Patricia Michalka is a counsellor, relationship and family therapist, psychotherapist and author.
She has presented seminars and addressed national and international conferences and consulted to some of Australia’s largest companies.
Patricia brings to her work a synthesis of learning, a wisdom warmth and compassion, which has been etched from life experience and the courage and sense of humour to enter life and to share it with others.
Imago Relationship Therapy
Patricia has many years of clinical experience working as a certified Imago Relationship Therapist as well as membership with the Association of Imago Relationship Therapy in the USA and Australia (see Imago Relationship Therapy).
She has done extensive training in marriage counselling and relationship counselling with international leaders, including Imago founders, Dr Harville Hendrix and Dr Pat Love
Her approach is gentle yet powerful, helping couples create safety with each other.
She knows the value of a place free from criticism, where there is a space to be listened to, heard and validated. She facilitates a way for couples to talk to each other and get to root causes rather than going round in circles covering the same ground.
Life Coach and Mentor
Patricia has been my mentor and life trainer for many years. Through Patricia’s knowledge, wisdom, compassion and communication skills, my daily life has been deeply enriched and she has facilitated the essence of my being. Patricia has provided me with the tools required to succeed in my business. She has also shone light that has given me insight to enhance my relationships with family, friends and associates. My gratitude is infinite.
Sally Pearse, Architect, Perth
Psychodrama
Patricia is an experienced Psychodramatist and group therapist. She was one of Australia’s first trainees and graduates with Dr Max Clayton and Lynette Clayton who introduced and developed Psychodrama in Australia and New Zealand. She is registered as an Associate Director of Psychodrama and is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Psychodrama Association.
Personal and Professional Development
After establishing a family, Patricia began a process of personal growth and professional development in 1974.
She sought out and trained with leaders in the field in order to develop the most effective therapeutic interventions to bring about lasting change and development.
Over a period of 12 years, her areas of training have included the following:
- Mindfulness
- Imago Relationship Therapy
- Individual Counselling
- Neuro Linguistic Programming
- Jungian Analysis
- Parent Effectiveness Training
- Voice Dialogue
- Psychotherapy
- Marriage Counselling
- Psychodrama
- Transactional Analysis
- Relationship Counselling
Attitudinal Healing
Patricia travelled to the USA in 1986 with Perth medical specialist Dr Margaret Smith, and began what was to become a lifelong friendship and collaboration with eminent Psychiatrist, author and founder of Attitudinal Healing, (AH), Dr Jerry Jampolsky and his wife, Dr Diane Cirincione.
After organising the USA doctors’ successful Australian seminar tour, Patricia and her husband Donatus established The WA Centre for Attitudinal Healing (CFAH), whose purpose is to offer support and education and peace of mind to people in distress. She was foundation Secretary and then for many years, Clinical Coordinator.
She says that the greatest gift AH has given her is “to intrinsically know and value the gift to myself that service gives”.
In her capacity as volunteer Clinical Coordinator between 1990-1995, Patricia was responsible for CFAH’s community programs.
This involved recruiting, training, supporting and supervising the Centre’s 100 volunteers and the design and delivery of 14 different community education and support programmes, servicing approximately 400 people a week.
In 1992, the USA based Fetzer Institute honoured the Centre with its US$15000 award for CFAH s residential “Healing Family Relationships”.
Author
Patricia has a special interest in women’s health. For 20 years, she has collaborated and worked with her friend and colleague, Dr Margaret Smith (obstetrician and gynaecologist now retired).
Their popular women’s relationship and medical health seminars have been presented in Perth and throughout WA.
Together they have co authored “Is it me or my hormones”. This widely acclaimed book asks and answers the question posed by most women who are experiencing the emotional and physical changes of menopause.
Many talk about holistic” approaches to medicine-but few manage to do it. Here is a book on menopause that truly examines the mind, body and spirit…I particularly enjoyed the chapter on forgiveness. Margaret and Patricia are to be congratulated for producing such a helpful book.
Associate Professor John Eden, Director of the Sydney Menopause Centre, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney.
Focus and Approach
Patricia’s focus is on enabling a shift in perception that overarches all her work with both men and women. It helps people to see differently, to follow their dreams and to achieve success happiness and freedom. With this focus and through the use of practical tools, she empowers people to experience peace of mind, regardless of what is happening in their life, moving from separation to connection and from fear to love.
Family
Patricia has been married to Donatus for more than 35 years. They have raised and are proud parents of, a blended family of four wonderful children and delight in their four grandchildren.