Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shlafman.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From the time I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the lives of others, how their minds worked, and ways in which they found joy. I had always been a friend to those who had experienced troubles. I learned to appreciate and see the beauty in those who may have struggled to see it within themselves. I was heavily involved with working with the ESE population at my high school, and teaching others how to advocate and empower themselves when they may have not learned how to, elsewhere. I saw how important and special people were in their own unique way, no matter what others thought of them or how they thought of themselves.
Upon entering college, I originally decided to Major in Piano Performance at Stetson University, in Deland, Florida. After some time and deliberation, I decided to switch my major to Psychology and Minor in Piano Performance with a full scholarship. After completion of my Bachelor’s degree, I attended Stetson University once again, to complete my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. One thing I will always remember, were the words of my respected professor, “If you think being a therapist is about giving advice, you are incorrect… being a therapist is about guiding others to their own answers and their own strengths”. Therapy is not about giving advice, as this could hinder the individual’s ability to think for themselves. Therapy is about empowering the individual’s voice to come up with their own answers and internal strengths moving forward, so they can arrive at their chosen path, intentionally created by their thoughts and intuition.
My decision to become a Psychotherapist has been a passion of mine for years and years. I have learned through having the honor of hearing people share their most personal moments, their most vulnerable thoughts, and deepest secrets, that my work is that of which is beyond sacred. I strive to hold space for others to feel safe, to feel loved, to feel heard, and to feel nourished by their own inner words and emotions. I view my profession as a gift, to help gracefully guide each individual who I see, with unconditional love and nonjudgmental presence.
It is my journey in this lifetime, to continue my work as a therapist, to learn more things I can teach and share with others for their own healing process, and to always maintain a beginners mind.
In addition to my professional lifestyle, I enjoy quality time with my family, drawing mandalas, creating magical things, exercise, playing piano, listening to music, taking hip hop and yoga classes, and spending time admiring natures beauty.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
An interesting part of life, are the waves in which we weave in and out of, holding different identities for ourselves. It can be an uncomfortable process to release old parts of ourselves that no longer serve us or our new story moving forward. I believe we all walk through this transformational time at some point in our lives, and navigating how to glide through it with ease and grace, can be a supportive and grounding force during moments of change and transcendence.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Psychotherapist at Perspectives Center for Holistic Therapy story. Tell us more about it.
I have had the privilege of working in many different settings such as inpatient crisis units for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as residential substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant women. My training is of a solid foundational background in Western Psychology and extensive training in Holistic healing modalities rooted in Eastern Medicine philosophies. I have such a genuine love for helping others heal and believe in the mind/body/soul connection, providing a heart-centered integrative approach. I have also facilitated group sessions on topics such as mindfulness, creative stress management, and energy hygiene techniques. Experientially, I spent over a year and a half living in numerous foreign countries, where I acquired a deeper knowledge of multicultural sensitivity and emotional experiences as well as deepening my understanding of communication variables.
I specialize in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT-Tapping), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy (MSRB), Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Usui Reiki (Reiki Master), Positive Psychology, Ericksonian Hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (trauma-focused), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Experiential Therapy, Art Therapy Techniques, and Holistic Therapy. I am a member of the American Counseling Association and the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology. Other areas of expertise include working within the LGBTQIA+ community, grief/loss, spirituality, depression, and anxiety. I facilitate meditation groups and integrate meditation and mindfulness into session for clients interested.
I currently have the absolute delight of working for a private practice in Atlanta, called Perspectives Center for Holistic Therapy, founded by Laurie Patrice. Our team at Perspectives is unique from many other therapeutic practices, in that we come from a Holistic frame of mind, serving the whole person who exists in a complex system, through the utilization of a comprehensive approach. We offer Psychotherapy, Subtle Energy Work, Speech and Language Pathology, Family Enrichment, Life Coaching, Nutritional Coaching, and other services.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is one of the most abstract, yet powerful concepts that exist. Pure luck can be coincidental or can be manifested from the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors we think, feel, and do. I believe my life is divinely created in that wherever I am supposed to go, there I will be.
In order to surrender to what is not and to take control of what is, I see a fine balance in the concepts of trust and the intentional manifestation of wants, needs, and desires. Trusting the universe is a mindful practice to help bring forward the concept of luck, and trusting ourselves is an empowering play in the outcome of a situation created, to experience and learn lessons from.
With luck, trust, empowerment, and purpose, I have arrived exactly where I am supposed to be, in helping others heal from within, through witnessing their magical journey.
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling $125
- Couples Counseling $125
- Subtle Energy Work/Usui Reiki $125
Contact Info:
- Address: 8097 Roswell Road Suite C101
Sandy Springs, GA 30350&2370 Main St.
Tucker, GA 30084 - Website: www,perspectivesholistictherapy.com
- Phone: 4044900426
- Email: michelle@perspectivesholistictherapy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerspectivesCenterForHolisticTherapy/
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