Feature Interview with Atousa Raissyan: Embracing Holistic Healing and Transformation

Atousa Raissyan began her journey of helping others experience profound healing and empowerment by learning to do the same for herself. Her personal story exemplifies the power of learning to recognize and release fears and identities that no longer serve you, while shifting toward living in unconditional love. She’s a shaman, transformational life coach, award-winning, best-selling author, and inspirational speaker – and dedicated to guiding individuals toward holistic well-being and life mastery.

Her story exemplifies the incredible impact of embracing holistic healing and tapping into transformative power within. Through her unique insights and experiences, Atousa lights the way towards authentic living, inspiring others to embark on their own journey of healing and thriving. We had a chance to sit down with Atousa recently to ask a few questions.

1. Your journey in holistic healing is truly inspiring. Could you share with us how you discovered your calling as a shaman and the pivotal moments that shaped your path?

I was married to an abusive narcissist and pregnant at thirty-five. The verbal, mental, and emotional abuse worsened each year, especially during my pregnancy when we both worked from home. My family’s company was struggling, and I was out of money. After my son was born, the abuse escalated. My ex refused to get help, resulting in a cycle of mental and emotional torment. He would lose control, yell, break things, and even physically threaten me, creating a constant state of fear and PTSD. I finally was able to push the divorce through.

During this time, I suffered from numerous physical ailments like migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, TMJ, and chronic fatigue. Despite my intense workouts, including CrossFit and running, nothing alleviated the pain inside. I felt unloved, unworthy, undeserving, and alone, haunted by fears of a bleak future.

I had spent my early life trying to fit in and be loved by adhering to societal and familial expectations of being a "good" female. But the stress of my marriage and divorce, combined with caring for a young child, rendered me unable to work. I took a leave of absence, hoping to regain my mental and emotional strength.

During this break, I rediscovered my love for art. I started drawing, inspired by reading Rumi's poems, which resonated deeply with me. This creative process opened a new world for me. I began to live life as an artist and poet, and began receiving messages from the universe, guides, Rumi. It was as if universe was teaching giving me tools and methods to be able to heal myself and release layers of my old self. These are the tools I use today for my clients.

As the deadline to return to work approached, I knew I couldn't go back to the work I was doing for past 20 years and a successful career as an engineering. I continued my journey of self-discovery, using my skills as a Master Energy Healer to heal myself and others. My communication with spirit guides and nature became stronger, leading me to explore shamanism. Finding a shaman mentor was a pivotal moment, affirming my practices, healing modalities, and deepening my understanding.

Today, I have a wonderful practice, helping others transform their lives. During a meditation several years ago, I saw how all the events in my life lined up, forming a map that brought me to this point. I felt immense gratitude for the journey that led me here, to a place where I can guide others to a more fulfilled life full of love.

2. As an expert in personal transformation, how do your various healing modalities help individuals release fears and identities to discover their true selves?

There are many modalities, and ways for us to find our truth. The truth of who we are beyond just a bag of bones, muscles, tissues, nerves, blood and organs. I use all my skills to help people release their fears and bring about the unconditional love that resides within them, to love themselves and the world around them…to trust the flow and process of life. I help them recognize the identities and stories they are stuck in every day. And once the identities are released, the fear-based attachments and desires are released too. From that place they find the space of joy and peace within them that is not attached to anything.

3. Beyond your roles as a healer and life coach, you're also a digital artist and poet. How does your creative expression intertwine with your healing work, and what significance does art hold in fostering growth and healing in the context of holistic practices?

I always wanted to be artist. But ‘being an artist’ was not encouraged while I was growing up in Iran. Also, you can’t just “be” an artist. Because society tells us that Art can be a hobby and not a career, and the only way to make it as an artist (as a career) is that the outside world has to label you as a great artist. Therefore I never pursued my passion for creating art, since I didn’t believe I had what it takes to be a great artist. However, that desire to express my creativity was always in me, and I think as humans that is a desire common with everyone. Afterall we are all “creating” life. During one of my darkest times art and poetry came to my rescue and became part of my healing journey. I was reading Rumi and other spiritual poets and now their words had a different meaning. Before, I was reading them like one would read an article in the newspaper, or a course in college, but now I was feeling the poet’s words inside my heart. At the same time it was like through their words and insights I was healing by creating art and writing my own poems.

I love how people connect to the energy of my art when they see it. They feel the healing energy of and it’s message. It is as if the art is alive and not just an object for decoration in their home. I have also received comments from people who have purchased my art, that they feel the art in their space is providing some kind of healing for them, a release of some sort.

It’s the same with my poems. I put the majority of them in my book “Change Yourself, Change The World: Transform your life from fear-based living to choosing love and seeing magic”. Many commented how the poems helped them feel the message of the book in a different way. We are all energy and when we are creative, and put our love into anything, then that love is what people connect to and helps them heal.

4. Could you share a particularly poignant moment or testimonial from your journey where you witnessed the transformative power of holistic healing in someone's life?

I witness it in all my clients who choose to take the path and release their fears and instead choose love. It’s amazing the transformation that can happen – even physically they look different from the first session to when they have fully shifted into a new way of living from their heart. I have been honored to receive the most heart-warming testimonials from clients. Whether it’s a client who is working with me across multiple works or even just a 30-minute spiritual guidance conversation - they get that “aha” and begin to finally see their true self.

What is amazing is that not only do they shift, but the people around them shift as well. That is why it was important for me to write the book. If I could shift the reader’s thinking from fear to love, then those around them will shift as well. Meaning, “Change Yourself, Change the World”.

5. As you continue to inspire others on their paths through holistic healing, what legacy do you hope to leave behind, and what message would you like to impart to those embarking on their own journey toward happiness and fulfillment?

Legacy is such a big word and so much into an identity of being great. If I get stuck in there then fear of losing it comes as well. I rather leave all my identities and just share the message of self-love and awareness, do what I can to help and be of service.

I want people to know that life is simpler than they believe it to be. That if they want change to start inside. Become familiar with the identities that they are carrying their roots and start to let them go. Instead of trying to “be zen” just “be”. Instead of “manifesting” allow the flow and trust the process and flow of life. Instead of “mindfulness” practice “heartfulness.”