Michelle Collier

A conversation with Michelle Collier

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  My path to counselling began with my own curiosity about human behaviour, shaped largely by my complex relationship with my mother. From a young age, I was drawn to understanding why people act the way they do, how relationships shape us, and why we sometimes repeat painful patterns despite wanting something different.
  
  Later, working in high-pressure environments led me to burnout and a search for balance. Through yoga, I discovered the power of mindfulness, presence, and self-compassion—tools that transformed my own life and deepened my understanding of emotional well-being. This journey reinforced my belief in our capacity for healing and change, sparking a passion for helping others make sense of their own experiences.
  
  Counselling allows me to explore the very questions that have always fascinated me—how we become who we are, how pain can be a catalyst for growth, and how we can reshape our narratives to create lives that feel more aligned and meaningful. And most importantly, I love passing on this understanding to my clients, helping them uncover their own strength, resilience, and ability to heal.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My professional development has been influenced by person-centred and strengths-based philosophies, which emphasise empathy, self-determination, and the belief that people have the capacity for growth. Narrative Therapy has shaped my approach by highlighting the power of personal stories, while Positive Psychology reinforces the importance of resilience and meaning in healing.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am deeply interested in how early relationships shape who we become, how we can get stuck in developmental stages, and how those patterns impact us as adults. I am also fascinated by the human capacity for both love and loss - how we can have painful, even toxic relationships with those we care about most, yet still be capable of healing, growth, and transformation. My work focuses on helping clients make sense of their experiences, break free from limiting patterns, and use even the most painful moments as a foundation for personal growth.

• What methods do you use?

  My approach is client-led, meaning the methods I use depend on the individual's needs. I incorporate reflective questioning to help clients explore their experiences, cognitive reframing to shift unhelpful thought patterns, and mindfulness techniques to enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation. I also use narrative exploration to help clients reframe their personal stories and strengths-based techniques to identify and build on existing resilience. Sessions may include practical strategies such as goal-setting, problem-solving, or grounding exercises to support clients in creating meaningful change.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Progress in counselling is deeply personal and varies for each client. While some may feel a shift early on, others, especially those working through grief or long-term challenges, may take more time. As a client-led practitioner, I believe in open, collaborative communication. I regularly check in with clients, encouraging honest conversations about how they feel the sessions are progressing. I also use feedback forms to help track their journey, ensuring sessions remain aligned with their evolving needs.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has been a lifesaver—literally. Coming from a complex and traumatic upbringing filled with loss and family conflict, I had so much to process. Through my own counselling journey, I experienced the power of empathy, compassion, and a truly safe space. Being able to express my deepest sadness and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment allowed me to access my strengths and innate resources to move forward.
  
  Therapy helped me evolve, embrace my inner resilience, and find meaning in my life again. It reinforced my belief in healing, growth, and the importance of feeling truly heard. It also continues to invite me to reflect on my own challenges, perspectives, and behaviours—not only as a means of self-awareness but as an ongoing opportunity for growth.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I love most about being a therapist is being a support person for those who may not have that safe space elsewhere. I find deep fulfilment in validating my clients' experiences, normalising their emotions, and helping them process pain in a way that allows healing to unfold. There is something truly special about witnessing those profound ‘aha’ moments; where a shift happens, a new perspective emerges, or a sense of clarity is found. Seeing someone reconnect with their inner strength and realise they are capable of growth and change is incredibly rewarding. It’s these moments that remind me why I do this work.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Absolutely! Some days, I think to myself, ‘What the hell am I doing? I’m in crisis, and I’m helping others in crisis.’ But that’s the beauty of being human ... our emotions ebb and flow. I have tough days, just like anyone else. If anything, experiencing my own struggles helps me relate to my clients on a deeper level. It reminds me that we are all navigating life’s challenges, and that healing isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about showing up, processing, and growing along the way.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Where do I start!? The world is facing so many challenges, but at the heart of it, I believe the most significant problem we face is disconnection ... disconnection from ourselves, from each other, and from the natural world. We are more 'connected' than ever through technology, yet loneliness, isolation, and misunderstanding are everywhere.
  
  People are struggling with unresolved trauma, cycles of pain, and societal pressures that tell them to suppress rather than process. Instead of fostering deeper connection, we often turn to distractions, avoidance, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. If we could truly see and hear one another, without judgment, without fear - I believe so much healing could begin.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  The book that has had the greatest impact on me is Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It was truly life-changing. This book helped me process and move forward with the understanding of being parented by the ‘unmothered mother’ archetype.
  
  Through its stories and wisdom, I came to see my mother in a different light—not just as my mother, but as a woman shaped by her own unhealed traumas, passed down through generations. She loved me through the lens of her own pain. This realisation created a profound shift in me and how I understood her mothering style. I was able to forgive her, in a sense, through that understanding.
  
  As a mother myself, it gave me the awareness and motivation to break that cycle—to heal my own wounds so my daughter wouldn’t have to carry them forward. This book remains a guide for me, one I return to time and time again to reinforce this understanding and remind myself of the power of generational healing.