Our Story
Ohi'a Counseling Services is the outcome of many years of study, exploration, and professional practice. In my earlier career, I studied and taught literature, languages, speaking, and writing within the university system in the US. This led to a deep interest in psychology, sociology, behavior, and the human potential for learning, change, and happiness.
Eventually, after completing masters studies in Counseling Psychology in 2015 at the University of Hawai'i, I devoted myself to the vocation of helping people live more meaningful and fulfilling lives through self-exploration and interpersonal connection.
Initially, I provided mental health counseling to university students for a number of years. Thereafter, I opened a private practice and have since served individuals, couples and groups of many backgrounds, from around the world. I work collaboratively with my clients, as research has repeatedly shown that the primary change factor in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client.
From the decades spent in the Hawai'ian Islands, I bring the values of aloha, 'ohana, adaptation, and new growth to my counseling work. I have found that the social cohesion, honesty, and gezelligheid so cherished in the Netherlands combine well with the cultural gifts of Hawai'i, and I am happy to have called both places home.
You will now find my office on the Zernikepark Campus of Groningen, at the heart of an internationally diverse and innovative culture. Here I offer in-person mental health counseling, relationship therapy, and group work by design.
Kerith G Edwards, MS, MA, LMHC
Our Mission
It is crucially important to our health and well-being that human beings have access to meaningful relationships that help us overcome our personal limitations and suffering so that we can continue to learn and grow. In our modern world, such help often comes from people specifically educated and trained in human psychology, behavior, and social-relational change dynamics.
The purpose of Ohi'a Counseling Services is to lend expert professional support to the efforts of individuals, couples and groups who are exploring new ways of living, thinking, feeling, and relating -- regardless of where they come from or the issues they may be struggling with.
Our Team
Ohi'a Counseling Services is a private practice devoted to providing confidential, evidence based, and effective psychological and relational services to adults of all ages seeking help with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loss, grief, mental health concerns, and relationship issues. In addition, we offer group therapy for people facing similar issues or needing to resolve problems so that they can embrace a collective purpose.
Kerith Edwards is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the United States and a masters level mental health care professional and coach in the Netherlands. She has over a decade of full-time experience offering both brief and long term mental health counseling and coaching to individuals, couples, and groups. Her approach is strongly rooted in psychodynamic, humanistic, constructive, existential, and relational psychotherapy. Further, her holistic orientation takes into account all of the factors that impact human well-being.
Kerith provides safe, informed, and straightforward access to high quality therapeutic help that adheres to international standards of ethical care for people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, sexualities, and values.
What Makes OCS Different
Ohi'a Counseling Services offers world-class, in-person mental health counseling provided by a native English speaking therapist at the heart of the Zernikepark community. We aim to make wait times short and scheduling smooth and dependable because we know how difficult it is to access mental health care in the Netherlands, especially in English.
If you are an international student, a native English speaker living and working in the Netherlands, a strong second language English speaker, or a couple whose only shared language is English, we strive to offer you a sense of comfort and certainty as you seek therapeutic help. Whatever your background, if you speak English well, we can provide in-person therapeutic support.
Further, because OCS does not require a GP (huisarts) referral, you can be seen far more quickly and more regularly, depending on your availability, wishes, and needs. Kerith Edwards is a certified member of the Collectief van Alternatieve Therapeuten (CAT), a professional association of therapists in the Netherlands, so your identity, rights, and health information are protected by both Dutch law and CAT's professional and ethical standards of care.
