Michelle Chapman , NCPS

Michelle Chapman (she/her) is the owner and manager of Athena Counselling (www.athenacounselling.com) and practices as an integrative counsellor who has developed a special interest in gaming and geek-informed therapy. She creates a caring, down-to-earth, non-judgemental space where people can explore the whats and whys of their current difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, critical self-talk and imposter syndrome.

Michelle trained on and off for about ten years, taking breaks between courses to gain experience in different areas before making counselling her main professional focus. After completing her diploma she began developing a distinct approach often referred to as geek therapy, and she has been working on workshops to share that approach with other counsellors - a work in progress that grows with each new cohort.

She holds the NCPS credential, which is a professional counselling qualification, and brings an integrative, client-centred attitude to her practice. Michelle aims to blend evidence-informed techniques with the interests and culture of each person she works with, tailoring sessions to individual needs and preferences while maintaining a supportive therapeutic relationship.

Integrative and Geek-Informed Approaches for Online Therapy

Michelle uses an integrative approach that draws on a range of evidence-informed techniques to suit each person's needs. This means combining practical strategies with reflective exploration so clients learn skills for managing symptoms while also addressing underlying patterns that contribute to distress. The focus is on tools and conversations that help with issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem and coping with life changes.

Michelle also develops geek-informed therapy that incorporates gaming and related cultural interests to make work in therapy more engaging and relevant for people who identify with those communities. This approach adapts therapeutic ideas to the language and experiences of gamers and geek culture, helping clients connect with interventions in a way that feels meaningful to them.

Finding the right therapeutic method is a collaborative process. Michelle works with clients and with licensed professionals as needed to identify what fits best based on goals, preferences and the presenting difficulties. Online therapy - via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging - offers practical flexibility and accessibility, allowing sessions to fit around busy schedules and to continue progress from different locations.