“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change".
-Carl Rogers
A holistic approach…
Hello, my name is Michaela, a.k.a. The Women’s Therapist. Thinking of starting therapy can be a daunting experience. I provide a safe, relaxed and supportive space in which to explore whatever you wish, at your own pace.
As an integrative counsellor I can draw from a number of modalities and theories to best support you. My approach brings in the lens of your nervous system, as…
“If you could think your way out of this, you would have done so already” - Deb Dana
So often we can feel stuck in survival mode or on auto-pilot and disconnected from our true selves. The notion of ‘you need to feel it to heal it’ informs my practice, and I encourage clients to raise self-awareness and self-acceptance, as only then change is possible.
I work exclusively with those who identify as women, in particular mums. Do you feel unheard, overwhelmed, a loss of self or confidence, stuck in unhelpful coping mechanisms or patterns? Do you feel like your worth is tied to pleasing others, or how useful or perfect you can be? Do you feel like your past is impacting on your present? Is your inner critic running the show?
I am not a therapist who is just going to sit there and nod. Whilst I will be alongside you as you decide where we go, where I feel it could be of benefit I incorporate simple psychoeducation and regulating tools into my practice as I believe knowledge is power. It’s my aim to empower you as I know you have the answers you need within you, even if they’re hard to hear right now. I will encourage you to tune into your intuition that may have been silenced or lost touch with.
I offer a free, no obligation 20 minute online consultation for us to meet and better understand your needs. You may then wish to have a few sessions to see if I’m the right fit for you and your therapy goals. I work with clients weekly or fortnightly, from 6 sessions to several years…and you are always in the driving seat!
I regularly work with…
Anxiety
Depression
Stress + burnout
Perinatal mental health
Birth trauma
Perfectionism
People pleasing
Mother-daughter relationship
Low self-esteem + confidence
Loss of identity + purpose
Anxiety
Fertility + pregnancy
Miscarriage, stillbirth + baby loss
Bereavement
Anticipatory + ambiguous loss
Developmental (childhood) trauma
Adult adoptees
Perimenopause + menopause
Life transitions
If you are currently in a domestic abuse setting I recommend that you reach out to specialist organisations during this time as they are in a better position to be able to offer you the wide ranging support available to you as you take this brave step forward - please see signposting.
Counselling is…
…a safe and confidential space, where I will listen without judgement.
By exploring your thoughts, feelings and options you will gain better understanding of yourself, new perspectives, develop strategies to better cope or work towards goals, and be able to make informed decisions that are more in line with your authentic self!
Counsellors do not give advice, I believe that you have the answers within you and only you are positioned to know what’s best for you. Instead, I will support you in finding these.
Counselling can be helpful if you feel unable to share difficult feelings or strong emotions with loved ones, either through fear of upsetting them or their attempts, through the best intentions, to ‘fix’ things for you. Sometimes you need the space to be heard and find your own solutions, however long that takes. I will meet you where you are at, not trying to change you or your situation, and offer the distance and perspective you may be needing.
Growth is not linear and there is no growth without discomfort - to get the most out of therapy you will have to face things and feelings that you may have for whatever reason had to suppress or ignore. I will ensure that you do this in a way that is safe and as comfortable as possible. Being trauma-informed means that I understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and how to work safely with this. Most clients are relieved to hear that you do not need to tell me what happened to you to be able to work through it.
“Imagine me as your passenger in a car - you are in the driving seat deciding where we go and at what pace, yet I am with you the whole way and have a roadmap I can draw upon whenever you need assistance.”
Availability…
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-5pm
Self-help for mums…
As a therapist specialising in women, I see time and again mothers trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, not feeling good enough, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and experiencing rage, guilt, or loss of self.
So, I built Raising Mum™, a growing online community for honest conversations about motherhood @mentalwellbeinginmotherhood, and affordable, accessible, and straight to the point self-help for mums, through mini courses and workshops, there when you need it.