About
Where psychology meets the healing power of rhythm
Martindale Wellness is the work of Jeff Martindale, Ph.D. — a licensed psychologist and longtime Native American style flute player. For most of my life I've lived in two worlds: the science of the mind and the quiet, ancient language of music. This is where I bring them together.
On one side is decades of clinical psychology — assessment, treatment, supervision, and a deep commitment to care that is both evidence-based and genuinely human. On the other is the drum and the flute: practices that have steadied me, and the people around me, in ways that words alone never could.
The longer I've worked, the less those two worlds have felt separate. Both are about regulation, connection, and coming home to ourselves. Martindale Wellness is my attempt to offer the best of each — clear, compassionate education and the grounding power of rhythm — to anyone seeking a calmer, more grounded life.
The psychologist
I earned my doctorate in counseling psychology at Texas Tech University, with a focus on geropsychology — the mental health and well-being of older adults. Across years of research, clinical care, and the supervision and training of other clinicians, I've come to care deeply about getting it right — about diagnostic clarity, sound judgment, and the kind of careful thinking that leads to better outcomes for real people.
That commitment is also why Martindale Wellness includes a set of tools built specifically for licensed professionals — including an extensive suicide risk assessment and prevention suite grounded in Dr. M. David Rudd's Fluid Vulnerability Theory. Those clinical tools live in a separate, gated space. For Professionals →
The flute player
My path with the Native American style flute began in 1992, during my service in the U.S. Navy — and more than thirty years later, the instrument is still teaching me what rhythm and breath can do for the human nervous system. The flutes I play are handcrafted by master flute maker Butch Hall, with whom I've collaborated since 1999.
The drum is part of this work too. I'm a trained HealthRHYTHMS® Drum Facilitator — Remo's evidence-based group empowerment drumming program — which shapes the group rhythm work I offer as wellness and education.
If you'd like to hear these instruments or hold one of your own, visit the Butch Hall Flutes Circle ↗, a companion site I help care for. And to explore how rhythm supports mental health, start with Rhythm & Mental Health.
What you'll find here
A note on scope: the rhythm work I share is offered as wellness and education — not music therapy or psychological treatment. More on that here.
Let's connect
Whether you're curious about rhythm, looking for a workshop, or a professional exploring the clinical tools — I'd love to hear from you.