Sascha Michel

Certified Shadow Work® Group facilitator and 1 to 1 coach

I am foremost a father. I am also a facilitator, mentor, and business owner with 20 years dedicated to my own personal development and many years of experience in transformational seminars, shadow work, process work, group work, coaching, yoga, health, and wellness.

My passion for effecting change led me to deepen my knowledge in a work setting, exploring culture change, psychometrics, and team development, ultimately achieving a Master's degree with Distinction in Organisational Change and Strategy in 2011. Personally, my journey to facilitating shadow work began 12 years ago, discovering group work, men's work, and shadow work through the Mankind Project.

This led me to the source of the work and training with John and Nikola Kurk, which has involved not only deepening my skills and experience around facilitating Shadow Work but also provided numerous opportunities to personally engage with the work by facing my own shadows, coming to terms with my past, releasing pain, and living more wholeheartedly.

Shadow Work® certification

I have been certified by John and Nicola Kurk, who brought Shadow Work to the UK in 1993. The original source of the work originated from the U.S, led by Cliff Barry, see origins of Shadow Work. My group Mentor is John Kurk and my coaching mentor is Gautier Hankenne.

To become a certified Shadow Work® coach or facilitator, one must follow specific training and certification paths. This includes a series of comprehensive training sessions and a mentoring process.

The Shadow Work Certification Path (500+ hours)

Shadow Work® is a U.S registered trademark and only certified

Basic Facilitator Training (BFT)

This course provides foundational Shadow Work facilitation skills using the Four-Quarter Model. It is an experiential training focusing on practical skills in diverse scenarios.

Advanced Facilitator Training (AFT)

Building upon the BFT, this intensive course deepens understanding of human wounds and behaviours. It teaches advanced facilitation techniques.

Leader Training (LT)

Tailored for those aspiring to lead Shadow Work groups, this training focuses on skill development for creating a safe and trusting group environment and effectively running a Shadow Work seminar. It also enhances understanding of the emotional dynamics in Shadow Work processes.

Coaching Training (CT)

Essential for individual coaching, this training focuses on creating a safe space for clients and adapting group techniques for one-on-one sessions. It includes working online, client screening, and exploring creative coaching techniques. Prerequisites for CT include completing the BFT, AFT, and enrollment in or completion of the Shame Lifters Online Training.

The Certification Process

Achieving certification as a Shadow Work® coach or facilitator requires completing the necessary training courses, followed by an extensive period of practice groups and mentoring exceeding 500 hours. For group facilitators, this includes co-leading a full Shadow Work® seminar while being observed by a mentor. Coaches, in addition to the above, must demonstrate proficiency in all Shadow Work tools and maintain a shame-free, safe environment for participants. Mentors oversee this process to ensure all required standards are met.

Ongoing Development and Recertification

Certified Shadow Work® coaches and group facilitators are required to renew their certification every two years.

This is done by attending a five-day retreat held in Europe, where facilitators are witnessed in their facilitation skills as well as stepping in as a participant and doing their own individual shadow work process. This maintains the highest level of integrity, ensures facilitators stay updated with the latest techniques and uphold highest standards of practice.

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