MindBody Reconnect (MBR)

ME/CFSFibromyalgiaLong CovidDysautonomiaChronic PainIBSAnxietyBurnoutStress Related Chronic IllnessesAdrenal FatiguePOTS
Written By Katy McGhie

We don’t endorse any of the resources here, but only share what exists. Please do your own research. The information within our resources is from secondary sources, and is not intended to replace medical advice from a healthcare provider.  Whilst we aim to provide as much information as we can for free, some of these resources will cost you money if you take them up.   If there are scholarships or funding that we can find, we cite them in the resource.

  • 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

    • "I noticed improvements in sleep and energy within weeks – the practices are simple but incredibly powerful."

    • "The explanations made sense straight away, and I finally felt I had the tools to support real recovery."

  • 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

    Typical Number of Sessions:

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

    • 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.

  • Amy Dodsworth

    Alice Bowley

  • Main MBR website (overview & directory)

    Practitioner websites (with free consultation options):

    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

Katy McGhie
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