Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy: Spiritual Regression Explained
Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy: Spiritual Regression Explained
Written by Yoshie Matsuura, Certified Hypnotherapist
Life Between Lives (LBL) hypnotherapy goes beyond past life regression to explore what some call the “interlife”—the state between incarnations. Developed by Dr. Michael Newton over 30 years of work with thousands of clients, this approach takes you through a past life death experience and into what practitioners describe as the spiritual realm.
This is one of the most intensive forms of hypnotherapy available, typically lasting 4-6 hours. Here’s what you need to know before considering it.
Key Takeaways
- LBL hypnotherapy was developed by Dr. Michael Newton through regression work with over 7,000 clients
- Sessions typically last 4-6 hours and require very deep trance (theta state)
- This is a spiritual practice without clinical research validation—experiences may be profoundly meaningful regardless
[INTERNAL-LINK: compare to past life regression → past-life-hypnotherapy]
What Is Life Between Lives Hypnotherapy?
Life Between Lives hypnotherapy is a specific form of spiritual regression that explores the state of consciousness between incarnations. Unlike standard past life regression that focuses on exploring life experiences, LBL takes you through the death transition and into what practitioners describe as the soul’s “home” in the spiritual realm.
The approach was developed by Dr. Michael Newton (1931-2016), a California-based hypnotherapist who specialized in this work for over 30 years. His observations from sessions with more than 7,000 clients formed the basis of his books including “Journey of Souls” and “Destiny of Souls” (Michael Newton Institute).
Important clarification: LBL is based on Newton’s case study observations, not controlled scientific research. The experiences described may be profoundly meaningful to participants, but there is no independent scientific validation of the framework. The experiences could represent spiritual reality, symbolic subconscious material, guided imagery, or something else.
What Happens During LBL Hypnotherapy?
LBL sessions follow a structured protocol designed to access very deep trance states. The depth required—somnambulistic or deep theta—is deeper than most hypnotherapy applications.
The LBL Journey Framework
Based on Newton’s work, practitioners guide clients through several stages:
| Stage | What Clients May Experience |
|---|---|
| Past life regression | Experiencing a relevant past life |
| Death transition | Leaving the past life body, tunnel/light experiences |
| Orientation | Meeting spirit guide, initial soul group reunion |
| Soul group | Reconnecting with “soul family” members |
| Council of Elders | Meeting wise beings for life review and guidance |
| Spiritual library | Accessing records of soul journey |
| Life selection | Reviewing the choice to incarnate into current life |
| Return preparation | Final guidance before current birth |
Session Structure
Recommended: Two-session package
Session 1 (2 hours): Past Life + Spirit Guide
- Pre-session interview and rapport building
- Relaxation induction
- Age regression to childhood (building regression skills)
- Past life regression
- Introduction to spirit guide
Session 2 (4 hours): Life Between Lives
- Deep induction to theta state (approximately 1 hour just to achieve depth)
- Return to past life
- Experience past life death transition
- Enter spiritual realm
- Soul group, Council, life selection exploration
- Return and integration
The depth of trance required explains why LBL sessions are so long—achieving and maintaining somnambulistic trance takes significant time.
Who Was Dr. Michael Newton?
Dr. Michael Newton earned his doctorate in Counseling Psychology and was a certified Master Hypnotherapist. He practiced in Los Angeles before developing his LBL methodology.
Newton’s background:
- Career span: Over 30 years specializing in spiritual regression
- Client base: Sessions with more than 7,000 clients
- Publications: “Journey of Souls,” “Destiny of Souls,” and other books translated into multiple languages
- Legacy: Founded what became the Michael Newton Institute, which continues training LBL facilitators worldwide
Newton’s approach was to let client experiences guide his understanding rather than imposing a framework. He reported remarkable consistency in what clients described, which he interpreted as evidence of a shared spiritual reality.
The consistency question: Newton’s supporters point to the similarity of experiences across clients as validation. Skeptics note that guided imagery tends to produce consistent results regardless of whether the content is objectively real—people guided to imagine a beach will describe similar beaches. The consistency may reflect the power of suggestion and shared cultural imagery rather than literal spiritual reality.
What Are the Training Requirements?
The Michael Newton Institute (MNI) certifies LBL facilitators through a structured training program.
Practitioner requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Background | Solid training in past life regression |
| Experience | Practicing hypnotherapist |
| Pre-training | Womb regression experience |
| Training period | 10 months |
| Mentorship | Personal LAB Coach throughout training |
| Practicum | Written and recorded session submissions |
| Ethics | Adherence to MNI Code of Ethics |
This training is separate from standard hypnotherapy certification—practitioners must already be experienced hypnotherapists before learning LBL.
Is LBL Right for You?
Life Between Lives hypnotherapy may appeal to those who:
- Have a strong interest in spiritual growth and soul-level understanding
- Have already done past life regression work
- Are seeking clarity about life purpose or major life decisions
- Feel drawn to explore existential questions about existence and death
- Can commit 4-6 hours for deep exploratory work
- Are emotionally stable and grounded
LBL may not be appropriate for:
- Those seeking treatment for mental health conditions
- Anyone unable to achieve or maintain deep trance states
- People uncomfortable with spiritual or metaphysical frameworks
- Those with severe dissociative disorders or unstable mental health
- Anyone seeking quick answers or unable to commit significant time
I’ve worked with clients who’ve experienced LBL sessions elsewhere. What I consistently observe is that people find the experiences deeply meaningful regardless of how they interpret them philosophically. The structured framework gives people a way to process big questions about purpose, death, and connection. Whether the experiences are literally “real” matters less than whether they serve the person.
What Does Research Say?
Being transparent: LBL hypnotherapy has no clinical research validation. Newton’s work is based on case study observations, not controlled studies.
What we know:
- Newton documented observations from over 7,000 client sessions
- His findings are compiled in published books, not peer-reviewed research
- No independent studies have validated the LBL framework
- The experiences may reflect cultural expectations, guided imagery, and meaningful psychological exploration
What this means:
LBL should be approached as a spiritual practice, not a scientifically validated therapy. People may find profound personal value in the experiences without requiring external validation that they represent literal spiritual reality.
Safety Considerations
LBL work has specific safety considerations due to its depth and intensity.
Important factors:
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Deep trance | Not everyone can achieve somnambulistic depth |
| Session length | 4+ hours is mentally and physically demanding |
| Emotional intensity | Deep spiritual experiences can be emotionally overwhelming |
| Integration needs | Processing profound experiences takes time |
| Not for everyone | Severe dissociative disorders are contraindicated |
Signs of a responsible LBL practitioner:
- Certified through the Michael Newton Institute or equivalent training
- Established experience as a hypnotherapist
- Conducts thorough intake and screening
- Offers preparation session before main LBL work
- Provides grounding and integration support
- Has clear policies on managing intense experiences
Finding an LBL Practitioner
If you decide to explore LBL hypnotherapy:
Look for:
- Newton Institute certification or equivalent recognized training
- Background in hypnotherapy (not just LBL certification)
- Experience conducting LBL sessions
- Clear explanation of their approach and what to expect
- Proper screening process
The Michael Newton Institute maintains a directory of certified LBL facilitators worldwide (MNI).
Questions to ask:
- “What is your LBL training and certification?”
- “How many LBL sessions have you conducted?”
- “What happens if I can’t achieve deep trance?”
- “How do you handle emotional material?”
- “What preparation do you recommend?”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an LBL session take?
A full LBL session typically takes 4-6 hours, with approximately 1 hour just to achieve the necessary trance depth. Many practitioners recommend a preliminary past life regression session first, making the total commitment 6-8 hours across two sessions.
What if I can’t go deep enough?
Not everyone achieves somnambulistic trance. If you reach only lighter states, you may still have meaningful experiences, but they may be less detailed than deep-trance sessions. Experienced practitioners can work with various trance depths.
How is LBL different from QHHT?
Both LBL and QHHT involve deep trance and spiritual exploration, but they use different frameworks. LBL follows Newton’s systematic stages (soul group, Council, etc.). QHHT, developed by Dolores Cannon, focuses on “Higher Self” communication with prepared questions. Both are lengthy sessions without clinical research validation.
Will I remember the experience?
Most people remember their LBL session, though details may fade without review. Sessions are typically recorded so you can revisit the experience later. Some practitioners encourage journaling immediately after.
Can LBL help with grief?
Many people report that LBL experiences reduce fear of death and provide comfort regarding deceased loved ones. Some report experiences of reunion with departed souls. However, this is not a substitute for grief counseling or therapy if you’re struggling with loss.
Making Your Decision
Life Between Lives hypnotherapy offers one of the most intensive forms of spiritual exploration available. The 4-6 hour sessions and deep trance requirements make it a significant commitment.
The experiences can be profoundly meaningful—many people report feeling transformed by their sessions. At the same time, this is a spiritual practice without scientific validation. Approaching it with open curiosity while maintaining realistic expectations serves people best.
If you’re interested in exploring regression work, we can discuss what might serve your needs—whether that’s past life regression, clinical hypnotherapy for specific goals, or referral to an LBL specialist.
Book a Consultation to explore your options.
About the Author
Yoshie Matsuura is a Certified Hypnotherapist, NLP Master Practitioner, and Reiki Master with over 15 years of experience helping clients transform their lives through subconscious reprogramming. She offers online hypnotherapy sessions to clients worldwide from her practice at Total Healing.
Book a Session | Learn More About Yoshie
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Life Between Lives hypnotherapy is a spiritual practice without clinical research validation. Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with qualified healthcare providers. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please contact your doctor or emergency services.
Last reviewed: July 27, 2026
