Psychologist, woman, daughter, wife and mother

Michelle holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and is registered as a Counselling Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Health & Care Professions Council (UK). Michelle is passionate about mental health. As a result she recognizes the value of working with people in a collaborative way to assist them in living more meaningful lives. Michelle’s practice focuses on therapeutic work with individuals, parents, families, children and women. You can read more about the different life challenges she works with in the therapy practice section of this site.

Michelle has been consulting as a psychologist in Somerset West for the last seventeen (17) years. While she consults with people of all ages, she has special interests in the areas of anxiety, depression, parenting and post partum depression. Michelle frequently consults with individuals who have been admitted to hospitals and clinics, as well as community groups.

Therapeutic Training

Michelle’s professional training is largely influenced by Narrative Therapy and Postmodern Philosophy. She has the privilege of training with international and local practitioners in the field. Michelle is therefore dedicated to developing her skill as a therapist to assist clients in achieving some of the goals they have set for their lives. The principals of Narrative Therapy (and ideas of postmodern philosophy) provide the opportunity to view challenges in a unique and powerful way to draw attention to resources rather than deficits. In this way new opportunities are created for making meaning of personal experiences that open up possibilities for change.

Michelle is trained in other therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).  The modality used during therapy is specific to the challenge an individual brings to therapy.

Michelle holds a Level One Registered Practitioner Accreditation in BWRT with the Terrance Watts BWRT Institute ‘BWRT®’ stands for ‘BrainWorking Recursive Therapy®’, a modern model of psychology and psychotherapy created by UK professional therapist, Terence Watts, MCGI. It uses a totally logical, practical and down-to-earth working method in which it’s not necessary for you to talk about anything you would rather not discuss – the practitioner only needs to know how you feel and how you would prefer to feel instead. BWRT® is unlike any other therapy you might have heard of or read about, using the latest discoveries in neuroscience coupled with your own unique brain processes to help you get better. Only Certified Practitioners have been trained to deliver BWRT® and all have to adhere to a strict ethical code. Find out more at http://www.bwrt.org

In addition to her work in private practice, Michelle is also involved in work at centres for special educational needs, schools and community clinics. Michelle recognizes the importance of Art, Creativity and Language in Communication and Meaning Making, and therefore encourages this form of expression in her work with people of all ages.

Michelle’s Life Lessons

In addition to practicing as a psychologist Michelle is also a woman, daughter, wife and mother. These other roles that she performs are all important to her and continue to teach her many things about life and the work that she is involved in.

“These other roles have taught me”:

• That not everything you read in books is the gospel. You need to be led by what works for you and your family, as long as it is in your child’s best interest and not harmful to others. Use what is useful and discard the rest.
• That all children are different and unique and what works for one doesn’t work for others.
• That we are all fallible beings and even though we put our best intentions forward as parents (individuals and partners), we can never be perfect, we will make mistakes (sometimes monumental ones), and learning from these is how we grow.
• That genuine interest, attention and love can overcome most of the mistakes (as long as we don’t keep making the same ones).
• That focused and meaningful attention is the best gift you can give your child.
• That sometimes you need help and that doesn’t make you a bad parent, it makes you a resourceful one.

I hope you find the information on this site useful and that it inspires your own journey towards new possibilities.