Intentional Living Psychology
with
Michelle Hammond
Registered Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist Registrar, and Couples Therapist
Live Intentionally. Grow Together.
About Me
My name is Michelle, and I work as a registered psychologist. First and foremost, however, I am simply a human being, just like you. I believe we all share similar struggles and that is part of what makes us human.
From a young age, I have pondered life's big questions, such as the purpose of our existence and how to live a fulfilling life. These questions have fueled my curiosity to delve deeper into understanding myself and others. The differences in how individuals navigate life have always intrigued me, as each person's journey is unique to them. I have come to realize that life is a continuous voyage of self-discovery, involving periods of unlearning and relearning, and I am driven to assist individuals in reconnecting with their genuine, true selves. I believe change is inevitable, however, growth is optional and choosing a life committed to growth takes courage.
As someone once told me, "The world would be a much better place if we all spent some time in front of the mirror, and were able to be completely honest with ourselves." Facing one's true self can be daunting, yet it is in this space where the magic happens.
My values are a strong undercurrent in how I approach my work, and I am passionate about supporting others to be the best version of themselves. Compassion, understanding, and empathy are at the forefront of everything I do in life. Moments of happiness for me include: my first sip of morning coffee, hot yoga, being in nature, dancing by myself in the kitchen, early sunrise walks with my doggo’s, early nights, clean houses, and nice smells.
I wholeheartedly believe that we are all imperfect humans simply trying to do our best.
What I do
As a psychologist, I view my role as guiding my clients using evidence-based practices. Rather than a provider with all the answers, I aim to be a supportive presence, offering a secure foundation for individuals to stumble and rise once more. I firmly believe that each client is an expert in their own life, and my purpose is to serve as a facilitator, guiding them back to their authentic selves.
My focus is on fostering healthy relationships, whether with oneself or with others. Human beings are inherently relational, and the quality of our connections significantly influences our well-being. Often, our suffering stems from a fragmented sense of self or strained relationships in our lives. Relationships form the essence of our identity and shape how we perceive the world. My work involves helping individuals and couples navigate their struggles, attributing meaning to their pain and dismantling the barriers hindering deeper connections. Often, internal obstacles affect our ability to form close bonds with others or hinder our personal growth. I assist my clients in overcoming these barriers to create closer connections with themselves and those around them.
I use a range of different approaches depending on the needs of the client. My main area of focus and training has been in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Emotions serve as the soundtrack to our life's story and can guide us to the root causes of our challenges and where we often find the path to healing.
What is Emotionally Focused therapy?
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach grounded in attachment science, which emphasizes the importance of emotional bonds and relationships in shaping human behaviour and well-being. In couples therapy, EFT helps partners understand their attachment needs and fears, guiding them towards creating a more secure emotional connection. Through exploring past experiences and current interactions, couples learn to identify negative patterns of interaction, express their needs and fears, and work towards creating a more secure and satisfying relationship.
In individual therapy, EFT explores how early attachment experiences have influenced a person's emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships with others. It focuses on helping individuals explore and understand their own emotions, improve self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. By working through unresolved emotions, individuals can develop a more secure sense of self, improve their self-esteem, and cultivate healthier relationships.
Emotionally Focused Therapy aims to help clients recognize and express their emotional needs, foster empathy and understanding between partners or within themselves, and ultimately create more secure attachment bonds. This approach not only addresses surface-level conflicts but also delves deeper into the underlying emotions and attachment dynamics that shape our relationships and sense of self. Through this process, individuals and couples can experience profound healing, growth, and transformation in their lives and relationships.
About Intentional Living Psychology
Intentional Living Psychology stems from the ethos that peace, harmony, and well-being will arrive when we start to live our lives with intention.
Living with intention means slowing down, pressing pause, and finding out where is it within or between that needs our attention.
Living an intentional life is incredibly beneficial when it comes to the relationships we have with ourselves, and also the relationships we have with those closest to us.
What kind of a life do you want to lead? What kind of relationships would you like to cultivate with those closest to you? How can you start to live a life that is true to who you are and that brings you a greater sense of well-being? The answer to these questions will start to unfold once we start to live with intention.
Choosing to live with intention is making a commitment to yourself to live a life that brings you real joy and real harmony.