Hi, I’m Michelle

I am a Registered Counsellor, with about 8 years experience in supporting people in individual and group settings. 

I am very passionate about this work and spend a lot of my time expanding my knowledge of healing, therapy and social justice. Some other things that I love are the beach, flowers, pottery, travel and languages. 

I was raised on Turrbal and Yuggera land in Magan-djin (Brisbane), and currently live on Bindal and Wulgurukaba land in Townsville, with my partner and dog. 

My lived experience/positioning reflection -

(Note - positioning reflections are a form of therapeutic self-disclosure, in anti-oppressive practice)

I am a Queer woman, with English, Scottish, Irish and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. I bring wisdom and understanding to my counselling practice, from some of my lived experiences including complex trauma, neurodivergence, death of a loved one, non-monogamy, unwell mental health, burnout, and experiences of homophobia and biphobia. 

I strive towards accountability and humility in relation to my privileges, including white, cisgender, middle class, Australian citizenship, tertiary education, able-bodied, and sighted and hearing privileges. 

My approach

I see you as the expert in your own life and I hold a deep respect for your experience and values.

I draw from a number of techniques, approaches and frameworks in my work, including:

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Focusing (a somatic practice based on Eugene Gendlin’s work)

  • Trauma informed practice

  • Anti-oppressive practice

  • Solution focused Therapy

  • Grief-tending

Qualifications and Training:

Below is a list of the formal qualifications I’ve completed. I deeply value ongoing learning, reflection and growth. I have participated in approximately 150 hours of individual and group supervision and I participate in ongoing mentorship, supervision and training, as well as my own healing and self-study.

  • Masters of Narrative Therapy and Community Work - Dulwich Centre/University of Melbourne 

  • Certification in Focusing Oriented Therapy (currently undertaking) - The International Focusing Institute

  • Links into Liberating, Foundations of Anti-Oppressive Practice - Centre for Liberating Practices

  • Apprenticing to Grief - Grief tending in Community

  • Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate - The Embody Lab

  • Certificate of Attainment in Individual and Group Supervision, Clinical Counselling Centre

  • Janina Fisher Certified Clinical Trauma Professional level 2 - Pesi Australia 

  • Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology)