Kristin Whitman, Intern. Trauma, Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Relationship Issues.

What made you decide to become a counselor?

I’ve always felt called to help others, beginning my career as an EMT-B and flight medic in the Air Force before transitioning into holistic healing as hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. While I valued the intuitive and energetic side of that work, I often felt  lacked the clinical tools to fully support clients struggling with deeper emotional pain. Becoming a counselor felt like the natural next step—one that would allow me to blend intuition with evidenc based approaches to offer more grounded, lasting healing. I also bring my own lived experience to this work—I know what it feels like to suffer at the hands of your own mind.

Through my own healing journey, I’ve come to understand how much of our pain is shaped b unconscious patterns and protective parts, and how

much relief is possible when we begin to meet ourselves with curiosity and compassion. That’s what I hope to offer others: a space where they can be fully seen and supported as they reconnect with themselves in a more honest, empowered way and begin to experience more peace and clarity in

their lives.

If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be?

If I could teach the world one skill, it would be how to gently turn inward with curiosity and compassion. I think we all have different parts of ourselves—especially the anxious, avoidant, or overly critical ones—that are just trying to keep us safe in the best way they know how. When we start to notice and understand those parts instead of fighting them, something shifts. We create space for healing, self-trust, and a more honest relationship with ourselves. And from that place, real change becomes possible.

Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself?

I went to therapy once early on, and to be honest, didn’t feel a strong connection with the therapist—which made it hard for me to fully open up or feel supported. While I didn’t get much out of that experience at the time, it taught me just how important the therapeutic relationship really is. It helped me realize that feeling safe, understood, and genuinely seen by your therapist isn’t a bonus—it’s essential. That experience now informs how I show up with my own clients. I try to create the kind of space I wish I’d had: warm, attuned, and collaborative.

If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be?

Choosing just one book is tough because the right book often finds us exactly when we’re ready for it. I also believe in the power of planting a seed- even if it doesn’t fully resonate right away, it can open doors later on. With that in mind, I often recommend the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a simple yet profound guide to shiing the way we relate to ourselves and others, and it offers wisdom that many find helpful on the journey toward greater freedom and self-awareness.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who is open and willing to be vulnerable—because honesty and openness create the foundation for real healing. They are curious and self-refective, or at least willing to cultivate insight as we work together. An interest in mindfulness or integrative approaches can be a helpful fit, as these tools often support deeper awareness and growth.

They understand that healing takes time and that not every session will bring deep understanding or “aha” moments. Like an apple slowly ripening on a tree, the insight is the apple dropping, but it takes days of showing up and creating the right conditions for that moment to happen. Patience and trust in the process are important. Finally, they are open to new perspectives and ways of thinking, as that openness often leads to meaningful and lasting change.

What inspires you to help others?

Life can be really tough—confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes just plain hard to navigate. What inspires me to help others is the belief that cultivating certain skills and habits of mind can make that journey flow more smoothly. When we learn to live with less resistance and open ourselves to the natural rhythms of life, we create space for more synchronicity, grace, and awe. I want to support people in discovering those ways of being so they can move through challenges with greater ease, connection, and meaning.

How do you personally practice self-care?

For me, self-care is all about balance and staying tuned in. Hot yoga and cycling help me burn off stress, while nature walks and quiet moments keep me grounded. I check in with my energy before committing to things, carve out time for people I love, and get creative with calligraphy, puzzles, or furniture refurbishing.

If you are hosting a dinner party, who are the 3 people you would invite and why?

If I were hosting a dinner party, I’d invite Jesus—because I’d love to hear his true message, unfiltered and unedited. I think so much of what he embodied has been misinterpreted, and I’d be curious to know what he really meant, in his own words. My second guest would be an extraterrestrial—not just to hear their take on humans, but to learn about their planet, daily life technology, and how they view consciousness or connection. And finally, I’d invite someone from about 300 years in the future, just to ask what changed, what we got right (or didn’t), and what wild inventions or breakthroughs are part of daily life. That dinner would either blow my mind or break the simulation... and honestly, I’m good with either.

How do you relate to Mindfulness? How do you incorporate it in your sessions?

Mindfulness is a big part of how I help client reconnect with themselves—especially those who have experienced trauma and may feel disconnected from their bodies. For people who’ve learned to see their bodies as unsafe, mindfulness can be a gentle way to come back home to themselves, to ground, and to begin feeling a sense of safety again. I also use mindfulness to help clients train their attention—to shift from being pulled around by every thought to consciously directing focus, which can be incredibly empowering. At times, I guide clients in tuning into the body’s wisdom—listening for what physical sensations might be trying to communicate, like the need for rest, movement, hydration, or emotional care. And after particularly heavy sessions, I often end with a brief grounding practice to help clients leave feeling a little more centered. Mindfulness is also a powerful reminder that no matter what’s happening in the mind, this moment is the one we’re actually in—and we can often find safety and clarity right here.