body stories
A Culturally-Informed Somatic Process for Trauma Integration
A two-day gathering that weaves embodied practice, Indigenous wisdom and nature connection to reshape the emotional imprints, relational patterns, and untold strengths the body holds.
INTEGRATING SOMATIC AND INDIGENOUS HEALING FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE.
As practitioners, we hold space for the stories that live within others. This two‑day immersion invites counsellors, therapists, body‑centred practitioners, and healing professionals to explore how stories live in the body – and how they shape safety, relationship, and connection to self, others, and Country.
Through the weaving of Indigenous healing frameworks and contemporary somatic practice, you will experience and reflect on this two‑eyed seeing approach to trauma integration and embodied wholeness.
What are Body Stories?
Body Stories are the patterns our lives leave within us. They are the imprints shaped by relationships, hurt, attachment, and rupture. They are the echoes of loss, intergenerational trauma, and the expectations and pressures of society and culture. They are also our imprints of courage, resilience, love and growth.
They shape our behaviour, self-love, relationship choices, and the ability to feel safe. Without a clear way to explore, release and heal the somatic imprints we hold, it’s hard to create new outcomes. Wherever you are on your journey, your body stories hold the key to deeper levels of love, safety, belonging and fulfillment.
DEEPEN YOUR professional CAPACITY THROUGH EMBODIED EXPERIENCE of your body stories.
As practitioners we recognise that every client carries the stories their body remembers – of attachment, loss, love and resilience. But we, too, carry these stories. As the year comes to a close, this immersion offers a space to turn toward your own body stories – those woven through your work, your relationships, and your sense of self.
Through embodied practice, nature connection, and Indigenous healing wisdom, you’ll experience how these approaches meet to create transformation. In walking this path yourself, you’ll gain insight into the client journey – the arc from awareness to release and renewal – while also finding clarity for your own next chapter in practice and life.
WITH A STRUCTURED, CONNECTED AND RELATIONAL APPROACH WE CAN RESHAPE OUR STORIES.
This immersion shows you how.
the 6 STAGES of healing and the embodiment method®.
This Body Stories event weaves two frameworks that share the same heart of safety, connection and belonging.
Incorporating deep somatic practice, Indigenous wisdom and nature-based connection to support trauma integration, deepen self-connection, and restore embodied safety and relational capacity.
6 Stages of Healing
A cultural and trauma integrated healing framework. It helps us to develop safety, find and tell our stories and feel our feelings so we can move through the layers of grief and loss to ownership and choice and return to our cultural and spiritual identities of wholeness.
The Embodiment Method
A somatic-based process supporting trauma integration, self-connection, and new relational capacity. It combines story-telling, somatic movement, and nature-based practice to create embodied change.
What You’ll ExPLORE:
An exploration of how somatic story-work reveals the intersections of relationship, lineage, and lived experience within the body.
Practical insight into culturally informed, trauma integrated approaches that strengthen professional presence, attunement, and relational safety.
A direct, experiential journey through the Body Stories process, blending the We Al li Six Phases of Healing and The Embodiment Method™.
Reflective discussions on applying these understandings within your current modality or practice framework.
YOUR EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEY INCLUDES:
Ceremony: Enter sacred space that honours safety, protection and transformation. Ceremony invites the unseen into the healing process — holding, witnessing and renewing the stories that are ready to shift.
Somatic Movement: Reconnect with your body as teacher and storyteller. Through guided movement, you’ll explore the somatic memories you carry, release the imprints that no longer serve, and consciously craft new body stories — lived experiences that embody the qualities, relationships and directions you wish to move toward.
Nature-Based Connection: Develop a direct, embodied relationship with Country. These practices go beyond reflection; they show you how to listen, sense and respond to the land. By learning to connect through the body, you discover how Country communicates guidance, wisdom and belonging that mirrors your own inner landscape.
Community: Experience the healing power of co‑regulation and shared meaning. In community, your story is reflected, witnessed and supported, allowing new patterns of trust, connection and vitality to take root.
Your facilitators
Dr. Carlie Atkinson – 6 Phases of Healing (We Al-li)
Dr. Carlie (Caroline) Atkinson is a Bundjalung and Yiman woman and an accredited Social Worker with a PhD (Charles Darwin University, 2009). Associate Professor Atkinson is an international leader in complex and integenerational trauma and culturally informed strengths-based healing approaches in Indigenous Australia.
She is the CEO of her family organisation, We Al-li, designing and coordinating the delivery of Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Healing Approaches (CITIHA) training and resource development for organisations and communities across Australia
Kelly Mitchell – The Embodiment Method® (Soma Ngurrawa)
Kelly Mitchell is a Dharug woman and relationship specialist and trauma educator with more than two decades of experience in counselling and integrative health. She has contributed to the design and delivery of tertiary programs in health science and counselling, and is a clinical mentor and consultant to wellbeing organisations in Australia.
Incorporating her 25 years of clinical experience in functional medicine, counselling, somatic therapy, ecotherapy and embodiment practice, Kelly founded Soma Nguarrawa and developed The Embodiment Method® – a signature process for transforming generational and relational trauma.
HELD BY COUNTRY, our ultimate facilitator
Country is our teacher and guide. Through connection to land and space, we explore our stories.
You will be immersed in a mixture of indoor and outdoor practices here on a private 40-acre property Kabi Kabi-Gubbi Gubbi Country (Verrierdale, Sunshine Coast).
MARCH 13-14TH, 2027.
full program WITH OPTIONAL ACCOMMODATION package.
26 places are available.
Please book early to avoid disappointment.
There is allocated pricing for Mob, please contact us below.
We have a selection of limited on-site accommodation, please book early.
one time payment
$1999
Full program, and light refreshments.
Includes credit card fees.
Fee free version for non-credit card payments. Please contact us for direct transfer.
PAYMENT PLAN
5 X $399
Full program, and light refreshments.
Includes credit card fees.
Available until July 31st. Please contact us for other arrangements or a longer payment plan.
Program deposit
1 X $500
Full program, and light refreshments.
Includes credit card fees.
Balance due before 60 days prior. Can make earlier instalments or bespoke plan.
Registered with PACFA for continuing professional education.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is this program for?
Body Stories is open to anyone who guides others or works in a supportive position to people in their lives. This may include counsellors, therapists, somatic practitioners, doctors, nurses, support workers, social workers, education providers, project managers, community leaders, wellness practitioners, yoga teachers, body-based therapists, or those in a caring role for others – mothers, Aunties, and care-givers are welcome.
Is this program registered for CPEs?
Yes, this program is registered with PACFA, and a certificate of attendance can be offered.
Is this for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people?
Yes, all are welcome! This program is designed to support all people, and has been designed to also allow non-Indigenous folk to receive leading education on Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing in the field of modern somatic therapy.
Do you have a payment plan?
Yes, we have a three-month payment plan. Longer plans may be requested depending on the start date. Please feel free to reach out with requests.
Can you prepare the invoice my company if work is funding this event?
Yes, we are able to work with you, please contact us.
How to I arrive at the location?
The location is in Verrierdale, which is in the northern Sunshine Coast hinterland. It is approximately 20 minutes drive north from Maroochydore airport. Full parking information will be provided upon booking.
The venue is about 90 minute drive north of Brisbane if you are travelling from there.
What is included?
The program includes all day programming, and light refreshments (you must bring your lunch). A limited amount of on-site accommodation is available. There are a number of AirBnb’s in the area, along with hotels and apartments nearby in Noosa, Coolum and Maroochydore. Camp grounds are located nearby if that is your preference!
Are there any sponsored tickets for Mob?
Yes. Our full scholarship tickets have already been allocated. We have a number of discounted tickets available. Customised payment plans are also available. Please reach out to us as hello@somangurrawa.com
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Prior to December 13th: we offer a full refund less a $50 administration fee.
From December 14th – January 12th: a 50% refund is available.
From 60 days prior (January 13th): no refunds are available.
JOIN US FOR BODY STORIEs MARCH 13-14, 2027
Secure of the limited places today.
Body Stories© is copyright of Soma Ngurrawa.
All rights are reserved and no work presented in this workshop may be reproduced in whole or part thereof without express permission.