Kristine Altwies

MA, LMFT • Clinical Director - Licensed Therapist

In-person only

About

With over three decades of diverse experience spanning adoption, education, and mental health, Kristine Altwies, MA, LMFT, brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role as Clinical Director at Pono Roots Counseling Center. Her journey in helping others began in the world of education, where she served as a secondary school teacher and later as the managing editor of the Wiley Encyclopedia of Psychology. This foundation in understanding human behavior and development laid the groundwork for her transition into the field of mental health.

Kristine's approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that every person is born perfect, and life's challenges shape our experiences. As a family systems therapist, she employs a variety of modalities including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative therapy, and trauma-informed care. Her EMDR training further enhances her ability to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. Kristine's therapeutic style is collaborative and cooperative, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's family origins to achieve optimal personal insight.

With a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawaii, Michigan, and New Jersey, Kristine's expertise extends across various domains. Her background in adoption services, where she served as the Executive Director of Hawai'i International Child Placement and Family Services, Inc., gives her unique insight into the complexities of family dynamics and attachment. Additionally, her experience as a sex abuse treatment therapist, working with both perpetrators and victims, has honed her skills in addressing sensitive and challenging issues.

Kristine welcomes a diverse clientele, including couples, teens, and individuals ages 18 and up. She is LGBTQIA+ supportive and embraces clients from all religious affiliations and cultural backgrounds. Her areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, adoption and family of origin issues, marriage and relationship support, life transitions, and parenting. She also has specialized experience working with families dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and neuro-diverse children.

At Pono Roots, Kristine creates a safe, accepting space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Her role is not to be an expert on her clients' lives, but rather a supportive guide who aims to deeply understand and help draw out personal truths. Through this collaborative approach, Kristine empowers her clients to heal, grow, and thrive, recognizing the resilience of the human spirit while acknowledging the heavy loads many carry.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Certifications, Memberships & Training

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Training
  • EMDRIA Membership

State Licenses

  • Marriage and Family Therapy License, HI
  • Marriage and Family Therapy License, MI
  • Marriage and Family Therapy License, NJ

Specialties & Expertise

Specializations

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Marital and Premarital
  • Parenting
  • Self Esteem
  • Stress
  • Trauma

State Licenses

  • Hawaii
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey

Race, Gender & Sexual Sensitivities

  • LGBTQ+ Allied

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Locations

Pono Roots Counseling Center - King Street
1632 S King St
Honolulu, HI 96826

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