Ann Bayly-Bruneel | Transformational Leading | Healing Advocate | Championing Radical Compassion | Embodied Trauma Healing Justice
Meet Ann Bayly-Bruneel, a groundbreaking psychotherapist from London, Canada whose work embodies radical inclusion, transformative care, and embodied trauma healing. With over two decades of experience, Ann masterfully integrates Somatic Experiencing, Expressive Arts, and anti-oppressive frameworks to guide individuals toward liberation and authentic self-expression. Her unwavering commitment to fostering connection, compassion, and healing justice has made her a beacon of hope for clients and collaborators worldwide.
From a playful childhood in tune with nature to a career grounded in radical compassion, Ann’s life and journey in psychotherapy and transformational leading is a testament to the power of embodiment and authentic healing. Guided by a deep sense of interconnection, Ann’s practice fosters a culture of deep listening, empathy, and transformation. Here’s the story of how she arrived at the heart of healing.
Early Education: Cultivating a Lifelong Connection to Nature and Creativity
Ann’s formative years were shaped by a profound connection to the natural world. Growing up she witnessed and experienced inspiration from nature. She recalled building makeshift boats from styrofoam and paper with her siblings, and allowing them to float in the water, leading their own pathway forward. This early, unstructured play was more than just a pastime, it was a formative experience of holding space which would later inform her approach to therapy. Ann recalls,
“It is through a practice of holding space and deep listening that I learned to notice the path inside the jagged lines of hearts that are broken open.”
Her early life was steeped in curiosity and a deep sensitivity to the world around her, experiences that would stay with her as she navigated the intersections of her personal and professional life. She came to understand how the harmony of light and dark, joy and grief and the capacity to hold paradox, plays a crucial role in shaping one’s journey. Ann’s immersion in both nature and the arts set the stage for her later career, where she would combine these elements in her therapeutic work.
The Beginning of Her Professional Journey: From Exploration to Purpose
Ann’s journey into therapy began after she recognized her passion for our inward journey and supporting herself and others to navigate emotional nuance and complexity. Her academic path laid the foundation for this calling, as she studied to become a registered psychotherapist, art therapist, and somatic experiencing practitioner (SEP). It wasn’t long before Ann saw the profound impact that trauma has on the body and mind, shaping the way we as humans interact with ourselves and the world around us.
Early in her career, Ann was drawn to the power of non-verbal, somatic, and creative forms of expression. She recognized that traditional talk therapies often failed to address the deep-rooted pain carried in the body and nervous system. She reflects;
“Following an instinctive and creative path allows us to observe a vaster landscape than the one that is read in books or provided by our educational or institutional frameworks.”
Ann’s first roles exposed her to the complexity of human suffering, whether in hospital settings, private practices, or community spaces. Through these experiences, she saw how intersectional trauma and the impacts of systemic oppression manifest in the body-mind – impacting one’s ability and capacity to fully engage in life. She was inspired to find a way to assist our shared humanity, supporting people to reconnect to their authentic selves, navigating the depths of pain with radical compassion, self-awareness, and self-agency.
The Heart of the Work: Radical Healing and Transformative Care
Over the years, Ann’s approach evolved into a deeply integrated practice that blends various modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, IFS, NARM, NAT, EMDR, Reiki, and Expressive Arts. Ann developed a trauma-responsive, relationally attuned, and anti-oppressive framework. Co-creating a space where people can reconnect with their core essence and move through their trauma with embodied resilience. At the heart of Ann’s practice is the belief in radical compassion and the deep wisdom of the body. She states,
“The beauty of supporting nervous-system healing is that in the beginning there is separation, division and patterns of bracing that protect, guard and inhibit connection, love, and radical BElonging, with optimum conditions of support there is a gentle unfolding of compassion, care and solidarity”
Her work goes beyond traditional psychotherapy to co-create a safe environment where collaborators can soften, open, and rediscover their true selves. Ann recognizes that true healing is not just about emotional regulation but about diving deep into the shared human experience. She emphasizes that trauma doesn’t only live in the mind; it lives in the body and our nervous system. As such, healing requires attention to the physical, emotional, and spiritual, with a focus on restoring harmony, ease, and flow. She explains,
“Some of us may be like the boats who stay close to the riverbanks nestled in comfort and following a narrower path. Others may be entangled in weeds and roots that were there long before we ever arrived.”
A Vision of Collective Healing: Advocacy for Social Justice and Liberation
Ann’s work isn’t just about individual healing; it’s about collective transformation, compassionate solidarity, and embodied collaboration. Her dedication to social justice and healing extends to challenging the systems of oppression that impact both individuals and communities. She believes that liberation is interconnected, with personal healing leading to broader societal change. As she so poignantly shares,
“Being aligned with source and feeling oneness in ourselves and with each other, connects us to a deep truth that we have known all along. We are the co-creators of our experience.”
Ann is also deeply committed to decolonized and anti-racist practices. She works to dismantle oppressive systems that limit human potential, advocating for a world that fosters connection, belonging, and radical self-expression. She has cultivated a healing practice that not only helps people overcome personal trauma but also contributes to the collective well-being of communities by fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration.
A Legacy of Love and Compassion
Throughout her career, Ann has mentored fellow therapists, led transformative workshops, and collaborated with others in the healing arts to co-create spaces of collective care. Her dedication to this work is reflected in the recognition she has received, including the CREA Global Award for her contributions to psychotherapy and transformational leading/coaching.
AWAKENING
Ann’s work has touched the lives of many, and she continues to inspire with her unwavering commitment to healing justice, connection, collective growth, and community care. Through her practice, she seeks to ensure that no one is left behind. Her vision for a co-created evolving world is one where healing, connection, and compassionate solidarity are at the forefront. As she states;
“I am deeply grateful for understanding the intersections of love and rage and how the embodiment of both allows for an ever-expanding and resonant grounded and emergent sense of hope and coherence.”
As she continues her journey, Ann remains focused on her mission: to co-create a world where healing, liberation, and compassion flow freely, leaving no one behind.
The Nectar of Wisdom from Ann Bayly-Bruneel’s Journey
- Healing Begins with Presence: “Holding space and deep listening reveal paths within jagged lines of broken hearts.”
- The Body Holds the Key: “Trauma lives in the body and nervous system; healing requires an embodied, holistic approach.”
- Radical Compassion as a Catalyst: “Connection, love, and radical belonging emerge when we soften the patterns of bracing.”
- Interconnection and Liberation: “We are co-creators of our experience, aligned with the oneness of ourselves and others.”
- Play as a Path to Growth: “The creative and instinctive paths help us see beyond institutional frameworks to vaster landscapes.”
Connect with Ann
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-bayly-bruneel-rp-sep-rcat-she-her-1b559764/
Email: heartsightpsychotherapy@gmail.com
Website: https://directory.traumahealing.org/?source=memgro
Editorial Note
Ann Bayly-Bruneel’s journey is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and authentic connection. Her unwavering dedication to healing and justice inspires profound transformation in those she touches. Ann’s visionary approach, blending wisdom and creativity, makes her a beacon of hope and change. She exemplifies what it means to lead with heart and purpose, leaving an indelible impact on the world.
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