Michelle Chapman, NCPS

Michelle Chapman is an integrative counsellor who owns and runs Athena Counselling (www.athenacounselling.com) and brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to working with people facing emotional and life challenges. She specialises in gaming and geek therapy, blending a passion for gaming culture with therapeutic practice to create an accessible space for people who identify with geek communities. Michelle works with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, critical self-talk, imposter syndrome and other difficulties that can make day-to-day life feel overwhelming.

Clients can expect a caring, non-judgemental environment where Michelle helps explore the what and why of current struggles and supports people to find clearer ways forward. She trained over a period of around ten years, taking time between courses to gain wider life and work experience, and now focuses her professional energy on counselling. Michelle completed a counselling diploma and has continued developing her style of geek therapy, including designing workshops aimed at training other counsellors in this approach - a project she continues to refine.

She holds the NCPS credential, indicating a recognised background in counselling practice, and brings three years of direct experience in therapeutic work. Michelle provides services in English in the United Kingdom and offers a warm, collaborative approach suited to people seeking practical support and understanding.

Integrative and Geek-Informed Approaches for Online Support

Michelle uses an integrative counselling approach that draws on a range of evidence-informed techniques to suit each person's needs. This means sessions might include practical strategies for managing anxiety and depression alongside reflective work to explore patterns in relationships and self-image. Integrative work is flexible and aimed at addressing emotional challenges and life transitions.

Michelle also offers a specialised geek therapy approach that connects therapeutic ideas with gaming and geek culture. This approach helps people who identify with those communities feel understood and uses familiar interests as a way to explore identity, motivation, coping and social connection. Coaching elements are sometimes included to set goals, build skills and support practical change, useful for issues like motivation, life purpose and behaviour change.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle will work with each person to identify which techniques match their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting the focus as progress is made. Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, or through live chat and text messaging - making it easier to fit therapy around work, study and daily life while accessing registered professionals from the United Kingdom.