Category: Circle Leaders

Joakim Appell

Certified CI practitioner, CI circle leader and CI FSC intern.

The body, brain and mind aligned together hold the answer and the capacity to heal from trauma.

“Trauma created in a relationship can be healed in another relational space when safety, curiosity and compassion are present.”
Gabor Maté

As a circle leader, Joakim aims to co-create a safe space with the group and guide you to learn how to connect with your body in the present moment to create a body – mind integration experience.

His own lived experience of recovering from substance addiction, profound loss and growing up in a high-control religion has provided him with a unique capacity to be present, calm, perceptive, observing, curious and authentic whilst meeting you in your experience as a circle participant.

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Dimitra Kalogeropoulou

Circle Leader/Clinical Psychologist

Dimitra is a Registered Clinical Psychologist living in Thessaloniki Greece. Dimitra has a BA in European Cultural Studies, a BA in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. She is a certified Compassionate Inquiry practitioner, and has completed both the Compassionate Inquiry Internship and Mentorship Programs.  But most importantly, Dimitra has done a lot of work to overcome trauma and her own addictions that opened her up to the idea of presence and the importance of this concept in healing.

She is honored to be able to support others as a Compassionate Inquiry practitioner and as a Circle leader providing a safe space to uncover the root causes of pain and suffering while bringing compassion, respect, acceptance, insight, freedom and playfulness to them.

Her vision is to help others start travelling light…

Alex Maizuss

Circle Leader

Michelle Peddle

Registered Psychotherapist, CI Circle Leader

Michelle Peddle witnessed first-hand the powerful impact of blending Eastern spiritual practices with Western psychology in her early 20’s. She utilizes these diverse practices, philosophies, disciplines, and theoretical perspectives to provide her clients with a unique individualized approach to healing. Equally evidence-based and spiritually aligned, Michelle offers unique opportunities to learn, grow, heal and reconnect with yourself. Michelle specializes in substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and complex post-traumatic stress disorders. Her kindness, empathy, strength, intelligence and insight create a safe space for you to relax, connect and let your defences down. Michelle’s passion lies in watching people grow and reach their potential for inner peace and growth. Her relentless pursuit of learning, world class trainings and skill development bring big city concepts to small town Ontario removing barriers to access. Michelle is humble, welcoming to all and dedicated to those she serves.

Priya Duggal

ND

Priya Duggal ND is a registered naturopathic doctor practicing in Vaughan, Ontario. The areas of focus in her practice are breast cancer, autoimmune disorders, addictions, and mental health. She is a firm believer of Mind-Body Medicine. Priya is a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Facilitator, Educator, and Circle Leader.

She was born and raised in India where she became a medical doctor. Upon moving to Canada, she added to her skills and obtained a degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She spends her time between both Canada and India. She enjoys nature walks, painting, playing with her pet-Kaju, spending quality time with her husband and adult children.

Priya’s journey to self-healing began when she took the Healthy Breast Program with Sat Dharam Kaur, ND. Her quest for personal and professional growth continued by training in Kundalini Yoga, Beyond Addiction and Compassionate Inquiry. She finds Compassionate Inquiry truly liberating from childhood beliefs and perceptions.

She is passionate about helping others live authentic lives as she continues pursuing her own connection with her true self. Her long-term vision is to create a trauma-informed society that provides a safe, nurturing, and healing environment.

Lorraine O’Mullane

Private Mentor, Counselling Therapist

Hi, I’m Lorraine.

As a Mentor, my intention is to support your growth and learning as you deepen your Compassionate Inquiry practice.

My aim is to offer you an experience of collaborative learning similar to the one offered to me when I was a Mentee. These 5 months transformed not only my practice but also my self-awareness and showed me the value of this guidance.
The Mentorship Programme offers a very special training that whilst challenging and rigorous is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done.

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Location: London, UK
Email: [email protected]

Rachèl Hughes

Counselling therapist, Circle Leader, Practitioner, Private Mentor and Volunteer Coordinator

Rachel is an experienced secondary school educator with a passion for empowering students through positive psychology, and social justice education. Rachel holds a B.A in Psychology and Computer Studies and a Bachelor or Education.

Beyond her teaching career, Rachel is a multifaceted professional. As a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner and Counselling Therapist, she employs a thoughtful and empathetic approach to understanding and addressing the needs of her clients. Additionally, Rachel holds certifications as a Pharmacy Technician, Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner and Mindfulness Facilitator, demonstrating her commitment to holistic well-being and personal growth. She has sought continuous professional development by completing training in various modalities, including Reflexology and Singing Bowl Massage.

Throughout her career, Rachel has been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on society, particularly among women and children. Her extensive travels and experiences working with diverse populations have enriched her understanding of cultural differences and social dynamics.

Rachel’s professional journey is characterized by a strong dedication to compassion, empowering others, education and a lifelong commitment to personal and professional growth.

Location: Belleville, ON, Canada
Email: [email protected]

Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John

Private Mentor, Life Coach

Dr Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) is an award-winning author of 8 books, including her debut fictional memoir novel, Borrowed Body, and Detox Your Heart, Meditations for Emotional Trauma, and Eight Step Recovery Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. She is a co-founder of the secular 8-week course Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery MBAR and is one of the new leading African Descent Voices in the field of Mindfulness Approaches for Addiction. She is the current president of the international organization Buddhist Recovery Network, which promotes Mindfulness and Buddhism as a complementary approach working with addiction, craving, recovery, harm reduction and abstinence. Valerie has been working in the field of inquiry over the past 15 years, as a trainer in conflict resolution and restorative justice, and as a guide with Liberation Unleashed, and a mentor in Direct Pointing. She lives in British Columbia.

Location: Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada
Email: [email protected]

Steve Borloz

Private Mentor, Circle Leader, Yoga Teacher

Hi, I’m Steve.

My own journey of self-discovery started in 2012, however I only came across Gabor’s work in 2016 when I read his book, ‘In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts’.

His life changing approach to mental illnesses and addiction planted a seed which has only grown through the years. Thanks to this work, I’ve realised that we all encounter different copying mechanisms throughout our lives, which has helped to inform my own practice of self-discovery and helping others.

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Location: Nendaz, Switzerland

Ildiko Acs

Mental Health Practitioner

Ildi has twenty years of experience in Human Resources in the corporate world. Her unhealthy attachment to work and her commitment to understand her own destructive behaviors led her to CI, where she was looking for answers until discovering her authentic self with the support of the caring and compassionate CI community. Her biggest challenge was self-compassion and be aware of her own suffer in which the CI approach was transformational for her as CI turned her focus inward, and she was able to notice her thoughts, feelings, sensations in a non-judgmental and curious way.

She is honored and grateful to all of her clients for showing her their vulnerability and allowing her to inquire into their life stories in addition to accompanying them on their own journeys of discovery. She has the qualities to hold a safe container in a humbly way for her clients to tap into themselves and realize their current and repeating patterns in which they stuck and skillfully support them to re-pattern their established habitual grooves to embody who they really are and move towards new spaces of possibilities.

Ildi is CI Practitioner, Mentor and Circle Leader. She has completed the CI Mentorship Program, CI Internship Program, CI Mentoring Internship Program, and continues to develop her skills by being part of the CI community. She persistently broadens her knowledge in order to support others in their healing through various approaches. She has recently started her journey with Internal Family Systems.

Location: Budapest, Hungary