Hi!

I'm

Melissa Rebronja

WHO I AM

I am no stranger to trauma. I've travelled a long way to be who I am today. I was raised in a harsh family environment, born in a country eventually destroyed by war. I've gone through many heartbreaks in which I learned valuable lessons I get to share in my work. I learned that the only way out is through; feeling and processing the past, surrendering and trusting the future, living in the present, here, now - all while being gentle with myself & all my parts. I was born in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia where I lived from age six to sixteen. I spent my formative years in Toronto, Canada, where I lived most of my life. I am now based in Los Angeles, California, the traditional lands of Tongvaar, where I’ve been a settler since Nov. 2011.

WHAT I DO

I am a trauma informed Integrative Healing Practitioner and Educator. In the H.E.A.L. Journey, we use various modalities...

I work with Somatic Therapies, Hypnotherapy & Human Design. I am a practitioner of Breath-work, Energy-work, & (IRF) Inner Relationship Focusing. I also teach trauma informed awareness to groups and individuals.

Somatic Therapies work with the mind-body connection, supporting growth, healing trauma, and finding ease in the mind, the nervous system, and the body. The types of Somatic Therapies I work with are: Attachment Therapy, Parts work, & Energy-work.

Somatic Attachment Therapy guides you into the wisdom of your body to restore the innate capacity to bond, form healthy and adaptive boundaries, and flourish in all aspects of relationships.

Somatic Parts Work integrates the methodology of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and other trauma-informed models such as Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF), to support you in healing underlying past trauma and pain. IFS is grounded on the idea that our inner world consists of a system made up of various parts (sub-personalities). In an attempt to protect us from pain, our parts may conflict with each other and act in unhelpful ways. Somatic Parts Work helps us to work with these parts in order to experience greater internal harmony and peace.

Energy-work is the practice of using energy system mappings for health, healing & awakening.

Hypnotherapy, also referred to as guided hypnosis, is a form of psychotherapy that uses relaxation, extreme concentration, and intense attention to achieve a heightened state of consciousness or mindfulness.

The Human Design System is a self-awareness tool. It revels our complete nature and teaches us how to love who we are and accept others through understanding. I love introducing and guiding people through their Human Design; helping you dive deeper into how to navigate your life with least resistance, make your best decisions, discover your true purpose, and so much more. Your Human Design Chart, also called a BodyGraph is calculated using your birth date, time, and place to reveal your unique genetic design and energy signature. I am a 6/2 Manifestor, and have been working with human design in my personal and professional life since 2015.

WORK WITH ME

MY BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

I have over 20 years' experience helping people heal, transform their lives, and empower themselves to live authentically. My personal education, learning and growth is ongoing. See below for the full list of my education, certifications, and other personal development teachings, training and workshops that have shaped my work. I credit all my teachers, mentors, healing practitioners, therapists & good friends for who I am today. Thank you for the work you’ve done and continue to do. Healing is a journey, not a destination.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Inner Relationship Focusing Professional & Teacher Certification Training (Focusing Resources) - 2024/2025
Contemplative Energy Work Practitioner Training (Lisa Erickson) 2023 / 2025
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Mentorship (The Embody Lab) - 2023
Somatic Attachment Therapy (The Embody Lab) 2022/2023
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, (The Embody Lab) 2022
Integrative Somatic Parts Work (The Embody Lab) 2022
Ecopsychology (The Pacifica Graduate Institute) 2021
Hypnotherapy & Smoking Cessation (North American Academy of Hypnosis) 2015/2017 California, USA
Life Skills Coaching & Counseling (Rhodes Wellness College) 2001 / 2003 Vancouver, BC Canada
B.A.A. with Psychology electives (Ryerson University now TMU) 1998 Toronto, ON Canada

OTHER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TEACHINGS, TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS:

Getting Free: A Year of Untangling (Ann Weiser Cornell & Barbara McGavin) - 2025/2026
Ancestral, Past Life & Historical Energy Work (Lisa Erickson) 2025
Trauma Sensitive Movement: Somatic Techniques to Support the Nervous System (Manuela Mischke-Reeds) 2025
Centering in Wholeness: Online Continuum Inquiry (Susan Harper) 2025
Living a Focusing Life (Ann Weiser Cornel) 2024/2025
Quantum Human Design & Gene Keys Study Group (Ellie Shoja) - ongoing
Complex Trauma Certification Training Level 1 & 2 (CCTP/CCTP II) (Janina Fisher) - ongoing
EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing. (Arielle Schwartz) 2024
Untangling Part 1 & 2 In-person Retreat (Ann Weiser Cornell & Barbara McGavin) 2024
Intro to Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training: Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional Course (Tammy Nelson) 2024
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) - PESI - ongoing
Intimate Partner Violence: Trauma-Informed Interventions for Survivors - PESI 2024
Navigating the Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse (Saprea.org) 2024
The Path of Lasting Change Part 1 & 2 (Ann Weiser Cornell) 2024
Trauma Informed Certificate for Coaches (The Center for Healing) 2024
LYD Living Your (Human) Design (Isa Silver) 2023
Queen Teachings (Ava Park) 2020/2023
Foundations of IFS (Dick Schwartz /IFS Institute) 2022/2023
Cultivating the Power of Self Compassion (Kristin Neff) 2022
Healing Intergenerational Trauma with Dr. Peter Levine & Efu Nyaki 2022
Somatic Therapies for Trauma & Vagal Toning Program (Rewire Therapy) 2022
Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma, Helping Clients Undo Patterns of Pleasing and Appeasing, The Trauma of Racism: Expert Strategies to Help Clients Heal, How Polyvagal Theory Can Strengthen Trauma Work with Stephen Porges (NICAMB) 2022
From Ego to Eco: Shifting our Relationships from Power & Control to Collaboration & Love (Terry Real) 2022
Treating Trauma Master Series (NICABM) 2021
Somatic Strategies to Address the Interplay Between Shock and Developmental Trauma (Peter Levine & Diane Heller Poole) 2021
Chakra Empowerment For Women (Lisa Erickson) 2020/2021
Venus Raising Yoni Yoga (Meloney Hudson) 2021
Human Design Group Coaching (Elad Sky) 2019
Trauma and the Performing Artist (Peter Levine & Betsy Polatin) 2018
Tantra Touch (Psalm Isadora) 2017
Breathwork Training & Mentorship (BreathOnIt/Jay Bradley ) 2016
True Body Intelligence (Christopher Maher) 2016/2019
Reiki Level II Okuden, (Kerri Draper) 2014 California, USA
ACIM Teachings & Workshops (Marianne Williamson) 2011-2018 California, USA
Landmark Forum Workshops (Toronto, ON) 2006
Rebirthing Training & Mentorship (Campbell Massie & Tamara Penn) 2002-2006 BC & ON Canada
Clearmind International Workshops (Duane & Catherine O’Kane) 2001-2003 BC, Canada
Mastery of Self-Expression Workshops (Larry Gilman, Linda Darlow) 1999/2003 Vancouver, BA Canada