Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Xandra Hawes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Xandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.

I loved studying at Naropa University and graduating with my degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology. It’s a very unique approach to mental health counseling that integrates traditional Western psychology with Buddhist psychology and contemplative practices. We studied the intersection of mindfulness, compassion, and psychology and I learned how to apply contemplative practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, to help my clients develop greater self-awareness and insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

When I began counseling others from a Buddhist psychology lens, I noticed how quickly my clients began to heal when they learned how to increase self-compassion and self-trust through examining their thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. This approach to psychology emphasizes the importance of developing awareness and self-acceptance in order to cultivate mental and emotional well-being. When therapy is seen through context, the goal is not just to alleviate symptoms, but to help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. This approach to therapy encourages clients to take responsibility for their own healing and to cultivate the qualities of mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom in their daily lives.

Xandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a licensed professional counselor, psychic-medium, and the founder of Soul Essence Wellness Center, an online intuitive development school. I train sensitive and empathic people in developing their psychic abilities, provide Contemplative Psychotherapy to residents in Colorado, and give psychic-medium readings to people all over the world. I wear lots of hats, but overall, I specialize in helping highly sensitive individuals and empaths overcome anxiety and past traumas by creating healthy boundaries, letting go of other people’s energies, navigating spiritual awakenings, and reclaiming their best selves.

I am incredibly passionate about helping people discover their inner freedom and true essence, and it’s my life work to help clients connect with their ancient wisdom and to see themselves as powerful and courageous souls regardless of the traumas and difficulties they may have faced in this lifetime or others.

My initiation and background for this work began when I was barely 15-years old, when my mother took me to a therapist and psychic-medium when I struggled to understand the terrifying spiritual awakening that began to take place. I was diagnosed with many things, such as anxiety and depression, and was put on medications that were not correct for what was taking place in my body.

Thankfully, I began studying eclectic mystic traditions and traveling across the US and to different parts of the world in my late teens, and throughout my 20s and early 30s. I began weaving different theories, concepts and ideas together, and realized that the intersection between psychology, spirituality and energy healing was still a mystery to many. I dove in, and have created my lifework by studying this synergistic healing web.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Most people are surprised when I tell them that I’ve never taken out a loan from a bank for my psychotherapy practice or wellness center, nor have I received funding from anyone else besides myself. I don’t have a trust fund, a deceased relative that handed me an inheritance, or parents that deposit money in my bank account. In fact, starting in April of 2023, it will be my first time hiring an SEO company to optimize my website. I’ve never paid for advertising or looked to the online world to find clients. It’s just been me, on the ground, being with people with an open, loving heart, and helping them rewrite their lives and finding wholeness. All of the clients I work with have been organic referrals based on someone’s excellent experience working with me as a student, therapy client or from a psychic-medium reading. I’ve spent years going to psychic conventions, driving miles across Colorado to provide in home therapy for young adults, managing 24/7 teams for elders with dementia, and coordinating meditation retreats for graduate students. It’s been a long road, and I’ve gained so much experience. There were times when I was building my skills and the wellness center that I felt jealous of the help other people received from their families, but now that I’ve seen every aspect of building a business from the driver’s seat, I feel incredibly confident and proud. I wouldn’t trade my experience and the lessons I’ve learned working with people for anything.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

This may sound silly, or maybe even basic, but I LOVE people. I’m inspired by humans and their big hearts. I’m inspired by their drive to explore, to be inspired, to be creative and to try new things. It’s easy for me to be with people, even when they are sad, angry, anxious, and overwhelmed. When someone is spiraling and feels out of control, I naturally become calm, and I’m not afraid. I joke with my partner that if I wasn’t a therapist I would be an emergency responder, because my ability to bring roots and hope to tricky situations comes naturally. Before opening my practice, I worked at multiple agencies that provided care for populations that many therapists steer clear of.

For example, I did occasional overnights with a 93-year old women in a memory care center, which meant I slept a few feet away from her bed so I could wake up immediately and emotionally support her if she was confused in the middle of the night. This often happened and she would walk around the facility searching for her deceased husband. She would become angry if I tried to reason with her, and even tried to hit me several times, which is scary for most people. I share this because it taught me how to hold deep compassion for people in extreme states, and to not take on the emotional energy of the people I’m working with. I learned gentleness and how to speak to the higher wisdom inside of people. My psychic abilities combined with my therapy background also help me see the energetic patterns that live in client’s auric fields, and how this shifts as we work together. Ultimately, these foundational teachings and experiences allow me to really see people at a deep level. I don’t view my clients from a patient stance. I see them as wise souls on their own unique path to healing and to walk with them with reverence, strength and gratitude.

When people work with me and show up vulnerably, I meet them there with a huge heart, years of experience and skills, and trust that they have exactly what they need to heal.

Contact Info:

• Website: soulessencewellnesscenter.com; soulessencepsychotherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulessencecenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulessencewellness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrajhawes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgK6hr9A3g6IQm7rVyZbI8w
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soul-essence-wellness-center-boulder
• Other: Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-essence/id1518502694