Therapists in Makawao, HI

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.

Much mahalos for taking the time to read my profile. I look forward to working with you! My name is Solana Olsen (or as my younger clients call me "Mrs. O"), and I was born and raised on the island of Oahu. I graduated from University of Hawaii-Manoa with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Family Resources. Go Rainbow Warriors! I continued my education by pursuing my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) for the State of California, a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) for the State of Hawaii, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and hold a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential for school counseling in the State of California. For several decades, I have provided mental health counseling services in homes, schools, shelters, and juvenile detention settings. I have experience working with individuals, families, and groups. My theoretical approach with clients is generally eclectic, however, I tailor to each individual or groups’ needs. I pull primarily from dialectical behavioral-, cognitive behavioral-, and solution-focused therapies. It would be a privilege and pleasure to provide that safe, supportive and nonjudgmental space for you to work through the obstacles life has thrown your way and to help you in your journey to find your best self.

What ails you? I believe many of our issues stem from a lack of understanding and acceptance. I would like to be able to provide a space in which you can explore and reflect on the experiences that have brought you to seek help. I take a non directive, collaborative approach incorporating person centered, existential, interpersonal, and harm reduction philosophies. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” - Alan Watts

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 licensed in Hawaii with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Born and raised on the Big Island. I am licensed in Hawaii with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Aloha! I am licensed in Virginia and Hawaii, with over a decade of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I've worked with adolescents, young adults, and adults of all ages in several different settings. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and your goals 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 married with grown children. I hold a Masters of Arts in Counseling and am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor of Hawaii. I have seven 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 find non-denominational, Christian-based counseling to be the approach I most excel in. I have experience helping clients with stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, family conflicts, self-esteem, military service, veterans’ issues, PTSD amd more. 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, Intimacy, Self-Care, Forgiveness, Life Purpose, Post-traumatic Stress, Defense Department Resiliency Training, Trained Leader for Celebrate Recovery, Biblical-based guidance. Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mind Management, Resiliency as 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 licensed in Texas, Florida and Hawaii with 16 years of professional work experience. I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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!