Accredited Mental Health Social Worker offering over 30 years experience in counselling.
Michelle Jackson
Master of Social Science (MSSc) (QUT)
Michelle Jackson is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) and ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician with over 30 years experience in mental health.
Based in Newmarket, Brisbane, Michelle works with people navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and the complexities of relationships and identity.
With a background spanning Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Headspace, and private practice, Michelle brings both clinical depth and genuine warmth to her work. She has maintained a curiosity about people’s lives and a desire to collaborate to bring about change. She is particularly passionate about supporting young people under 25, and draws on Narrative Therapy to help people find their own path forward.
Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. Michelle also sees clients through NDIS and EAP, and offers Telehealth appointments.
Michelle currently works in Newmarket, Brisbane Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm.
Contact Michelle for more information 0403 576 795.
Counselors have the ability to see possibilities that we often struggle to see ourselves.
Michelle’s hope in meeting with people is that they will feel heard, validated, and not judged. She hopes that people will leave each conversation having had a very different sort of conversation, a conversation where people leave with a greater understanding of their issues and the context surrounding the issue, what they might be preferring for their life and how that might be possible.
Michelle has had extensive training in her career in many therapeutic approaches, but she is particularly informed by Narrative Therapy.
Narrative Therapy is a counselling approach built on the idea that we are not our problems – the problem is the problem, not the person.
It works by helping people examine the stories they’ve constructed about themselves and their lives, often shaped by difficult experiences, other people’s judgements, or cultural expectations. Through conversation, a narrative therapist helps you separate yourself from the stories, questions which ones are actually true or helpful, and identify alternative narratives – ones that better reflect your strengths, values and what you actually want for your life.
Rather than diagnosing or ‘fixing’, the therapist acts more as a curious co-author, helping you rewrite the narrative on your own terms.
"Therapy is a courageous act of self-care, allowing you to priotitse your mental and emotional wellbeing"
Michelle has spent over 30 years in Child and Adolescent Mental Health supporting young people with quite severe and complex mental health issues. She is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and was the Consultant Family Therapist for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Team for over 25 years. She also worked for 8 years at headspace Woolloongabba as a private practitioner.
She has had experience with quite a diverse range of presentations and issues. These include
- depression
- anxiety
- eating disorders (ANZAED Accredited)
- family and relationship issues
- neurodiversity
- gender and sexuality issues
Michelle has a particular interest and passion in working with adolescents and young people under 25 and the challenges faced by that age group. She welcomes referrals for young people in her private practice.
Michelle has also had experience in her senior roles with supervision and she continues to offer individual clinical supervision. She also has experience in team clinical supervision and is currently offering team supervision to 5 headspace centres.
Soul Space in Newmarket, Brisbane
Michelle operates out of Soul Space in Newmarket, Brisbane. This practice allows Michelle to work with all ages and complexities of mental health issues.
Do I need a referral from a GP to see Michelle Jackson?
No, a referral is not required to see Michelle, unless you want to claim a Medicare rebate.
How many sessions can I have with Medicare?
Up to 10 Medicare rebates in a calendar year, under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, if your doctor agrees. If you are on a Eating Disorder Mental Health Care Plan you can get up to 40 sessions in a 12-month period as agreed by your Doctor.
Can I claim on Private Health Insurance for my session?
Some Private Health Insurance extas coverss sessions with a psychologist or social worker. You will need to check with your provider to see if you are eligible.
Does Michelle Jackson offer Bulk Billing?
No. Michelle is a small private practice and she does not offer bulk billing. As mentioned above, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate on a Mental Health Care Treatment Plan.
Does Michelle Jackson offer Telehealth?
Yes. Michelle uses Zoom for the video telehealth sessions. If you choose Telehealth appointments, you will be a URL link prior to your appointment to join. She also offers phone appointments.
Do you have onsite parking?
There is plenty of good street parking around Soul Space on both Parker Street and Foster Street
What will happen in my first session?
Michelle will spend some time getting to know you and the issues that brought you into counselling. She will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you’ll find yourself talking about your current struggles, as well as saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals. Most importantly in that first session, you will begin making a connection with Michelle. You should feel safe, accepted, respected, heard and comfortable.
Does Michelle work with children and adolescents?
Yes. Michelle very much enjoys working with young people above the age of 10 years. She has had a lot of experience with children and adolescents in her career. She also works collaboratively with parents who also need help with how to support thier young family member.
Does Michelle work with Eating Disorders
Yes. Michelle has significant experience in working with Eating Disorders and she is an ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician. Under an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP), eligible clients can access Medicare rebates for up to 40 eating disorder psychological treatment (EDPT) sessions and 20 eating disorder dietetic (EDDT) sessions in a 12-month period.
If you don’t have a plan, Michelle will be able to help with eligibility assessment process through conducting a thorough assessment, administrating and scoring the questionnaire, and providing a summary report to GPs.
Does Michelle work with adults who want to deal with chilhood trauma?
Yes. Michelle has significant experience in trauma work. She is particularly interested in supporting people whose lives have been affected by complex trauma or childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and PTSD.
Does Michelle do Family Therapy?
Yes. Michelle has experience in Family Therapy and is committed to supporting families to improve their relationships.
ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Practitioner
Michelle has expertise and interest in the area of Eating Disorders. She is an ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician. She is very passionate about supporting people who have this problem operating in their lives and their families.
She works collaboratively with GP’s, Psychiatrists and Dieticians who are often part of the treatment team.
