It’s a fascinating, yet controversial, spiritual practice that’s also now being used as a therapeutic tool. So what actually happens during a past life regression session, what’s the evidence, and why do some people find it so transformative?

Understanding past life regression

Past life regression (PLR) is a technique that uses hypnosis to explore memories that are believed to relate to previous lives. Unlike talking therapy, which uses conscious self-reflection to examine present-day experiences, PLR focuses on the subconscious, based on the belief that experiences from past lives can be influencing our current challenges.

According to hypnotherapist Liz Vincent, it’s a tool that is particularly well-suited to addressing phobias. “For example, a person who has a fear of flying may go into a life where they were shot down in a plane during a war. Once they can forgive what happened, they can let go of the fear of flying.”

An interesting, though somewhat controversial, study from the early 90s looked at 387 children and found that 36% claimed to remember a previous life phobia. The phobias nearly always corresponded to the mode of death the child said they remembered from a previous life. Interestingly, these phobias usually manifested between the ages of two and five, and sometimes the child showed the phobia in early infancy – before they had begun to speak about a previous life. Critics argue that cultural influences and memory biases, among other factors, could play a role here, though it continues to be discussed by both supporters and critics.

You might have heard similar stories from children who share this experience, and from adults who also firmly believe in past lives. Scientifically speaking, whether past lives are real or not is debatable – but a positive impact can be achieved nonetheless. Researchers suggest that any benefits may come from hypnosis, storytelling, guided imagery, or the personal meaning people draw from the experience.

Robust clinical evidence that PLR is effective remains limited. One 2025 review paper, published in the International Journal of Science and Research Archive, suggests PLR may encourage self-awareness, help people identify recurring behavioural patterns, and foster feelings of peace and connectedness. The authors conclude that it may have value as a complementary therapeutic approach, though further high-quality research is needed.

My session revealed a past life where I had suffered the loss of a child, which resulted in self-isolation and a lonely death. This was something that I was able to apply to my relationship. I was able to heed the lesson that cutting yourself off from others doesn’t save you from emotional pain; it simply leaves you with a different kind of pain – the pain of living in solitude.

Of course, I have no way of proving that the visions I had during that session ever really happened. Perhaps my subconscious created the story as a way to deliver a message. But a PLR isn’t about obtaining a provable, accurate record of who you may have been; it’s about creating some sort of internal shift by exploring the unknown within you.

“Whether it’s a metaphor or a real past life doesn’t actually matter,” says Liz. “All hypnosis is, to a certain extent, the client using their imagination. I have been doing past life regression for 24 years, and I have learnt that the client will always go where they need to go to find the answers they are seeking.”

With that said, this kind of therapy shouldn’t be the first-line treatment for some conditions. Liz tells me that she often recommends people with anxiety and depression focus on other therapeutic work before attempting PLR.

When I think back to my own past life regression, I can still pinpoint the distinct loneliness that came with the past life I was shown, and it’s that which has stayed with me, the feeling of a life wasted in isolation. For me, it felt like a reminder not to dwell on the past, but instead, to take my power back in the present.

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What to expect from a past life regression session

Getting started
Your practitioner will usually ask what you’d like to explore, whether that’s a phobia, relationship issues, or unwanted repeated patterns. 

Entering hypnosis
You’ll be guided into a relaxed state using breathing exercises and visualisation. You’ll remain aware of your surroundings and won’t lose control or reveal anything you don’t want to.

Exploring your past life
Your practitioner will invite you to notice where you are, what you look like, or what emotions are coming up. Some people experience vivid scenes and sensations, but others notice feelings, symbols, or vague impressions. There’s no right or wrong way. 

Making sense of things 
Whether the experience reflects a literal past life or your imagination, many practitioners believe the real value lies in the meaning you take from it. The focus of these sessions is often on identifying themes that could feel relevant to your current situation.

After the session
It’s common to spend time reflecting on the experience
with your practitioner. Some people leave feeling lighter or with a new perspective, while others need time to process what emerged.

Past life regression is based on spiritual beliefs and anecdotal evidence, rather than scientific evidence. If you’re experiencing ongoing mental health difficulties, it shouldn’t replace evidence-based support from a qualified healthcare professional.