Genell is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) with advanced training in mind-body therapies. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is an evidenced-based therapeutic modality that incorporates the body and felt sensations into therapy. SE is particularly effective in treating individuals with trauma symptoms or high levels of anxiety. With a primary focus on building resiliency, Genell has experience treating adolescents and young adults in a variety of therapeutic settings including residential treatment and wilderness-based models.
Genell earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College, and her Bachelor of Arts in Geography with an emphasis in Hawaiian Culture from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Genell combines her clinical expertise in mind-body therapies and substance abuse treatment with her background as a yoga instructor, knowledge of Hawaiian culture, and love of the Big Island to effectively leverage all elements of Pacific Quest’s whole-person wellness model.
She has earned her EMDR level I, II and advanced modalities. Genell received training in sandplay and art therapy which she often incorporates into therapy. She is also certified under Bruce Perry’s training of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT).
Genell’s areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) addictions, eating disorders and body dysmorphia, attachment issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-worth, mood disorders and emotional dysregulation. Genell utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities, which include Cognitive Behavioral, Art and Sandplay Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing, and Family Systems approach.
Genell is committed to ongoing personal growth and enjoys learning, reading, playing with her family, running, communing with nature and spending time in the ocean.
Parent Testimonial: My daughter’s therapist was by far the most important element in her recovery. To say Genell Howell is gifted is an understatement. The best therapist we have ever encountered!