Imagine this — you want something really badly, like more money, a better job, or a great relationship, and you start focusing on those things with the Law of Attraction (LOA). Meanwhile, you’re assuming you just need to think positive, visualize, and it’s going to mysteriously arrive, right? Well, that’s over-optimistic, because people (including you) hold hidden beliefs about themselves or live with negative emotions which can mess with the whole concept of “attraction”.

And that’s where shadow work comes in. Shadow work is basically all about exploring the parts of ourselves that we usually hide,  repress and deny. You know: the parts that make you feel guilty,  inadequate or just not good enough. Someone once said shadow work is like having a messy closet in your mind, one you never want to open, because when you do, things come pouring out!

However – the good news is that shadow work helps you clean that  mess up (and bring those hidden parts into the light). But how does this link to the Law of Attraction?

We can think of the LOA as being like a mirror — it reflects back what’s going on inside you. Everyone has unconscious fears or doubts which will stop your affirmations and visualizations working. In fact, those hidden beliefs will block the process of drawing towards you whatever you’re trying to attract. Shadow work helps you uncover those beliefs, change them, and get more aligned with both how you feel and what you truly want. 

The real power of shadow work comes through accepting and loving the parts of you that you thought were “bad” or “stupid.” When you do that, the energetic level of your vibrations will increase, and then the universe begins to vibrate in harmony with you: and that is when (hopefully) you begin to get what you truly want.  So shadow work and the Law of Attraction are like partners — shadow work clears out the blocks, and your increased capacity to resonate with the universe allows you to manifest what you want, and start the process of “bringing in the good stuff”.

Video – Teal Swan on the Law Of Attraction

But remember: if you’re about to dive into shadow work, don’t expect it to be a smooth, feel-good experience all the time — it’s like cleaning out your closet. It will (probably) get messy before it gets better, but in the end it’s worth it.

What Happens In A Shadow Work Session 

First, get clear what you’re working on: It’s super helpful to have a specific issue to tackle. Maybe you’re feeling stuck with your career, or you keep attracting the wrong kind of relationship.  Or, if you don’t know exactly what’s going on, just start with how you’re feeling, whether that’s anger, sadness, frustration, or whatever…

If you work with a facilitator, you and he / she can start by working with whatever’s on your mind. Reflect on questions like these: 

• “Why do I feel this way about this situation?”
• “What do I really believe about myself when I feel this way?”
• “Where did this belief come from?” (Which is, by the way, almost always your childhood experience.)

Shadow work is, in large part, about feeling. When you think deeply enough about the stuff you’re trying to heal, you will often feel the emotions attached to it — anger, fear, shame, grief, loss, joy, whatever. Don’t avoid those feelings, and don’t try to change them. Acknowledge them, accept them, and let them flow through you. 

This can be an eye-opening experience. You’re basically trying to find the root of the belief about yourself by exploring the emotion it produces. It’s like peeling an onion — you might have to ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” over and over until you hit something deep, like a childhood memory or a past trauma. That’s when you start to see where the shadow originated…

Then, after you’ve really dug into the roots of your limitations, the healing starts. This could look like forgiving yourself, letting go of the belief you hold about yourself, or even just making a conscious choice to love yourself, no matter what. You might want to try using affirmations or visualizing yourself sending love to the part of you that’s been traumatised.

You Need To Be Prepared for Shadow Work. Here’s How.

Set Your Intention: This is key. Get clear on why you’re doing this. Whether it’s healing, growing, manifesting what you want, or letting go of something, having an intention makes everything more powerful.

Be Ready to Face Uncomfortable Stuff: I’m not going to deceive you. Truth is, shadow work isn’t always easy (for example, if you just think a session with a facilitator will lead to your graceful emergence into a wholesome new self!) You WILL find things that feel disempowering and depressing, yet that is how it has to be — exploring the hidden negatives is all part of the process. But then again, so is exploring all the positive! Be kind to yourself, take breaks if you need to, and don’t rush it.

(You might want to have a grounding technique ready in case you begin to feel overwhelmed. If you work with a facilitator, they should be able to help you with this. )

Give Yourself Time: Shadow work isn’t a “one-session” kind of  therapy. You WILL need multiple sessions to fully process everything. It’s all about taking your shadow work journey one step at a time. At the end of each session, you are likely to feel a mix of things — relief, confusion, empowerment, grief, and anger — who knows? Deep work leaves you displaced from your “normality”. But, as you might guess, the more you do it, the easier it gets.

If you’re looking for a shadow work facilitator in the UK, there are a few options you could explore:

Trained Shadow Work Facilitators

Healing The Shadow is an organisation with many trained therapists who specialize in this kind of depth psychology. They can explore the unconscious parts of you that normally hide (or which you hide).  A quick Google search for “shadow work facilitator UK” or “shadow work practitioner UK” could point you in the right direction. Some of the shadow work facilitators trained by this organisation are shadow work facilitator Dan Hartley, shadow work facilitator Francisco Cabeza West, and shadow work facilitator Richard Martyn. The USA Organisation Shadow Work Inc is also a helpful resource, for it trains facilitators in the UK.

Workshops and Retreats: There are also shadow work workshops and retreats available in the UK. These are held by experienced facilitators who can guide you through the process in a group setting. This can feel more supportive if you like being around others who are doing similar work. In this case try Googling “shadow work retreats UK” to see if there is anything useful coming up.

Just make sure to do your research before you commit — for example, check reviews, ask questions about their experience with shadow work specifically, and ensure they’re a good fit for your particular needs.

Here are a few names you might want to check out:

Marianne Hill

Marianne’s influence on shadow work in the UK has been extremely significant. She has written a well-known book on shadow work, which delves deeply into the process of understanding and integrating the shadow energy inside your mind. Many practitioners in the UK have trained with Marianne or have followed her methodologies. You can find facilitators in the UK who are connected to her teachings at this website: shadow work facilitators and shadow work coaches UK.

You can also try therapists and facilitators who specifically focus on shadow work in group settings, or visit Mind, Body & Spirit Festivals, because these often feature shadow work practitioners and therapists from the UK who offer workshops or one-on-one sessions. They could be a good way to find someone in person.

But, in short, Healing the Shadow and Shadow Work Inc. are both well-known organizations that focus specifically on shadow work, and they have a strong presence both in the UK and internationally.

• Books and Resources: Rod Boothroyd is a supervisor with Healing the Shadow. He has written extensively about shadow work, creating books designed to help people uncover and heal the unconscious aspects of themselves. His two books Warrior Magician Lover King and Finding The King Within are wonderful resources if you’re looking for an introduction to shadow work, or techniques which you can apply by yourself. 
• Healing the Shadow provides in-person and online courses, workshops, and coaching sessions. If you’re looking for a facilitator, they offer one-on-one coaching and personal development programs, both online and in-person.

How to Connect:

• Visit the Healing the Shadow website for details on programs, resources, and to find facilitators who offer coaching.
• You can also check their social media platforms for upcoming events or online workshops that may have UK-based facilitators or virtual offerings. This includes professional level courses which  allow you to train as a shadow work facilitator.

2. Shadow Work, Inc.

• Overview: Shadow Work, Inc. is an organization that was founded by Cliff Barry, a significant figure in the field of shadow work. It’s an educational and experiential organization focused on personal growth, shadow integration, and healing through shadow work.
• Workshops and Programs: Shadow Work, Inc. offers workshops, retreats, and in-depth programs that aim to guide participants through the process of identifying and integrating their shadows. These workshops often focus on inner child healing, emotional release, and integrating unconscious beliefs.
• Shadow Work, Inc. also has a facilitator training program, so you might find a UK-based facilitator who has been trained by them. You can explore their website to see if there are upcoming workshops or trained facilitators in the UK.

How to Find a Facilitator:

Both organizations offer facilitator directories, or you can contact them directly for recommendations on shadow work professionals based in the UK. Also, many of their workshops and retreats can be found through their websites, and some may be hosted in the UK or offered online.

To get the best results, it’s worth browsing their sites and checking out the facilitators listed for more specific guidance or in-person events that might be happening near you.