by Carlos Gris, M.A., C.Ht.
This article reviews some applications of past-life regression as an adjunct to traditional therapy with homeless people. The author presents two case histories illustrating the application of this method, one successful and one unsuccessful. He also identifies four dangers in the use of clinical depossession with any population. His candor in discussing failures as well as successes is laudable.
I would like to share with readers my experiences using past-life therapy with homeless people in San Francisco. At the time of writing, I have been working with Healthcare for the Homeless, one of 18 government-funded programs set up to develop models for delivering service to this population.
We provide medical, mental health and social work services in each of five major shelters, as well as in a centrally located clinic and in hotels that serve as temporary shelters to many. What this means is that I see clients in all these places, and don’t really have an office of my own. I’m a homeless therapist, so to speak.
The number of homeless people in San Francisco is estimated at between 6,000 and 10,000 — nobody knows for sure. About 30 percent have severe psychiatric disabilities, 20 percent are Vietnam combat vets, 50 to 60 percent are black men. There is an increasingly high number of pregnant and single women and families joining the ranks of this most disenfranchised and troubled population. The great majority are afflicted with malnutrition and infectious diseases.