Martha Mount MSc Clinical Psychology

Introduction

I’m Martha, an Irish expat living in The Netherlands.

I have worked in a diverse range of mental health care settings across the world, supporting clients of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. I firmly believe that therapy should be accessible to everyone, which is why I’ve established this practice with the hope of making a meaningful difference.

The high demand for therapy services often results in long waiting lists and high fees. Being in the early stages of my career has given me the opportunity to set up an online practice that offers affordable rates and short waiting times, making therapy more easily available to those who need it.

Alleviating the suffering of others has always been my life purpose, so with deep care and an open heart, I hope that you can benefit from Karuna services.

Experience

Much of my early work involved clients with special needs or disabilities which led me to explore alternative methods of intervention like art, dance, and movement, creating safe spaces for emotional release and self-expression.

I noticed these methods not only benefited my clients but also enhanced my own well-being. This inspired me to embrace a wider approach to mental health and self-care. I figured that like me, there are many adults who may feel intimidated by, or lack access to traditional services like counselling. I became committed to promoting accessible, alternative methods that are easy to apply and low-cost to improve well-being.

During my time working in a care home for the elderly, I introduced a simple gratitude practice for the staff, based on Positive Psychology. They worked long hours in physically and emotionally demanding roles. The results were impactful, with many continuing the practice today, demonstrating how small, accessible interventions can make a big difference.

Holistic therapy combines traditional methods like counselling, along with lifestyle changes to improve quality of life.

Studies and Holistic Interest

I have always been fascinated by the mind-body-soul connection. Through my studies, I learned how unprocessed emotions and trauma can manifest as physical symptoms in the body, signalling our unresolved internal struggles.

This interest led me to focus my thesis on the physical representations of depression in women who hadn’t processed their experiences of sexual abuse. This highlighted the importance of a holistic approach, to find the underlying cause of the client’s symptoms and to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.

Generally, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is most widely used as it is effective for immediate concerns and addresses the interconnection between emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. CBT is a great foundation for therapy that I believe is enhanced with a holistic perspective, offering personalised therapy tailored for the clients individual needs and circumstances.

Reiki

I first tried Reiki during a period of deep grief. I had lost a close family member at a difficult time in my life and was in search of a deeper exploration and healing. Although I would consider myself a sceptic, I have always been quite spiritual in nature. I enjoy slowing down and meditating to gain insight into my subconscious thoughts and underlying emotions.

Reiki evoked a huge emotional release for me. I didn’t realise how much emotion I was not processing or expressing, and how this was trapped within my body creating tension and fatigue. I experienced deep insight and clarity at a time where my whole reality had been swept from underneath me. I felt grounded in my body, in my life, and most profoundly, connected to the person I had lost.

This abstract experience made a huge shift in how I processed my grief and moved forward in my life. I felt a strong affinity with the power of Reiki and knew it was something that I wanted to facilitate for the healing of others.

Summary

I wanted to create a space where you can find an approach to treatment that suits your individual needs and preferences. I recognise that while some people prefer CBT based counselling structures, others would prefer to focus on physical healing and emotional release before vocalising their struggles. Whatever you need, I hope that I can help you with what you are looking for.