higher-paying position. This shift felt like she’d reclaimed her sense of empowerment. Surprisingly, she also discovered a desire to have a child, something she hadn’t contemplated before, redefining what it meant for her to live in her female body and be a woman. In a remarkably short time, she found a new job, moved in with her boyfriend, became pregnant, and experienced herself as an active agent in the transformation from feeling stuck to moving forward in her life.
You’ve mentioned holding deeply therapeutic spaces. How do you create and maintain this safe, welcoming environment for clients to explore their inner selves and embark on healing?
Creating a healing space within my home for my practice has been incredibly rewarding. It’s not just a physical area but a sacred, healing space with a memory of relaxation and healing. However, I acknowledge its limitations, such as not being fully wheelchair accessible, which restricts access for some individuals for in person appointments. Before sessions, I inquire about my clients’ needs and what makes them feel safe, emphasizing the difference between safety and comfort. Discussing or moving through challenges in therapy might bring up discomfort at times, but as a client you should always feel safe and supported. To prevent inadvertent triggers, I strive to learn about potential triggers for my clients and educate myself extensively about the populations I serve. While I often work with immigrants and those from diverse cultures, I’m transparent about my background and limitations when working with clients whose experiences differ from mine. I aim to be a supportive space for all, including clients with complex feelings, histories, or involvements with cultural or political situations, like some of my Jewish clients navigating discussions around the current genocide in Gaza, as they spend time with family over the holidays. Ultimately, my goal is to hold space for everyone’s experiences and feelings, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
As a trauma-informed practitioner, how do you tailor your approach to support clients dealing with past traumas or emotional challenges?
I find that most of all it means that as practitioners we have to recognize the pervasiveness of trauma, including institutionalized, intergenerational and racial traumas, so prevalent in our culture. To me, it’s truly about listening beyond mere words—it’s about understanding the nuances in tone, body language, and the unspoken; noticing when someone relaxes talking about loved ones or tenses up when approaching or avoiding certain topics. It’s a deeply somatic approach, emphasizing breath, and not pushing boundaries; the focus is on following and respecting the body’s cues. I place great importance on acknowledging and respecting the diversity of traumatic experiences, having worked extensively with survivors of sexual abuse, torture, war and cult trauma. When faced with unfamiliar experiences shared by my clients, I prioritize honesty and transparency, and educate myself on backgrounds or issues I know little about, ensuring an open and safe space for their healing journey.
Your work involves empowering individuals towards holistic wellness. How do you guide clients in developing their personalized approaches to healing, especially when navigating chronic stress or life transitions?
Absolutely, our approach heavily focuses on strengths—acknowledging the resilience that brought someone through their traumas and challenges. When clients come in facing difficult situations, we begin by exploring their sources of resilience and support. By emphasizing strengths, we’re not only addressing the present issues but also tapping into their deeper, authentic self, which aligns with the essence accessed during Reiki sessions. I refer to it as the true, unclouded self, free from adopted beliefs. From this core, we build and reinforce positive behaviors, releasing those that no longer serve them. Even seemingly simple habits, like nail-biting, often stem from stress. Instead of merely stopping the habit, we focus on understanding its purpose and finding healthier coping mechanisms. The goal is to empower individuals to navigate life’s challenges with more control over their nervous system responses. Trauma may be in the past, but life unfolds in the present, and this work aims to foster responsive, rather than reactive, behaviors for the future. It’s not about adding more tasks but fine-tuning how one responds in situations while maintaining self-support. This approach allows individuals to navigate challenges while holding their own sense of self.
