JUDY JOHNSON, MSW, LCSW

Judy practices “depth psychology” and “spiritual psychology”, specializing in Highly Sensitive women. She is certified as a Highly Sensitive Person therapist in California and Hawaii and is also certified in Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT), which is based in Energy Medicine Psychology. AIT is highly effective when treating major and minor traumas. Judy specialized as a grief counselor for many years at hospice and in private practice and is always honored to hold a sacred space for those who have experienced a profound loss.

Over the last eight years, Judy’s private practice gently morphed into a clientele of 99% Highly Sensitive women. Most of her HSP clients arrive in moderate to deep depression, highly anxious, with panic attacks, in burnout, with serious self-esteem and self-doubt issues, multiple physical complaints, insomnia, unsatisfying jobs, etc. However, as with many people, they lack the wherewithal to understand their own unhealthy life pace and patterns.

These clients inspired Judy’s life mission to work with HSP women and empower them to heal themselves, while learning to respect and celebrate this distinctive attribute. When they are taking much more sensitive care of their whole being, HSP’s potential to thrive and contribute to a hurting world is without limit.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/light-hearts-counseling-holualoa-hi/104766

It all started when…

Judy felt called to the Big Island after traveling and living around the world. She is an avid ocean swimmer and diver, and so it seemed perfect to establish her private practice and continue offering therapy and healing, but this time in paradise with year-round warm ocean water!

Before her formal education and graduate school years, Judy worked for a decade at the United Nations in Switzerland, where she studied languages and classical voice and attended many self-development workshops. She became certified in and practiced Silva Mind Control at the University of Geneva and also studied Louise Hay’s approaches, leading Hay Healing Circles based on the Science of Mind healing techniques.

Judy’s current specialty is based on Dr. Elaine Aron’s research and best-selling books on “Sensory Processing Sensitivity”, otherwise called the “Highly Sensitive Person” (HSP).This is neither a disorder nor a diagnosis, as nearly 20% of the population are HSPs and were born with this unique brain trait. HSPs are much more sensitive in terms of their five physical senses, and they process information and feelings very deeply. Unless much self-care is learned and practiced, they are subject to overwhelm, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, prolonged grief and exhaustion. Many HSPs need therapy to establish stronger boundaries, as they often care too much about people, animals, the environment and the world in general and not enough about themselves,  resulting in various disorders of both mind and body. At the same time, the trait of High Sensitivity is also full of gifts! HSPs are highly artistic, musical, empathic, excellent writers, deeply creative, highly perceptive and intuitive. They are successful high achievers once they find the right domain in which to thrive.

Scheduling

Judy maintains a part-time practice at Malama i ka Ola with in-person sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. She is also able to offer Online TeleMedicine sessions on Tuesdays, allowing her to maintain patients in California, as well as on other islands. Health insurances in both states now covers for Online sessions.

Payment Options

Cash, Check, Credit Card
Insurance : HMSA HMO, PPO and Quest (not Akamai). Other insurances accepted are HMMA and UHA
Also accepted is Blue Cross/Blue Shield for people who maintain their insurance from California. Or if they maintain their BCBS insurance in another state, but have an address here in Hawaii, they can also be covered.  
Here is an excerpt from Judy’s personal website at “highlysensitivetherapy.com” where you can also find her HSP blog: 

Highly Sensitive Therapy

I commend you for taking the first step in self-discovery and healing! I invite you to share your feelings and emerge with a Lighter Heart. I want to hear YOUR story.

•          Does the world often overwhelm you?

•          Do you seem to feel things deeply or become easily emotional?

•          Do you have strong reactions to medications, anesthesia or caffeine?

•          Have you often felt somehow different but couldn’t put your finger on it?

•          Are you easily over-stimulated and anxious in new social settings, large crowds or when being observed?

•          Do you seem to need a lot more downtime than others around you?

Then you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). HSPs are more prone to over-stimulation, emotional reactivity, depression, anxiety, addictions, compassion fatigue, self-doubt, relationship difficulties, physical ailments, burnout and more. As a Highly Sensitive therapist, I can help you to recognize the benefits and hardships of this trait, be more productive, have better relationships, and protect yourself from overwhelm.