ABOUT ME

Rachael Gonzalez, B.A., L.M.T., R.M. SHE/HER/THEY/THEM

I am an artist, licensed bodywork therapist, reiki master, folk herbalist living and working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I lead workshops, host events, write zines, and facilitate healing services under the name ‘familiar’. I am currently on maternity leave and not currently seeing 1:1 clients, but occasionally still teaching, facilitating events, making goods, and writing when able.

EDUCATION

B.A. in painting, printmaking, spatial arts at North Park University, Chicago 2009
Cortiva Institute of Massage Therapy, Chicago 2013

Continued Education in Traditional Bodywork:

Cupping for Health and Vitality- 6 hrs, 2016
PNMT Precision Neuromuscular Therapy - Form & Function Seminar (Whole Body Balancing) 16 hrs, 2019
Gua Sha Therapy for Muscular-skeletal injuries, pain, and Internal disorders 6 hrs, 2020
Tui Na Therapy for Muscular-skeletal injuries, pain, and Internal disorders 6 hrs, 2020
Chinese Medicine Fundamentals 12 hrs, 2022
Northern Thai Bodywork 14 hrs, 2023

Continued Education In Emotional Wellness:

Calming an overactive brain, 6 hrs, 2024
Understanding and Treating Obsessive compulsive disorders, 6hrs, 2024

Continued Education in Energy Healing:

Usui Reiki III- Master Level, 6 hrs, 2019
Usui Reiki II 6 hrs, 2018
Usui Reiki I 6 hrs, 2017

Continued Education in Western Herbalism:

My herbal education began with years of self study, books and blogs, supplemented by classes and workshops with wise herbalists and wild edible plant teachers. After moving to Mexico City in 2018 and experiencing the powerful methods of folk healing, Curanderismo, there, which combine simple herbs and massage with prayer to treat a wide range of issues, I was inspired to enroll in the Herbal Academy of New England where I learned a science-based approach to plant healing in an environment that harkens back to my roots growing up in New England. The path of an herbalist is long, winding and never complete, I am constantly learning.

Introduction to Natural Perfumery with April Lea of LVNEA & Rowan+Sage, 2022
The Herbal Academy- Herbal III, Clinical herbalism self paced course, 2020
The Herbal Academy- Herbal II, Intermediate herbalism self paced course, 2019 (certified)
The Herbal Academy - Herbal I, Beginners herbalism self paced course, 2018 (certified)
Midwest Women’s Mushroom Conference and workshops, 2018
Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference and workshops, 2016
Midwest Women's Herbal Conference and workshops, 2015

Continued Education in Folk Healing:

Utiseta: Forging bonds of magical power at ritualcravt school with Erik Ohlson, 2025
Trolldom & Nordic Spirituality- 18 month training at the Urhall School of Trolldom in Sweden- with Johannes Gårdbäck 2023-2025
BESVARJELSER: spell casting in the Trolldom tradition, a 5 day workshop (40 hrs) with Johannes Gårdbäck & Missy Rhysing, 2024
Between Two Lucy’s; a journey from Sicily to Sweden (Sankta Lucia) with Mary Beth Bonfiglio & Rachel Rice, 2023
Autumntide in the Nordic tradition with Missy M. Rhysing, völva, witch & healer, 2024
Springtide in the Nordic tradition with Missy M. Rhysing, völva, witch & healer, 2024
Jul, Sankta Lucia & the winter tide with Missy M. Rhysing, völva, witch & healer, 2023
Midsummer Traditions with Missy M. Rhysing, völva, witch & healer, 2023
Sauna culture & ritual in the Nordic tradition with Missy M. Rhysing, völva, witch & healer, 2023
Tending the Hearth: folk practices and traditions of old europe for winter time 6 week course with Liz Migliorelli, 2022/23
Sap Rising: folk practices and traditions of old europe for spring time 6 week course with Liz Migliorelli, 2022
Amaro dei Morte; Ancestral amaro making and bitter roots 4 week program with Mary Beth Bonfiglio, 2021
Midsummer Rituals with Megan McGuire of Forest Whisperer, 2021
Traditional Sauna Medicine: Water, The Oldest of Ointments with Milla Prince, 2021
The Bathhouse; Sauna Traditions with Kari Tauring, 2021
The Second Jul Month; Nordic Winter Traditions with Kari Tauring, 2021
Reading the Runes with Siri Vincent Plouff, 2021
Domum: House spirits with Siri Vincent Plouff, 2021
The Star Tree: Apple Magic with Liz Migliorelli, 2020
Veil Opener: Autumnal Plant Magic with Liz Migliorelli, 2020
Julefrid: Spirituality, Trolldom, and Medicine in Swedish Christmas with Johannes Gårdbäck, 2020
Spiritwork self-paced course with Ren Zatopek of Ced Tradition, 2018