How Michelle Lam works

Michelle's Approach | About counselling and psychotherapy | Group Psychotherapy

Michelle's Approach

Michelle Lam takes a holistic approach to counselling and psychotherapy and places
great importance on the quality of the therapeutic relationship. By providing a compassionate and understanding space that encourages the client to explore, understand and fully experience the impact of their thoughts, feelings and ways
of behaving she creates an opportunity for the integration of the whole person– thoughts, feelings, body and spirit. This allows the client to feel empowered and better able to manage any difficulties they may face and ultimately experience a richer and more fulfilling life.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist Michelle is able to provide some relief and comfort by:

Listening to clients talk about their thoughts, feelings, problems or concerns.
Providing emotional and other support to clients during challenging times.
Gently assisting clients in gaining greater emotional self awareness.
Providing clients with tools to help better manage difficult situations, tackle problems or cope with life in general.
Helping clients to better understand, manage and alleviate any distressing symptoms related to:
- Depression and anxiety.
- Difficulties in relationships.
- Stress.
- Grief and loss.
- Addictions.
- Body image and sexuality.
- Emotional regulation (e.g. anger).

Depending on the specific needs of each client, Michelle Lam is able to utilise a wide
range of personality, relationship and psychotherapy theories and skills that will ultimately empower clients to have the relationships that they want and lead a more fulfilling life.

About counselling and psychotherapy

Today’s society places a high value on success which is often measured by the amount of “doing”, “achieving” and “having”. This competitive and frenetic way of life naturally increases the levels of stress and anxiety experienced by individuals regardless of age, education, socioeconomic or cultural background and often leads to feelings of inadequacy, being overwhelmed and consequently low self esteem.

While a certain amount of stress and anxiety is inherent in every day living, excessive amounts for prolonged periods may lead to patterns of thinking and behaviour that erode an individual’s sense of self worth, interfere with their ability to make decisions and function on a day to day basis as well as reducing the overall quality of their life.

Common manifestations or symptoms of being unable to effectively manage the unpredictability of life are;

feelings of depression,
debilitating levels of stress and anxiety,
unsatisfying or increased difficulties in relationships,
addictions to work, drugs, alcohol, gambling, selective or excessive eating and other behaviours, and
feelings of grief which may arise from (for example) the physical loss of a loved one, the loss of employment and financial security, a key relationship or lifestyle.

If you are feeling unsettled or concerned about how you are or have been responding to events that have been happening in your life, it is often helpful to talk to someone apart from your partner, family, or friends. Being able to bounce ideas and thoughts off someone who is supportive, objective and interested in your experiences can help you improve how you feel about yourself and open up new options and choices in your life.

What is group psychotherapy?

Interpersonal group psychotherapy offers many unique and important benefits for clients and some of these benefits are quite distinct from individual psychotherapy. Group psychotherapy can be seen as an "applications" phase of psychotherapy. While the sense of self is strengthened and dysfunctional relationship patterns are identified in individual therapy. Group therapy offers clients the opportunity to adopt more constructive and effective ways of behaving to improve the quality of their relationships.

Group therapy is ideally suited to people who are struggling with relationship issues like intimacy, trust and self-esteem. Group interactions help each member to identify, get feedback, and change the patterns that are sabotaging their relationships.

To facilitate the process of change, it is preferable for members to commit to coming to group for at least 6-8 weeks. As a group member you will not be required to talk, or reveal intimate issues when you do not want to. However, the more you can participate, be open and talk about yourself, your feelings and thoughts - the more you can gain from this experience.