Michelle Chapman, NCPS

Michelle Chapman, NCPS, leads Athena Counselling and offers a straightforward, compassionate approach. She is a counsellor who aims to make sense of what feels overwhelming. Michelle uses everyday language and a down-to-earth manner to help people talk through anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and similar concerns.

She trained intermittently over about ten years, gaining experience in several workplaces before making counselling her main focus. That varied background informs a practical way of working. Michelle blends general counselling with interests in gaming and geek culture to create an approachable therapeutic style.

Sessions are intended to be non-judgemental and collaborative. Michelle listens for the what and why of current problems and then helps people find steps they can try between meetings. She also runs or develops workshops linked to her approach and to training other counsellors in elements of that work.

Michelle has three years of professional experience recorded and holds the NCPS credential. She works with a range of issues including stress, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, eating concerns, anger and coping with major life changes.

Additional focus areas include attachment issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, body image, caregiver stress, loneliness and jealousy. Sessions are offered in English and Michelle practises from the United Kingdom. Before booking, readers should confirm current session options and formats directly.

Therapeutic approaches and how they translate online

Michelle works from an integrative foundation, combining practical counselling techniques with elements drawn from interests such as gaming and geek culture to make sessions feel relatable. This kind of approach focuses on everyday problems, helps identify unhelpful thinking or behaviours, and supports small changes that build over time.

She also draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on understanding emotions and patterns in relationships. These methods aim to help people manage anxiety, improve self-esteem and address issues such as trauma, grief or intimacy-related difficulties by practising new ways of coping and relating.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Michelle will work with each person to agree on what feels most helpful based on their goals and preferences. This may involve trying an approach for a few sessions and adjusting it as needs change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the exact session options before booking. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into a busy life, makes it easier to attend from different locations and allows for shorter check-ins when needed. Discussing practical arrangements and the preferred way of meeting will be part of the first steps so sessions can be arranged to suit everyday commitments.