Heal, Grow, and
Live Your Life to its full potential

Michelle is a terrific presenter — students are still talking about her three “secrets” for releasing grief

Michelle gave a wonderful presentation to my Death and Dying class at UC Berkeley. She is a terrific presenter, and I was especially struck by how she used her whole body to illustrate her points, visibly modeling the body–mind connection that she talks about.

A week later, the students are still talking about her three “secrets” for releasing grief and how they might be used in a helping situation. They were especially struck by the idea of “changing the story,” rather than just re-traumatizing and re-victimizing by telling the same story over and over

I also learned that it’s ok to cry.

I appreciated Michelle’s kind words and found them soothing. I also learned that it’s ok to cry. I’m Filipino and I was brought up to believe it was not ok to cry.

Michelle was brilliant — a wise mentor, therapist and a coach

This program for me was a deep dive into the emotions I was not willing to examine by myself. I needed the right coach to be on my side and support me on that journey. Michelle was brilliant at that, a wise mentor, therapist and a coach, she laid out the steps I needed to take in order to move forward in my life.

I went way back into my past and addressed some unspoken issues, releasing the weight I was carrying and allowing myself to forgive and close some old chapters of my life. I reevaluated the meaning of what was happening and embraced the good, the bad and the ugly as part of my own transformational story. I felt empowered as a result of that.

I really enjoyed being in Michelle’s group.

I really enjoyed being in Michelle’s group. Even though the other members were much older and no one had young children like me, I found common ground with everyone and I got a lot from it. I especially appreciated Michelle — her comfort, insights, connections, the opportunity she gave me to go deep and explore the spiritual side. I think she’s wonderful.

Such a blessing for me

Never being afraid to give more in care giving — This presentation was such a blessing for me. It provided me information that never will allow me to be afraid to be a caregiver.

Michelle’s work is a gift to the world.

Michelle Peticolas came into my life at the exact moment it was falling apart. My mother was dying, my brother was wrecking havoc with his alcoholism, and I was having a recurrence of a medical condition attributable to stress. Michelle was constant and unwavering in her conviction that I had the tools to handle the obstacles in my path. She was able to reframe difficulties into spiritual challenges. So total is her groundedness in ecstatic tradition that she was able to lift me up beside her to soar. Michelle’s work is a gift to the world.

I felt validated and encouraged

Michelle has a very tender thoroughness that goes straight to the heart of emotional inquiry. I felt validated and encouraged to pull the diamonds of truth from the grief still remaining. She gave me encouragement to keep moving in the direction of forgiveness.

Makes it easier for me to deal with my death.

I was impressed by Michelle’s ability to guide me. I was able to more clearly recognize the root cause of ongoing stressful issues.

I was impressed by Michelle’s ability to guide me with a few key words or comments. The clouds would part and I was able to cut through the verbiage to more clearly recognize the root cause of ongoing stressful issues. With her guidance, I was led to more positive considerations as to how to modify or change stressful issues. She seemed to know what life is about and was capable of guiding all in the support group, even the most reticent, to open up with her approach. I appreciated her calmness and strength.

Our connection was immediate. Her greatest strengths are her compassion, understanding and genuine care.

I was going through a very traumatic life experience when I met Michelle. I had just gone through four therapists and was in despair of finding someone who could help me. I met her through the recommendation of a mutual friend. Our connection was immediate. She completely understood my pain, fear and anxiety. Slowly and with the baby steps I required, she patiently helped me overcome these challenges.

Her greatest strengths are her compassion, understanding and genuine care. She provided insightful coaching, practical exercises, relevant readings, uplifting music, spiritual texts, phone calls, group support and whatever else was needed. I have progressed a great deal and am a happier, more confidant and more complete person today.