Rachel Michael
Training
Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy: Froebel College, Roehampton University (1994)
Certificate in Counselling Skills and Attitudes: Westminster Pastoral Foundation (1996)
MA Theology: University of Wales Lampeter (2009)
Multicultural Wellness and Trauma Healing Education: Capacitar International (2011) (www.capacitaruk.org) Lay Pioneer School: CMS (https://churchmissionsociety.org/) and CCX (https://ccx.org.uk/) (2020)
I participate in annual continuing professional development training, most notably through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/) and the Institute of Embodied Psychotherapy (https://www.embodiedpsychotherapy.org.uk/).
I am licensed for private practice with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK and abide by their code of practice.
I work under clinical supervision and am covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
Professional History
Since 1991, when I laid aside my professional dance career and returned to the UK, I have been pursuing a path which has led me to work towards the integration of embodied awareness and practice within the Christian tradition. I understand this to be about learning to attune to the body in prayer, reflection and healing. Much of my work focusses on helping people to develop greater body awareness and to explore movement as an expression of the inner life.
In 2007 I became a registered practitioner with the Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK after training at Froebel College, Roehampton. I am now licensed for private practice and offer individual sessions on zoom - see One-to-One sessions.
Whilst my training in classical dance focused on technique and visual appearance, the dance movement therapy training emphasised the inner dynamics of movement and how movement qualities and structures can enable us to engage with the inner life of psyche, soul and spirit.
I have worked with a wide range of client groups over the years in various community settings. The main heart of my work now is to enable others to explore the practice of body awareness and movement in the context of prayer, reflection and healing.
Through offering workshops, quiet days, retreats and short courses I aim to create safe spaces where people can practice connecting with the body in stillness and movement, seeking to cultivate the kind of compassionate listening which allows the consciousness and wisdom of the body to unfold.
In my search for theology to support this kind of integrated practice I undertook the distance learning MA Theology programme through the University of Wales, Lampeter and continue to develop my thesis: “Wisdom, Play and the Body: Foundations for Embodied Prayer”. My first publication, the Grove booklet Embodied Prayer as Mission, was published in September 2024:
https://grovebooks.co.uk/product/mev-147-embodied-prayer-as-mission-a-response-to-cultural-change/
I am a member of an Anglican parish in West London and belong to a number of networks and groups including:
Capacitar London (www.capacitaruk.org)
INS Body, Mind and Spirit Group (ins.org.uk)
Sacred Space Kingston (https://sacredspacekingston.com)
Examples of Work
With Open Hands – Quiet Day for St Andrews Church Holborn and St Peter’s Whitstable
Exploring Integration, and Coming to Our Senses – Weekend retreats for the FCJ Formation Programme, Gumley House Convent
Body and Spirit - Training Day for the Friday Programme, London Centre for Spiritual Direction Introducing Embodied Prayer - Workshop for Stepney Diocese and the Comboni Mission, Chiswick
Preparing the Ground: Introducing an Embodied Approach to Contemplative Prayer – Lent course, St Johns and St Mary’s Isleworth Embodying Self Care - Conference workshop for Continuing the Journey 2024 Developing Embodied Presence - CME training day for Coventry Diocese spiritual directors Embodied Prayer and the Holy Spirit - Quiet Day with Oasis Days London
Embodied Prayer Taster Sessions - London Diocese Confidant Disciples Programme