Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision, and it often helps to get a sense of who they are before you ever book that first session. In this post, we sat down with Shell, a trauma-informed Gestalt psychotherapist offering online sessions Australia-wide, to learn more about her path into this work and how she supports clients.
1) What drew you to becoming a therapist, and what do you find most rewarding about the work?
I was drawn to becoming a therapist through my own lived experience with addiction and mental health. Watching the health professionals who supported me through that journey - and hearing their feedback that I had the capacity to help others - set me on the path to studying Gestalt psychotherapy. Being able to walk alongside clients the way others once walked alongside me is what makes this work so meaningful.
2) What's your therapeutic approach or style, and what types of concerns or clients do you enjoy working with most?
I practice Gestalt psychotherapy, a kind, non-judgemental, and holistic approach that explores how our experiences show up for us in the here and now. I'm trauma-informed, and I especially enjoy working with clients who are ready and willing to do the work of getting to know themselves more deeply.
3) What's one thing you wish more people knew before starting therapy with you?
I wish more people understood the true worth of going on a journey to get to know themselves. That process of self-discovery is where real, lasting change begins.
4) Outside of work, what do you do to unwind or recharge - and how does that show up in how you support your clients?
Outside of work, you'll usually find me in the ocean, surfing. The unpredictability of the ocean has taught me a lot about humility, and that same lesson carries into life more broadly, and into the way I sit with clients as they navigate their own uncertainty.
5) What's a piece of advice or a quote that has stuck with you, either personally or professionally?
"Our body is in the world, as our heart is in the world." It's a reminder that we're never just thinking beings - we're embodied, feeling, and connected to everything around us, which is very much at the heart of how Gestalt therapy approaches healing.
Ready to Connect with Michelle?
If Shell's approach resonates with you, she is a PACFA registered Gestalt psychotherapist currently offering online sessions Australia-wide.
Reach out to Shell via email: shellcateaux@gmail.com or HERE
*This post is for general informational purposes only and does not establish a therapist–client relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or Emergency Services (000).*