Unlocking the Mind: Exploring Hypnosis and Past Life Regression with Jaime Weatherholt

In Episode 14 of Omaha Mom Talks, host Jessie Gutierrez welcomes guest Jaime Weatherholt, a licensed mental health therapist and certified hypnotherapist based in Omaha, Nebraska. The episode dives into the fascinating world of hypnosis and past life regression—two therapeutic modalities often misunderstood, but increasingly recognized as powerful tools for healing, self-discovery, and emotional transformation.

Jaime, who also hosts The Shrink Show podcast, shares her unique approach to therapy through her practice, Enlightened Counseling and Healing. With a background in trauma-focused therapies like EMDR and brain-spotting, she blends traditional mental health techniques with alternative methods such as hypnosis and past life regression to help clients work through anxiety, generational trauma, and deep-rooted behavioral patterns.

 

From Social Work to Hypnotherapy: Jaime’s Journey

Jaime’s professional path to hypnotherapy began in an unexpected way. Originally focused on macro-level social work and adoption advocacy, Jaime found herself drawn into mental health during a period when jobs in her field were limited. Though she initially had no interest in therapy, working with clients revealed a passion she hadn’t anticipated.

As a transracial adoptee herself—Korean, adopted by a white family— Jaime’s lived experiences gave her insight into identity development and belonging. Her participation in summer camps for adoptees helped shape her understanding of how community and self-awareness play vital roles in mental health. These influences eventually led her to become a camp counselor, mentor, and advocate for others, and eventually, a therapist specializing in complex emotional healing.

 

Hypnosis: Clearing the Myths

One of the primary goals of this episode is to demystify hypnosis. Jaime explains that hypnosis is simply a focused state of attention, something everyone experiences regularly. Whether it’s becoming engrossed in a movie or zoning out while driving, these natural moments of “trance” are examples of how our brains can shift into relaxed, suggestible states.

Unlike the dramatic portrayals often seen on stage or in movies, therapeutic hypnosis is not mind control. Jaime emphasizes that hypnosis is entirely voluntary, and clients retain full awareness and control throughout the process. “You can’t get stuck in hypnosis,” she says, debunking the myth portrayed in films like Office Space. “You can always choose whether to accept or reject a suggestion.”

Jaime uses hypnosis in therapy to help clients access deeper levels of awareness and healing. It’s particularly useful for issues like anxiety, unwanted behavioral patterns, and emotional triggers—especially for parents struggling with instinctive reactions rooted in unresolved trauma.

 

How Hypnosis Helps Parents and Heals Trauma

A significant portion of Jaime’s practice involves working with parents who find themselves reacting to their children in ways they don’t understand. These parents often know the strategies—they’ve read the books, taken the classes—but still feel stuck in patterns that feel automatic and irrational. Hypnotherapy allows them to dig beneath the surface and explore the origin of these behaviors, often rooted in childhood experiences or generational trauma.

For moms juggling stress, anxiety, and emotional overload, hypnosis offers a path toward clarity and calm. By entering a relaxed, focused state, clients can rewire emotional responses and tap into their subconscious mind to heal old wounds and reclaim control.

 

Past Life Regression: What It Is and Why People Do It

The second half of the episode explores one of Jaime’s more unique offerings: past life regression. Using hypnosis as the entry point, Jaime guides clients into what they believe are previous lifetimes. Whether you fully believe in reincarnation or not, the process can be illuminating.

Past life regression can help people understand emotional patterns, unresolved relationships, or unexplainable feelings that persist in their current life. Some clients come seeking clarity on a recurring dynamic, while others are simply curious about what might come up.

Jaime explains that during these sessions, clients may see vivid images, feel sensations, or simply “know” certain things. Sometimes, they recognize people from their current life in new roles—a child in the past life might be a parent in the present, or vice versa. This deep exploration often leads to emotional breakthroughs, new perspectives, and even behavior changes.

 

A Personal Story: Healing Through the Past

One of Jaime’s most profound personal experiences with past life regression involved her stepson. During a session, she relived a life in which her current husband repeatedly betrayed her, and their son died suddenly at the same age he was in real life during the time of the session. At the time, her stepson was struggling with extreme anxiety and a constant fear of dying.

Jaime shared the past life experience with him in an age-appropriate way. Strikingly, his anxiety subsided almost immediately afterward. While not everyone may believe in past lives, the emotional relief her stepson experienced was real—and that, Jamie says, is what matters most.

 

Making Woo Woo Approachable

Throughout the conversation, Jaime and Jessie emphasize how important it is for therapeutic practices—especially alternative ones—to feel approachable. Jaime’s mix of “Type A” logic and spiritual openness creates a grounded, safe space for clients to explore nontraditional methods without judgment.

For anyone feeling drawn to explore alternative healing practices, Jaime encourages listening to your gut. Whether it’s Reiki, astrology, acupuncture, or hypnosis, you don’t always need a scientific explanation for something to feel helpful. “If it resonates and helps you feel better, lean into it,” she says.

 

Hypnosis in Everyday Life

Interestingly, hypnosis has been used throughout history in medical settings—even before the invention of anesthesia. Today, some dentists still use hypnosis to help patients manage pain and anxiety. Jaime shares stories of people—including Jessie herself—using self-hypnosis to manage pain during dental procedures, underscoring how powerful and practical the technique can be.

 

Final Thoughts: Healing in the Way That Works for You

The biggest takeaway from this episode is that healing is not one-size-fits-all. Whether through talk therapy, EMDR, hypnosis, or past life regression, the key is finding what resonates with you. Jaime encourages people to be open, curious, and willing to explore different methods to see what feels right.

For those interested in learning more about Jaime’s work, you can find her at enlightenedomaha.com or follow her podcast The Shrink Show on social media. Whether you’re curious about hypnotherapy or ready to explore your soul’s journey through time, Jaime offers a space to discover, heal, and grow.

To hear more authentic conversations with real moms, tune into Omaha Mom Talks wherever you get your podcasts.

 

This blog post is based on a transcript from the Omaha Mom Talks podcast episode released on April 2nd 2025.

Omaha Mom Talks is all about creating connection for moms in Omaha, Nebraska. Join your host, Jessie Gutierrez, a mental health therapist and mom of two, to explore the joys and struggles of motherhood, the importance of mental health, and the best Omaha has to offer. Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned pro, each episode brings you expert advice, community stories, and local gems to support you on your motherhood journey.

Edited by Grace Dunbar