“Emotional pain and trauma happen in relationships and therefore need to heal in relationships.”

– Melissa Hunt

ABOUT FOUR WINDS COUNSELING

Approach & Philosophy

My philosophy is to foster an environment where the patient feels safe and heard – to stand as an advocate for you in the face of pain and trauma.

I work toward building a safe and trusted environment where vulnerability can be fostered. Without vulnerability, healing cannot occur. The relationship with the therapist is of utmost importance. Because I offer help and healing with issues stemming predominantly from trauma and traumatic issues, the emotional safety of the patient is where I focus.

The beginning of the therapeutic sessions focuses on the larger context of why you are seeking help and what you need – as well as the broader context of your story. From there, the sessions gradually narrow down to where and when the specific trauma happened to find the origins of your wounds. While some trauma is on-going and hard to name specifically, some is acute and specific.

Traditional Native American healers believe the Four Winds play an important role in not only knowing who we are, but in orienting us on the earth and in life.

Each wind direction represents a season in our life, asks us questions, and teaches us about ourselves and our value in the greater context of the world. One can move in and out of each direction at any given point in your life’s journey. Like real wind, it does not always blow in the same direction. Life is not a straight line – nor is healing.

Traumas often disorient us. If disoriented, one can lose focus, direction, and hope. According to Native American healing, the Four Winds represent qualities that can contribute to psychological and emotional health offering hope when hope seems lost.

North

The most mysterious of the winds represents winter, cold and evening. It represents austerity, hardship, strength, fortitude and wisdom. It represents our personal difficulties. It is the time of suffering and grief. It may be the dark night of the soul. Old age.

Asks the questions:

How do I find meaning in my suffering? Will the suffering end? Does the pain stop and the grief end?

East

Represents early morning and springtime. It is a time of rebirth and new knowledge for people in challenging situations. It is a time where the old and the new meet, and therefore can feel chaotic. Awareness of the origin of the wounds begins to come forth. Infancy.

Asks the questions:

Where did my wounds come from? What behavior patterns or thought patterns do I still engage in that served me to survive my traumas, but are not serving me anymore?

South

Represents light, warmth and summer. The south wind is the direction of the heart. It is the direction that allows for vulnerability to express our feelings. The awareness and hard work done in the East Wind starts to come to fruition. Childhood.

Asks the questions:

What do I feel? Where am I stuck? What shame issues do I need to shed light on to release it? Am I safe enough to be vulnerable to heal?

West

Represents sunsets, autumn and afternoon. It is the wind of introspection and dreams. It is the wind that begins to remind us that life events and traumas can come together to create meaning. Adulthood.

Asks the questions:

How can I release the power of my past? How will I know I will be alright in releasing defense mechanisms that I have known my whole life? In what ways is my past still controlling my present life?

North

The most mysterious of the winds represents winter, cold and evening. It represents austerity, hardship, strength, fortitude and wisdom. It represents our personal difficulties. It is the time of suffering and grief. It may be the dark night of the soul. Old age.

Asks the questions:

How do I find meaning in my suffering? Will the suffering end? Does the pain stop and the grief end?

East

Represents early morning and springtime. It is a time of rebirth and new knowledge for people in challenging situations. It is a time where the old and the new meet, and therefore can feel chaotic. Awareness of the origin of the wounds begins to come forth. Infancy.

Asks the questions:

Where did my wounds come from? What behavior patterns or thought patterns do I still engage in that served me to survive my traumas, but are not serving me anymore?

South

Represents light, warmth and summer. The south wind is the direction of the heart. It is the direction that allows for vulnerability to express our feelings. The awareness and hard work done in the East Wind starts to come to fruition. Childhood.

Asks the questions:

What do I feel? Where am I stuck? What shame issues do I need to shed light on to release it? Am I safe enough to be vulnerable to heal?

West

Represents sunsets, autumn and afternoon. It is the wind of introspection and dreams. It is the wind that begins to remind us that life events and traumas can come together to create meaning. Adulthood.

Asks the questions:

How can I release the power of my past? How will I know I will be alright in releasing defense mechanisms that I have known my whole life? In what ways is my past still controlling my present life?

ABOUT MELISSA

Restoration comes from integrating the wounded parts of yourself stemmed from tragedy…

Melissa believes you can find meaning in pain and make sense out of the senselessness of trauma through healing – so that abusers no longer have power over you and past trauma no longer controls you. She also believes that the body, soul, mind and spirit heal as a whole. She believes that if left unhealed, wounds can manifest themselves in other forms – both physically and emotionally.

The concept of Four Winds Counseling emerged from growing up in New Mexico and living alongside the area’s Native American culture. Melissa has a strong integrative approach to healing, believing that both western and eastern medicine can play a crucial role in the healing process, – and, at times, are a necessity to the healing process.

Let’s Get to Know Each Other

If anything on this website has resonated with you, please reach out to see if I am a good fit for your healing journey.