Michael has undertaken extensive research into the fundamental brain processes that underpin addiction.

 

His methods are based on proven research and this informs the intervention and treatment approaches used.

 

Michael has expertise in the thorough psychological assessment necessary for the development of an individualized approach for each client. Additionally, his extensive experience working with people with dual diagnosis and his specialization in crisis work, has refined his skillset and developed a knowledge-set based on the latest research.

 

When working with drug addiction,  Michael uses evidence-based practices and proven therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in combination with proven natural therapies.

 

Michael also understands addiction from a real, experiential place. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol himself for a decade, and knows the barriers to overcoming addiction including the stigma attached to being labelled an ‘addict’.

 

He does not agree with the drug rehabilitation industry standard of offering little hope to a recovering user.

 

Michael’s message is that full recovery is not only possible after drugs but, if drug-users are armed with the right tools, skills sets and knowledge, backed by the latest advances in Neuroscience and Psychology, they can live a happy and fulfilled life again, forever drug free.

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A Journey Back to Yourself.

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Hello. My name is Michael Jakeman. But I’m not here to tell you who I am in the usual way. Instead, I want to ask: Who are you, really? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself this question? To feel into the depths of what lies beneath the surface of your thoughts and actions? Have you noticed how the things we use to distract ourselves—whether it's alcohol, drugs, or endless busyness—are just ways to cover up that deeper yearning to feel truly alive?

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For many years, I too was running from the very same question. I was 17 when I first picked up the bottle, and like many, it quickly became a crutch, something I thought I needed to feel good about myself, to quiet the pain of loneliness, or the weight of life's challenges. But how often do we fool ourselves into thinking these distractions are the answer?

 

I know all too well what it's like to be caught in the cycle of addiction, to feel that desperate pull, and to wonder, Is there a way out of this?

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The thing is, there is a way out. And it's not through running harder, drinking more, or hiding deeper. It's through coming home to yourself.

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The Journey of Realizing Your True Power.

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I know the pain of addiction, the isolation, the hopelessness. It’s been a part of my life since I was young. But the real lesson came when I started to ask different questions.

 

What if the very thing I was running from was the key to my freedom? What if the answers I sought were always within me, just waiting to be uncovered?

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It took years of study and practice, both in the realms of psychology and the deeper, more ancient wisdom traditions like Tai Chi, Yoga, and meditation. It wasn’t just about “fixing” myself. No, it was about understanding myself—understanding why I reached for the bottle, why I craved the escape, and why the suffering was so persistent.

 

In my work, I combine years of education—a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and over two decades of practice in Tai Chi and mindfulness—with the real, lived experience of overcoming my own struggles.

 

I didn’t just learn these concepts in a textbook. I felt them. And now, I help others feel their own answers.

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Do you ever wonder what might happen if you stopped fighting your struggles and instead, embraced them? Could it be that your addiction is not a flaw or a weakness, but a sign that you’ve been searching for the wrong things?

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The Path Is Within.

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I want to invite you to look deeper for a moment. What if everything you’ve been looking for was already inside of you? Think about it: all those substances, all those distractions—did they ever truly bring you peace? Did they ever lead you to that place where you felt whole? Or did they, like they did for me, only lead to more confusion, more isolation, more disconnection?

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I believe that every person carries the seeds of their own healing. But here’s the catch: we weren’t taught how to access them. We weren’t taught how to be with ourselves in the way that brings real peace. And this is where many of us get stuck. We’ve been taught that healing means fixing something broken.

 

But healing is not about fixing what’s “wrong.” It’s about returning to who you truly are beneath all the layers of fear, shame, and pain.

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What would it feel like to reclaim that sense of wholeness? To reconnect with the energy that is uniquely yours?

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A Holistic Approach to Healing.

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When I work with clients, I use whatever tools best fit your unique needs. With over 20 years of experience in Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, as well as psychological counselling, I understand that healing is not one-size-fits-all. It’s deeply personal, and it must be approached with compassion and care.

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I won’t tell you that there’s a quick fix, and I won’t offer you a miracle cure. What I will offer is a path. A path of self-discovery, small steps forward, and most importantly, an understanding that you are not broken. You have everything you need within you to reclaim your life.

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And here’s the truth: There is a way out of this.

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I’ve seen countless clients walk this path, gradually discovering that addiction doesn’t have to define them. It’s not about abstinence or perfection. It’s about gaining the tools to live a life of connection, self-awareness, and freedom. It’s about having the courage to face your struggles, look them in the eye, and say, I don’t need you anymore.

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Are You Ready to Change Your Relationship with Yourself?

What would your life look like if you no longer needed substances to feel good? If you could move through your days feeling present, connected, and empowered?

 

Can you imagine a life where you don’t feel compelled to escape or numb the discomfort, but instead feel the freedom to be you—exactly as you are?

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Here’s the key: there’s no shame in your journey. In fact, every challenge you’ve faced, every moment of struggle, has brought you closer to the realization that the path to true healing is within you. I know this because I’ve been where you are, and I’ve seen so many others rise from the ashes of addiction and live more fulfilling lives.

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The work is not easy, but it is worth it.

 

Healing comes not by focusing on the past but by building a future—a future that is rooted in who you truly are and what you truly want from this life.

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Let’s Take That First Step Together.

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I’m here to walk with you. No judgment. Just support, compassion, and the wisdom to guide you as you rediscover your power.

 

Whether through one-on-one coaching or our upcoming retreats, my mission is simple: to help you live a life that feels right for you.

 

It’s time to stop running from the pain, and instead, use it as the very thing that propels you forward into the life you deserve.

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So, what’s holding you back? Do you believe that the life you want is possible? Because I promise you, it is.

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I’m here to show you that there is a way through.

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Ready to Begin?

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The path out of suffering is not only possible—it is your birthright.