Kaisa Martinkauppi-Vanninen

I am Kaisa Martinkauppi-Vanninen, a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. I am a certified solution-focused brief therapist, a trained MBCR facilitator, and a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. That experience, and the lack of structured psychosocial support that followed, led me to train as a therapist and eventually as an MBCR facilitator. Bringing this programme to Finland, for the first time, feels both personally and professionally meaningful. Together with my co-facilitator Sanna Tiensuu-Piirainen, I offer MBCR groups in Finland both online and face-to-face, in collaboration with Rintasyöpäyhdistys – Europa Donna Finland ry, where I serve as Chairman of the Board. I am also a trained Sound Bath Facilitator, offering evidence-based sound bowl relaxation for individuals, groups and organisations through my practice Panta Rei – Hiljaisuuden Tila. I see sound meditation as a natural complement to mindfulness-based approaches and another pathway to rest, recovery and presence. I have also completed training in animal-assisted therapy, which I practise together with Eikka, my brown Labrador Retriever and certified therapy dog. Eikka is more than a companion; he is an integral part of my work and my life. Together, we are also participating in a medical scent detection dog training programme. I bring both clinical expertise and lived patient experience to my work as a facilitator and a deep belief that no one should have to navigate life after cancer alone.