Counseling &
Mind Body Medicine
Philosophy of Practice
Mental health challenges are often linked to personal histories of depression, anxiety, and CUTS: Chronic Unpredictable Toxic Stress. CUTS activates sympathetic stress response (fight, flight), emotional shut down (freeze), or compulsive codependency (fawn*). We can get stuck in these physiologic states; they are the prism through which we perceive and react to the world, creating dysfunctional perceptual and behavioral patterns. By learning how to show up for our emotions with kind curiosity, instead of judgement or shame, we can create safety within. We can slow down and be present. We can tune into our feelings and our intuition, and let them guide our choices. When we feel safe inside, we are in the sweet spot of ‘rest and digest’ or the parasympathetic nervous system.
*Walker, Pete (2013). Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. Azure Coyote Books
“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.”
~Samuel Clemens
“Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there someday.”
~Winnie the Pooh
Pluralistic Counseling*
Pluralistic Counseling focuses on the therapeutic “fit” between your needs as a client—which can and do change as you progress through therapy—and the techniques, strategies, and resources that I use during your therapy. My focus is on empowering you to grow your internal resources while meeting the inevitable challenges of human life.
*Cooper, M. & McLeod, J. (2011). Pluralistic Counseling and Psychotherapy. LA, CA: Sage.
Mind Body Medicine (MBM)
Also known as Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), MBM focuses on the health of our nervous/immune system, and what we can do to heal those systems. It is both a philosophy of health and a path to healing. MBM uses self-care practices such as meditation and guided imagery to help create underlying states of physiologic health; seeking to increase the body’s “bottom up” connections (body to mind) so that we can use the wisdom of the body (emotions and intuition) to help us navigate our lives. I have an advanced practice certification in Mind Body Medicine, and teach these strategies to clients.
Recent Newsletters
What is Therapy?
Therapy is a change enterprise. When you enter therapy, you are signing up for change. Unlike the Hollywood movie version, therapy won’t solve all your problems. Life will always present problems....
Flight From Feeling: Rumination
Something turns it on—a dysregulating encounter, a rupture with a loved one, a bad dream—anything that activates the emotions that we were forbidden to feel as children.
Crossing the Bridge
This is an article about panic; the type of panic that is attached to particular places or experiences (fear of heights, fear of dentists, fear of public speaking). This type of panic is...
Deep Pressure Touch
Deep Pressure Touch: Simple firm targeted touch for autonomic reset- from fight/flight to “rest & digest. Taught to me by Angela Sallerson OTR/L.
EFT Tapping for Anxiety
Martha White
MA, LMHC-NCC
I have lived in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii, raising 2 girls with my husband, since 1996. I currently have a telehealth-only practice out of my home office on White Road. I accept HMSA (including Blue Card), HMAA, and UHA insurance.
I am licensed by the State of Hawaii as a Mental Health Counselor: HI#228. I have been a mental health counselor in North Hawaii for 20 years, launching my solo private practice in 2010. I am a National Certified Counselor, with an additional Board Certification in TeleMental Health.
A trauma informed perspective influences my use of highly individualized mind body medicine approaches to help clients heal from trauma. I use an integrative approach —whole being healing …encompassing your mental health & your bio-social- emotional health.
National Board of Certified Counselors
Center for Credentialing and Education
Center for Mind Body Medicine
Get In Touch
Call
(808) 938-2989
Address
64-5174 White Road
Kamuela, HI 96743