In the realm of holistic healing and transformative counseling, few truths are as powerful or life-changing as this: the present moment is where all healing begins. This principle, deeply rooted in the teachings of Louise Hay and echoed throughout transformational psychology, serves as a guiding light for individuals navigating the darkness of addiction and mental health challenges.

When working with individuals suffering from substance use disorders and emotional distress, we are not simply addressing behavior—we are engaging with the very way a person sees themselves and experiences time. Addiction thrives in the shadows of regret (the past) and fear (the future). Recovery, however, begins when one steps fully into the now. At Enhanced Healing Counseling, this belief is embedded in the transformational approach: my point of power is in the present moment.

One of the core issues in addiction and mental illness is a distorted relationship with time. Clients often carry the weight of unresolved trauma from the past or anxiety about the future. These mental projections rob them of their ability to act meaningfully and powerfully in the present.

Louise Hay often reminded us, “The point of power is always in the present moment.” This is not merely a comforting affirmation—it is a psychological truth. The past and future do not exist as lived realities; they are mental constructs. The only place where change, growth, forgiveness, and healing can occur is the now.

Understanding this principle helps those in recovery reclaim their agency. Instead of being prisoners of yesterday’s choices or tomorrow’s fears, they begin to see that the only time they can ever create change is right now.

Addiction, whether to substances, behaviors, or thought patterns, is a coping mechanism that often emerges from a desire to escape the present moment. The pain of “what is” becomes intolerable, and substances offer a temporary illusion of relief or control.

However, that relief is false—and fleeting. What truly heals the inner wound is learning how to stay present with oneself, without judgment or escape. Living in the present moment reconnects individuals to their power to choose, which is the cornerstone of transformation.

When clients begin to understand that they are not bound by the stories of the past or fears about the future, they open themselves to an entirely new way of living. They begin to heal.

At the heart of the Transformation Counseling Program lies a simple yet profound truth:

“My point of power is always in the present moment. My power to change and transform my life and way of being is always in the present moment, in the Now.”

This principle invites individuals to step into a space of personal responsibility and agency. They are no longer victims of circumstance or prisoners of past conditioning. The present moment becomes a sacred portal through which they can rewrite their inner story and reclaim their identity.

Living by this principle means clients must train their minds to return again and again to the now. It means learning to observe their thoughts, question their beliefs, and make conscious choices aligned with their highest good—all in real time.

One of the root causes of addiction and emotional suffering is a damaged self-image—the internal belief that one is not good enough, not worthy, not lovable. These beliefs often originate in childhood and are reinforced by trauma, neglect, or cultural conditioning.

The present moment offers a gateway to begin healing the self-image. In the now, we are not defined by the past. We are not beholden to who we were yesterday. We are free to choose new beliefs, new thoughts, new actions.

Using affirmations such as “I am worthy of love,” “I accept myself fully,” and “I am healing now,” clients anchor their identity in the present, rather than dragging the past into their future. This is why daily practices like mirror work, journaling, and meditation are central in Transformation. They train the mind to focus on the now, where real change happens.

Mindfulness—the practice of bringing one’s full attention to the present moment—is not just a trendy buzzword. It is a therapeutic powerhouse. Studies have shown that mindfulness reduces cravings, improves emotional regulation, and enhances mental clarity, all of which are essential in overcoming addiction.

But beyond technique, mindfulness is a philosophy of being. It teaches individuals to meet life as it is, with acceptance and curiosity. It dissolves the tendency to resist pain or chase pleasure, two core drivers of addictive behavior.

Transformation counseling teaches mindfulness not just as a stress-reduction tool but as a gateway to the soul. When a person is fully present, they can hear the quiet wisdom of their inner voice. They reconnect with the part of themselves that is untouched by addiction—the part that is whole and divine.

The present moment is not just where psychological healing happens—it is where spiritual connection is restored. As the Principle of Transformation states:

“When I stay grounded in the present moment, I can gain access and authentic connection to my Higher Power, Source, Spirit, and God.”

Addiction often creates a spiritual void. Individuals feel alone, disconnected, and powerless. But that powerlessness is an illusion. When they learn to dwell in the now, they can begin to feel the presence of something greater—what Louise Hay called Life, and what others may call God, Spirit, or Source.

This connection brings peace, clarity, and the strength to choose a new path. It is not something that can be accessed intellectually or imagined. It can only be experienced—and that experience is only available in the now.

Transformation therapy empowers individuals with concrete tools to live in the present moment and harness their power. Here are some of the most effective practices:

1. Affirmations

Use positive, present-tense affirmations to anchor your identity in the now. Examples:

• “I am healing now.”
• “I am safe in this moment.”
• “I choose love over fear today.”

2. Breath Awareness

Bring awareness to the breath several times a day. The breath is always happening now and serves as an immediate anchor to the present.

3. Mirror Work

Look into your eyes in a mirror and speak affirmations with compassion and conviction. This practice, pioneered by Louise Hay, is powerful for healing self-image in real time.

4. Gratitude Journaling

Each day, write down three things you are grateful for. Gratitude opens the heart and brings attention to the blessings of the current moment.

5. Visualization

Use your imagination to visualize your ideal self—healed, whole, and empowered—right now. The subconscious mind doesn’t distinguish between imagination and reality, making this an effective tool for transformation.

6. Daily Health Plan

Transformation counseling includes a structured Daily Health Plan that combines all of these techniques into a practical, repeatable routine. It grounds the individual in the now while building habits that support self-esteem and lasting recovery.

One of the great paradoxes in recovery is that many individuals unconsciously resist the present moment. Why? Because it can be uncomfortable, uncertain, and raw. The mind clings to old stories and familiar pain as a form of self-protection.

The transformational approach acknowledges this resistance with compassion but does not indulge it. Clients are encouraged to meet discomfort not as a threat, but as a teacher. Every feeling that arises in the present moment is a messenger, pointing the way to healing.

When individuals learn to stay present even in discomfort, they build emotional resilience and develop the capacity to face life with strength and integrity. This is the essence of recovery—not avoiding life, but embracing it fully.

Lasting recovery is not about managing symptoms. It’s about changing how one relates to oneself and to life. And that change can only happen right now.

When clients fully integrate the truth that their point of power is in the present moment, they stop waiting to be healed in the future or blaming what happened in the past. They begin to live consciously. They begin to choose differently. They begin to transform.

This shift in consciousness is what allows recovery to stick. It is not willpower or discipline alone that keeps someone sober—it is the growing realization that they are already whole and already powerful, right here, right now.

Living in the present moment is not a technique—it is a way of being. It is the return to one’s natural state: aware, loving, and connected to Source. It is the foundation of the Transformation Counseling Program and a core principle that runs through all healing.

Louise Hay once said, “Every thought we think is creating our future.” But the future is shaped not by fantasy or memory—it is shaped by the now.

When individuals in recovery learn to root themselves in the present, they awaken to their true identity—not as addicts, not as victims, but as powerful creators of their own experience.

Their lives begin to change.

One moment at a time.

By Dr. Harry Henshaw
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