The Centre for Healing Podcast

Presenters:
- Ryan Hassan, Co-founder at the Centre for Healing and Co-creator of Embodied Processing
- Gemma Carroll, Holistic Counsellor and Embodied Processing Practitioner

Key Points:

1. Importance of Holding Space
- Holding a safe, attuned, present space is crucial, regardless of modality or techniques used
- The therapeutic relationship and alliance is the most healing aspect

2. What is Holding Space?
- Creating a "healing bubble" - a non-judgmental, regulated, attuned space
- Establishing safety, trust and confidentiality

3. The Practitioner's Role
- Regulating your own nervous system before and after sessions
- Developing rituals and practices to enter and exit the space
- Meeting the client halfway, reducing effort

4. Elements of Holding Space
- Deep listening and observation
- Constant checking in and permission-seeking
- Validation and normalization of the client's experience

5. Barriers to Holding Space
- Agenda over intention
- Practitioner's own triggers and biases
- Lack of self-knowledge and perfectionism

6. Orientation for Holding Space
- "All is welcome here"
- "I'm not here to fix you; you're not broken"
- Curiosity and compassion towards uncomfortable emotions/sensations

7. Developing Resources
- Internal regulation practices
- External support systems and mentors
- Keeping client notes and debriefing

Key Takeaways:
- Safety and trust are foundational for healing
- Holding space is an ongoing practice for the practitioner
- Less effort, more presence and attunement is key
- Continuous self-work and resource-building is essential

Connect with Gemma Carroll:

📸 Instagram: @gemmacarrollnz

👍 Facebook: The MindBody Guru

💼 LinkedIn: Gemma Carroll

📰 Substack: The MindBody Guru

Show Notes

Title: Deb Mackay and Melissa Hiemann discuss the various aspects of health, wellness, and parenting, particularly in relation to neurodiversity.

Summary

Deb's journey to healing and supporting others

Deb shares how her experience with her three children diagnosed on the autism spectrum led her to explore alternative healing modalities beyond traditional therapies. She discovered the importance of addressing the nervous system and taking a whole-body approach to wellness. This journey ultimately transformed Deb's own life and inspired her to help others, particularly women and parents, through her work in root cause therapy, somatic processing, and nutrition.

The limitations of diagnostic labels and the need for holistic care

Deb discusses her concerns about the overuse of diagnostic labels, particularly for neurodevelopmental conditions like autism. She believes that many children are misunderstood and mislabeled due to a lack of understanding about the role of the nervous system, environment, trauma, and other underlying factors. Deb advocates for a more comprehensive, integrative approach that looks at the whole person rather than just treating symptoms.

Incorporating scent, spirituality, and somatic practices

Deb explains how she integrates the use of scent, her Christian faith, and somatic practices in her work. She discusses the powerful way that scent can bypass the conscious mind and access the subconscious, helping to create "glimmers" of safety and comfort. Deb also shares how her spiritual beliefs have deepened through her healing journey and how she helps Christian women address limiting beliefs through practices like breath work, prayer, and tapping.

Generational healing and breaking cycles

Deb emphasises the importance of doing inner work to break generational patterns and cycles, both for herself and for the children and families she supports. She shares how her own healing journey has allowed her to respond to her children and parenting situations with more compassion, presence, and flexibility, modelling the change she wants to see.

Upcoming programs and resources

Deb provides an overview of the various programs and resources available through her Soul Roots Therapy practice, including self-paced and live courses, as well as specialised offerings for Christian women and parents of neurodiverse children. She encourages listeners to explore the options that best suit their needs.

Recap and closing thoughts

Deb and Melissa conclude the conversation by emphasizing the importance of allowing the healing process to unfold naturally, without forcing it. Deb encourages listeners to focus on building the foundational skills and capacity to sit with themselves, as the rewards and transformations that follow can be profound and lasting.

Bio

Deb Mackay is the founder of Soulroots Therapy, where she helps women worldwide reconnect with themselves and heal on every level body, mind, and spirit grounded in her Christian faith. As a Root-Cause Therapy Practitioner, Somatic Embodied-Processing Facilitator, Natural Perfumer, and Psychiatric Nutrition Coach, Deb takes a whole-body approach that embraces the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

She blends the power of scent with somatic practices, frequency medicine, and nutritional support to help break generational cycles, release limiting beliefs, and build lasting emotional and spiritual resilience rooted in Christ.

You can connect with Deb here;

Website - https://www.soulrootstherapy.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soulrootstherapy

Courses mentioned - Renew your mind https://www.soulrootstherapy.com/renewingyourmind, Scent somatics, https://www.soulrootstherapy.com/scents-somatics

Embodied Processing - https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/embodied-processing

Root-Cause Therapy - https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/root-cause-therapy-certification-1

Guest: Jem Williams – somatic guide, holistic counsellor, and self-trust mentor for women

Bio:
Jem is a somatic guide, holistic counsellor, and self-trust mentor for women who are reconnecting to their truth and power.

Episode Highlights:

Jem shares her personal healing journey and how her work with the Centre for Healing helped her peel back layers of shame and addiction inherited from her family.

She opens up about moving past codependent relationships and addictive behaviors in her 20s, and how choosing sobriety allowed her to invest in herself and plan for a meaningful future.

The episode explores how spirituality and practices like mantra singing provided Jem with the connection and community she was craving.

Jem recounts a major leg injury as a “loud” message from her body, highlighting the importance of listening to our physical and emotional cues.

She emphasizes the power of self-compassion and cultivating a different relationship with internal parts of ourselves, like the inner critic, rather than trying to eliminate them.

Jem shares her current self-care practices, including self-touch, journaling dialogues with different parts of herself, and intentionally living life at a slower pace.

Listeners are encouraged to connect with Jem on Instagram if her story resonates or inspires them.

Main Themes:

Personal healing and transformation

Understanding the body as a communicator of emotional and energetic needs

The value of self-compassion and embodied practices

Connect with Jem:

Instagram: @soul.and.soma.with.jem 

Website: https://jemlee.my.canva.site/holistichealing

🎙 TCFH Podcast — Episode 27
Topic: Integrating Suppressed Anger with Ryan & Matt

In this episode, Ryan and Matt unpack the truth about anger: why it’s a vital emotional signal, how society’s fear of it keeps us stuck, and what happens when it’s buried for too long. You’ll learn how anger often hides beneath sadness, fear, or shutdown — and how to safely explore and integrate it so it becomes a source of personal power, healthy boundaries, and authenticity.

Whether you’re a practitioner or on your own healing journey, this conversation will shift the way you relate to anger — and yourself.

Show Notes:

What Anger Really Is (and Why We Need It)

Anger is a vital emotional feedback mechanism, signalling when boundaries have been crossed.

It’s a sympathetic nervous system response that mobilises energy and action.

When repressed, anger can manifest as depression, anxiety, or physical health issues.

Why Society Gets Anger Wrong

Many people associate anger only with destructive, harmful behaviour — creating fear and shame around expressing it.

Early childhood experiences often taught us that anger was unacceptable, leading to suppression or avoidance.

This suppression can build up until it “explodes,” reinforcing the belief that anger is dangerous.

How Anger Gets Entangled with Other Emotions

Anger often couples with fear, sadness, hurt, or shutdown responses.

Untangling these emotional dynamics allows us to work with anger directly.

Practitioners must first explore and integrate their own relationship with anger to hold safe space for clients.

Practical Tools for Regulating and Integrating Anger

Titration — gently approaching the sensation without overwhelm.

Movement & resistance — releasing energy through the body.

Writing & inquiry — reflecting on the story and meaning behind the anger.

The aim: stay present and conscious with the experience, rather than suppressing or acting it out.

When integrated, anger becomes a source of personal power, clear boundaries, and authentic “yes” and “no” responses.

About the Embodied Processing Practitioner Training

A comprehensive training program designed to teach the Embodied Processing modality while deepening your own personal work.

Includes self-paced learning modules, a supportive community, and regular live calls.

Currently available at a special sale price.

Key Takeaways:

Anger is not the enemy — it’s a natural, healthy emotion when expressed and integrated well.

Suppression leads to emotional and physical strain, while integration leads to empowerment.

Working with anger requires presence, compassion, and self-awareness.

Embodied Processing offers the tools and support to help both practitioners and clients integrate suppressed anger for greater authenticity and wellbeing.

Exploring Shame

Workshop: Future of Healing — Day 1
Facilitators: Ryan Hassan & Ben Tannehill

Ryan and Ben open the Future of Healing 3-day workshop by diving into one of the most misunderstood and deeply rooted emotional experiences: shame.

What is Shame?

Shame is a protective mechanism that inhibits authentic self-expression in order to maintain a sense of safety and belonging.

It can attach itself to emotions, behaviours, desires—essentially, any part of ourselves.

It often underlies emotional struggles such as addiction, anxiety, and depression.

Why Addressing Shame Matters

Shame is a foundational imprint beneath many mental health and life challenges.

It drives patterns of isolation to avoid being seen, judged, or rejected.

True healing requires meeting shame with awareness, presence, and compassion.

Healthy vs. Toxic Shame

Healthy shame helps regulate behaviour in a way that maintains social connection.

Toxic shame becomes internalised, creating beliefs like “I am wrong” or “There’s something wrong with me.”

This can lead to patterns of self-disgust, self-hatred, and a fixed identity of being broken or deficient.

The Physiology of Shame

Shame expresses itself through physical postures—shrinking, closing in, avoiding eye contact.

Exploring these physical sensations and postures in a safe, embodied way can be profoundly healing.

Inquiring Into Shame

Engage in mindful inquiry to uncover shame-based beliefs and internal narratives.

Recognise shame as just one part of the self—not your entire identity.

Explore what this part of you is trying to express and what it truly needs.

Working with Shame in Embodied Processing

Begin by establishing a resourced, safe internal space to return to during the process.

Invite the experience of shame into conscious awareness with compassion and curiosity.

Trace the origin of the shame imprint—when and how it formed.

Use embodied, somatic techniques to process and integrate the experience, allowing transformation.

Key Takeaways

Shame is a core emotional wound that must be addressed for genuine healing to occur.

Compassionate, curious inquiry can shift how we relate to shame.

Embodied Processing provides an effective pathway for transforming toxic shame into wholeness and self-acceptance.

Stay tuned for Day 2 of the Future of Healing workshop in the next episode.

🎙️ Somatic Acupoint Tapping Practitioner Training
Guest: Keith Hulstaert | Hosted by Matt Kay

In this episode, Matt sits down with Keith Hulstaert, a highly experienced practitioner in the field of tapping therapies, to introduce a powerful new training—Somatic Acupoint Tapping (SAT)—developed in collaboration with The Centre for Healing.

With over 20 years of experience, Keith brings deep insight into EFT, FasterEFT, counselling, and meditation. As a long-time trainer and one-on-one practitioner, his passion lies in helping others access their healing potential through simple yet powerful techniques.

Together, Matt and Keith explore the foundations and vision behind SAT, a modality that blends:

The most effective elements of traditional and modern tapping methods

A somatic focus inspired by Embodied Processing

The integration of energy work, psychology, and body-based healing

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a cutting-edge practitioner training designed to equip students with the tools, frameworks, and confidence to work on themselves and others. SAT represents the next evolution in the tapping world—bringing the body back into the process and honouring the wisdom within.

Topics Covered:

EFT & FasterEFT Evolution

Somatics & Body Awareness

Combining Energy Psychology with Somatic Healing

Practitioner Tools & Client Work

Keith’s 20-Year Journey in the Field

To learn more about Keith and his work:
🔗 secretpath.com.au

🎙️ Guest: Susanne Marie | Hosted by Matt

In this rich and insightful episode, Matt is joined by spiritual teacher Susanne Marie for a profound exploration of the integrative path of spiritual awakening. Together, they unpack the evolving journey of awakening—moving through key phases such as:

The Emptiness Phase – where identity dissolves into spacious awareness

The Unity/Oneness Phase – the realisation of interconnectedness with all life

The Embodiment Phase – where transcendence gives way to full inclusion of our humanity

Rather than bypassing the human experience, Susanne shares how true awakening eventually circles back—inviting us to meet our emotions, stories, and challenges with compassion and presence. The discussion reflects on how non-dual realisation is not the endpoint, but the beginning of an embodied, integrated life.

This episode is a heartfelt, clear, and nuanced look at the spiritual path beyond the clichés—where the divine and human are no longer at odds, but fully lived as one.

Topics Covered:

Spiritual Awakening & Non-Duality

The Illusion of Separation

Stages of Realisation

Embodiment & Integration

Full Circle Awakening

🔗 Learn more about Susanne Marie: susannemarie.org

Meet Rosemary Gattuso – Family Mediator, Restorative Justice Practitioner & Overthinking Rewriter

With over 15 years of experience in alternative dispute resolution, Rosemary Gattuso brings a deeply human and heart-centred approach to mediation. Specialising in family mediation and restorative justice, she supports individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult transitions with compassion, clarity, and respect.

Trained in advanced mediation at Harvard, Rosemary is especially passionate about child-focused practices, ensuring children’s wellbeing remains central during separation and family restructuring.

Rosemary also lends her expertise to Restorative Justice panels across various Commonwealth agencies, including:

The Defence Force Ombudsman

The National Redress Scheme

The Territories Stolen Generations Scheme

As a seasoned facilitator and speaker, Rosemary runs workshops for school communities, mental health practitioners, mediators, and corporate groups—always promoting strengths-based, trauma-informed practices.

Her ongoing study in child development, trauma, and neuroscience continues to inform her work, deepening her understanding of the human experience and enriching the way she teaches, mediates, and facilitates healing conversations.

A self-confessed chronic overthinker, Rosemary has transformed her own mental spirals into a practice of strengths-based reflection—and now empowers others to do the same through her writing, speaking, and online content.

Learn more or connect with Rosemary:
🌐 Website: rosemarygattuso.com
📸 Instagram: @rosemarygattuso
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/rosemarygattuso
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosemarygattuso

The discussion centered on Vesa's experiences as a somatic therapist and holistic coach, focusing on the impact of her conservative upbringing on her journey toward self-love and emotional healing. Vesa shared insights into her past struggles with people-pleasing and toxic relationships, contrasting them with her current healthy partnership that fosters authentic self-expression. She emphasised the importance of recognising and overcoming ingrained emotional patterns for personal growth, highlighting a transformative experience from six and a half years ago when she acknowledged the toxicity in her relationships and her role in attracting them. Both Vesa and Melissa stressed that true healing requires an embodied approach to emotions, encapsulated in the concept of "feel it to heal it."

Vesa elaborated on her therapeutic approach, which focuses on deep body work and subconscious exploration, setting it apart from traditional talk therapy. She introduced her upcoming program, "Rewriting Your Love Story," aimed at helping individuals break free from toxic relationship patterns. The conversation also touched on the significance of emotional attunement and the necessity of processing feelings to foster self-compassion and healthy boundaries.

Vesa is a somatic therapist and holistic coach based in Melbourne, and the founder of Self Love Signature. She helps self-aware women cultivate a healthy relationship with themselves, heal from trauma, regulate their nervous systems, and transform emotional wounds by getting to the root cause.

Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that our bodies hold the truth — and when we learn to listen, we unlock profound healing and self-love. She's passionate about creating spaces where women feel safe to unravel, reconnect, and rise into the most secure and embodied version of themselves.

Outside of her work, Vesa is a nature lover, indoor plant mum, newly engaged, and she loves being a little woo-woo.

Free Offer: Emotional Alchemy Mini Training, where I provide people with a guided practice on how they can "feel it to heal it": https://subscribepage.io/EmotionalAlchemyMiniTraining

I also host local Somatic Healing Women's Circles in Melbourne and a free community walking group for women aged in their 30s and 40s.

You can find and follow Vesa here;

Instagram @selflovesignature

Her website is: www.selflovesignature.com

Episode Summary:

In this deeply insightful and empowering conversation, trauma-informed coach and healer Ivana Care joins Melissa to share her personal journey of navigating life after toxic relationships and breakups. Ivana opens up about the turning point that led her to choose herself, stepping away from a relationship that no longer served her — and into a life of healing, growth, and purpose.

Together, they explore how unprocessed childhood wounds and attachment patterns can shape adult relationships, the role of emotional suppression (especially anger), and the journey back to self-trust and inner safety.

Whether you're recovering from a breakup, seeking to understand relationship dynamics, or supporting clients through similar experiences — this episode is a must-listen.

About Ivana:

After facing a life-changing decision to leave a relationship that no longer aligned with her truth, Ivana chose healing over comfort. Now, as a certified Root-Cause Therapy Practitioner and Trauma-Informed Manifestation Coach, she supports women in finding themselves again after separation. Through her blend of lived experience and trauma-informed techniques, Ivana helps clients reconnect with their worth, rebuild trust, and create empowered relationships — starting with the one they have with themselves.

Key Takeaways:

Ivana shares her personal healing journey and how it led her to support other women after breakups.

The inability to feel or express anger often fuels people-pleasing and self-abandonment in relationships.

Healing childhood wounds and insecure attachment is key to cultivating healthy, fulfilling relationships.

How to identify red flags, break toxic cycles, and build the self-worth needed to walk away.

Guidance for women navigating post-breakup grief, confusion, and identity loss — with an emphasis on rebuilding self-trust.

The importance of receiving support through coaching, therapy, or community during the healing process.

Free Resource from Ivana:

Ivana is offering a free guide:
“5 Steps to Bounce Back After a Breakup” – a supportive roadmap to help women regain confidence, reconnect with their inner strength, and move forward with clarity.

She’s also working on a powerful new email series:
“7 Love Letters” – messages designed to speak directly to common post-breakup wounds and nurture the healing journey.

Download the free guide and stay tuned for her upcoming series at 👉 IvanaCare.com

🔗 Connect with Ivana:

Website: https://ivanacare.com

Instagram: @ivana_carecoach

Facebook: Ivana Care Coach