My Back Story, Personal

My journey into holistic treatments started well before I was old enough to remember.  My grandfather was a doctor of allopathic medicine, an Acupuncturist and Homeopath, and my mother taught yoga for many years. As a young adult I embarked on a career which led me to long stressful hours, of commuting and initiating change within the corporate IT world. Like many of my generation I became ensconced in a professional world that was led by greed and materialism.  Alarm bells began to ring.  I took an opportunity which to this day I do not regret.  After a number of years travelling the corners of the globe I began my journey to become the therapist that I am today.

My Back Story, as a Therapist

Over the past 16 years of private practice I have worked with clients as a Therapeutic Massage Therapist, a Reiki Master, a Health Kinesiologist and a Counsellor. My transition from studying and then providing treatments from each form of therapy has evolved over the years. Through my own self development and working with clients I have witnessed how our mind and body are connected. We experience life cognitively, some of which we process, but often we are left holding residual unprocessed emotions (feelings) in our body. These unprocessed emotions can build up, resulting in physical discomfort and ailments, challenging our mental wellbeing.

My Philosophy 

The varying environments that I have worked in, such as the NHS, charities and in private practice has helped me gain a wealth of experience. With continuous academic and personal self-development my personal philosophy is underpinned by an existential outlook; I am born to survive, given the right conditions I have a natural ability to heal on all levels; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I trust in the belief that there is purpose in all I experience. I have adopted a phenomenological outlook which guides me intuitively to trust that I am where I am meant to be, right here, right now. Interwoven amongst this is my understanding that I am my choices and am accountable for the decisions I make and live by.  My self-development is an evolving, never-ending process and my lived experiences inform me in relationship with myself and others. 

How I work
I work with individual adults.

I treat each person as a unique being, whose needs will vary from one treatment to the next. I work by the principle that you know yourself best and therefore you will choose the treatment that best suits your needs, allowing you complete autonomy on your journey of healing and self discovery.

Counselling: I offer weekly 50 minute sessions, either face to face or via Zoom, at the same time each week. I work with clients short (min 6 weeks) or long term. In person sessions are held at Surrey Holistic in Godalming, Surrey. I trained as an integrative counsellor, meaning that I draw upon different psychological approaches, such as Psychodynamic, Gestalt and Humanistic.  I believe that a strong relationship is fundamental to the work of therapy and recognise that finding the right therapist for your needs can be a challenging process. 

Therapeutic Massage: I offer 60 and 90 minute, ad-hoc treatments in person at Surrey Holistic, in Godalming. 

Reiki: I offer 60 and 90 minute treatments, ad-hoc sessions in person at Surrey Holistic, in Godalming. 

For further information about the treatments please go to the 'Therapies' tab.

I am a full member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), The Reiki Association and registered with the Federation of Holistic Therapists.  I abide by their codes of practice and ethical professional conduct.  I am supervised, attend personal therapy and frequent continuing professional development courses.  I am insured and fully qualified as a professional therapist in all the treatments that I provide.

GET IN TOUCH

Michele Atkin

 07791 438186

micheleatkintherapies@gmail.com

"I feel that Michele is 100% always with me, there for me in the sessions.  Everything is made to feel ok. She is doing great work"

"I felt calm and relaxed and in a safe place.  I now have a sense of calm and insight into how my body is feeling"