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holistic alchemy | be you, i'll help
Facilitator | Trainer | Healer
Stronger systems, safer spaces.
|| Be You. I’ll Help ||
25+ years practicing healing art services
Michelle Hammel is a facilitator and healer who trains the people in service—leaders, creatives, and community builders. She designs systems, trainings, and safe spaces that support queer communities in recovery, accountability, and culture change.
She doesn’t just hold space—she equips others to do the same. Whether guiding peer groups, training facilitators, or creating frameworks for sustainable leadership, Michelle brings bold solutions, sharp insight, and steady presence.
Core Work
Facilitation & Recovery Work
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Volunteer facilitator at The LOFT: LGBTQ+ Community Center, leading large intersectional queer groups in peer support, recovery, and identity work.
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Founder and facilitator of UNMASQ, a peer support group for individuals with CPTSD.
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Creator of High’r Healing programs, built on my signature CRAFT Method.
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Designed and led trauma-informed group processes for neurodivergent, queer, and high-sensitivity communities.
Culture Work
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Guided communities (SAFE HAUS, 300 Project, Sunday Service) in building accountable, inclusive structures.
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Developed group agreements, conflict repair systems, practices that shift culture toward safety, equity, and recovery.
Systems & Technical Writing
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Authored facilitation guides, recovery frameworks, and process documents for group and 1:1 use.
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Created practical tools: habit trackers, workshops, facilitation packets, and neurodivergent planning systems.
Training & Development
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Director of Training & Development — designed curricula and syllabi for leaders and facilitators.
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Built repeatable workshops and labs that merge technical skill-building with trauma recovery principles.
Trauma Recovery Training
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Ongoing study and applied practice in trauma recovery: Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, somatic practices, yoga, meditation and energy healing.
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Lived and peer-based recovery work and group care.
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Completed Tending the Roots: Recognizing Trauma & Cultivating Wellness — trauma science, systemic inequities, trauma-responsive language and environments
ecosystems
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SAFE HAUS | Founder & Resident
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Queer Healers | Directory
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Strands for Trans | Certified
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Queer Connect | Directory
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Everything Is Queer | Director
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SHANE Collective | Certified
the practice
HIGH'R Healing / Hybrid, Brooklyn, NY / 2023-current
trauma informed group & 1-on-1 healer & facilitator; life coach
GFY STUDIOS / NY, NY / 2020-current
healing, holistic hair stylist; life coach | healing alongside haircutting for nervous system regulation
The LOFT / Remote / 2021-2025
trauma informed group peer support facilitator
FORUM / Remote / 2024-2025
trauma informed group peer support facilitator
QueerStart / Brooklyn, NY / 2021
director, facilitator, community organizer
Market HAUS Art / Brooklyn, NY / 2022
interior & graphic design, personal org
ArtistOnGo / NYC / 2020-2024
master stylist, mentor, owner
stonerqueer.com / Brooklyn, NY / 2020-2025
resident artist, mentour
HiHello / Brooklyn, NY / 2020-2023
herbalist, cannabis coach
Hair & CO BKLYN / Brooklyn, NY / 2019-2020
lead stylist, mentor
The Bird House / Brooklyn, NY / 2018-2019
master stylist, mentor
The COVE Salon / LI, NY / 2016-2019
senior designer
Public House 106 / LI, NY / 2016
marketing & design
Sharkbytes App / Virtual / 2015
marketing & design, editor
Down Dog Alimentary / Queens, NY / 2015
management, operations, health & wellness
The SALON at ULTA / LI, NY / 2015-2016
senior designer
Au Pair / Cleveland, Oh / 2013-2015
Best Live-In Nanny Ever
Salon Bella Vita / Rochester, NY / 2012-2014
marketing & design, management
The SALON at ULTA / Rochester, NY / 2010-2012
senior designer
Terry’s Hair Studio / Rochester, NY / 2008
stylist
Regis Corp / Rochester, NY / 2005
stylist, management
ADT Security Services / Rochester, NY / 2005
customer svc & support, International Crisis Management
Jackson Hewitt / Rochester, NY / 2002
tax preparer
Regis Corp / Rochester, NY / 2001
stylist
Presto! Plaster Crafts | Ithaca, NY 2000
Youth Court | Cortland, NY | 2000
customer service, artist
Pip Printing | Ithaca, NY | 1999
press tech, bindary, graphic design, customer svc
Max Graphix | Cortland, NY | 1998
press tech, bindary, graphic design, customer svc
Independent Study | McGraw, NY 1997
HTML, JavaScript | Pearl, marketing & design
Girl Scouts of America | Greater NY | 1988-2001
Ambassador
accolades
Mastery of Connection | 2025
Immersive program in communication, attachment theory, belief systems, conflict resolution, and applied coaching practices
Tending the Roots
Recognizing Trauma & Cultivating Wellness
eLearning College | 2024
Diploma in Life Coaching | CPD Accredited Cert
Becoming Light | 2024
Energy & Spiritual Healing Training
Aura and energy reading, intuitive activation
Etheric practices, emotional release, and trauma recovery support
Psychic development, energy clearings, and holistic spiritual care
Yoga, Meditation & Kundalini Teacher Training
Advanced Meditation
Breath Focus, Body Scan, Labeling, Loving-Kindless, Spotlighting, Breath Control, Awareness, Visualization, Innovation, Self-Direction]
Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment | 2019
Self Study Yoga & Meditation
Jannine Murray
pelvis, lower back, whole body, nervous system, Cycle-Synced Eating, Rest & Restore, Body-Fat-Storing-Types, Affirmations and Subconscious Mind Tools, Yoga Principles
Sarah Rector
hips, hamstrings, lower back, Yoga Principles
Interior Decorating & Personal Organization, 2020
Yoga Alliance Certification: Five-Hour Continuing Ed, 2019
Redken Exchange
Design Master, 2019
HarvardX, Super-Earths and Life
Honor Certificate, 2015
Redken Symposium, 2015
Trends, Color Correction & Curl Specialist
Ashford University, eMarketing
Bachelor of Arts, 2013
Redken Certification Hair Colorist
Colorist Certification, 2011
SUNY Brockport, Marketing
Arts & Sciences, 2010
Monroe Community College, Liberal Arts
Associate of Arts & Sciences, 2008
OCM BOCES
License in Cosmetology 2001
Cosmetology Memorial Award
special experiences
set design, assistant director
cosmetologist, editorial, runway & film
cosmetologist, film
cosmetologist, editorial, runway
cosmetologist, editorial
cosmetologist, editorial
+identities
neuroqueer
yogi
Buddhist
alchemist
lover
cook
cat lady
bitch
dyke
once upon a time,
your girl was in survival mode for over 35 years. Little Shelly needed to be heard. She needed sustenance & nourishment. She craved love and healing. She made art. She is art.
a story about a body and a soul.