Hawaii is regarded by plenty of (and perhaps even most) people as one of the most idyllic places in the world. But even residents of paradise can struggle with severe mental illnesses and other substantial mental health concerns. The experience of conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders—you name it—isn’t limited to people living among dull scenery, and beauty unfortunately is no cure, however helpful it may be.
While your island may be geographically distant from the rest of the country—and, really, much of the world—you don’t have to remain distant from the supportive environment of a therapist’s office. In fact, there are many passionate, focused clinical practices on the Big Island that are eager to help.
If you’re looking for therapists in Hilo, HI, you can find practitioners through us that have certificates, master’s degrees, and even doctoral degrees. People who began working in the mental health field after facing their own challenges, or witnessing loved ones struggle. People who understand the process of personal growth both professionally and individually, and are keen on helping others like you through it, too.

Kerri Brown
Aloha and Welcome! I am licensed in Hawaii as a Mental Health Counselor (MHC), and hold a master's degree in Counselor Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I began working in the mental health field in 2007. I believe the key to counseling is in developing a trusting relationship where people feel safe and respected. I help individuals identify what behaviors they engage in that are helpful and which behaviors they would like to change. I use cognitive behavior and mindfulness strategies to help individuals learn how to notice their automatic thoughts and emotions without judgement allowing them to take a step back and unpack their state of being. I aim to help individuals learn to accept and feel compassion for themselves so that they can set goals with clarity and move through life with purpose. I have worked in many settings since beginning in the counseling field including: Inpatient treatment for teens, group homes for adults, community support for young adults in the justice system, and school based behavioral health. I believe all individuals have the capacity to improve their quality of life from where they currently stand no matter the circumstances. As your therapist I aim to be that person who helps you see the path and supports you in taking steps forward. I firmly believe that small steps taken one at a time generates a momentum that makes reaching goals and fulfilling dreams feel attainable.

Robert Holliday
My counseling experience includes working as a school counselor, school behavioral specialist, mental health therapist, Military Family Life Counselor, and college counselor. I have experience counseling depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, social phobia, eating disorders, oppositional defiant behaviors, substance dependence, attention deficit, learning challenges, and autism. I have worked in crisis situations involving self-harm, harm to others, suicidal ideation, and bereavement. I have also guided young and older adults with academic, college and career counseling. I am a licensed school counselor, licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Hawaii, and a national certified counselor (NCC). My approach toward counseling is solution focused and goal driven. I seek to help people develop abilities to make rational choices. I desire to promote an effective counseling environment of trust and growth.

Jessica Lee
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Hawaii. I have over 10 years of experience working in the mental health and substance abuse field. My clinical experience includes working in various settings with a diverse population. I have experience working with trauma survivors, individuals coping with PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and depression. I believe that therapy is a journey. A journey to foster growth, one's true sense of self and purpose. I work collaboratively with you, helping to find solutions, identify strengths, and adjust to life transitions. I utilize a blend of family systems, experiential, cognitive, and solution-focused therapies to work toward your goals. Allow me to be a part of your journey!

Kameron Apostol-Chinn
Hi. My name is Kameron Apostol-Chinn, LCSW. I am a firm believer that everyone on earth needs to put work into themselves, because we've all had our own life experiences and hang-ups. We ALL have something that we need to work on, and it's OK. I believe that healing and growth can happen for everyone. I also believe that, "the more we share, the more we heal". Addressing ourselves and our past is not easy, but it is always worth it in the long run. I am an Air Force Veteran with one tour to Afghanistan. I spent 11 years working in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with six of those years providing counseling. During my time with the VA I had worked with Active Duty Military, National Guard, Reserve, and Veterans dealing with Combat PTSD, anger, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and readjustment issues. Also worked with Male and Female Veterans who have experienced Sexual Trauma. I've also gotten the chance to work with spouses of Military members and Veterans. In my time counseling and in social work, I've been able to work with individuals dealing with a number of other issues and experiences, as well. I've been able to help people address their childhood trauma, including verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. I've had the opportunity to work with individuals of all ages, sexes, nationalities, cultural and geographical backgrounds, sexual orientations, etc. I'm looking forward to working, together, with you.

Christine Bush
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of clinical counseling experience. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and esteem and confidence challenges. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I am a very positive person who believes people CAN change and find the purpose in their lives. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and all it takes is that first step. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Terri Pule
I am licensed in Hawaii with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe you are the expert of your life story and you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming situations that challenge you. I am available on the weekends with messaging during the week. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Darryl Khan
Aloha and welcome on your journey to wellness. My name is Darryl Khan, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Hawaii. I have been practicing as a mental health counselor for over 19 years. In 2003 I obtained my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University and since then I have served local populations experiencing challenges including chronic mental illnesses, romantic relationship and family dysfunction, and substance use disorders. My areas of specialty include treatment of depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and abuse. During my career, I have worked with and understand the challenges of individuals involved with institutions such as Child Welfare Services, Family Courts, and the Public Safety Department. I have also empowered individuals using cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, client-centered therapy, and solution-focused therapy to restore mental health, recover from addiction and improve their quality of life. I am formally trained in cognitive behavioral therapy using the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) and I am also formally trained to provide dialectical behavior therapy. My counseling style is interactive, culturally sensitive, and compassionate. I welcome the opportunity to know, journey and work with you.

Joseph Bloom
The methodologies I use in practice are fairly common throughout the therapeutic community. Perhaps my main focus is on DBT or dialectic behavioral therapy. I believe that DBT is extremely helpful in managing intense emotions, In navigating social relationships. DBT works with a variety of disorders to include anxiety, depression, depression common suicidal ideation. Because DVT includes CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy, it is also very impactful in assisting people who have been traumatized either through childhood or through recent events. This provider resides in Hawaii. My approach There are times when humanistic modality is helpful. Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. Roger's notion of the self, or self-concept. I believe that each person has the answer to their maladies. Our work is to help them find those answers. However, perhaps the most frequent humanistic modality used by me is Roger's unconditional positive regard for each patient/client. I work without judgment. I rarely if ever use psychoanalytic methodologies because they are beyond my training and scope of services. However, I have used, successively, psychodynamic methodologies that allow patients/clients some access to the subconscious through guided meditations, Inner Child Work, art, and sand tray therapy. My focus I have been practicing here in Hawaii for 29 years I've worked very closely and intimately with local families and individuals, with military families and individuals, severely mentally ill individuals, individuals who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, members of the L GBTQ+ community, And with folks who just need a little help or guidance in getting their lives headed in the direction they wish. I currently work with individuals. My communication style I hope to create a professional but relaxed tone, where both you and I can speak freely and honestly. I am very easygoing, not likely to tell you what you should do, and practice unconditional patient regard. My journey to mental healthcare When I first got my Master of social work degree, I worked in counseling units and found that I had a true love for practicing clinically. It was then that I decided to get the supervision needed to get my clinical license. I do this work because there's nothing more satisfying to me than watching people get well. My goals for you I work w/ clients to articulate their goals, and then, together, we develop objectives or steps to attain that goal. My first session with you The first session is fairly casual. Discuss the meaning of confidentiality and areas where that can be broken. Important for this provider to hear from the patients themselves what brings them in this day You can expect that there'll be questions back and forth just for clarification, and being as what you would like to have is a goal or outcome of this therapeutic relationship. Sessions usually run about 45 to 50 minutes. That gives me time to prepare for my next client.

Gavin Theofield
I am an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 7 years of professional work experience. I have a strong history of providing therapeutic services to individuals in areas including, but not limited to stress management, anxiety, emotional regulation, motivation, self-esteem/confidence and depression. The methods I utilize are specific to the individual. I will make my best efforts to tailor our conversations and treatment plan to meet your specific needs. I am always looking to achieve the next best version of myself, which I believe has continued to maximize my ability to help others. Recognizing your struggles and reaching out for help are some of the first steps towards making a positive change in your life. I look forward to being able to further empower you on that journey!

Charmagne Kimhan
I am licensed in Hawaii with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Find a therapist serving clients in Hawaii
What types of therapists are available to clients in Hilo?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Hilo that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Hilo available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Hilo therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Hilo therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Hilo region and in the state of Hawaii.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Hilo can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Hilo may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Hilo offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.