MindBody Reconnect (MBR)

ME/CFSFibromyalgiaLong CovidPOTsDysautonomiaChronic PainIBSAnxietyBurnoutStress Related Chronic IllnessesAdrenal Fatigue
Written By Katy McGhie

  • MindBody Reconnect (MBR) is a modernised and more integrative version of Mickel Therapy, designed specifically for people living with conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, Long COVID, POTS, IBS and chronic pain.

    It builds on the emotional signalling model of Mickel Therapy but adds in tools and influences from Gabor Maté, somatic therapies, polyvagal theory, parts work and trauma-informed coaching. The aim is to reconnect the mind and body, regulate the nervous system, and help the body stop sending signals through illness.

    It’s designed for people who know their body is trying to say something - but don’t know how to listen or respond.

  • The core idea behind MBR is that physical symptoms are often the body’s way of expressing emotional needs that have been long ignored or suppressed. These needs might be hidden beneath behaviours like people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-silencing or striving.

    When the body doesn’t feel emotionally safe, it can stay stuck in fight/flight/freeze, leading to chronic fatigue, pain, and other symptoms. MBR helps people:

    • Understand the role of the nervous system in illness

    • Identify “early signals” the body is sending - before they become symptoms

    • Learn to interrupt old patterns of emotional suppression or survival behaviour

    • Practise small, actionable responses to those signals daily

    • Reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been disconnected (inner child, protector parts, etc.)

    • Build emotional safety, boundaries, and authenticity

    MBR is taught through 1:1 coaching or small group programmes, usually over several weeks.

    • Practitioners are trauma-informed and often have personal recovery stories

    • Focus is on gentle, structured daily practice - not pushing or analysing

    • No supplements, diets, or physical exertion required

    • Not a therapy or medical treatment - it’s a coaching-based programme

    • Typically paid, but intro sessions or sliding scale may be available with some practitioners

    • Emotional responses can arise, but you're supported to process them in small, safe steps

    • How It Differs From Mickel Therapy:
      MBR includes:

      • More emphasis on trauma sensitivity and polyvagal safety

      • Integration of parts work (similar to IFS)

      • More somatic grounding tools and nervous system education

      • A deeper look at identity, masking and inner conflict

      • Flexible, emotionally validating structure for those with neurodivergence or high sensitivity

    • Common Themes Among People Who’ve Benefited:

    • Chronic crash cycles or plateaued recovery

    • Emotional disconnection or difficulty feeling emotions

    • Tried pacing, diet, coaching or other brain retraining but didn’t improve

    • Experienced illness after trauma, burnout, or intense life stress

    • Highly sensitive or neurodivergent and overwhelmed by other protocols

  • Typical Number of Sessions:

    Most people complete MBR in about 8–12 sessions, though some need fewer and others more.

    Session Pricing (based on practitioner examples):

    • Rosie Closs (MBR Coach): £90 per hour, with a free 30-minute intro session and occasional reduced-rate spots

    • Mind‑Body Bridge (MBR Practitioner): £75 per 60-minute session, also offers a free discovery call and a set number of concessionary-rate slots

    Discount-Friendly Directory

    • Rosie Closs offers reduced-rate slots alongside her standard £90/hour rate and a free 30-minute intro session for those in financial difficulty.

    • Helen Knewbone (Mind-Body Bridge) charges £75/hour, offers free discovery calls, and has concessionary-rate slots for low-income clients.

    • Alice Bowley has reportedly offered sliding-scale pricing for chronic illness clients.

    • ME/CFS Explored Group Courses available at full price (£497) or concession rate (£297), with payment plans and a risk-free trial week.

  • Main MBR website (overview & directory)

    Practitioner websites (with free consultation options):

    • Clare Caldwell (Founder & trainer)
      Recovered from ME/CFS and fibromyalgia; ex-NHS management; trained in Mickel Therapy and created MBR in 2018. Trains new practitioners.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/clare-caldwell

    • Angela Wilson
      Former BBC Vision Mixer; bedridden with ME for 19 years; recovered after mind-body work; trained in Mickel Therapy and now practises MBR.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/angela-wilson

    • Alice Bowley
      Recovered from CFS/ME with MBR; supports ME/CFS, Long COVID, IBS, anxiety, insomnia and migraines; offers a free 30-min chat.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/alicebowley
      https://www.alicebowleymbr.com/

    • Rosie Closs
      Recovered after working with Clare; background in support services (addictions, domestic abuse, complex needs); free 30-min intro.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/rosiecloss
      https://www.rosieclossmbr.com/

    • Sarah Jeffrey
      Recovered from CFS after grief-related illness; combines MBR with a teacher’s structure and calm; free 30-min consultation.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/sarahjeffrey

    • Elaine Perrin
      Recovered from CFS using MBR; now blends MBR work with a part-time health service role; offers a free 30-min consult.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/elaineperrin

    • Marie Gear
      Halifax, UK; housebound with CFS before recovery; now helps clients rebuild health through practical MBR tools and listening to the body.

      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/mariegear

    • Anna Burford
      Recovered from fibromyalgia via Mickel Therapy in 2011; warm, supportive coaching style; offers in-person (Shrewsbury) and online.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/robbie-falkiner

    • Fiona Watson
      Became ill with ME; recovered after mind-body work; trained as a Mickel Therapist (2013) and now practises MBR online.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/fionawatson

    • Penny MacKay
      Lived experience of anxiety/chronic fatigue in family; MBR practitioner and student of Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry; values emotional validation.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/pennymackay
      https://www.mindbodytruth.co.uk/

    • Veronica Maurel
      Nurse, PhD researcher, Ayurveda & Yoga Health Coach; recovered from CFS/ME; supports ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibro, IBS, anxiety and depression.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/veronicamaurel

    • Keelin Nielsen Donohoe
      Became housebound after COVID; later recovered with MBR; qualified health coach; compassionate, hopeful, paced support.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/copy-of-helen-kneebone
      https://thegretheclinic.com/

    • Fiona Montgomery
      Alternative health practitioner; bedbound with ME for 12 years; recovered with Mickel Therapy; now MBR practitioner, astrologer and empowerment coach.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/copy-of-rosie-closs

      https://www.bodywisdomcoaching.co.uk/

    • Lea Guetta
      30+ years in education/pastoral care; particular interest in anxiety; uses MBR tools for ME/CFS and fibromyalgia recovery.
      https://www.themindbodyreconnect.com/leaguetta

    • Helen Kneebone (Insightful Healing)
      Former nurse; recovered from fibromyalgia; MBR-based coaching with average recovery in 8–12 sessions; free 30-min discovery call.
      https://insightfulhealing.co.uk/

    Free & accessible Mind-Body Tools

    • Insight Timer course: From Fear to Freedom – MindBody Tools for Chronic Symptom Recovery
      insighttimer.com

    • General mind-body reconnection (non-MBR but helpful) resources on The Breath Effect

  • Amy Dodsworth

    Alice Bowley

Katy McGhie
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