In 2022 I developed my popular Breathe, Laugh & Relax™ embodied mindfulness programme into a certified training course, which has been Internationally Accredited by IPHM – the largest leading independent professional accreditation board worldwide.

During 2023 four cohorts of professionals successfully completed this training.  The feedback has been very positive both from a personal and professional perspective.  (Scroll to the bottom to read the reviews)

This 30-hour professional training is comprehensive, offering a unique learning experience of both educational and experiential practice – both of which are essential for the delivery of a trauma-informed practice. It’s simply not enough to have the knowledge – we must integrate this in the body through our nervous system.

The training embodies a S.O.M.A.T.I.C Framework, which is delivered in two parts and contains the following six modules:

Part 1 – The Autonomic Nervous System

Module 1 – Trauma Awareness:

• What is Trauma
• Trauma in the Wild
• Types of Trauma

Module 2 – The Autonomic Nervous System:

• Sympathetic Nervous System
• Parasympathetic Nervous System
• Nervous System Cycles
• Triune Brain Model

Module 3 – The Social Nervous System:

• Creating Safety
• Polyvagal Theory
• Evolution of the Nervous System
• The Fawn Response

Part 2 – Embodied Mindfulness

Module 4 – Breathing & The Nervous System:

• Breathing & Sight
• Breathing & Sound
• Breathing & Movement
• Breathing & Touch
• Breathing & Smell
• Orientation & Stablisation

Module 5 – Joy & The Nervous System:

• Evolutionary Theory
• Scientific Research
• Neuroscience & Laughter
• Pleasure – the prerequisite for healing
• Creative Expression

Module 6 – Relaxation & The Nervous System:

• Grounding Techniques
• Yoga Nidra
• Intentional Touch
• Compassion

Bonus Module:

• BLR™ for Kids (5-11)

BLR™ is suitable for:

• Counsellors
• Coaches
• Holistic Practitioners
• Teachers
• Social Workers
• Youth Workers
• Support Workers
• Yoga Teachers
• Reiki Practitioners
• Speakers
• Mental Health Practitioners
• Health Care Practitioners

What’s included in the training:

• 30-hours of live teaching and experiential practice
• A comprehensive 84-page manual
• Additional resources
• International Accreditation and Certification
• Discount professional insurance (via IPHM)
• Automatic acceptance as a professional membership of IPHM
• Private Facebook Group
• Regular BLR™ workshops
• Follow-up Support
• Mentoring Support

*One mentoring support session is included in the price. Additional personal sessions can be offered at a discount rate. Participants can attended our monthly BLR™ sessions either in-person in Portrush or via live stream. Please note there is a small fee to attend.*

Benefits of training:

BLR™ is multi-dimensional and can be shared as a stand-alone workshop, a weekly programme or parts can be integrated into your current practice.

Sharing BLR™ with your community, teams, pupils or clients offers a safe and supportive way to invite more regulation and responsiveness into the participants nervous system’s.

The techniques and somatic tools shared in BLR™ have been proven to:

• Reduce stress hormones – cortisol and adrenaline, which can help settle anxiety.
• Increase mood boosting hormones – endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin & seratonine.
• Creates safety in the nervous system – the foundation for mental health.
• Build meaningful connections and enhances social engagement, which reduces depression and isolation.
• Increases resilience to stress, uncertainty and adversity.
• Invites more pleasure and joy, which are the prerequisite for healing trauma and chronic stress.
• Promotes deep rest and embodied mindfulness practices.

2024 Dates & Times

Due to the nature of this comprehensive training, the live Zoom session will take place weekly over an eight week period to ensure the knowledge and somatic tools can be practiced at a manageable pace, which allows for a deeper integration into the nervous system.  There will also be two full day trainings and an individual mentoring session.

January 2024 Cohort now open for registration.

January 24

• Monday 8th Jan – 7pm to 9pm
• Monday 15th Jan – 7pm to 9pm
• Monday 22nd January – 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 27th Jan – 10am to 4.30pm
• Monday 29th Jan – 7pm to 9pm

February 24

• Monday 5th Feb – 7pm to 9pm
• Monday 12th Feb – 7pm to 9pm
• Monday 19th Feb – 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 24th Feb – 10am to 4.30pm
• Monday 26th Feb – 7pm to 9pm

The Zoom link will be forwarded within 24-hours of registering. There will be regular breaks throughout the live online training.

All the teaching modules will be recorded and made available for students after the training as part of their follow-up support package.

Group discussions and experiential practice will not be recorded.

Course Admission Criteria

Currently with or working towards membership with a professional body that has the following:

• Ethical Framework
• Professional Standards
• Complaints Procedure

Please note you have the option of joining IPHM as an accredited professional member on completion of the training at a discounted rate.

If your current position doesn’t require professional membership, you are welcome to apply as we appreciate experience and working within certain organisations provides professional standards and codes of ethics, etc.

Professional Indemnity Insurance or appropriate insurance from an employer/agency or in the process of setting up. IPHM can provide discounted professional insurance should you decide to join on completion of this training.

Already working within a context where BLR™ can be integrated or in the process of setting up a professional practice.

Have access to resources and therapeutic support, if needed.  Please note this training course is not a form of therapy.  If you have severe mental health challenges or complex trauma, this training would not be suitable as it could unconsciously trigger unresolved wounds.  Please seek professional support.

BLR™ Accreditation

Upon completion of the live teaching and experiential training, participants will be expected to complete the following in order to achieve accreditation:

• Individual experiential assessment
• Short multiple choice questionnaire
• Attend at least one follow-up mentoring session
• Complete video assessment of BLR™ session and submit group feedback forms or complete a case study of how you are integrating into your private practice/workplace.
• Hold valid public and professional liability and indemnity insurance
• Be a member of a professional body
• Member of ICO (preferable)
• Complete training feedback forms

A certificate of completion will be issued for those who do not complete the full accreditation.

Course Fee (payment options available)

Standard Course Fee – £695

*Early Bird Price – £495* 

(£100 deposit secures your Early Bird Price.  Flexible payment options available)

All bookings require a £100 deposit.  For payment options, please email Michelle info@thesunshineproject.co.uk

Cancellation Policy

In the event of a cancellation the booking fee of £100 will be retained.

A full refund (minus the £100 booking fee) is applicable 2-weeks before the course commences.

The full fee is non-refundable in the event of cancellations within 2-weeks of the course commencing. You may transfer your fee to another date or another eligible person.

Feedback

“Thank you so so much, it was absolutely incredible.  I am so so glad I am doing this training with you!”

(Victoria, Counsellor & Kids Yoga Teacher)

“I found it all so relevant, practical and very accessible.  I loved the mix of theory and practical each session. I am already using the learning and practices from the training in my own personal life and with the parent groups I work with.  The most valuable thing I learned is that working in a trauma informed way has a huge impact on clients and groups I work with.   Thank you Michelle, this is the first course I have done which I know will stay with me personally and in my work for a long time.”

(Lisa, Family Support Worker)

“I’m loved this course. It’s comprehensive, and pulls together the science with the practical; with a progressive week by week exploration of the mind body nervous system connection.  I enjoyed exploring awareness in a somatic way around the nervous system and how to up-regulate and down-regulate this to improve and support wellbeing.  The most valuable skill I learnt was the importance of regulating my own nervous system before I work with others and the somatic awareness of my own system and the tools to support this.”

(Tricia, Tai Chi Facilitator, Breath Work Facilitator)

“I loved the content but the way you taught it was really good.  I was learning but experiencing it at the same time.  Also, it feels like such a safe space to share.  Technically we are all strangers, but it never felt like that.”

(Alanna, Holistic Practitioner, Speech and Drama Teacher)

“Such great training.  It really is fascinating stuff.  I found the discussions and shares so insightful.”

(Jennifer, Holistic Practitioner)