Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shahbazyan.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At the impressionable age of 17, I became tremendously fascinated by the way the human mind works. I studied Applied Psychology at Georgia Tech and took classes in Neuroscience/Behavioral Biology at Emory University while in my undergraduate program. I delved into my studies inside and outside of the classroom knowing that as I gained more experience in life and observed the world, I would find a way to circle back and relay those insights to my future work.
As I neared the end of my undergraduate degree, I was 21 years old and felt that I was much too young to begin working in the field of Psychology without having the experience that I felt I needed to be an effective practitioner in my field. At that point, I decided to pursue my first Master’s degree in Building Construction and Facility Management so that I could get a real world job where I would be interacting with all kinds of people. I worked as a Project Estimator to a custom home builder in Los Angeles whose clientele base was mainly Hollywood stars. I was, and still am fascinated by the process of building a space that started out as a conceptual drawing. I believe that making dreams into reality is where abstract concepts and tangible experiences collide. I later transitioned into the online diamond jewelry industry, helping to pioneer some of the ways it still operates today. From both of those careers, I learned much about myself and about the intricate wants and needs of people from all walks of life.
In 2008 when the economy crashed, I decided to return to school and earn my second Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. By being back in school and completing my training as an MFT, I became an expert at helping people understand the intricacies of their life and teaching them what they can do to build the life they want. I find that every change an individual makes in their life is like making a move in a chess game; it changes the trajectory of what will happen next. The positive feedback I have gotten from thousands of clients over the years keeps me continuously passionate about the work I do. My non-traditional approach usually creates ripple effects on the family, friends, and colleagues of my clients as well. It makes me genuinely happy to be able to give back to society in the way that I do.
At some point between marrying my sweet, growth-oriented husband and having our son, we decided to move from Los Angeles to Houston. Here we have established a lifestyle that is more in tune with who we are as individuals. Our little family has flourished in the peaceful and beautiful surroundings of Texas. I periodically do public speaking, write, and am pursuing my third Master’s degree in Anthropology at Harvard’s Extension School. Besides being The Texas Life Coach, I am also on the Board of the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies and have been practicing yoga for almost 20 years now. I very much look forward to being helpful to my local and international client base for many years to come.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the biggest challenge I’ve had in life is that there just isn’t enough time in the day! Work/life balance is my top priority, but I’m always busy with all kinds of varied activities. Listening to my own mind while observing the world is one of my favorites. I also stay healthy so that I can live productively well into old age. Time is the most valuable and irreplaceable resource anyone has, I try to make the most of it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Texas Life Coach story. Tell us more about the business.
I think what sets me apart from other practitioners is that within the first session, I figure out what is not working in my client’s life and help them understand the choices they can make to experience life in a way that they would feel is best. I charge by the hour so the first session can run anywhere from 1-3 hours as needed. I do this specifically to allow my clients the time and space they need so that I can be most helpful to them. By the end of the first session, my clients have a new perspective on life, a deeper understanding of who they are, and a strategy in place to be their best self all the time from there on out. For the vast majority of my clients, one session is enough to get them pointed in the direction they want to be going in. From there, many people decide to pursue deeper levels of consciousness and continue doing the work on an as needed basis.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the biggest ongoing shift in the world of therapy and life coaching is that the industry is turning towards digital mediums for communication. I set appointments in person, over the phone, or by video conferencing. I think this is extremely valuable for people who want the services I provide but aren’t in the same city as me; for at-home parents who can set digital appointments during their children’s nap time or in the evenings; and for couples or individuals who travel often.
Pricing:
- $250/hr
Contact Info:
- Address: 24275 Katy Freeway, Suite 400
- Website: www.thetexaslifecoach.com
- Phone: 818-641-6127
- Email: michelle@thetexaslifecoach.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetexaslifecoach/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michelle-shahbazyan-ms-ma-mft-katy
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
