Lucy Holbrook

BodyMind Training & Facilitation and Body Psychotherapy

Hello, I’m Lucy and welcome to Inner Learning First.
If you’d like to be at your best more of the time, I can help you.

I am an experienced bodymind trainer and body psychotherapist, and I facilitate embodied personal change that will support

you to be at your best and feel comfortable in your own skin
your organisation to be at its best through staff being at their best individually and collectively.

My experience has taught me that being at our best starts with understanding ourself – we have to do our inner learning first. My approach focusses on:

the link between feelings and thoughts and the impact they have on behaviour
increasing your capacity and resourcefulness by developing the internal resources you have but may not yet recognise. .

I am a trauma-sensitive practitioner and I work in a relational & collaborative manner through facilitation rather than prescription.. I have worked in both the private and voluntary sectors and for the last 18 years as an independent bodymind trainer, facilitator and body psychotherapist.

My work is underpinned by relevant and up-to-date research about the body-mind connection and good mental health and wellbeing practice I am committed to my own professional and personal development and attend relevant CPD workshops and training regularly. I have an enhanced DBS Certificate on the Update Service. References available on request.

Benefits

Increased capacity to regulate your emotions
Greater clarity about what you say yes and no to
More nourishing relationships
Increased energy & confidence
Feeling at ease in yourself
A sense of aliveness and joy

This happens when organisations understand themselves – they have to do their inner learning too. Increasing individual and collective self-awareness leads to:

A culture that proactively supports good mental health & wellbeing
Staff feeling psychologically and physically safe
Greater shared meaning & clarity in communication
Staff having more clarity about who and what they are responsible for and to
Clear thinking, better problem solving & increased productivity
Alignment between your desired operational & performance outcomes and “the way we do things round here”

About Me

Curious, passionate, creative, determined …. These are qualities my upbringing instilled in me and that continue to shape everything I do. They have fueled my journey of learning to feel comfortable in my own skin and share my learning to inspire and support others to feel the same.

For the last 20 years I’ve worked as an independent body-mind trainer and body psychotherapist, facilitating individuals and organisations to be at their best through embodied personal change. I design and deliver workshops that blend knowledge with practice and get people moving and thinking. When people feel at ease and fully themselves – comfortable in their own skin – they flourish, teams flourish and so does the wider culture around them.

In addition, as an associate trainer with Wirral Mind over the past 10 years, I’ve created workshops for communities and workplaces that lift spirits and spark growth.

My earlier career included roles in both the private and voluntary sectors – stockbroking, merger broking, business skills training, and Citizen’s Advice. This was followed by 10 years running a small independent charity supporting women with complex needs in an area with high levels of deprivation. This role demanded resourcefulness, flexibility, and resilience by the bucket load – as anyone familiar with the Third Sector knows – and offered deep reward and personal growth in return.

Throughout, my curiosity continually drew me to personal development and led me into a four-year Deep Body Work and Postural Integration therapy training. This gave me an invaluable understanding of how the body and mind are inseparably connected and a powerful toolkit for bringing learning to life in my trainings and therapy sessions.

The explosion of research into the brain in the last couple of decade or so has transformed how we understand human behaviour, wellbeing, and connection. It is reshaping practice in many fields from psychology and biology to economics and education; and of course it impacts organisational life too – from organisational development and leadership through to team working and individual employee effectiveness.I love exploring this expanding world of knowledge and finding ways to transform the science into playful learning and practical wisdom that helps others – and myself! – to be more centred, resilient, and at their best, more of the time.

Education and CPD

Intensive Trauma Treatment Course with Bessel van der Kolk (19 hours online CPD) 2019
Trauma Informed Care in the Counselling Professions Workshop 2019
Mental Health First Aid (2 days) 2019
ACE Recovery Toolkit Train the Trainer Training 2018
Connect 5 Train the Trainer Training 2018
Rhythmic Movement Training Level 1 & 11 2016
Certificate in Personal Coaching 2016
Moaiku: Attachment & Arousal Regulation in the Healing of Trauma 2014
Moaiku: Hidden Choices – Focussing on the Teenage Phase 2014
Moaiku: Attachment and Trauma 2013
Philosophy for Children (P4C) Level 1 Certificate 2013
Moaiku: The Hidden Challenges in Coping with Stress 2012
The Mind & Body of Safer Trauma Therapy with Babette Rothschild 2012
Attendance at 4 days of EABP 13^th International Congress 2012
Massage in Schools Instructor 2011
Bodywork Group Dynamics 2009
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) 2009
Bodies and Boundaries 2008
Deep Bodywork Diploma with Entelia Institute for Creative Bodywork 2009 (4 year training)
Accredited Postural Integrator with ICRI & ICPIT 2009 (4 year training)
Accredited Protective Behaviours Trainer 2006 (2 year training)
Intermediate Certificate in Counselling Skills 1996
Certificate in Training & Development (IPD) 1996 (1 year training)
BA Honors Law Degree – University of Kent at Canterbury 1982

Memberships

European Association of Body Psychotherapy
Body Psychotherapy Network
Independent Practitioners Network
Protective Behaviours Training Partnership & Association
Massage in Schools Association

Testimonials

What my clients say

Maria Venusa Rodrigues – a therapy client

“I received two years of somatic psychotherapy with Lucy, and the work that we did together not only guided me to access parts in me that were frightened and frozen, but it also fostered an inner confidence and safety that feels now grounded, embodied and strong within me.

Because of this co-creation, beautifully guided and facilitated by Lucy, I can now say that I have uncovered a depth and strength within me that unraveled the courage required to make challenging and uncomfortable changes that ultimately led to a life that I now feel is TRULY mine.

Thank you for guiding me back to myself Lucy. Your work is profound and crucial on this planet. So much gratitude!

Serena Crawford – a therapy client

“I discovered my ability to understand my character and it has helped me to be less anxious in many of life’s situations. Thank you Lucy.”

Steve – a workshop participant

“I recently attended the understanding anger and tools for well-being course that Lucy ran at Wirral MIND. The course was relaxed, informative and engaging. The course content helped me to gain both a better understanding of the mechanics of anger and improved my vocabulary in expressing the associated feelings. I’m certain this will help with expressing myself to others, as well as raising my self-awareness.The group felt at ease instantly with Lucy’s informed, considered and engaging delivery of the subject, which allowed us to share experiences and maximise our learning together.”

Claire Owens, Director Next chapter (NW) CIC – a workshop participant

I met Lucy over 15 years ago at her Protective Behaviours Training and was immediately impressed by her passion, knowledge, and ability to adapt the training to different professionals and settings. The course challenged my thinking, improved my practice, and gave me practical tools for safeguarding and supporting young people and vulnerable adults.

It was one of the most effective trainings I had attended, and it inspired me to share it with colleagues and later bring Lucy in as a consultant to help develop a programme for secondary school students. That work was highly successful and influenced the school’s safeguarding approach for years.

Lucy’s delivery is kind, authentic, practical, and empowering. Her training has shaped both my professional work and my personal life, helping me make safer, more aware choices. I later ensured all staff in my own business completed the training, as it reflects our core values.
I would strongly recommend Protective Behaviours training to any staff team or organisation wanting to strengthen personal awareness and safeguarding.