approach

Michelle's approach is drawn from many years of training and professional experience. During her post-graduate studies in counselling, Michelle became well-versed in Solution-Focused and Narrative approaches as well as the fundamentals of the psychodynamic approach. For the past 10 years, Michelle has studied with the Process Work Institute both locally and internationally. In addition, Michelle is influenced by her personal studies in Yoga and Mindfulness, as well as her appreciation of Taoism and Buddhism. More recently, Michelle has been training in a mindfulness based approach known as ACT (Acceptance & Committment Therapy) and uses a combination of these methods in her approach.

acceptance and committment therapy

ACT is a Mindfulness based approach that has its foundations in the traditions of Zen Buddism. ACT literally stands for Accept - Commit - Take Action. ACT is a very simple but powerful approach that teaches people to let go of unhelpful thoughts, accept difficult emotions and make choices that lead to fulfilling outcomes based on personal values. ACT strategies help us to focus on changes that we can control and accept and let go of the things in life we cannot control. Research into the effectiveness of ACT has shown some very impressive results for many common psychological problems, including Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Borderline Personality, Bipolar Disorder and others. It has alos been shown to increase self-awareness and enhance emotional intelligence (or fitness).

"While many people think mindfulness means meditation, this is not the case. Mindfulness is a mental state of openness, awareness and focus, and meditation is just one way amongst hundreds of learning to cultivate this state."  Dr Russ Harris, Author of The Happiness Trap

Michelle says: "What I love about ACT is its simplicity. Everyone gets it straight away and the techniques, when used regularly, work effectively to create lasting change. After a little while, techniques are no longer needed as people embrace a new way of relating to their life. ACT principles need to be part of every person's psychological toolkit..."

process oriented psychology

Process Oriented Psychology continues to be one of the primary influences in Michelle's approach to people and their problems. Process-Oriented Psychology, developed by Arnold Mindell is a cross-disciplinary framework which has been applied to individual psychology, group work, organiational development, relationship and family therapy, physical illness, coma-work, and extreme states including mental illness. It has philosophical roots in Taoism, Physics, Shamanism and Jungian Psychology.

Process Work trusts in the inherent wisdom of nature. It is an approach that does not seek to change, correct or adjust, instead allowing change to arise naturally from connecting to the deeper essence of the problematic situation. Everyday issues, physical symptoms and interpersonal conflicts are viewed, not as pathology or weakness, but as an attempt by the body, person or system, to experience more wholeness.

Michelle says: "The beauty in this approach is that you do not need to believe in anything but yourself and your own experience. Each one of us are already entangled in 'process' - our own unique process! The process-oriented facilitator comes with what Buddhists call 'no mind' and facilitates without judgement or agenda, the only goal is to bring more awareness to that which is happening and that which is trying to happen. Meaning, direction, goals and solutions, all arise naturally out of the person or system, which is already complete, and needs nothing from the outside."

Processwork is the art, science, and the psychology of following the nature of individuals, communities, and eco-systems. What is this nature exactly? It is the "great medicine" for most suffering--that is, the way and meaning of change as it appears in everyday reality and in dreaming, in our bodies, relationships, communities and environment. From the website of Arny and Amy Mindell

Please contact Michelle if you have questions you would like to discuss.