Soul retrieval is an ancient spiritual technology that restores vital essence, or soul parts, that left as a natural coping mechanism to things like accidents, surgery, loss of a loved one, divorce, drug or alcohol abuse, a shocking turn of events or a seemingly minor event like changing schools, or a bump on the head where the person wasn't quite the same afterwards. When we suffer loss, experience a traumatic event, shock or fright, we can experience soul loss. In psychology it is referred to as dissociation. In Latin America illness from fright is called Susto. The symptoms of soul loss include those listed above in addition to increased vulnerability to negative spiritual influences.

Soul loss can also result from soul theft. Outside of cultures where this is practiced intentionally for the purpose of doing harm, it is unfortunately a common, usually unconscious and thus unintentional, and dysfunctional dynamic in our culture. Soul loss from theft may be experienced in cases abuse, issues of power over another, jealousy or envy due to insecurity.

Likewise people might give parts of their soul away. This can be seen between parents and children when a parent may give part of their soul to a child with the intention to help them, or vise versa. However, anytime we give part of ourselves to another it becomes a burden to them, and a loss of self for us. Someone might have a pattern of willingly giving away parts of their soul (their personal power) in hope of being loved or accepted. Both dynamics, soul stealing and giving parts of our soul to others are learned behaviors that are usually done without awareness.

Psychotherapy identifies soul loss as "dissociation". In cases where therapy has had limited effectiveness, there is a good chance that there has been soul loss. If the part of us we are trying to heal is missing, therapy will only be able to work around it. Once a soul part is returned, that part of us is available to benefit more fully from therapy and the healing process is able to progress.

Restoring soul parts imparts greater integrity and wholeness to one's being. With this comes the ability to experience more energy, create more joy, greater meaning, and harmony in ones life. People report improved emotional, physical or mental health; resolution of old patterns , self-empowerment and greater ability to move on from painful situations.