Janis E. McKinstry, MA

As a Highly Sensitive Person, empathic intuitive, born under the Cancer Sun in the XII house, my nature in life is to create a loving and meaningful environment. I'm dedicated to serving the evolution of consciousness toward awareness, authenticity, harmony and love. I believe that we each serve the greater good through our own mindfulness and conscious choice, and it is my honor as counselor, guide, mentor, and advocate to serve that journey of understanding, acceptance, and integration of the authentic self so that we rise together with self love, and so love for all of life.

I earned a Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology integrated with Somatic Psychology from The School of Holistic Studies at John F. Kennedy University. My education includes many modalities such as Jungian psychology, Somatic Trauma Therapy, Psychosynthesis, Vibrational Medicine such as Sound Healing, Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness, Reiki, Spirituality including Shamanistic Journeying, Akashic Records, Loving Kindness, Cross Cultural Awareness, and an understanding of World Religions. My spiritual practice is Loving Kindness with healthy boundaries; so response vs. reacting.

I was born in Oakland, California in the mid 1950's and grew up with an eclectic group of folks helping to grow me into an inclusive, culturally competent, open minded and open hearted person. I am curious and compassionate and truly want us all to be able to breathe freely knowing that we are love, loved, and valued.

I follow my client's own wisdom and am curious with them along their journey of discovery. I practice mindfulness, loving kindness, and consider respect central to my care. I believe in being an ally, advocate, guide and mentor for my clients as we explore beliefs, feelings, dis-ease, and empowerment toward holistic body, mind, spirit, and emotional wellness. My greatest honor is to witness my client's own transformation into an authentic and empowered life.

The first session we gather information and build trust. I've been told that my clients feel safe, calm, and hopeful when they meet with me. I listen curiously to their desires whether psychospiritual and/or wellness counseling. I may ask them questions that invite nonjudgmental exploration into patterns, body sensations, thoughts, and feelings that show up in the moment. I offer education, may lead a guided visualization, a breathing exercise, & share grounding tools to help now. It depends.

My life experiences led me spiritually, and psychology came later. I understood from an early time that there was a sacred Source of life guiding me. I had a near death experience that taught me that Source is Love. This served me as I navigated spiritual awakening, & traumas in my own life. Traumas including death of beloveds, family betrayal, injury, narcissistic abuse, & physical dis-ease led me to study psychology to understand & heal myself, and serve healing and empowerment of others.