Embodied Trauma Healing with Michelle
“Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root of our deepest wounds.”
— Dr. Gabor Maté
Trauma is part of the human experience, and so is the possibility of post-trauma growth and healing. These sessions offer a therapeutic approach to help you explore the underlying causes of whatever is troubling you in your daily life. Sessions take the form of a conversation to identify core issues, combined with somatic enquiry and practices to help you stabilise, process and integrate what arises. Sometimes you will touch on past events that may be significant but there’s no need to dwell in the past, because our unresolved trauma shows up in our life and relationships all the time.
Our body always remembers and tells the story of our lived experience, even if we have no conscious recollection. Michelle will support you in uncovering the source of your discomfort and pain which is nearly always rooted in unprocessed childhood experiences. Sessions address not only conscious beliefs and memories, but also the unconscious and implicit memories (pre-cognitive and/or pre-verbal) held in the bodymind.
In order for trauma to be healed and integrated, it’s necessary to turn towards the discomfort and to feel it in the present - the sensations in our body, the depths of our feelings and emotions - and to meet all of this with curiosity, courage and compassion for ourselves. Approaching our wounds in this way, holding them close to us as we would an old friend or distressed child, invites an open awareness and understanding of the root causes and consequent shift in our perspective - essentially we give ourselves, in the present, what we most needed in the past, but didn’t receive. Given that most trauma happens in a relational context, the supportive presence of another human being can have a profound impact on our sense of safety, connection and ability to process and assimilate. Feeling fully seen and heard by another is profoundly healing.
— Dr. Gabor Maté
Trauma is part of the human experience, and so is the possibility of post-trauma growth and healing. These sessions offer a therapeutic approach to help you explore the underlying causes of whatever is troubling you in your daily life. Sessions take the form of a conversation to identify core issues, combined with somatic enquiry and practices to help you stabilise, process and integrate what arises. Sometimes you will touch on past events that may be significant but there’s no need to dwell in the past, because our unresolved trauma shows up in our life and relationships all the time.
Our body always remembers and tells the story of our lived experience, even if we have no conscious recollection. Michelle will support you in uncovering the source of your discomfort and pain which is nearly always rooted in unprocessed childhood experiences. Sessions address not only conscious beliefs and memories, but also the unconscious and implicit memories (pre-cognitive and/or pre-verbal) held in the bodymind.
In order for trauma to be healed and integrated, it’s necessary to turn towards the discomfort and to feel it in the present - the sensations in our body, the depths of our feelings and emotions - and to meet all of this with curiosity, courage and compassion for ourselves. Approaching our wounds in this way, holding them close to us as we would an old friend or distressed child, invites an open awareness and understanding of the root causes and consequent shift in our perspective - essentially we give ourselves, in the present, what we most needed in the past, but didn’t receive. Given that most trauma happens in a relational context, the supportive presence of another human being can have a profound impact on our sense of safety, connection and ability to process and assimilate. Feeling fully seen and heard by another is profoundly healing.
The impact of trauma on the nervous system
Ordinarily, when met with an overwhelming situation, our nervous system would prompt us to defend ourselves (fight), run away (flight) or please/appease/deny our authentic Self (fawn). When none of these are an option, we dissociate (freeze). Freeze is our body’s protective mechanism to help us not feel the physical and emotional pain.
During overwhelm, we may not consciously register the pain or even have recollection of the event(s), however the body remembers and until we allow these wounded unseen parts of ourselves to come up to the surface and be held, they will continue to have an impact on our life.
“After trauma, the world is experienced with a different nervous system that has an altered perception of risk and safety.”
— Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score
During overwhelm, we may not consciously register the pain or even have recollection of the event(s), however the body remembers and until we allow these wounded unseen parts of ourselves to come up to the surface and be held, they will continue to have an impact on our life.
“After trauma, the world is experienced with a different nervous system that has an altered perception of risk and safety.”
— Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score
How might trauma be showing up in your life?
Trauma can show up in our physical, emotional and mental health. You may have heard of “Big T” as if certain traumatic events were more significant than others, however my experience is that persistent stress and unhealthy environments can have just as big an impact. Obvious manifestations of unresolved trauma may include anxiety, depression, addiction, self-harming, eating disorders, and chronic illness. Sleep problems, poor self-care and emotional reactivity can also be signs that we need support. Even less obvious may be the core beliefs we have about ourselves such as feeling too much, or not good enough, experiencing difficulty asking for help or feeling worthless, stupid, helpless, a failure, unlovable….
Outcomes of integration
- Living more in the present moment experience
- Feeling more emotional resilience and equanimity
- Experience more energy, vitality and joy
- Feeling safer in your body and the world around you
- Feeling more integrated and whole within yourself
- Experience more confidence and freedom to be your authentic self
- Feeling more connected to others
Working Together
Michelle's recommendation is to work weekly or fortnightly for the first 4 sessions and then review together at the end of the 4th session to decide on best practice going forward. However, every person has different needs and constraints so it's best to seek guidance from within to decide what feels right for you in terms of frequency of sessions - listening and responding to what you need is a fundamental part of the healing journey.
Pricing and making an appointment
One-to-One session €60 p/h
When choosing someone to support you on your healing journey, it’s vitally important that you feel safe in their presence, and that they have done (and continue to do) their own work in order to be able to hold space for you effectively. If what Michelle offers resonates with you, and you would like to meet her before scheduling a full session, please schedule a free 20-minute discovery call here.
Book a session with Michelle here: https://calendly.com/michelle_murray
When choosing someone to support you on your healing journey, it’s vitally important that you feel safe in their presence, and that they have done (and continue to do) their own work in order to be able to hold space for you effectively. If what Michelle offers resonates with you, and you would like to meet her before scheduling a full session, please schedule a free 20-minute discovery call here.
Book a session with Michelle here: https://calendly.com/michelle_murray
Therapist Michelle Murray
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Michelle has worked in the field of somatics since 2002, initially as a massage therapist and yoga teacher in London, followed by various other locations before settling in Portugal. Over the years, Michelle has followed her interests (and her heart) learning from many amazing teachers and facilitators. However, the basis for everything she offers is her personal experience and continued exploration.
Her work is person-centred and responsive to what arises in the moment, and in recent years has evolved to include a deep dive into the field of trauma healing and nervous system regulation. Michelle continues to deepen her understanding with ongoing study including training in Somatic Experiencing®. Focussing on stabilisation, integration, resilience, wholeness and freedom, she invites you to reconnect with who you most deeply are, to find your own voice, and to stand in the power of knowing that you are enough. For more info: michellemurray.eu |
FAQs
What does embodiment mean?
Embodiment means being more present to and in the body, and for the mind to become both more grounded in the sensations of the body and more in touch with simple satisfactions.. The more attuned we are to our inner landscape, our feelings and sensations, the easier it is to hear the body speaking, and over time we begin to live more from the wholeness of somatic intelligence rather than cognitive intelligence. Our body becomes a faithful and steady resource in an ongoing process that flowers into feeling totally at home in your bodymind, living with more vitality, joy and an unshakeable trust in life itself. We are home and can surrender to the flow of life as it unfolds.
What does somatic mean?
Somatic means relating to the body, which is often distinguished from the mind by most people. However, the apparent separation of body and mind is merely cognitive. Sustained self-enquiry reveals that the mind is a reflection of the body, so when your body is comfortable and happy, then your mind will be clear and integrated.
What is trauma?
Opinions vary but generally most professionals agree that trauma involves overwhelm which then results in disconnection - from the body, emotions, our authentic Self, and in relationship to others. Disconnection is our way of coping with the unbearable and is a necessary survival response to the presence of real or perceived danger in the moment. However when the disconnection continues, it can result in us feeling closed, defensive, unsafe and shut down, affecting our present moment experience of daily life.
Are there different types of trauma?
Yes and no. You may experience a physical injury or shock trauma as a result of an accident but ultimately trauma can be thought of as being like an unhealed wound from the past, which continues to show up in the present every time it gets triggered.
Michelle supports people who feel stuck in unhelpful patterns and beliefs, and people experiencing pain, disease, and emotional distress arising from not having their needs fully met in childhood (developmental/relational trauma) and from being immersed in unhealthy family dynamics that are passed down through the generations (intergenerational trauma).
What happens in a session?
Sessions focus on stabilisation and integration supported by psycho-education, somatic practices for resourcing, release and nervous system regulation, and conversation that invites you to move into a different relationship with yourself. Sessions include techniques from Compassionate Inquiry and Somatic Experiencing®, both body-based psychotherapeutic approaches to trauma healing.
You decide the content and pace of sessions, and I will support you by offering a safe nurturing space and a compassionate, non-judgmental presence where all parts of you are welcome. In my experience, we already have all the answers within us so my role is to support you in becoming curious about your body’s messages and to explore them with more acceptance and compassion.
What’s the difference between Embodied Trauma Healing and psychotherapy or counselling sessions?
The main difference is that the body is included as an essential part of the conversation because the body is where memories are stored, where wholeness resides, and where integration happens. Embodied Trauma Healing has been born out of 25 years of experience of working with somatic practices supporting both myself and others to live lives with less pain and more freedom.
It’s important to know that my approach is one of walking beside you as another human being who has taken a consistent deep dive into healing from an embodied bottom-up approach both in my personal practice and living on retreat with one of my teachers for extended periods of time. Aside from somatic learning, my understanding about trauma is grounded in the work of Dr. Gabor Maté, who I studied Compassionate Inquiry (CI) with, and this informs the conversational parts of sessions.
The CI approach was developed by Dr. Gabor Maté as a result of his extensive experience working with people suffering with trauma and addiction. Dr. Maté is a retired physician, the author of several books, an international speaker, and is widely respected as an authority on trauma, addiction, childhood development, and the relationship between stress and disease.
Somatic Experiencing® is a scientifically-proven body-based psychotherapeutic approach to trauma healing developed by Dr. Peter Levine. I am currently a student in Somatic Experiencing® and include it in to session work as it’s aligned with my existing approach.
Embodiment means being more present to and in the body, and for the mind to become both more grounded in the sensations of the body and more in touch with simple satisfactions.. The more attuned we are to our inner landscape, our feelings and sensations, the easier it is to hear the body speaking, and over time we begin to live more from the wholeness of somatic intelligence rather than cognitive intelligence. Our body becomes a faithful and steady resource in an ongoing process that flowers into feeling totally at home in your bodymind, living with more vitality, joy and an unshakeable trust in life itself. We are home and can surrender to the flow of life as it unfolds.
What does somatic mean?
Somatic means relating to the body, which is often distinguished from the mind by most people. However, the apparent separation of body and mind is merely cognitive. Sustained self-enquiry reveals that the mind is a reflection of the body, so when your body is comfortable and happy, then your mind will be clear and integrated.
What is trauma?
Opinions vary but generally most professionals agree that trauma involves overwhelm which then results in disconnection - from the body, emotions, our authentic Self, and in relationship to others. Disconnection is our way of coping with the unbearable and is a necessary survival response to the presence of real or perceived danger in the moment. However when the disconnection continues, it can result in us feeling closed, defensive, unsafe and shut down, affecting our present moment experience of daily life.
Are there different types of trauma?
Yes and no. You may experience a physical injury or shock trauma as a result of an accident but ultimately trauma can be thought of as being like an unhealed wound from the past, which continues to show up in the present every time it gets triggered.
Michelle supports people who feel stuck in unhelpful patterns and beliefs, and people experiencing pain, disease, and emotional distress arising from not having their needs fully met in childhood (developmental/relational trauma) and from being immersed in unhealthy family dynamics that are passed down through the generations (intergenerational trauma).
What happens in a session?
Sessions focus on stabilisation and integration supported by psycho-education, somatic practices for resourcing, release and nervous system regulation, and conversation that invites you to move into a different relationship with yourself. Sessions include techniques from Compassionate Inquiry and Somatic Experiencing®, both body-based psychotherapeutic approaches to trauma healing.
You decide the content and pace of sessions, and I will support you by offering a safe nurturing space and a compassionate, non-judgmental presence where all parts of you are welcome. In my experience, we already have all the answers within us so my role is to support you in becoming curious about your body’s messages and to explore them with more acceptance and compassion.
What’s the difference between Embodied Trauma Healing and psychotherapy or counselling sessions?
The main difference is that the body is included as an essential part of the conversation because the body is where memories are stored, where wholeness resides, and where integration happens. Embodied Trauma Healing has been born out of 25 years of experience of working with somatic practices supporting both myself and others to live lives with less pain and more freedom.
It’s important to know that my approach is one of walking beside you as another human being who has taken a consistent deep dive into healing from an embodied bottom-up approach both in my personal practice and living on retreat with one of my teachers for extended periods of time. Aside from somatic learning, my understanding about trauma is grounded in the work of Dr. Gabor Maté, who I studied Compassionate Inquiry (CI) with, and this informs the conversational parts of sessions.
The CI approach was developed by Dr. Gabor Maté as a result of his extensive experience working with people suffering with trauma and addiction. Dr. Maté is a retired physician, the author of several books, an international speaker, and is widely respected as an authority on trauma, addiction, childhood development, and the relationship between stress and disease.
Somatic Experiencing® is a scientifically-proven body-based psychotherapeutic approach to trauma healing developed by Dr. Peter Levine. I am currently a student in Somatic Experiencing® and include it in to session work as it’s aligned with my existing approach.