Kelly Whitewood

Kelly Whitewood Integrative Somatic Trauma therapist offers Holistic and therapeutic counselling for individuals with a wide range of issues. Kelly also supports individuals with spiritual trauma through shamanic work.

Services include:

• Counselling for individuals, couples, and families
• EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• Brainspotting Practitioner & International Consultant
• Registered Reiki Practioner & Hawkes Bay Representative for Reiki NZ
• Sound Healing, Shamanic drumming, Crystal healing, Tuning forks.
• Certified Trauma Informed Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra Teacher
• Certified Plant Medicine Facilitator Theobromine Cacao
• Certified and licensed Crystal Dreaming facilitator (shamanic journeys)
• Auricular acupuncture for substance use recovery
• Trauma counsellor, Complex presentations, developmental, Attachment, IFS, DID.
• EAP counsellor
• ACC counselling for sexual abuse and trauma
• Post Graduate – Certified in Clinical supervision for Health Practitioners and Clinical supervisor for DAPAANZ

General Counselling

A trained and experienced counsellor of over 20 years, working with people with a range of issues. Counselling specialities include working with people with:

• Trauma  (C-PTSD)
• Internal Family Systems
• Sexual Abuse
• Personality Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
• Depression
• Suicide
• Grief (immediate or delayed)
• Anxiety and Social Phobias

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Psychological intervention for treating trauma along with other anxiety disorders. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain to access the memories, memory networks and associated sensations, negative thought processes and emotions. The intervention enables the memory to be reprocessed in a safe, therapeutic environment that results in the neutralizing of the memory so that an individual may still be able to think about the past event, however not experience the distress previously associated with the event. The feedback from clients after the memory is fully processed in an EMDR session is usually one of positive relief. One specific benefit of this approach is that the client’s brain ‘does all the work’ and the therapist’s role is only to facilitate the process. In addition, you do not have to talk in great detail about the painful event in order to get relief from it.

The therapist will firstly ensure that a client has adequate coping/relaxation strategies to cope with any other memories and/or distressing emotions that may arise between sessions. The process of bilateral stimulation is either achieved visually by tracking eye movements, left to right, or by tactile sensory input (tapping on alternative knees). Some therapists have equipment that can be used for auditory or tactile bilateral stimulation.

EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, phobias and panic disorders, Depression, Grief, Phantom limb pain.

Brainspotting

A focussed treatment for releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, and other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with Biolateral sound, which is deep, direct, and powerful yet focused and containing.

Brainspotting functions as a neurobiological tool to support the clinical healing relationship. There is no replacement for a mature, nurturing therapeutic presence and the ability to engage another suffering human in a safe and trusting relationship where they feel heard, accepted, and understood. Brainspotting gives us a tool, within this clinical relationship, to neurobiologically locate, focus, process, and release experiences and symptoms that are typically out of reach of the conscious mind and its cognitive and language capacity.

Brainspotting works with the deep brain and the body through its direct access to the autonomic and limbic systems within the body’s central nervous system. Brainspotting is accordingly a physiological tool/treatment which has profound psychological, emotional, and physical consequences. For more info see www.brainspotting.com

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy:

(SP) is a complete therapeutic modality for trauma and attachment issues. SP welcomes the body as an integral source of information which can guide resourcing and the accessing and processing of challenging, traumatic, and developmental experiences. SP is a holistic approach that includes somatic, emotional, and cognitive processing and integration.

SP enables clients to discover and change habitual physical and psychological patterns that impede optimal functioning and well-being. SP is helpful in working with dysregulated activation and other effects of trauma, as well as the limiting belief systems of developmental issues. SP helps clients cultivate their strengths while providing enough challenge to stimulate growth, long-lasting change, and well-being (find out more at Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute)

I am currently the only registered trauma practitioner of SP in the North Island of New Zealand (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Directory)

Counselling for Addictions

I am passionate about helping people with addiction issues accomplish their hopes of living a life no longer dominated by alcohol or drug use. I have many years of experience to draw on counselling people with addictions.

​Auricular Acupuncture for Substance Use Recovery

​Auricular acupuncture is widely used in the United Kingdom, America, and Asia where it is recognized as a complementary therapy to assist with the reduction of withdrawals from substance abuse. It is known to work on the main organs, helping them to flush out toxins from the body. Many studies have shown that people in recovery find it helps them to sleep more easily. I trained to use auricular acupuncture in the UK, and am delighted to offer it as part of the addiction treatment services I provide.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a natural, vibrational, hands-on healing practice that supports the body’s self-healing ability. Reiki sessions are offered by professional Reiki Practitioners as a complementary therapy and can be integrated into any plan to support improved health and well-being. One or a series of sessions may be required. Reiki sessions involve the client lying down or sitting comfortably while fully clothed. The practitioner places their hands lightly on or near the body allowing a free flow of universal energy.

Trauma-Informed Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra Teacher (100 hrs)

Yoga Alliance accredited provider, trained by Awhi Yoga Wellington.

Trauma-informed yin yoga acknowledges the neurological impacts of trauma (physical, psychological, emotional, complex), and the high instances of survivors experiencing disconnection from their physical bodies. This approach is people-centred and explorative. The focus is on what is felt, noticing the sensations (interoception), and learning to make choices that begin to rebuild trust between body and mind.

The single most important issue for traumatised people is to find a sense of safety in their own bodies. Bessel van der Kolk.

Individual Yin Yoga & or Yoga Nidra sessions in person or via Zoom.

Certified Plant Medicine Facilitator (Theobromine Cacao)

Cacao is an intuitive plant medicine that has many amazing, life-affirming qualities that support health and psychological well-being. Cacao is connected to the divine feminine a Plant Medicine that can help to release emotional blockages, conditionings, patterns of behaviour and addictions that are buried deep in the unconscious.

Benefits are found in the neurotransmitter-modulating agents that act as natural antidepressants. Its high valeric acid content blocks the stress hormones while triggering the release of dopamine, anandamide and the endorphin phenylethylamine, all of which are known as the ‘bliss molecules. Cacao also contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which increases the production of serotonin, an important brain chemical that helps us remain positive and happy. These neurotransmitters also remain in the bloodstream longer after ingesting cacao, creating a natural antidepressant benefit, while the theobromine and caffeine content boosts energy levels and relieves fatigue.

A Ceremonial dose of Cacao can be used in combination with any of the other therapies offered to enhance the experience of healing.

Crystal Dreaming

Crystal Dreaming® is a drug-free, non-touch shamanic healing process developed by Raym Richards in the 1990s. Within a unique mandala of crystals specifically aligned to help the client’s consciousness gently shift into an expanded state where your Crystal Dreaming® inner journey occurs. This enhanced state of awareness, may bring clarity of purpose to your life and frequently leads to a blissful reconnection with the Divine.

Your unique drug-free shamanic journey presents you with a golden opportunity to consciously activate and align with your life plan in a state of perfect harmony with the rest of creation. profound emotional, physical and spiritual healing may occur. The results of Crystal Dreaming® sessions are profound for most individuals.

please email if you are interested in this experience. this is not available under ACC or other funded counselling providers. For more information about the shamanic modality and testimonials please see https://www.crystal-dreaming.com/

About Kelly

I am a Registered Professional Practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Professional training has supplemented my extensive hands-on experience working with a wide range and populations. I have continued my professional training and love learning.

I am New Zealand’s only International Brainspotting Consultant this is an exciting opportunity for which I’m very honoured to have been selected.

I am a spiritual soul on a human journey, I continue to grow in my personal development, and I practice what I preach. When I work with you, we will select the methods best suited to help you achieve your goals. I see myself as a guide to help you discover your innate healing ability, someone to hold space and support your spiritual growth.

I am skilled in a range of therapeutic techniques such as:

• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma
• EMDR therapy
• Brainspotting therapy
• Internal Family Systems/Ego States
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Reiki
• Sound Healing
• Plant Medicine Theobromine Cacao
• Shamanic Journeys Crystal Dreaming facilitator
• Trauma-Informed Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra

Clinical Supervision

I am a Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Health Practitioners and registered with DAPAANZ, offering supervision in CBT theory and practice, and mental health/addictions.

International Brainspotting Consultant

I am a Certified Consultant for Brainspotting, if you are looking at becoming a Certified Brainspotter please contact me for session times I offer individuals or groups online.