About us
Our Story
Where Professional Excellence Meets SoulFULL Purpose. At The Australian Holistic Academy, we believe that true transformation begins within — and that when one person awakens to their inner truth, they ripple change far beyond themselves.
We are a heart-centred training institute offering holistic education in Meditation Teaching, Empowerment Coaching, and Holistic Counselling — for soul-led individuals who are ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
But this is more than a place to study. This is a space to come home to yourself.
A Vision Rooted in Integrity, Purpose, and Empowerment
The Australian Holistic Academy was born from a vision — to offer education that doesn’t just tick boxes, but touches lives. Founded by Michelle Garbutt a qualified holistic counsellor, transformation coach, meditation practitioner and energy healer, the academy exists to bridge the gap between accredited professional training and the inner journey of awakening, building self-trust, and providing authentic service. Michelle’s path into this industry arose from her own personal experience with introducing holistic practices to support her physical health. What transpired was deep healing, transformation and profound understanding that physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are all intertwined. This led to a career change which saw Michelle expand her knowledge and skill set as her clients called for more, more support, more guidance, deeper healing and transformation.
This healing journey led Michelle back to her heart and a way forward into a purpose-driven life. After completing studies in holistic counselling, intuitive coaching, and meditation teaching, she began working with women and changemakers to support emotional healing, clarity, and soulFULL alignment.
Michelle has noticed a need for a new kind of education. One that honours both skill and spirit, strategy and soul, structure and softness.
The Australian Holistic Academy is her offering to that vision — a place for others to learn, grow, and lead from a place of integrity, wholeness, and heart.
Our mission
To provide accredited, flexible, and soul-aligned training that supports individuals to:
- Become skilled and ethical holistic practitioners
- Build confidence, clarity, and inner leadership
- Contribute to a more conscious, compassionate world
- Create careers that feel aligned, fulfilling, and deeply meaningful
We are committed to embodied education — training that honours the personal journey as much as the professional one. We believe the practitioner you become is shaped by the healing you’ve done.
Our values
- Integrity – We do what we say, and walk what we teach.
- Heart-Led Learning – Our education is deeply human, not just theoretical.
- Empowerment – We support students to rise as leaders in their own right.
- Connection – We foster community, mentorship, and mutual growth.
- Transformation – Not just change but real, lasting transformation from within.
Who We Serve
We welcome students from all walks of life — from yoga teachers, reiki practitioners, breathwork facilitators, and life coaches wanting to expand their toolkit, to individuals in career transition seeking work that finally feels aligned with who they are.
Our community includes women and men who are ready to:
Turn their lived experience into a powerful service
Build ethical, heart-centred businesses or practices
Support others through trauma-informed, soulFULL modalities
Be part of a movement of conscious, empowered healing professionals
This Work Matters — Because You Matter
We’re not here to teach you who to become — we’re here to guide you back to who you’ve always been.
Because when you learn to trust your own wisdom, and walk a path that feels true to your heart, you change lives, starting with your own.
The Australian Holistic Academy
Accredited. Empowering. Soul-Led.
Discover who you are. Lead from your truth.
Make the difference you came here to make.