When Invisible Forces Hold You Back: Understanding and Clearing Entity Attachments

A practitioner's guide to identifying and clearing unwanted energetic influences

Last Updated: October 2025 

Have You Ever Felt "Not Yourself"?

In my years working with energy clearing, I've heard the same phrase hundreds of times: "I just don't feel like myself." Sometimes people describe it as sudden heaviness that won't lift. Other times it's persistent fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix. Or it's thoughts that feel foreign, like someone else's voice in their head.

Most of these sensations pass quickly. Sometimes they have clear explanations: stress, physical illness, grief, or emotional exhaustion. But occasionally, despite addressing all the obvious causes, something still feels off. This is where some traditions and energy practitioners recognise another possibility: entity attachments.

I'll be honest, when I first encountered this concept, I was skeptical. It sounded like something from a horror movie. But after witnessing hundreds of people experience profound relief after clearing sessions, I've learned that this phenomenon, while subtle, is far more common than most people realise.

Entity attachments aren't about demonic possession or anything dramatic. In my experience, they're usually just energies that have become misplaced, consciousnesses that haven't fully transitioned, residual emotional imprints, or opportunistic energies drawn to vulnerability. This article explores what they are, how to recognise them, and the ways they can be safely and gently cleared.

What Are Entity Attachments?

Entity attachments refer to external energies that connect with a person's energy field and influence their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and overall wellbeing. I want to emphasise this upfront: this is not about fear, superstition, or theatrical possession scenarios. Most attachments I encounter in my practice are simply energies that are confused, unresolved, or opportunistically taking advantage of an energetic opening.

Think of your energy field like your home. Most of the time, you control who enters and leaves. But if you leave a window open during a storm, things can blow in that don't belong there. That's essentially what we're dealing with.

Common Types of Attachments

Through my work, I've identified several categories of attachments that present differently:

Earthbound Spirits – These are consciousnesses that haven't fully transitioned after physical death. They're often confused, attached to a particular place or person, or simply unaware they've passed. In my experience, these are usually not malicious—they're lost. I once worked with a woman who'd been experiencing overwhelming sadness since moving into a new apartment. During our session, we discovered an elderly presence who'd passed away in that space and didn't realise it was time to move on. After facilitating the transition, my client's unexplained grief lifted within days.

Opportunistic Entities – These are external energies drawn to emotional distress, trauma, or energetic imbalance. Some are complex; others are simple parasitic-type energies that feed on particular emotional states. I think of these like energetic mosquitoes—they're attracted to certain "frequencies" of distress and latch on when defenses are down.

Residual Energies – These aren't conscious entities but rather emotional imprints left behind in environments or during intensely stressful events. Hospitals, sites of accidents, or places where intense emotions occurred can carry these imprints. They're like recordings that play on a loop, and sensitive individuals can pick them up.

Thought-Forms – This one surprised me when I first encountered it. Patterns of repetitive negative thinking can actually develop their own energetic momentum—an independent "pull" that becomes increasingly difficult to break. I've seen people struggle with self-criticism that feels stronger than their own will, and in some cases, these thought patterns have taken on an almost autonomous quality.

How Attachments Form

One of the most important things I've learned is that attachment isn't about being spiritually weak or doing something wrong. In fact, some of the most conscious, aware people I know have experienced attachments precisely because they're highly sensitive.

Attachments most commonly occur during periods of vulnerability:

• Grief and loss – When someone passes, the energetic field naturally opens in grief, sometimes creating space for other energies to enter
• Illness or surgery – Physical weakness often correlates with energetic weakness
• Substance use – Alcohol and drugs create altered states that can temporarily weaken natural boundaries
• Intense emotional upheaval – Trauma, breakups, major life transitions
• Unprotected spiritual practices – Opening up energetically without proper grounding or protection

They may also be picked up in environments carrying heavy or unsettled energy—hospitals, bars, sites of conflict, or even just being around someone who's heavily attached themselves.

Why Some People Are More Susceptible

Not everyone picks up attachments, even in vulnerable circumstances. Through my practice, I've noticed certain characteristics make people more susceptible:

High sensitivity or empathy – People who naturally absorb others' emotions often absorb other energies too. If you're the person everyone comes to with their problems, you're probably energetically porous.

Unhealed trauma – Trauma creates energetic "holes" in the field where things can slip in. I see this frequently with childhood trauma that hasn't been processed.

Chronic stress – Prolonged stress weakens every system, including energetic boundaries.

Ungrounded spiritual practices – Opening the crown chakra without proper grounding is like opening your front door without checking who's outside.

Occupational exposure – Healthcare workers, therapists, hospice workers, and anyone working in emotionally intense environments are at higher risk.

Recognising the Signs

Entity attachments can express themselves physically, emotionally, or energetically. Here's the challenge: these signs overlap significantly with medical conditions, mental health issues, and normal stress responses. This is why careful discernment is essential, and why I always encourage people to rule out other causes first.

Possible Indicators

Physical symptoms:

• Persistent fatigue that doesn't respond to rest
• Disrupted sleep patterns or nightmares
• Unexplained aches, particularly in the shoulders, neck, or back
• Feeling physically heavy, like you're dragging extra weight
• Sudden onset of physical symptoms after visiting certain locations

Emotional and behavioural changes:

• Sudden, uncharacteristic mood swings
• Compulsive urges that feel foreign to your nature
• Persistent negative self-talk that feels more intense than your usual inner critic
• Unexplained irritability or aggression
• Addictive behaviours that suddenly intensify
• Feeling "watched" or not alone when you are
• Thoughts that don't feel like your own voice

Energetic indicators:

• Persistent heaviness in your aura or energy field
• Difficulty focusing during meditation or spiritual practice
• Feeling drained after being in certain locations
• Sensing a "presence" in your home or around you
• Unusual coldness in specific areas of your body

The Critical Question: How Do I Know If I Have an Entity Attachment?

Here's my practical assessment approach. Ask yourself:

1. Did symptoms appear suddenly after a specific event? (loss, illness, visiting a particular place)
2. Do the symptoms feel foreign, like they're "not you"?
3. Have you ruled out medical and mental health causes?
4. Do you feel temporarily better when you leave certain environments, then worse when you return?
5. Do people comment that you "seem different" lately?

If you answered yes to several of these, an attachment might be worth exploring. But, and this is crucial, it might also be trauma, stress, depression, or physical illness presenting in ways that feel unfamiliar.

Impact on Daily Life

When I ask clients how attachments have affected them, the responses are remarkably consistent. Attachments can subtly shape how a person feels, relates, and functions:

In relationships: Unexplained irritability, picking fights over nothing, withdrawing from loved ones, or bringing uncharacteristic intensity to conflicts. One client described it as "watching myself sabotage my marriage and being unable to stop."

In work and creativity: Reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, creative blocks that feel like hitting a wall. Several artists I've worked with describe their creative flow as being "hijacked"—they can access the inspiration, but something interferes with expression.

In personal wellbeing: A persistent sense of disconnection from your authentic self, difficulty making decisions, feeling like you're observing your life rather than living it.

The difference after clearing is often described in strikingly similar terms: "It's like a fog lifted," "I feel like myself again," "I didn't realize how much extra weight I was carrying." People report regaining clarity, lightness, and reconnection with their own voice and intuition.

Addressing the Skeptics (And why they're partly right)

I know some readers are rolling their eyes right now. "Entity attachments? Really? This sounds like medieval superstition."

I get it. I had the same reaction initially. Here's what I'd say to skeptics:

You're right to be cautious. This field attracts both genuine practitioners and people who exploit vulnerable individuals with fear-based narratives. Healthy skepticism protects people from predatory practices.

The mechanism might not be what you think. Whether attachments are literal external entities or psychological phenomena that present as external—honestly, I'm not certain, and I don't think it matters for practical purposes. What I know is that the clearing process works. People feel better, symptoms resolve, and lives improve.

It might be all placebo. Maybe. But if someone's been suffering for months or years, tried everything conventional medicine offers, and finally gets relief from an energy clearing session—does the mechanism matter? I think results speak for themselves, while remaining open to multiple explanations.

Some "attachments" are really mental health issues. Absolutely true. That's why responsible practitioners work alongside, not against, medical and psychological care. The danger isn't in the concept of attachments—it's in practitioners who see attachments in everything and discourage people from seeking appropriate help.

My invitation to skeptics: You don't need to believe in the metaphysical explanation. Just stay open to the possibility that there are influences on wellbeing we don't fully understand yet, and that different modalities can be helpful even if we can't fully explain how they work.

Common Misconceptions

Through my years of practice, I've encountered the same misunderstandings repeatedly. Let me address them directly:

"Clearing must be harmful or dangerous"

I understand why people worry: movies and media have created fear around anything spiritual or energetic. In my practice, I've never had a client experience harm from clearing. With proper training and a trauma-informed approach, it's actually empowering. The most common response I hear is relief, sometimes accompanied by emotional release (tears, but the cathartic kind).

One client told me she'd been terrified to try clearing because she thought it would be like an exorcism scene from a horror film. Instead, she described it as "the most peaceful, grounding experience I've ever had."

"You become dependent on the practitioner"

This is a red flag for an unethical practitioner. Good clearing is client-led; the practitioner facilitates, but the client does the work of reclaiming their own energy. I explicitly teach clients protection and clearing techniques they can use themselves. My goal is to empower people, not create dependency.

If a practitioner tells you that only they can clear you, or that you need ongoing sessions indefinitely, that's a warning sign of either poor training or predatory practice.

"Once cleared, you're fixed forever"

I wish this were true, but it's not. If the underlying vulnerabilities that allowed the attachment to form aren't addressed, new attachments can form. Think of it like cleaning your house: you can do a deep clean, but if you leave windows open and never maintain it, it'll get messy again.

Most of my clients need one to three sessions. Some need only one. Others benefit from periodic "maintenance" during particularly vulnerable times. It's individual.

"Having an attachment means you're spiritually weak or did something wrong"

This one frustrates me because it adds shame to an already challenging experience. Some of the most spiritually advanced, energetically sensitive people I know have experienced attachments. Sometimes high sensitivity is the very trait that makes someone susceptible. It's not a character flaw; it's often a feature of being deeply empathetic and open.

"Clearing is incompatible with my religion or belief system"

Entity clearing is an energetic process, not a religious one. I've worked with devout Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists, and everything in between. The process respects and adapts to each person's worldview. You don't need to believe in any particular cosmology for clearing to be effective.

How Clearing Works: What to Expect During an Entity Clearing Session

Let me walk you through what actually happens in a typical session, because the reality is far less dramatic than most people imagine.

The Typical Process

1. Initial Assessment (30-45 minutes)

We start with a conversation. I want to understand your symptoms, when they began, what you've already tried, and your overall health picture. I'm assessing whether an attachment seems likely or if I should refer you elsewhere. I also explain the process thoroughly and answer any questions.

This conversation is crucial. I'm listening for patterns: Did symptoms appear suddenly after a specific event? Do they feel foreign to your usual nature? Have medical causes been ruled out?

2. Energetic Scan (15-20 minutes)

Using a combination of intuitive sensing and sometimes specific techniques (like muscle testing or pendulum work, depending on what the client is comfortable with), I scan the energy field to identify if there's an attachment, where it's located, and what type it might be.

This isn't mysterious—I'm simply reading energy the way you might read someone's facial expression or body language. It's information that's available if you know how to perceive it.

3. The Clearing Release (45-90 minutes)

This is the core work, and it's deeply individualized. The process involves:

• Creating a safe, grounded container for the work
• Dialoguing with the attachment (if it's conscious) to understand why it's there
• Facilitating its release—sometimes through negotiation, sometimes through more direct energetic work
• If it's an earthbound spirit, helping it transition to where it needs to go
• If it's residual energy, clearing and transmuting it
• Sealing and protecting the space where the attachment was

Throughout this, the client is awake, aware, and participating. You're not passive—your intention and willingness are essential to the process.

4. Integration and Protection (20-30 minutes)

After clearing, we work on reconnecting you with your own vitality, sealing your energy field, and teaching you protection techniques. This is crucial—without proper integration and protection, you're vulnerable to picking up new attachments.

Practical Details:

Session length: Typically 2.5 to 3 hours for a full clearing
Format: Can be done in-person or remotely (energy doesn't respect physical distance)
Cost: Sessions typically range from $150-400 depending on the practitioner's experience and location
What to bring: Just yourself, comfortable clothing, and an open mind. Some practitioners recommend bringing water and perhaps a journal.

What Does It Feel Like?

Experiences vary widely. Some people feel:bi

• Warmth or tingling in areas being cleared
• Emotional release—tears, anger, or unexpected laughter
• Physical sensations like pressure releasing or lightness
• Visual impressions or memories surfacing
• Deep relaxation, almost like meditation
• Sometimes nothing dramatic at all in the moment

What's consistent is how people feel afterward. Most report:

• Immediate lightness, like a weight lifted
• Mental clarity and sharper thinking
• Better sleep that night
• Emotional equilibrium returning
• A sense of "being home in my body again"

Some people experience a brief adjustment period (1-3 days) where they feel tired or emotionally tender as their system recalibrates. This is normal and passes quickly.

Preparation and Aftercare

Before your session:

• Stay hydrated
• Eat lightly (not a heavy meal right before)
• Avoid alcohol or substances for 24 hours prior
• Get good sleep the night before if possible
• Set an intention for what you want to release

After your session:

• Rest—don't schedule anything demanding afterward
• Drink plenty of water
• Journal about your experience
• Be gentle with yourself emotionally
• Avoid crowded or energetically heavy places for 24-48 hours
• Practice the protection techniques taught in the session

Prevention and Protection: Building Energetic Resilience

While clearing is effective, prevention is equally important. Think of energetic protection like hand washing, it's basic hygiene that prevents most problems.

Daily Practices That Build Resilience

Grounding techniques (5-10 minutes daily)

• Walking barefoot on earth
• Visualization of roots growing from your feet into the ground
• Mindful breathing focused on the lower body
• Physical exercise that connects you with your body

Energetic boundaries (practice regularly)

• Visualize a protective sphere of light around you each morning
• Set intention: "I am protected. Only loving energy may enter my field."
• Practice saying "no" and setting healthy boundaries in relationships
• Notice when you're absorbing others' emotions and consciously release them

Space clearing (weekly or as needed)

• Open windows and let fresh air circulate
• Use sound (bells, singing bowls, clapping) to break up stagnant energy
• Smudge with sage, palo santo, or incense
• Place salt in corners of rooms (replace monthly)
• Use intention: "This space is cleared of all energy that doesn't serve the highest good."

Building Long-Term Resilience

Emotional regulation and self-care:

• Process emotions rather than suppressing them (unprocessed emotion creates energetic vulnerability)
• Regular therapy or counseling to address trauma and wounds
• Healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines
• Creative expression as emotional release

Spiritual practices:

• Whatever connects you to something larger—meditation, prayer, nature, art
• Regular connection with guides, angels, or higher self (however you understand this)
• Gratitude practices that raise your energetic frequency
• Community and connection with others

Environmental awareness:

• Limit time in energetically heavy places (hospitals, bars, conflict sites)
• If you must be in challenging environments, consciously protect yourself first
• Clear your energy after being in crowds or difficult situations
• Create sanctuary spaces in your home

When to Seek Professional Support

If you experience persistent heaviness, influence, or confusion despite implementing these practices, that's a sign to seek professional guidance. Don't suffer alone or let pride prevent you from getting help.

Also seek support if:

• You've had one clearing but symptoms returned
• You're in a particularly vulnerable life transition
• You work in a high-risk occupation (healthcare, counseling, etc.)
• You're developing your own intuitive or healing abilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clearing painful or frightening?

No. In my practice, clearing is usually gentle and brings relief rather than fear. The most intense emotion I typically see is tears—but they're cathartic, release-oriented tears, not distress. Some people feel emotional tenderness afterward, but it passes quickly. The process should feel safe and supportive. If a practitioner's approach feels frightening, that's a red flag about their methods, not about clearing itself.

How do I know if I actually need a session vs. just having a bad week?

This is where self-reflection helps. A "bad week" typically has identifiable causes and improves with rest, support, and addressing the stressors. Consider a clearing if:

• Symptoms persist despite addressing obvious causes
• You feel "not yourself" in a way that's difficult to articulate
• Symptoms appeared suddenly after a specific event
• Multiple people have commented that you seem different
• You've tried therapy, medical treatment, etc., without relief

That said, it never hurts to book a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can help you discern what you're dealing with.

Can attachments return after clearing?

Yes, if the underlying vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. This isn't a failure of the clearing—it's information about what needs attention. If someone clears an attachment but continues working 80-hour weeks in a toxic environment without any self-care or protection, they're creating conditions for new attachments to form.

The good news: once you've learned protection techniques and addressed core vulnerabilities, recurring attachments become rare.

How does this differ from mental health conditions like depression or anxiety?

They can overlap and influence each other. Depression and anxiety are real medical conditions with neurological and biochemical components. Entity attachments are energetic disturbances. Sometimes they coexist—someone might have both clinical depression and an attachment that's amplifying symptoms.

Responsible practice recognizes the importance of mental health support alongside energetic work. I frequently work with clients who are also in therapy, on medication, or seeing other healthcare providers. It's not either/or—it's both/and.

What if I'm skeptical but curious?

Perfect. Healthy skepticism is actually an asset—it means you'll be discerning about practitioners and realistic about outcomes. You don't need to believe in any particular metaphysical explanation for clearing to be effective. Come with an open mind, try it, and evaluate based on results.

Many of my most satisfied clients started as skeptics.

How long does a clearing session take?

A comprehensive clearing session typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours. This includes assessment, the actual clearing work, and integration/protection teaching afterward. Some practitioners offer shorter sessions, but in my experience, rushing this work isn't effective.

Are children affected by entity attachments?

Yes, children can be affected, though it's less common than with adults. Children are generally more energetically resilient and protected by their natural innocence and vitality. However, children who've experienced trauma, loss, or who are highly sensitive can sometimes pick up attachments.

Working with children requires special care, parental consent, and often a gentler, play-based approach. I always involve parents in the process and ensure the child feels safe and empowered, never frightened.

How much does entity clearing typically cost?

Prices vary by practitioner experience, location, and session length. In my observation, sessions typically range from $150-400. Be wary of practitioners charging thousands of dollars or requiring multiple expensive sessions upfront. Also be cautious of unusually low prices—proper training and skill have value.

Is this linked to a specific religion?

No. Entity clearing is an energetic process compatible with any belief system. I've worked with people from every religious background imaginable, as well as atheists and agnostics. The process respects and adapts to each person's worldview. You don't need to adopt any particular spiritual beliefs for clearing to be effective.

What if I don't "feel" anything during the session?

That's completely normal. Not everyone has dramatic sensory experiences during clearing. Some people feel nothing in the moment but notice significant changes in the days following. The absence of dramatic sensation doesn't mean nothing happened—it often just means your system processed the work quietly.

Can You Remove Entity Attachments Yourself?

Sometimes, yes. Simple attachments or energetic debris can often be cleared with salt baths, smudging with sage or palo santo, calling in spiritual protection (angels, guides, divine light), firmly stating out loud "Any energy that is not mine, you must leave now. You are not welcome here," or visualizing white or golden light filling and protecting your space. However, more complex or persistent attachments typically need professional support. If you've tried self-clearing methods and symptoms persist—especially if they're worsening, you're feeling more afraid or anxious, physical symptoms are intensifying, or you're experiencing strong resistance when you try to clear—that's a sign to seek help. Think of it like this: you can treat a minor cut at home, but a deep wound needs medical attention. The same applies here.

Can I clear my own home or space?

Absolutely, and I encourage it. Regular space clearing is excellent preventive maintenance. Simple techniques like:

• Opening windows and letting fresh air flow
• Using sound (bells, clapping, singing bowls)
• Smudging with sage or palo santo
• Placing salt in corners
• Setting clear intention

These work beautifully for routine clearing. If a space feels particularly heavy or resistant to these methods, that's when professional help might be needed.

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician, a licensed mental health practitioner, or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any concerns about your health or medical condition.

Entity clearing should complement, never replace, appropriate medical and psychological care. If you're experiencing persistent physical or mental health symptoms, please seek qualified medical attention first.