A BEGINNING WITHIN
Through Tailored Integrative Mental Health Therapy
A holistic somatic clinical counseling approach to promote health & wellness, mind,
body, & soul.
Your Journey To Wellness Begins Within
Personalized and Tailored mental health services for individuals, couples, families, and groups of all ages, backgrounds, identities, orientations, races, spiritual practices, and more.
You are a Beautiful, Unique Soul. Your journey and care plan should also be.
What's The Secret To Happiness & Wellnness?
Loving Yourself and aligning your Core Beliefs & Values to your daily work and life existence to find your purpose that feeds your Mind, Body, & Soul joyfully.
Dr. Kathryn Hanwisimae Mckenzy-Shaw
But You Can Call Me Kamy
Dr. Kamy Hanwisimae Mckenzy-Shaw
MMHC, LMHC #CTB-2025-0060., NCC, CCTP, CATP, CAAT, CHAT, CNAT, CSIT,CCAT, CAAT, NPI 1265570659
LMT #6868, RMTI-S #0498, RMTI-I # 0595, BCTMB # 601680-11
CAHT, CMH,CPMr, LMr, D.A.M.E., CDD
I am an Integrative Holistic Mental Health Counselor. I address most mental health challenges and diagnoses. My strengths include Women's Health, Midwifery-related trauma, Education and Skills training, and all issues related to Addiction, Sex, Touch, Intimacy, Trauma, and Abuse.
I am mindful and compassionate and have over 38 years of experience in various healthcare environments as a midwife, medical massage therapist, and educator. I provide individualized and tailored care by collaborating with clients to achieve successful, positive outcomes with positive regard safely.
I stay current with continued education, techniques, and advancements in mental health, women's/midwifery, and advanced medical and spa massage. I use these arenas to collaborate and care for the whole person. For this reason, my counseling approach is holistic, integrative, person-centered therapy that aligns with values, core beliefs, and spiritual practices of my clients and myself.
I combine the most appropriate aspects of various psychotherapeutic theories based in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to creatively tailor treatment to the client's needs and unique individuality.
I welcome and encourage diversity of faiths and spiritual practices in counseling because folks often lean into their faith to inform their decisions, and it should be included in their care if desired. I identify as an LGBTQ+ Lakota Christian and provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment.
Work-life balance is my priority, and I want to be my best for my loved ones and clients. Self-care is critical for promoting health, mood stabilization, decreasing anxiety, and healthy relationships. Preventing burnout promotes longevity, and I lead by example to encourage clients to follow. I believe that to care for others; I must care for myself so I have what I need to give to my loved ones and clients.
I address most mental health challenges and diagnoses. My strengths include Addiction, Trauma, and Abuse Recovery with a focus on health and Birth experiences, physical, emotional, sexual, financial, medical, domestic, and legal abuse. As a professional educator, I provide skills training in multiple areas and use Art Therapy, Animal-assisted therapy, Somatic integration methods, and Spiritual Practices.
Oreo, RESD
Oreo is a registered emotional support dog that provides animal-assisted therapy. She joined my family as a young pup but only recently passed her service dog registration in 2024. She still has a bit of learning when it comes to curbing her enthusiasm but she has a sweet gentle spirit with a bit of mischief rolled in. She works primarily in individual sessions both adult and child, grief recovery, trauma, and hospice. If you are interested in working with her just let me know.
Sequoia, RESD
Sequoia is a registered emotional support dog that provides animal-assisted therapy. She came to us by walking in our clinic's back door. We worked to find her owner who said she was too much to handle and released her to us. Her training is a bit higher level and is still ongoing. She works primarily doing somatic integration sessions. Comforts clients during somatic bodywork. Sometimes she will nudge you to say "I'm here, pet me to feel better" and other times she will gently lay across, lean into, or lay beside you offering support. She is our gentle giant with a fierce protective loyalty. She loves to join the YOGA class and play fetch the ball. She will ask you to play sometimes if she thinks it will help you feel happy. If you are interested in working with her just let me know.
Bella RESD
Bella is a registered emotional support dog (RESD) and our resident diva. She primarily works with the elderly, in hospice care, and with MTTI students in the classroom. Learning bodywork can sometimes bring up unresolved issues or discomfort, and Bella provides comfort and comic relief during these times. While she doesn't participate in the sessions, she is often around on my teaching days if you’d like to sneak in a snuggle or a pet. Bella loves yoga time and enjoys making the rounds to visit everyone.
My Education
My parents and paternal grandparents began my education with homeschooling. I later entered traditional school discovering I have significant dyslexia. My education continued through multiple college degrees and led me to multiple countries across the world offering an incredible education providing diverse populations with Health and Midwifery Care.
My Grandmother was among the first women to obtain a chiropractic license, my grandfather and Dad were both doctors and my mother was a college educator who helped pioneer the Tutorial Services for the Universities of Texas at El Paso and Austin. My Mom was among the pioneers who established the Head Start programs to support first generation college graduates, and those with English as a second language.
Once I figured out how to learn, I’ve never stopped learning. I have multiple degrees and love to learn.
MENTAL HEALTH
· LPCC Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with specialized emphasis in
Multicultural Christian, Religious, and Spiritual Practices
PhD. Theology, Ordained
· CCTP (trauma specialist)
· CATP (art therapist)
· AAT (animal therapist)
· HAT (horticulture therapist)
· NAT (nature therapist
· CSIT (certified somatic integration therapist)
· Certified Suicide Prevention Therapist, Adults, School based, minorities, grief recovery, addiction
· Certified Complementary Medical Practitioner
MASSAGE & SOMATIC
· CHT (certified hydro-therapist),
· Watsu 1, WABU, Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork
· Licensed Massage Therapist, LMT #6868,
· Licensed Massage Instructor, RMTI-I # 0595
· Licensed Massage Therapy School (MTTI), RMTI-S #0498
· NCBTMB National Certified Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, BCTMB # 601680-11
· Certified Asian Modalities
YOGA & MINDFULNESS & COMPLIMENTARY
· American Heart Association CPR AED First Aid Instructor
· YOGA Teacher, 500 hr. YOGAMU & Yoga Alliance
· Senior Chair Yoga Instructor Certification
· Kundalini Yoga Somatic Trauma Recover Teacher Certification
· Pranayama & Mindfulness Somatic Teacher Certification
· Prenatal Yoga & Birth Trauma Recovery Somatic Teacher Certification
· YOGA NIDRA Meditation Somatic Teacher Certification
· YIN YOGA Instructor Certification
· Certified Complementary Medical Practitioner
· Certified Race Based Care Provider
· Certified Complementary Medical Practitioner
· Certified Aroma Health Therapist, CAHT,
· Certified Wellness Advocate DoTERRA, https://referral.doterra.me/349068
· Certified Master Herbalist, CMH
· Certified Asian Modalities Practitioner, Reiki Master, Chakras, Sound Healing
· Water Fitness Instructor, American Sport and Fitness Association Water Instructor
RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
PhD. Theology, Ordained
· LPCC Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with specialized emphasis in
Multicultural Christian, Religious, and Spiritual Practices
· Certified Complementary Medical Practitioner
MIDWIFERY DOULA LIFE & DEATH SUPPORT
· Midwife, LMr, CPMr,
· Doula, pregnancy, birth, & death, D.A.M.E., CDD
· Certified Complementary Medical Practitioner
· Certified Race Based Care Provider
· Prenatal Yoga & Birth Trauma Recovery Somatic Teacher Certification
· Kundalini Yoga Somatic Trauma Recover Teacher Certification
· Pranayama & Mindfulness Somatic Teacher Certification
PROFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS
· ACA American Counseling Association
· YOGAMU Institute & YOGA ALLIANCE
· American Psychology Association
· Membership type: Professional
· Alpha Chi National Honors Society
· Association for Spiritual Ethical Religious Values in Counseling
· Association of Creativity in Counseling
· AMTA, American Massage Therapy Association
· NCBTMB, National Certified Bodywork Therapy Massage Board
Collaboratiing Partners
Collaborating Partners
disclaimer
All content on abeginningwithin.life, ABW_life blog, social media links, abwlivingtree.org 501c3, Intuitivetouch.life, and mtti.org is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider. The information provided is without any warranty, express or implied.
