Michelle Chapman , NCPS

Michelle Chapman (she/her) is an integrative counsellor and the owner of Athena Counselling based in the United Kingdom. She blends a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques into a personalised approach and has developed a specialism in gaming and geek therapy to better meet the needs of clients who identify with gaming and geek culture.

Michelle offers a warm, down-to-earth, non-judgemental space where people can explore issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, critical self-talk, imposter syndrome and other life challenges. Her practice focuses on helping clients make sense of what is happening for them now and understanding the factors that contribute to their difficulties.

She trained intermittently for about ten years, combining study with other work experience, and now concentrates on counselling as her main professional focus. Michelle has three years of professional experience and continues to develop her approach, including workshops aimed at training other counsellors in aspects of geek-informed practice. She holds NCPS, a professional counselling credential, and works in English with clients in the United Kingdom.

Integrative and Geek-Informed Online Therapy

Michelle Chapman offers an integrative approach that draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques, combining methods to suit each person's needs rather than relying on a single model. This flexible way of working allows her to address issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and relationship difficulties by selecting tools that match the presenting problem and the client's preferences.

Alongside integrative work, she specialises in gaming and geek-informed therapy, which uses a client’s interests in gaming and geek culture as a meaningful frame for exploration and connection. This approach can help make therapy more relatable and accessible for people who find cultural references and play-based metaphors useful in understanding themselves.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process and Michelle works collaboratively with each client to determine what fits best based on their goals, needs and preferences. Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling, ease of access from different locations within the United Kingdom and multiple ways to engage with therapy that suit different communication styles.