Ms Michelle McClintock

A conversation with Michelle McClintock

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  In many ways, I feel the profession chose me. I've always been fascinated by people: how we think, feel, behave, form relationships and make sense of our experiences.
  
  Psychology was my first professional love, and more than 30 years later, that curiosity hasn't diminished. If anything, I've become even more interested in the complexity of human behaviour and our capacity for growth and change.
  
  What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to connect meaningfully with people, help them understand themselves more deeply, and support them in navigating some of life's most difficult experiences.
  
  I feel fortunate to have built a career around work that I find both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has had a profound influence on both my professional and personal philosophy. Its emphasis on mindfulness, acceptance, psychological flexibility and living in accordance with our values resonates deeply with me.
  
  I'm also influenced by person-centred therapy, particularly the importance of empathy, authenticity, compassion and unconditional positive regard.
  
  Process-oriented psychology contributed to my appreciation of the complexity of human experience, while cognitive behavioural and schema-informed approaches have strengthened my understanding of how our beliefs, experiences and learned patterns shape our lives.
  
  Underlying all these approaches is a belief that we don't necessarily need to eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. Sometimes the greatest change comes from learning to relate to our internal experiences differently.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I'm particularly interested in the relationship between our early experiences, nervous system responses, beliefs and behavioural patterns, and how these influence the way we experience ourselves, others and the world.
  
  I enjoy working with people experiencing anxiety, trauma, PTSD, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional sensitivity and difficulties with self-worth or relationships.
  
  I'm also passionate about supporting people affected by workplace psychological injury, burnout and cumulative stress, particularly veterans, police and first responders.
  
  What fascinates me most is helping people recognise patterns that may once have been protective or adaptive but are no longer serving them.
  
  I love those moments when someone begins to understand themselves differently, moves away from self-criticism, and discovers new ways of responding to life's challenges.

• What methods do you use?

  My approach combines evidence-based psychological therapies with practical strategies, curiosity and genuine human connection.
  
  I draw primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, exposure-based therapies and schema-informed approaches, depending on each person's needs.
  
  Psychoeducation is an important part of my work. I enjoy helping clients understand how the brain and nervous system influence their thoughts, emotions and behaviour, using everyday language rather than unnecessary psychological jargon.
  
  We might explore longstanding beliefs and patterns, develop emotional regulation skills, practise responding differently to difficult thoughts and feelings, or work towards changing behaviours that maintain anxiety or avoidance.
  
  I believe therapy should be both insightful and practical, helping people develop skills they can use in everyday life.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  I hope clients begin to experience something valuable from our very first session, even if that's simply feeling genuinely heard, understood and less alone with what they're experiencing.
  
  Sometimes an initial conversation provides a new perspective or helps make sense of something that has felt confusing or overwhelming.
  
  Meaningful change, however, usually develops over time. It involves increasing awareness, learning new skills, experimenting with different responses and practising them in everyday life.
  
  Progress isn't always linear, and it doesn't necessarily mean feeling better after every session. Sometimes the most important work involves exploring uncomfortable experiences or challenging longstanding patterns.
  
  I encourage clients to recognise the small shifts along the way, because these often become the foundation for more substantial and lasting change.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  My own experiences of therapy, mindfulness and personal development have contributed enormously to how I understand myself and relate to others.
  
  I've become more aware of my own patterns, more accepting of the complexities of being human, and better able to respond to difficult experiences with curiosity rather than judgement.
  
  Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons has been recognising that we don't have to believe every thought we think, fix every uncomfortable feeling, or have everything figured out.
  
  I've developed a greater appreciation for self-compassion, gratitude, authenticity and the importance of being present.
  
  These experiences continue to influence my work as a psychologist. I believe personal growth is an ongoing process, not a destination, and that we're all works in progress, myself included.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  The genuine human connection, without question.
  
  I love the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, explore the complexities of human behaviour, and work collaboratively with people to make sense of difficult or persistent challenges.
  
  There's something incredibly rewarding about witnessing those moments of insight when a person begins to see themselves, their experiences or their possibilities differently.
  
  I also genuinely enjoy the intellectual challenge of psychological work. No two people are the same, and there's always something new to understand or learn.
  
  And importantly, I believe there's room for warmth, humour and even laughter in therapy. Sometimes a little lightness helps us navigate some very heavy experiences.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Of course! I'm human, and like everyone else, I have days when things don't quite go to plan.
  
  One of the things psychology has taught me is that we don't have to feel positive, motivated or perfectly composed all the time. It's how we respond to those experiences that matters.
  
  I try to practise what I encourage in therapy: noticing what's happening, allowing space for difficult feelings, and choosing how I want to respond.
  
  Fortunately, I genuinely love my work, and connecting with another person often brings me right back into the present moment.
  
  And if all else fails, a walk with my two dogs usually helps!

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I think one of our greatest challenges is the difficulty we have understanding ourselves and one another.
  
  So much human conflict, both personally and collectively, is influenced by fear, rigid thinking, emotional reactivity and the assumptions we make about other people's intentions.
  
  When we lack awareness of our own beliefs, biases and emotional responses, it's easy to react automatically rather than respond thoughtfully.
  
  I believe greater self-awareness, compassion, curiosity and psychological flexibility could make an enormous difference to how we communicate, resolve conflict and relate to one another.
  
  We may not always agree, but we can learn to listen more openly, tolerate differences and respond with greater understanding.
  
  For me, meaningful change often begins with becoming more aware of what's happening within ourselves.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  Two books that have influenced me are *The Power of Now* and *A New Earth* by Eckhart Tolle. Both explore awareness, the nature of thought, and our tendency to become caught up in the stories our minds create. These ideas resonate with my interest in mindfulness and psychological flexibility.
  
  I've also always loved *The Matrix*. Beyond the science fiction, I find its themes of questioning assumptions, challenging perceived limitations and seeing the world from a different perspective fascinating.
  
  And on a lighter note, Justin Timberlake's *Can't Stop the Feeling!* is a reminder that joy, movement and simply enjoying the moment are important parts of being human, too.
  
  I appreciate anything that encourages curiosity, challenges habitual thinking or reminds us to be more present in our lives.