About Hope Haven Counselling
Hope Haven Counselling provides compassionate counselling and therapy services for adults aged 18 and over.
We offer a supportive, warm, and welcoming space to explore life’s challenges, find a way through them, develop new tools to move forward, and feel genuinely understood. The name reflects the values at the heart of the practice. It’s about creating real human connection and a space where people can feel genuinely supported as they navigate life's difficulties, challenges, curveballs, side quests and unexpected detours.
Meet Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle, the counsellor behind Hope Haven Counselling, based in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria.
My counselling journey began with a lifelong desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. With over 35 years of experience helping people find their way through anxiety, neurodiversity, post-traumatic stress, grief, loss, and life's many challenges, I have seen that every person and their journey is unique.
I take the time to understand you, your experiences, strengths, and needs and gently come alongside with a tailored and personalised approach. I understand that life and experiences can be multi-layered and, at times, overwhelming. I'm here to help.
When not in session, you may find me outside enjoying nature, hanging out with my dog, relaxing with friends, exploring art, or incorporating informal mindfulness into my everyday life.
A Therapeutic Approach
The therapeutic relationship, also known as the therapeutic alliance, is foundational to effective therapy and good client outcomes. I offer a relational approach with a warm, gentle and supportive style, integrating evidence-based therapeutic modalities tailored to you.
These may include:
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Person-Centred Therapy -- supporting you in being the expert of your life
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy -- helping you take action, even when there are challenges
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy -- reframing negative thought patterns and building healthier coping mechanisms
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Narrative Therapy -- helping you re-story your life
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Solution-Focused Therapy -- finding practical solutions
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Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal Theory -- helping your nervous system recover from fight, flight, fawn or freeze
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Mindfulness -- helping you regulate, ground, and be present in the here and now
