Kia ora,

I live and work rurally, supporting families and carers with holistic mental health & wellbeing support. I also supervise rural health professionals, community workers and support leadership teams in rural schools.

We see western mental health systems are experiencing systemic exhaustion due to an over reliance on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics that focus on what is wrong with people rather than what has happened to them. I believe mental, physical and spiritual health are interdependent and that timely, focussed support can make a difference to outcomes.

CV

Academic

Master of Health Science (Dept Psychological Medicine), Otago

Postgraduate Certificate in Child & Adolescent Mental Health (Auckland University)

Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences endorsed in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders, University of Otago

Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences endorsed in Nursing (Specialty Mental Health)

Bachelor of Nursing, Newcastle University.

Experience

Private practitioner

Community Mental Health & Crisis, Golden Bay

Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health Team, West Cost

School Based Mental Health Team, Rural Canterbury

Rural Primary Health Youth Brief Intervention, Canterbury

Cancer Council support for families

Youth Inpatient Unit, Christchuch

Rural Community Mental Health Nurse, Canterbury

Surgical unit Nurse, Newcastle

Co-ordinator of Families Supporting Families , Hunter Valley

(peer support for families of children with special needs

“Michelle, you are an absolute lifesaver and thank you for seeing me with love and thoroughly believing in me when I was unable to do those things for myself.”SR

Focused brief support is recommended as the first intervention for mild to moderate difficulties.

It is an approach that considers the strengths along with the challenges, which informs creation and delivery of appropriate support.

I can help you with any referrals that might be required and I can connect with school or other agencies that you may want me to.

Young people and families should always leave feeling like there is improvement and that therapy is a positive experience.

“Michelle gave me ways to cope when I got angry,

and was one of the people who was there for me.”TW

how much does it cost ?

$140.00 for the first phone/video call /face to face with you

(parents/carer). This takes approximately 90 minutes and forms the basis of the comprehensive assessment.

$100.00 for each hour long session thereafter (Brief intervention

is typically 6 sessions)

$80.00 for each hour long Parent /carer coaching sessions (as requested by parents)

Sessions for bereavement by suicide are fully funded through Aoake te Ra

https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/providers/michelle-cole

Concessions are available to:

Community Service Card holders, Members of Rural Women NZ

Technology is a double edged sword, however it has allowed me to reach more rural families in ways that I could not have dreamed of. I love being with a family face to face but I have learnt how to develop warm amd effective connections online. Online sessions help bridge the widening gap of rural service provision. As a rural woman living in the Aorere Valley, I can offer my experience online, to support families around New Zealand. Its not for everyone, but there are many ways to make the experience fun and engaging for young people and their families.

“Instructing my aunty on how to take care of me whilst supporting my aunty herself as well during the weeks that I adjusted to my medication is something I will forever be grateful for and will never ever forget. “CN

parent support/coaching

Parents/carers often request sessions to help them better understand, build confidence and get support. This can really boost the therapeutic work that is happening with their young person.

“Michelle helped my little family through a difficult part of our lives, I couldn't have done it without her. She is amazing and my kids love her! “BW

Wellbeing Supervision

Unique support for educationalists, health and community workers.

The supervision sessions are underpinned by the Role Theory model.

Supervision supports vitality, flexibility and spontaneity in practice, professional safety and growth.

"Michelle has been working with my son and I over the previous year and her support and assistance have been instrumental in helping us regain our mental health and wellness. She has so much wisdom and knowledge that helped us invaluably. Her warm and compassionate nature put my son at ease immediately, and they built and share a genuine connection and bond, which has been super supportive and appreciated. Working with Michelle has been easy and effective, and she has assisted us to move through the challenges we were facing. She knew how to relate to my son, and implemented a process that suited his needs and learning styles. I am incredibly grateful that Michelle worked with us and it has literally improved our lives." AS