To the Subconscious, the Reunion Is Real
Before you begin, hold this: to the subconscious mind, the departed loved one — pet or person — is experienced as fully real and present. That is precisely why healing can take place. To your client's deeper mind this feels like a true meeting, and every apology offered, every word spoken, and every hug received lands as real. The meaning of the encounter is the client's to interpret through their own spiritual framework, not yours to declare or dismiss.
Little did your client know that when they wrote down the names of their deceased pets, they would be able to see them in the garden or running up to them on the beach. The reason I start with pets is because they are so comforting, nonjudgmental, and loving. However, sometimes they bring up feelings that have been suppressed — like guilt, worry, sadness, and so on.
Always Start With the Pets
I like to start with seeing pets, as it helps my clients in case they feel the need to apologize, or just to see that their pets are happy and healed. It is a great source of comfort for many clients to experience their pet as healthy, joyful, and continuing in another form or dimension, according to the client's own spiritual beliefs. Many clients come away with a sense that death is a transformation rather than an ending. Let that meaning come from them — never assert it as fact on their behalf. This is extremely healing.
Inviting the Pet In
I start by saying, "This is such a special place that those who have crossed over may come and visit within your experience in full health and happiness. Would you like to invite your furry friend, Buddy, to join you?"
I always ask them first, because sometimes they are carrying guilt around — if they were the ones to make the decision to put them to sleep, or if they were cruel to the dog, or whatever. So ask first, and be cognizant and compassionate of their responses. This is where the healing begins.
If they say yes, then I say, "Here comes Buddy in full health and happiness, full of energy, and so happy to see you." Most people cry their eyes out here. I let them cry. Then I ask them to tell me what their pet is doing.
Teaching Them to Communicate
Then I say, "They can understand you. What would you like to say to them?" This is an important step. We are helping the client experience an inner conversation and become comfortable receiving whatever thoughts, feelings, words, or impressions arise. It's important because later on they will need this skill to communicate with other people, Spirit, entities, Masters, even darkness, clouds, and so on.
The next step is to get them to hear what the other one is saying: "Buddy has something he wants to say to you. You can hear his thoughts. What is he saying?" Most people will be able to tell you what Buddy is communicating to them. If they can't "hear" anything, reassure them that it may come as a thought, a feeling, an image, or a sense of knowing rather than a sound in their ears — and that whatever comes, or does not come, is fine. Say, "Now you can communicate together."
If that doesn't work, then explain: "Buddy can hear me, but I can't hear Buddy. Please translate what he says to me." Then I say something like, "Hi Buddy, thanks for coming. I'm Sue… What did Buddy say back to me?" For some reason, your client usually will say something like, "He said, 'Hi, Sue.'"
Confirm Communication Before You Move On
This technique is a very important step to make sure that they can communicate before you move on. If the client does not have a pet who passed, you will start straightaway with a loved one who has passed. Follow the same steps in order to get them communicating.
Bringing In the People
Once the client is comfortable communicating with their pet, I start to bring in the people who have passed. This is very powerful, especially for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or feeling guilty about something. It is the perfect moment to release the pain of guilt and loss. Seeing a deceased loved one and being able to communicate with them brings a profound sense of peace to my client.
Inside that conversation, your client can ask questions, say they are sorry, cut the cord (which I'll describe in a later chapter), and give them a hug. So much healing happens right here.
For many clients, this visit is all they need. Before you bring the person in, you must ask first: "Would you like to see your mom in full health and happiness?" Sometimes they are simply not ready, or they feel it would be too overwhelming. If that's the case, make note of it — those emotions still need to be honored and released. Suppressed, they cause all sorts of bad habits.
Assuming they agree, say, "Okay, here comes your mom in full health and happiness. You can give her a hug if you'd like. What would you like to say to her? Talk to her." Watch the pronouns here.
Keep the Conversation Between Them
Be sure your client is directing the conversation to the person and not to you. Something else worth mentioning: I can speak to the person who is deceased and they can hear me, but I cannot hear them. My client has to translate what they say. I don't know how that works or why, but I often interject when my client is too scared to be fully honest with their loved one.
Why This Moment Heals
By this point, most clients are crying — some hysterically. This moment is extremely healing for several reasons:
1. They get to see their loved one again.
2. They see their loved one is happy, healthy, and still around.
3. They get to say they are sorry and finally release the guilt they have been carrying.
4. Their deceased loved one may need to apologize to your client.
5. You can confirm the loved one went into the light.
Sometimes the loved one is the one who needs forgiveness.
Many loved ones, once they crossed over, realized how cruel they had been. Once they're forgiven, they can move on. So this exchange matters for both your client and their loved one. Ask: "Does your mom have any advice for you?"
Practice
Rehearse the invitation, consent first. 1. Write the exact words you use to ask consent before bringing anyone into the garden or the beach. 2. Write your opening line for the conversation once the loved one is there. 3. Write your two neutral follow-ups: "What are you noticing?" and "What would you like to say to them?" 4. Practice all of it aloud on a friend playing a client, and watch their face — softening, tears, or hesitation is your cue to slow down, not to move on.