We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Shlafman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

Clients often enter into therapy for support around finding themselves again. They have experienced trauma or hardships that redefine the person they feel they once knew. In specific, I once worked with a client who had a hard time releasing their old traumas and integrating them into their current sense of self. While I never give advice, I do hold space for individuals to process their own experience of support and direction. In particular, this client connected to their innate wisdom which helped them remember who they once were and who they are now since they’ve grown and developed over time. The simplest piece of awareness was noted in this session, which acknowledged the fact that they didn’t have to feel comfortable with where they were, but they could still find meaning in their life despite feeling misalignment in their journey. The freedom to accept discomfort with a compassionate presence helped them forge their way to a more fulfilled way of being.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For most of my life, I have been interested in helping people make meaning from their experiences. From a young age, I always tried to give others support and encouragement, especially if they were going through a difficult time. I never knew I would wind up in the mental health field, but I should have had a clue since both my mother and father were therapists (which is how they met). I originally majored in piano performance, then switched to biology, later integrative health sciences, and finally psychology. Inevitably I went to obtain my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and am now pursuing my doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision.

I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia, specializing in holistic psychotherapy. I have worked in the field for over a decade and utilize evidence-based practices with Eastern philosophies such as energy medicine or mindfulness-based modalities. I find the blend of both Eastern and Western allows fusion of the mind+body+soul for an enhanced healing process.

I enjoy supporting individuals who are professional actors, musicians, artists, and entertainers. I also love supporting individuals who have experienced break-ups and are en route of trying to find themselves again, those who experience anxiety related to chronic illness or chronic pain overwhelming stress, creative blocks, life transitions, spiritual crisis, trauma, and LGBTQIA+ community.

I facilitate therapeutic interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Buddhist Psychology, Brainspotting, Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping), IFS, ACT, and TIR.

I always tailor my services to each client. I help them move toward their goal’s and never give advice to individuals, but rather guide clients to their own answers, as I believe everyone has all the wisdom inside them to make choices and decisions based on their inner guidance.

I have a huge passion for health and wellness – I honor the strong connection between body and mental wellness. I enjoy teaching mindfulness and meditation workshops in the community, creating YouTube videos/Social media, and recording meditation scripts on Insight Timer.

I truly believe that we are all worthy and deserving of living a life that brings us joy, health, & a sense of loving purpose.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Succeeding as a therapist involves personal characteristics and soul that many other jobs don’t require. Therapeutic work involves compassion, unconditional positive regard, kindness, impeccable listening skills, and the ability to be present with a client from beginning to end. Being a therapist involves holding supportive boundaries for you and the client, processing your unresolved feelings, and self-care. Being a therapist requires continuous consultation with peers and supervisors, continuing education, and enhanced responsibility to follow updated ethical guidelines. Lastly, being a therapist takes effort, time, and passion, as your main job is to care for other people’s mental health needs and your own.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would choose this profession over and over again. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else, as I genuinely enjoy supporting others in finding happiness and well-being in their life. If I could have done anything differently, I may have gone back to school to add chiropractic care, because the integration of the body and mind for complete healing purposes is a fully enhanced practice. Perhaps in another lifetime, I can combine them both.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michelleshlafman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleshlafman/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shellyshlafman
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sayers-shlafman-28315827
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-ZUDoursIbB9oIp1AQuiw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@holistic.therapist?lang=en