Michelle

believer in potential

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I believe that compassionate healing and lasting change is possible for anyone, given enough time, patience and humanity.

I am passionate about helping people who are struggling with everyday life, regardless of what has led them to that place. Some might have faced a lifetime of traumatic stresses since early childhood, or for some even pre-birth. Others might have faced a single, devastating event that has changed their circumstances permanently, in unexpected and unwelcome ways. And for many others, there might be a gradual build of everyday pressures and challenges that have left them feeling drained and vulnerable, not quite sure how to keep going.

I can’t pretend to have any instant, magic solution to any of these situations, but I do know that the human spirit, even when broken, can be restored and healed given the ‘right’ environment. And by ‘right, I mean whatever ‘right’ means for each individual person or each organisation as a whole. No ‘one size fits all’ approach can ever match the very unique needs of each human being. What I need is not what you need, and what you need is not what anyone else needs.

I have faced my own share of disappointments and heartaches in life, which have of course shaped my own approach to healing from hurt and finding new ways to live. I know that with patience, time and the right support, a new and meaningful future is possible. And while my healing isn’t the same as anyone else’s healing, it does give me the motivation to find ways of making that journey easier, or even possible, for others.

Having said ‘no one size fits all’, there are nevertheless some principles that are essential for everyone, and the need for safety is just one of those. Physical, biological, psychological, emotional, behavioural, cognitive and whole nervous system safety. Not an easy challenge for any therapeutic or educational interventions of course!!

My experience and training (summarised below) allows me to take a ‘helicoptering’ view of people, groups, teams and situations to ensure my approach is shaped and directed most helpfully according to specific needs.

Professional experience

My background as a professional social worker has given me experience in a range of settings, including prisons, psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric intensive care units, nursing and residential facilities. I have worked for over four decades with children and adults who have experienced grief, loss and trauma as a result of all sorts of circumstances and situations.

For most of that time my particular focus has been on promoting positive mental health, preventing suicide and supporting trauma recovery. I have supported thousands of individual and small groups, and have worked alongside dozens of organisations and teams, representing numerous backgrounds and all sectors.

Every individual, group and situation presents unique challenges, so my approach is eclectic and draws from extensive training in a wide range of relevant topics. I help people recover on their own terms and at their own pace within the context of a safe, supportive, trusted and professional relationship. I provide organisations standalone consultancy services or ongoing personalised therapeutic support for individual members and/or teams depending on their specific needs.

mind-body-brain-wisdom

I have studied applied neuroscience for many years to understand how the neural activity of our brains more effectively to create positive change. I have also trained extensively in a wide range of somatic and vagus nerve based approaches that help promote positive mental health and support complex trauma recovery.

I combined these cutting-edge mind-body-brain sciences and evidence-based practices, with the philosophy and wisdom of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, to create Kintsugi Healing as a patient, skillful, effective method for promoting compassionate healing and lasting change.

why Kintsugi

I was inspired by the art of Kintsugi some years ago and travelled to Japan to study with an 83 year old Japanese Master, Showzi Tsukamoto. This experience gave me a deep understanding of how the process of thoughtful repair can be applied to human pain and brokenness. The Master reinforced, eloquently and emotively, how important the principles of Kintsugi are for modern living, emphasising patience, adaptability and human connection. This approach reflects the core principles of Kintsugi Healing.

Contact me for a free introductory call to discuss your needs