Therapists in Hawaii

Aloha as we say in Hawaii! My nickname is 'Rickie' and I would like to welcome you to BetterHelp. You have taken an important first step in reaching out for counseling help. A little about me: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licenses in VA and HI. I hail from the East Coast originally, and have lived in Hawaii for about ten years. I have 25+ years as a psychotherapist, working with adults. I have worked with a diversity of client populations, ranging from working with the military, LGBT, women's groups, and clients in specialty areas around healing with relationship challenges, self-esteem and building self-confidence, grief and loss, anxiety and stress reduction, managing change, depression, substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse and family impact, incest, trauma, and eating disorders. I draw from several therapeutic styles, including solution-focused, integrative which combines person-centered and psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and Gestalt. I value insight and goal-setting as keys to behavioral change. I can also share with you that I’ve trained with some of the best as mentors and trainers, including Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross-the world's leading authority in grief and loss work, and Virginia Satir-the world's leading expert in family systems and couples work. A fun fact about me: I went up in a hot air balloon to celebrate my 30th birthday! Now let’s talk a bit about your counseling… In these first days and weeks, the process may feel slow at times, but we need to build trust so that I may sync my style to your needs so that you can best achieve your goals. The BetterHelp counseling space is where you have your voice, it is your safe space to express and where you are free to ask questions and freely share about how our process is flowing. Whether this is your first time or not in counseling, it is important that you be open about how things are going. If you are new, I will explain the counseling process along the way. Remember that I am your guide to inspire you forward but you are always in charge of your healing journey. When life knocks us down, we all need a warm heart and safe space where we can sort things through. I am here to help, whether you are navigating life challenges, repairing relationships with yourself and others, healing loss, or building change resilience. Reaching out takes courage. A committed counseling journey leads to healing and peace. I could share that I trained with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Virginia Satir. I would rather say that I listen to connect, not to judge or reject. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”-African Proverb. Reach out. Let’s explore, together!

I feel honored when I can instill in people a sense of hope and courage in working towards a change. I work with my clients to create open and safe space where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I know firsthand that it takes courage to pursue an authentic life. I feel connected with you because you have taken the very first step towards a change by reading this. Congratulations on your bravery! I believe in reciprocity and mutual growth in all relationships including ours. My role is to support and empower you to find purpose in your life. I grew up in Japan and have been educated in Tokyo and San Francisco Bay Area. I have a broad range of work and life experience in Japan, Australia and America. I received a master’s degree in counseling with concentration on rehabilitation of people with disabilities. I have provided mental health counseling for the past 10 years as a licensed therapist. I have worked for over 20 years as social worker/case manager in a variety of clinical settings in San Francisco Bay Area and on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I have supported individuals of all ages, children and adults, with or without disabilities. The issues I helped my clients manage include depression, anxiety, trauma, grief & loss, gender identity, cultural adjustment, guilt, shame, self-esteem, motivation, loneliness, purpose, among other emotional and situational challenges. My therapy approach draws influences from Humanistic, Existential, Somatic, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral therapies. I adopt an body-mind (psychosomatic) integrative approach to help people make changes, based on their strengths and preferences. In my therapy room, clients engage in personal reflection by challenging their negative thoughts, with the help of sensory-based exercises, relaxation, and other self-regulation techniques to ease their emotional difficulties. My clients may also explore their past to gain insight into themselves to help them live more authentically in the present. I have seen my clients improve their overall well-being, be it physical, emotional, behavioral, and/or spiritual. We will work together to find what works best for you in order to achieve the most balanced well-being, while seeking practical solutions to your life’s challenges. My philosophy is social justice-driven and culturally responsive to promote the individuality of people of all backgrounds. I particularly feel strongly about supporting those traditionally underserved in the helping professions given my firsthand experience growing up as such. I am particularly sensitive to intersectionality of multiple minority status, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, and socioeconomic status. Most importantly, I believe in what we already have within despite our environment. My role is to be your partner to help you discover or rediscover your inner resources that are yet to be tapped, nurture and use them to move forward in your life.

I am recently licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Hawaii with over 29 years of professional work experience in a non-profit and in the public sector. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Hawaii with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions & coping with grief and loss. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Hawaii with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, bipolar disorder, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Hawaii with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am married with grown children. I hold a Masters of Arts in Counseling and am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor of Hawaii. I have six years of professional work experience in counseling, two years as a military Master Resiliency Trainer, an Army veteran with 20 total years of federal service. I have experience helping clients with stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, self-esteem, military service, veterans’ issues, and PTSD. I believe in active listening for content without judgement, focusing on your specific needs, offering encouragement, guidance, goal setting, and resiliency. It is courageous to be vulnerable and seek assistance in one’s life journey. I would be honored to partner with you in this process of growth, healing, and change. Thank you for considering my support. Professional experience Additional areas of focus: Anger Management, Boundaries, Divorce/Family Problems, Forgiveness, Life Purpose, Post-traumatic Stress, Defense Department Resiliency Training, Trained Leader for Celebrate Recovery Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Certified Master Resiliency Trainer DoD

I am licensed in Hawaii with 5+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, & challenges with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open, client-centered environment where you can fully express yourself without fear of judgment and where you are the expert on your own lived experience. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. I can also equip you with breath-body connection tools and somatic techniques to manage stress and anxiety and to release trauma triggers that may be holding you back from inhabiting yourself and your life as fully as you deserve. Expressive Arts Therapy/Creative arts exploration is another option in my toolkit for facilitating your self-discovery, growth, and empowerment.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 7 years of experience. After completing graduate school, I completed a post-graduate fellowship program which allowed me to have an additional year of in-depth clinical training which most therapists do not have. I have experience in helping clients with a wide range of mental and emotional health issues including (but not limited to) stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California and Hawaii with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and abuse, as well as, helping with motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seek a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. You've started the journey, I am here to support you in that process. I continue to grow and learn through Continuing Education Courses. I have a Doctorate in Christian Counseling Psychology to support Faith-based clients who want that, and respect those who only want secular psychology.