M.J. Bellas has a Master in Theological Studies from the University of Divinity, focusing on trauma and grief. He made a proposal for change on ABC Radio "Life Matters" and has published three books: It's O.K. to Grieve for Yourself (2014), The Grieving Revolution (2015)and Jesus, a True Trauma Expert (2024). 

In 2021, Michael (aka Vincent Tivoli for his fiction work) wrote and made a rock film called Have You Seen a Pigeon Fly about world trauma, which was the Narrative Feature Award Winner for the Madrid International Short Film Festival. In 2021, he wrote 6 articles for a British psychological journal.                                                                                                                      He has a Bachelor in Writing and Publishing and wrote and performed an audio rock story called Zerubbabel Bo and the Day the World Stopped Crying; made a music album called What's Psychosis Mummy?; and produced a rock video called I Saw Zerubbabel Bo.

He began his welfare and writing careers in Australia, with a diploma in Residential Care consisting of practicums in Koinonia Drug Rehabilitation, St Nicholas Nursing Home, and West End Community Development Groups. He has worked with troubled and homeless youth for 12 years and at the Alfred Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital with patients as a Pastoral Care Practitioner for 5 years, completing Clinical Pastoral Education Level 1.