Meet the team...

Michelle Willis

Michelle’s passion for supporting young people has developed over 20 years of working in Early Childhood Education, foster care, and youth ministry at church.

Here is her story:

I’ve spent over 25 years of my life with debilitating anxiety and depression. In 2017, after some tough life events, I had a breakdown and became very ill with chronic pain on top of my ongoing mental health issues.

I started my journey to wellness after attending a training programme based on neurolinguistics. I learnt tools to influence and restore my health through changing thought patterns and behaviours. I resolved my anxiety and other issues and am now living life full of joy and health!

This has sparked a desire to help others - especially young people - overcome anxiety, so I trained to become a NLP Practitioner and Life Coach.

Michelle is the first practitioner in New Zealand to partner with Happy Confident Kids®.

Michelle is a mum to three boys and lives in Auckland with her husband Daniel.

Experience:

• Happy Confident Kids® coach
• Children’s Pastor
• Early Childhood Education Teacher / Manager
• Foster Caregiver

Education:

• Clinical Diploma in NLP & Coaching
• Advanced Diploma in NLP & Coaching
• Master Practitioner Certificate in NLP, Coaching & Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Certificate in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (Children & Youth)

Michelle is a member of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists .

Melissa Macpherson

Melissa has a wealth of experience (over 15 years) teaching children through play-based learning in both the Early Childhood and Primary sectors.

Melissa is passionate about empowering children to grow into their best, confident selves. She also equips parents and fellow educators with creative tools to support the children in their care — through music & movement, drama, puppetry & photography. Melissa is also an incredible curriculum and play writer.

As a child, Melissa was anxious and excruciatingly shy. Although she is now a fun, and confident adult, she wishes she’d known HCK tools and techniques much earlier. Her desire to equip young people has driven Melissa to study NLP and join the Confident Kids team.

Melissa is married to Simon, and together they have three beautiful daughters.

Experience:

• Happy Confident Kids® coach
• Teacher (ECE & primary)
• Children with additional learning needs
• Children’s ministry leader
• Speaker at education conferences

Qualifications:

• NLP Foundation Skills Diploma
• NLP Practitioner Certificate
• Bachelor of Education
• Diploma of Professional Photography