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Michelle Hammel headshot
michelle signature

Facilitator | Artist | Healer

Stronger systems, safer spaces.

||  Be You. I’ll Help  ||

25+ years practicing healing art services

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call/text | email | social | LinkedIn

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

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Facilitation & Recovery Work

  • Volunteer facilitator at The LOFT: LGBTQ+ Community Center, leading large intersectional queer groups in peer support, recovery, and identity work.

  • Founder and facilitator of UNMASQ, a peer support group for individuals with CPTSD.

  • Creator of High’r Healing programs, built on my signature CRAFT Method.

  • Designed and led trauma-informed group processes for neurodivergent, queer, and high-sensitivity communities.

Culture Work

  • Guided communities (SAFE HAUS, 300 Project, Sunday Service) in building accountable, inclusive structures.

  • Developed group agreements, conflict repair systems, practices that shift culture toward safety, equity, and recovery.

Systems & Technical Writing

  • Authored facilitation guides, recovery frameworks, and process documents for group and 1:1 use.

  • Created practical tools: habit trackers, workshops, facilitation packets, and neurodivergent planning systems.

Training & Development

  • Director of Training & Development — designed curricula and syllabi for leaders and facilitators.

  • Built repeatable workshops and labs that merge technical skill-building with trauma recovery principles.

Trauma Recovery Training

  • Ongoing study and applied practice in trauma recovery: Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, somatic practices, yoga, meditation and energy healing.

  • Lived and peer-based recovery work and group care.

  • Completed Tending the Roots: Recognizing Trauma & Cultivating Wellness — trauma science, systemic inequities, trauma-responsive language and environments

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ecosystems

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the practice

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HIGH'R Healing / Hybrid, Brooklyn, NY / 2023-2025

trauma informed group & 1-on-1 healer & facilitator; life coach

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GFY STUDIOS / NY, NY / 2020-current

conscious development session work: energy healing, conscious beauty; coaching​

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The LOFT / Remote / 2021-2025

trauma informed group peer support facilitator for queer communities

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FORUM / Remote / 2024-2025

trauma informed group peer support facilitator; CPTSD Recovery

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QueerStart / Brooklyn, NY / 2021

director, facilitator, community organizer

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Market HAUS Art / Brooklyn, NY / 2022

interior & graphic design, personal org

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ArtistOnGo / NYC / 2020-2024

master stylist, mentor, owner

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stonerqueer.com / Brooklyn, NY / 2020-2025

resident artist, mentour

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HiHello / Brooklyn, NY / 2020-2023

herbalist, cannabis coach

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Hair & CO BKLYN / Brooklyn, NY / 2019-2020

lead stylist, mentor

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The Bird House / Brooklyn, NY / 2018-2019

master stylist, mentor

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The COVE Salon / LI, NY / 2016-2019

senior designer

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Public House 106 / LI, NY / 2016

marketing & design

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Sharkbytes App / Virtual / 2015

marketing & design, editor

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Down Dog Alimentary / Queens, NY / 2015

management, operations, health & wellness

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The SALON at ULTA / LI, NY / 2015-2016

senior designer

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Au Pair / Cleveland, Oh / 2013-2015

Best Live-In Nanny Ever

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Salon Bella Vita / Rochester, NY / 2012-2014

marketing & design, management

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The SALON at ULTA / Rochester, NY / 2010-2012

senior designer

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Terry’s Hair Studio / Rochester, NY / 2008

stylist

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Regis Corp / Rochester, NY / 2005

stylist, management

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ADT Security Services / Rochester, NY / 2005

customer svc & support, International Crisis Management

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Jackson Hewitt / Rochester, NY / 2002

tax preparer

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​Regis Corp / Rochester, NY / 2001

stylist

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Presto! Plaster Crafts | Ithaca, NY 2000

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Youth Court | Cortland, NY | 2000

customer service, artist

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Pip Printing | Ithaca, NY | 1999

press tech, bindary, graphic design, customer svc

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Max Graphix | Cortland, NY | 1998

press tech, bindary, graphic design, customer svc

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Independent Study | McGraw, NY 1997

HTML, JavaScript | Pearl, marketing & design

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Girl Scouts of America | Greater NY | 1988-2001

Ambassador

​accolades

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Mastery of Connection | 2025

Immersive program in communication, attachment theory, belief systems, conflict resolution, and applied coaching practices

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Trauma Informed NY | 2025

Tending the Roots

Recognizing Trauma & Cultivating Wellness

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eLearning College | 2024

Diploma in Life Coaching | CPD Accredited Cert

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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

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Yogamu Institute | 2020

Yoga, Meditation & Kundalini Teacher Training

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Balance | 2020

Advanced Meditation

Breath Focus, Body Scan, Labeling, Loving-Kindless, Spotlighting, Breath Control, Awareness, Visualization, Innovation, Self-Direction]

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Egyptian Yoga: The Philosophy of Enlightenment | 2019

Self Study Yoga & Meditation

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DailyOM | 2020

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

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QC Design School | 2020

Interior Decorating & Personal Organization, 2020

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YOGABODY | 2019

Yoga Alliance Certification: Five-Hour Continuing Ed, 2019

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Redken Exchange​

Design Master, 2019

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HarvardX, Super-Earths and Life

Honor Certificate, 2015

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Redken Symposium, 2015

Trends, Color Correction & Curl Specialist

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Ashford University, eMarketing

Bachelor of Arts, 2013

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Redken Certification Hair Colorist

Colorist Certification, 2011

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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

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special experiences

 

Come By Here

set design, assistant director

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Rochester Fashion Week

cosmetologist, editorial, runway & film

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ROC News 8

cosmetologist, film

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New York Fashion Week

cosmetologist, editorial, runway

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(585) magazine

cosmetologist, editorial

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Rochester Women's Magazine

cosmetologist, editorial

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+identities
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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.

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