ABSTRACT

This chapter guides the clinician/therapist through the framework of HLP, which underpins both the Heart Led (HL) and the Heart and Soul Led (HASL) model. A diagram illustrating the HL model is provided, which can be used with any client regardless of their spirituality. Details are given of how to identify the underlying challenges, traumas, and attachment/relationship difficulties, the resulting blocks and restrictions, and repeated themes and patterns that underlie clients’ psychological distress. How to help clients to become the observer when faced with challenges and traumas is then explained in order to identify potential life lessons. The spiritually informed concept of life lessons is detailed as it is central to HLP; that clients are on an individual journey and that challenges represent opportunities to experience and understand life lessons, enabling your client to enhance their ability to understand themselves and situations more fully, develop self-love and authenticity. In HLP life lessons are seen as opportunities to learn, teach or heal either oneself or others. Ideas or themes of potential life lessons are provided as well as a discussion on the gifts that can be gained from living a heart and soul led life.