Judy Waitley LMHC

Most clients describe me as calm, open and honest, humorous, compassionate and sometimes a little blunt, to keep it real. I truly believe that therapy is a team effort, with you being the expert on your life. I also believe that everyone can change when they have the tools and support to do so. We will work together to identify what's keeping you stuck and create a plan to help you move forward.

If you're anything like me, it's really difficult to take advice and tips from someone who literally has no clue what it feels like to be in your shoes. It's not that I can't learn anything from them but I always have that thought in the back of my mind... do they actually understand? Self-disclosure is a weird gray area in therapy and as a therapist I think this is a massive disservice to the people seeking someone that gets it. I can honestly say, I get it. I truly get it. I've been on the other side of the screen. I've had panic attacks from flashbacks. I've ugly cried over body dysmorphia. I've beat addiction, multiple actually. I know what it feels like to need that connection with someone that gets it. I get it and I'd be honored to be the person that gets it with you.

• Hawaii, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MHC-757

I began working in mental health in 2012 and have worked just about every position possible. My diverse experience in the mental health field has given me insight in so many ways. As a community mental health worker, I provided support to people ages 5 and up with chronic and severe mental health issues in a community setting. Although tough, it truly taught me how to tailor services to meet individual needs. As a case manager it was always amazing to see people thrive mentally when they were able to get basic needs met like consistent medical care and housing. While providing services to adults with mental health/addiction issues and developmental disabilities, I drew from my experience teaching special education and created community for our clients. My experience in family therapy was strengthened when I provided intensive therapy services to families struggling to keep their kids out of the foster care system. Working with children, teens and their parents/guardians was complicated but so worthwhile. Since being in private practice, I've focused on individual and couples therapy. I like to say, these are my sweet spots and truly enjoy providing these services. Whether supporting people through addiction (I get it, truly.), helping someone with complex trauma, providing validation and compassion to someone struggling with who they are or supporting a couple in recognizing what it was that brought them together in the first place, I'm always honored to be part of the process.