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 am licensed in Hawaii with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Welcome! My name is Angela Mendiola and I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. I have been practicing in the counseling profession for the past 6 years. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu with an emphasis in Mental Health. My professional training include graduate internships at Kailua High School, the Chaminade University Counseling Center and a national internship funded by North Carolina State University as a Project Youth Extension Service Intern where I served military youth impacted by deployment for one year. Three components that I find most important in a therapeutic alliance are cultural sensitivity, empathetic understanding and listening. The most profound and insightful thing that I have learned in my years as a mental health professional is that maintaining your mental health is important regardless of what stage of life you are in and it is a practice that may assist you in building meaningful social connections, healthy coping skills and to clarify life goals. I also believe that education and knowledge truly is power so I aim to provide you with self-help or informative tools such as articles supported by trusted sources that explain what you may be experiencing and how you can spark positive change in your life. I’ve worked with individuals who have faced significant grief and loss in their lives, those who struggle with establishing meaningful relationships and connections with others, and those who have had suicidal thoughts. I am also well versed, professional, in the struggles of anxiety. My therapeutic style involves helping you to clarify any goals that you would like to prioritize, brainstorming and discussing strategies and building coping skills that you can begin using immediately to make positive change in your life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Hawaii with over 20 years of experience working as a therapist. I have worked with individuals who have presented with a wide range of issues and concerns, including depression, anxiety and stress related problems, and behavioral problems. I have forensic experience and have worked with anger management and domestic violence and abuse. I bring empathy and objectivity to our sessions. I am down to earth and straight forward in providing support and understanding. My approach is eclectic, with a primary focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and psycho-behavioral education. I will tailor my approach to your individual needs and style. It is often difficult to reach out for help and it shows great strength that you are seeking solutions to your concerns. I would be glad to help you on your journey to move on to a healthier and happier 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 over 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and humanistic therapy. 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 a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to populations across Hawai'i. I have worked in a variety of settings to provide youth, couples, and families with the support they seek to make meaningful changes in their lives. I strive to create an environment of safety and security for my clients by forming a strong, therapeutic alliance, and am committed to earning both your trust and your respect. I look forward to hearing your story and forging a path forward, together.

Hi! My name is Nina and I was born and raised in Hawaii. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have 7 years of professional work experience. I have had a lot of experience working with people with Eating Disorders, having recovered from one myself after many years of trying. After overcoming this challenging experience, I developed a passion to work with others experiencing similar difficulties; because I know first-hand, how hard it was. In addition, I also have had experience working with people who struggle with Anxiety, Depression, OCD and a variety of other issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without judgment. I understand that reaching out for help is hard and I acknowledge that; and will try my best to make it as least scary as possible. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and joyful life and to take those first steps towards lasting change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey, if you will allow me! :)

I am licensed in Hawaii, California and Pennsylvania with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, relationship issues, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Hawaii with 11 years of clinical experience. I have experience in helping clients with a range of concerns, from depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, ADHD, & career difficulties. I also have experience and training in evidence-based modalities to treat people who have experienced combat trauma, sexual trauma, or other forms of abuse. I consider myself a holistic or integrative therapist in that I blend or utilize different therapeutic perspectives according to your individual needs. At my core, I am person-centered and want to honor a therapeutic direction that is comfortable and valuable for you. I believe in treating everyone with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Relationships are meaningful in therapy, and I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I know deciding to seek therapy isn't always easy, and if you have had a therapist in the past, starting a new relationship can seem daunting. I want you to know that your feedback matters, and I want to ensure our time together is well spent for you. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony". I am here to support you in that process.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawaii with 14 years of professional experience. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals of all ages, from young children as young as five years old to middle school-aged children (i.e., 11 - 14 years old), adolescents (i.e., 14 - 19 years old), and adults of various ages. I have worked in the helping profession, in one capacity or another, since 1996. I have worked in both private (non-profit) and public settings. “The Conversation” in Sessions I firmly believe in " the conversation" and, in my way, demystifying the counseling/therapy session while acknowledging the client's individual experience. The hope is to provide a non-judgmental, honest, virtual environment for the client to share their story. Here in Hawaii, we refer to the "conversation" as a "talking story." YOU (the client) are the expert on your life story, and whether you know it or not, YOU (the client) possess the strengths that will assist you in overcoming your present challenges--I am here to help. My "Systemic Perspective” My specific license (i.e., Marriage and Family Therapist) may suggest I exclusively work with marital couples and families. Most of my experience is with providing counseling/therapy to individuals. I review an individual's case and what brought them to counseling/therapy through a "systemic" perspective. A "systemic" perspective refers to the individual's relationship with others in different aspects of their life, i.e., work, family, social, and personal life, and the possible influence it may have on that individual's current attitudes, habits, and behaviors. The "systemic" perspective may appear broad on the surface; however, it is just the starting point or what I refer to as a "blank canvas” for an individual to fill with their personal experiences during sessions. The Approach and Process in Sessions During my counseling/therapy sessions, I aim to create a dynamic process of sharing, exploration, and learning. I adopt a strength-based and pragmatic approach that focuses on identifying general themes and specific details behind the client's current situation that initially brought them to counseling/therapy. This initial process of sharing includes the client telling their story relative to their "presenting concern(s) and possibly conveying their ideal and realistic outcomes. The primary goal is to develop relative goals and direction for future sessions by identifying "exceptions" or instances within the client's life where their "presenting concern(s)" did or did not occur. Clients may need to recall specific details of these occurrences, such as the people involved, location, time of day, and period in their lives (past, present, or future), which can sometimes be a challenging and emotional experience. If a specific memory becomes especially difficult, the client may want to take a break, stop altogether, or shift the conversation to another topic--the client decides when they are ready to talk about a particular situation. Assignments and Resources The BetterHelp platform provides resources such as worksheets, access to and use of an online journal, and, in some cases, informational videos. I understand that people have their daily lives and that their time is at a premium; therefore, rest assured, I am judicious regarding worksheet assignments, whether they are requested to be completed or just reviewed. If clients feel comfortable doing so, I recommend using the journal function if they are inclined to do so. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, a level of commitment, and a willingness to explore the unfamiliar. I and other therapists on this platform are here to support you in this process. .

I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed to practice in the state of Hawai'i. With over twenty years of professional experience, I help adults cope more effectively with a variety of concerns, including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, post-traumatic stress (military deployment, abuse), and various life changes. I collaborate with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. My therapy style and approach are wide-ranging in nature and are largely influenced by evidenced-based treatments that challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and promote skills training in the areas of being present-focused, improving social interactions, managing/tolerating distress, and controlling emotions (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). My experience is varied as I have provided therapy to civilians, active-duty service members, and Veterans in traditional outpatient and residential settings, as well as, remotely via telehealth services. My passion is to meet my clients where they are and to assist them with getting to where they want to be. Taking the first step to achieving a more enriching and satisfying life takes courage. I am here to support my clients along that process.

I am licensed in California and Hawaii with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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 California with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. *Please note that if you are in need of a counselor to write official documentation for disability, Social Security, FMLA, parole officers, courts of law, or employers, I do not offer this service to clients.